SWINGING 'ROUND THE CIRCLE
By
W.
J. Galloway
The
Dillon Herald
March 22, 1906
Well, this week we hardly know where to start. Me and my Balaam have about recovered from our recent illness and have now decided that we don't want any small pox in ours; if we were to have it now, we'd run for the Legislature and attempt to pass a law to prohibit vaccination or small pox one. Both are more than one man's share and we are great believers in equal distribution.
We've rambled around from pillow to post in great abundance this week and have visited more places than we've seen folks. The people now are certainly hard to find at home, and if they don't stay at home it is hard for us to see them every time. We've been wabbling about on either side not knowing much were we were, but knowing very forcibly that we were among some mighty good folks, especially those who were at home.
Starting fro Gaddysville to Hamer we passed through a very prosperous section of our county in which live many good farmers and citizens.
Mr. J. B. Arnet is a young farmer here and is very successful every year. He lives near Pleasant Hill Church. Here at Pleasant Hill a good school is being conducted by Rev. W. C. Wallace who lives almost within the church yard. School being in session when we passed we would not interrupt the proceedings, therefore we did not see Mr. Wallace at all.
Next is Rev. Hugh Harrelson who is one of the most successful planters of the community. Mr. Harrelson says that when cotton was 4 and 5 cents he certainly passed through a crisis which almost overthrew him but he planted tobacco for a relief and found it. He believes in the diversity of crops, and making a plenty of what you need at home, and then, all the cotton you can. He is prospering by his own advice and there are others who might do well to take it too.
We dropped off a little here to one side to see Mr. W. M. Phillips. We found him very busy and did not tarry long but Mr. Phillips is so all round good man, hardworking and prosperous farmer who is always ready to live and let live. He is a staunch friend of the Herald and welcomes weekly visits to his home.
Dropping back we struck Mr. T. H. Pittman at work, in the woods, trying to save some timber from the forest fires. Marion county has certainly had her share of them this year and a good lot of young timber has been spoiled. Mr. Pittman was taking time by the forelock and saving his. Mr. Palmer McIntyre is another of those good old Scotchmen who has been and is still successful in nearly all of his undertakings except getting an "ole 'oman." That seems hard for him but we can extend a heartfelt sympathy, as we believe he has a kindly feeling towards us who are in the same pitiable plight. If we stayed in this neighborhood much we do not think it would be hard for us to get a "Bachelors' Organization." There are enough of them here to secure a large membership. Messrs. James and Robert McLellan, brothers, and D. F. McIntyre would come in sure. These gentlemen are progressive and prosperous farmers here, young men of energy and business ability and we see no reason why they should not reach the top-notch some day.
We are striking another streak here. Nearly every body was away from home and we'll have to go again before we see them. However it is a very prosperous section, attractive farms which show that hustlers have charge of them. And we think that the general appearance of a place is a clear index to the kind of stuff the man is made of. Among some of these were Messrs. M. C. Carmichael, McQueen, Jno. Campbell and Ed. McEachern. Mr. D. W. Campbell is a young man endowed with plenty of push and go-ahead and is fast becoming one of the leading planters of the section. He has a nice farm and operates, in the fall, a large public ginnery of which he secures large patronage. Every body fares well and nobody fares bad around Daniel Walker Campbell's.
A little nearer Kentyre church is Mr. Jno. R. Jackson, a good man and citizen and a very successful planter. He is quiet and allows nothing to disturb him, and pays strict attention to his farm where his living (and a good one too) comes from.
We are edging in Hamer now but as there are some that we don’t want to see yet will let up on them until next week. We darted up to Rowland last week and found everything there moving on nicely. There is a very kindly feeling existing between Rowland and Dillon and our friends there are very much interested in the success of the new county. Dr. H. Reedy, well remembered here, is one of our valued subscribers there and has a fine practice. Mr. F. Edens, a prosperous merchant, is another. In fact, space will not permit us this week to tell all about this town that would be of interest to our readers. But we always look forward with pleasure to our visits there.
Leaving Rowland we came by Baker's Mill and on our route we saw Messrs. Geo. Bond and A. D. Bracy. Mr Bond is an old Marion county boy who lives just a few hundred yards across the line. He is a young farmer who is making money rapidly.
Well, me
and my
Balaam will now (word left out) and let you hear from us again soon.