text: P*jM*Uw<d Vlednotdtiy ?ad Saturday. ?BT? mitn PUBLISHING C8MPANY SL'MTEK, ft. C. Term*; !l.&0 per tioum?In advance. A4 vertlseanentt: Owm Square first insertion.91.Ot ?eery sebeequeat insertion.St Contracts for three months, or leeerer erUl be med? at reduced rates. AB communications which sub snr*e netvete interests will be charged lea as advertisements. Otftsautas and tributes >f respect 1m aumter Watchmaa eras found? ed ea tist and the True Southxen in Isen The Watchman and Southron sarw nee the combined circulation and anginem cf both of the old paper*, asm to mealfeatly the beet advert*sine BIS gl Sill In Hunter LYNCIIIUR*; NKWS NOTES. Farmers Selling Cotton a* Ea**l a>> TVjf ran (.ct It Picked. Lynchburg. Sept JR.?The fre ?lent down-pour of rains are ?erious ly interfering with cotton picking and the heavy second crops may prove terloue to open cotton, preventing the sum from drying It off. Notwithstanding all this, the mar? ket Is daily dec.inlng as a result of putting It on the market as fast as It can be ginned. Some of the far mere are even selling the cotton before it leaves the Held. Our cotton weigher. Mr. M. L. Keel* Is kept quite busy ?. Mghlng the staple: | Mr. J. W. Stokes. In attempting to step a runaway mule on last Sat? urday evening, was thrown violent? ly to the ground and fearfull>, If not sasimiely. hurt; his collar : ? ne hsving been broken. Mr. a r. McLeod. father of W. T. VcLeod. and Mrs. C. K. Timmons. to et the letter's quite Indisposed and appears to be In declining health. He to near 16 years old. Mr. John M. Miller's condition doesn't seem to Improve. The Lynchburg high school opened today and the teachers were all at their posts. A few days ago a bald eagle, measuring 7 feet from tip to tip, was shot and severely wounded, it made a desperate fight with one wing. Our coon hunters are still making a very uncomfortable for the "wild animals" and snakes, but soon after they get into the swamp the other night a storm got behind them and ran them into or up to a colored graveyard, causing queer sensations in their legs which proved faithful to the trust imposed in them. They are now in the dark corner. Cotton Pickers in Demand?Close Oats While Away From Home. Park Corner, Sept. 25.?Still hot and it has been dry until yesterday when there was a pretty good shower which was very much needed for peas, potatoes, etc. There is much cotton that has not seen picked over yet, and pickers cannot be prepared from farmers say that when these are set, they will have all of their cotton gathered. While some pickers are off picking cotton for others, they are taking into their homes and stealing from them. Mr. Joe M. Ardl and family have been picking cotton for his son-in-law, Mr. Dag, who lives in Plattsburgh. Mr. Dag, who is a resident of Plattsburgh, was in town last week. Mr. G. W. Griffin was staying at the place in Cierendos where he lived until a short time ago, when he broke into his house and stole fifteen dollar suit of clothes, including a three dollar suit of clothes, and some of his had sheets. There is still no stealing going on. The store was looted. The store was looted. Mr. Ardl and his family were in town last Sunday night and had been in town for several days. The store was looted. All of the stock in the store was recovered. Mr. Ardl and his family were in town last Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Griffin were in town last Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Griffin were in town last Sunday. Miseric an rnoedemx MM. Fare eat "1 met my old Schoos? vmtm\ Lakeside, today; for the first time in an age and leave the today he acted when I mentioned you, that you and he must here had some romance or other beer we met.* Mrs. Parweet "No nonsense about it. We were married for a few years, that's all New York Weekly PLAN TO AID FARMERS. It was in the interest of the farmers of the county. Joint Meeting of Chamber of Commerce, Business Men and Farmers It is decided upon the plan which will enable farmers to hold cotton off the market. At a joint meeting of the Farmers Union, the Chamber of Commerce and the business men of the city of Sumter, which was held Monday afternoon in the Chamber of Commerce hall, the plan embodied in the following preamble and resolution was unanimously adopted: "Whereas, the representatives of the various banks of the city of Sumter have offered to recommend to their directors that arrangements be made to secure the sum of half a million dollars, if so much be necessary, for the purpose of financing the holding of cotton, placed in any bonded warehouse, further agreeing to take care of any cotton warehouse certificates presented at the banks while such arrangements are being made: "Resolved, That the thanks of this meeting be extended to our banks for their cooperation in this matter, and that all farmers, who can be urged to hold their cotton without such assistance, and those unable to do so be urged to avail themselves of this offer." The meeting was called at the request of President E. W. Dabbs, of the State Farmers' Union, and immediately upon its call to order by President S. C. Baker of the Chamber of Commerce, it was stated that the meeting had been called in order to formulate some plan whereby farmers who do business in this city might be enabled to hold their cotton off the market during the coming year. The present low prices. Reports of the big convention of cotton men which had recently met at Montgomery were made by Messrs. R. I. Manning, E. W. Dabbs and R. M. Cooper, all of whom had attended the cotton men's convention. All of these gentlemen were impressed with the conservatism which was displayed at the meeting by the cotton men representing the South and Southwest. Mr. Cooper went into details as to how the convention arrived at the number of bales of cotton which would be produced this year. Mr. R. I. Manning spoke most of the plans discussed at the meeting for financing the holding of cotton and the attitude of the mills during the present low prices of cotton. Immediately after these reports were heard, the discussion was turned towards some way to help the farmers out of their present trouble, owing to the low prices of cotton. The sentiment of the meeting was wholly in sympathy with the farmer and his efforts to free himself from his obligations and at the same time hold his cotton off the market until he could get a better price for it. A plan advocated by Mr. C. Q. Rowland, President of the Farmers' Bank and Trust Company, met with the hearty approbation of the body of farmers and business men and farmers. This plan in brief, was that the banks of the city immediately make some arrangements through their Northern Congresses to get as much money as was needed to finance the building of cotton. The money obtained for this purpose to be loaned to the farmers at 6 percent interest and the banks were to decide upon how much they would need on a bale of cotton. This plan was embodied in a motion by Mr. H. U. Scarborough, and was, with the unanimous approval of the meeting. Most impossible to get cotton picking hands and unless the weather proves favorable than it has been, the crop will be just some farmers are giving it a hundred and can't get cotton picked at that. Mrs. Mary A. Cattan, of Borden, is visiting her parents here. Mr. Henry Winkles and family, of South Carolina, have been here for several days. Mr. Henry Winkles and family, of South Carolina, have been here for several days. Mr. and Mrs. Bills Rooneyham, on the other hand, left a baby boy with Mr. and Mrs. Bills Rooneyham. On the other hand, he left a girl with Mr. and Mrs. Bills Rooneyham. and Mrs. W. R. Baked and on the Hadkin with Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Hatfield. Criticism of Absent Cowardly. Don't criticize the above make it a point when any man is under discussion to say something nice about him or to keep still. There's always something nice and how should it be? In a criticism made upon Mr. Mason, you can at once in the estimation of right-minded men. You may think not "mall," and possibly may sit down. Rock Ruff Noten, STATE ORGANIZER TO LEGITIMATE J. H. HOLLOWAY to BE IN SUMMER COUNTY THIS WEEK. Will Deliver Lectures at Va Has Place in the County on Organization Among the Farmers. Places of Lectures, J. H. O'Neal Holloway, state Organizer and lecturer for the Farmers' Union, will spend next week among the farmers of Sumter County. For the past two weeks he has been working in Lee County. Other farmers, if you are satisfied with 10 cents cotton; if you are hopeful and deem yourselves helpless to try the evils which confront you, do not go out to hear Col. Holloway. If you are sure that the farmers are the only class of producers that are so unintelligent that they cannot organize any other classes, have done, just stay at home. If, however, you believe that we could, if we would, that it is only by getting together and staying together that we, as a class, will ever do any great thing, then go out and hear Col. Holloway. Help him to interest your neighbors. When he is in your neighborhood and be sure to get interested yourself. It is our only hope of ever bettering the condition of our class. The times and places at which Col. Holloway will address the people are as follows: Monday, October 2, 7:30 p.m., Wedgefield. Tuesday, October 3, 7:30 p.m., Providence school house, near Tilden. Wednesday, October 4, 7:30 p.m., Graham's school house, Brogdon neighborhood. Thursday, October 5, Deisel school house. Friday, October 6, Col. will address the county meeting  for life from Perak last year. Of these ninety-nine were Chinese, twelve of whom had been convicted of participating in unlawful societies. It was discovered that the number of prison offenses varied in indirect ratio with the price of tin. When there was high and the industry accordingly prosperous, instances of jails were few, and vice versa. Clara Barton's Spiondid Work. America's Cross almost entirely to one woman? Clara Barton. While refined in Europe, after her arduous work during the civil war, she learned of Mr. Curtis, read his book, "The Treatise, saw its application in the treaty, saw its application in the treaty, and humbled determined that her own country should rest in peace. Said Miss Barton, "The Cross is a great idea in the City and Andersonville, with its 10,000,000, would never have stained out record." Fashions Change Little From the fresco paintings of women in the Cretan palaces of the period shout 2,000 B.C. It is learned that the women of that time pinched in their wists, had flounced or accordion-plaited skirts, wore an elaborate coat of plaited skirts, wore an elaborate coat of plaited skirts, hats which might have come from the Parisian hat shop, while one woman might be described as wearing a jape calotte. Natural Inclination The young man thinks your nephew shows any predilection for a useful pursuit? asked the serious relative. "Well," replied Mr. Groucher, judging by the ways he tries to keep his face and hands and dot, I think he would enjoy being a chimney sweep. For Moths in Carpets, Moths in carpets can be killed by the use of a damp cloth and a lot of iron. Lay the cloth on the carpet and iron well, and the steam will destroy both eggs and worms. Brush up the nap of the carpet with a whisk broom as you use ironing sack sections. FRENCH WARSHIP DESTROYED. Miles and miles of iron were destroyed by the explosion of a bomb. Terrible Disaster Occurred in the Town of London, at Dawn. Fire broke out in hold and spread to magazines. Explosion occurred before the crew could escape. Several other ships damaged by flying fragments. Toulon, France, Sept. 25. Between 350 and 100 officers and men were killed today when the battleship Lüberte was torn apart and totally destroyed by an explosion of her magazines. The battleship Rapubilque was badly damaged and the battleship Democratlque and Verite also suffered severely from the masses of twisted iron and armor plate that was hurled upon their decks. This is the greatest disaster that has ever fallen. Upon the French Navy and in magnitude is almost, Without precedent in the annals of the World's fighting ships. The grieves which prostrates the fleet and nation is more intense by the memory of the recent review here, a notable display of France's naval greatness, in which the doomed ship was one of the finest figures. The explosion which wiped out one of France's newest and most powerful battleships occurred at 5:53, o'clock in the morning. It was preceded and was the result of an outbreak of fire. The flames spread rapidly in spite of all efforts to master them and reach the magazines before there was time to flood them. The magazines exploded with tremendous violence, sowing death and destruction in every direction. Late tonight naval authorities estimate the dead at from 350 to 400. It will be necessary to go through the ship's muster rolls, a task of some days, before a full list of the victims can be prepared. A number of men already have been extricated alive from the fantastically torn and twisted mass of wreckage which once was the Liberte, and it is probable that there are others within the broken hull which cannot be reached. Exactly from what cause or when the fire broke out has not been established, but it is believed that it had smoldered for several hours. Of the vessel's full complement of 74, Capt. Jaurea, brother of the Socialist leader, and the Second officer in command were both ashore on leave, as well as 140 officers and men. The command of the ship devolved on the senior lieutenant, who perished. The fire was first discovered at 4 a.m. and the bugles immediately sounded the alarm. The crew rushed to quarters and desperately fought the spreading flames, but it soon was evident that the fire had obtained a firm hold. Signals of distress were flashed to the other ships and these despatched steam pinnacles and launched at full speed to assist in the work of extinguishing the flames and rescuing the men. The services were of little avail. The position of the fire made it impossible to hold the magazines; nevertheless, efforts to fit so were made, and finally the commanding officer, realizing that the ship was doomed, ordered the bugle to sound the "Save yourself who can," and shouted to the men to jump for their lives. Then came the final terrific detonation which shattered the windows of the entire city and was heard for a radius of many miles. The Liberty was rent asunder, her bow was thrown high in the air and then slowly settled down and in 10 minutes nothing was visible but the top works. Those men on deck when the explosion came were hurled skyward amid a shower of iron and steel. The boats of the rescuers were sunk and serious damage was done to the Republic, which lay at anchor close by. Two of her decks were stove in and one of the Liberty's armor plates was hurled against her port side and demolished the cabin of an absent listener. For a few minutes after the final explosion an intense black cloud of smoke hovered over the ship. Over the harbor. When it shifted, a horrible spectacle met the eyes of the people of Toulon; who, awakened by the first explosion, had hurried to the shore. The twisted upper works of the battleship were protruding from a mass of formless wreckage, among which struggled the seamen from rescuing boats that had been sunk by the flying debris or sucked down in the maelstorm. The work of rescue was quickly begun. An ambulance was installed in the arsenal and Admiral Marin Darbel, a maritime prefect, went out to the wreck and superintended the work of extricating those imprisoned under the shattered steel. The first body recovered was that of an officer, which was hauled from under an awning with a boat hook. This evening 40 bodies had been taken out and 94 injured had been transferred to hospitals. Electric shears to cut through the plates of the Liberte and a powerful floating crane to life the masses of steel were used in conjunction with a crew of divers who are at work exploring the interior of the hull. This afternoon the Liberte appeared as if her bow had doubled over onto the stern. Men buried in that part of the wreckage above the water could be heard groaning and screaming for help which often the rescuers were unable to give. The lower deck was in an infernal tight, one man had his foot held under a mass of steel weighing upon him. After three hours of vain effort to life, the mass, a surgeon amputated the coat. Through a hole in the armor portions of the bodies, contorted and piled together, could be perceived, all of them charred by The Markets Liverpool Sept. 25. Jan. Feb Pah? Aich Men? April April? May May? June June? July July? Aug? Sept Sept? Del Oct? Nov Nov? Dec Dec? Jan Receipts 9,000. American 8,000. Sales 6,000. American 6,600. Spots 636? 8 off. Opened easy. Closed steady. Open 5?9 5W 5:2 575 574 574 504 573 5?>9 Bde* Closed !66 5(57 509 570 571 574 574 603 570 665 5?'i4 564 New York Cotton Market. New York, Sept. 23. Opened High Low Close. 10 49 10 27 14 23-29 Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 10 40  asked: What will relieve fatigue more quickly than anything else? Clerks in stores and men generally as well as women shoppers become at times very tired. Fortunately, the British army has thrashed the question out. and tried every kind of decoction that could be thought of, and we may profit by their experience. They sward the palm to coffee, and declare it has neither superior nor equal for this purpose. The Dead Letter Office COULD BE ABOLISHED If everybody used stationery, both Paper and Envelopes, on which the name and address of the writer was printed. When the person to whom a letter is addressed cannot be found, the letter is returned promptly to the writer, in his name and address is printed on the envelope? If not, the letter goes to the dead letter office and is opened to ascertain the writer's address. The Post Office Department Recommends the use of PRINTS STATIONERY and all merchants, manufacturers and professional men make it a point to do so. Why should not every man, especially the farmer, who has business correspondence, have his stationery printed? It costs no more than blank paper and envelopes and it is more convenient and looks more business-like. If you think well of the suggestion, which is recommended by the post office officials, let us print for you a supply that will last a year. We will furnish first-class paper and envelopes and print them for you at the following prices: 250 Envelopes, and 250 sheets Paper put up in neat pads, $1.50 500 Envelopes, and 500 sheets Paper put up in neat pads, $2.25 1000 Envelopes, and 1000 sheets Paper put up in neat pads, $3.75 This is standard quality commercial note paper and envelopes. If you want something cheaper or something better, at a little higher price, we have it in stock and can furnish what you want. We have the best equipped printing plant and employ the largest force of competent workmen in this section of the State, and are ready at all times to print anything you want, from a visiting card or cotton picking check to a thousand-page book. We have the facilities and the experience to do the best quality of printing at the lowest prices. Osteen Publishing Company, 18 West Liberty St., Sumter, S. C. 