The Bethune Observer

Early in the past century, Bethune, S.C., had its own newspaper, copies of which give glimpses of daily life in Kershaw County’s smallest town, located in the fork of the Lynches River.

The Bethune Observer, c.1913-1923, reported the local news longer than its predecessor, the town’s first newspaper, The Bethune Enterprise, c. 1900-1902.

Both were edited and printed by the wheelchair-bound J.E. Gardner, assisted by his wife, the former Margaret M. Barnes.

In the late 1990s, Carol McNaughton, then employed at the Camden Archives, collected and printed for private sale a publication Bits and Pieces from "The Bethune Observer."

McNaughton states: “The Bethune Observer shows the ordinary life and times of businesses, rural farm families and citizens...in the early part of the century...[W]e see the lifestyle changes taking place within this time frame.

“You can vision the line up of stores on Main Street giving the community a variety of goods to enliven their everyday lives. The railroad plays a vital part of daily transportation bringing people from other parts of South Carolina and distances beyond, to vacation at the Big Springs Resort, visit family and friends and gives the local residents an opportunity to reach beyond their small town to link with the rest of the world.”

McNaughton’s work, along with newspaper samples given us by Harvey Teal, provide the following excerpts:

9 JULY 1914 Issue
Big Spring News
This promises to be one of, if not the best season in the history of Big Springs, so many are visiting here that never were here before.

Quite a number were registered at the hotel the past week, among whom were: Mr. and Mrs. M.L. Raley, Mt Croghan; Mr. and Mrs. L.E. Lee, Angelus, Mr. and Mrs. Naiford, Lydia; Mr. R.H. Burns, North Carolina; Misses Shaw and McLaurin, Hartsville; Misses Rabon, Camden; Messrs. Carter, Denham, McLeod and Byrd, Hartsville; Mr. and Mrs. W.M. Miller, Jefferson...

The dance on last Wednesday evening was quite a success. Comstock’s orchestra furnished the music, and dancers and onlookers enjoyed to the fullest the dancing and music.

Sandy Grove Dots
There was a large crowd from this section at the Big Spring on the Fourth. We regret to say, however, there was considerable disorder and drinking there on that occasion. This should not be allowed, and we are glad to state this conduct will be cut out in the future, so the management says...

There will be a game of baseball next Saturday afternoon between Sandy Grove and Tiller’s Ferry on the latter’s grounds. The game promises to be interesting...

We were shown a jar of peaches Tuesday morning at the store of Mr. H.W. Northcutt that was put up in August, 1888, by his mother. The peaches are still in perfect state of preservation and can be seen at Mr. Northcutt’s store...

The Fourth was a very quiet day in Bethune. A large crowd went to Big Spring, and several attended the big celebration at Kershaw.

Town Officers
J.M.Clyburn Intendent
L.W. West Clerk
J.A. Shaw Chief of Police

6 AUGUST 1914 Issue
Local and Personal
A barbeque and four games of baseball will be pulled off at this place by the colored people on Saturday...

During the thunder shower on Monday afternoon three fine mules which belonged to Lee County chaingang were killed by lightning. The gang were working the public road near Kelly’s Bridge when the mules were killed.

Encampment Planned
Company G, Second Infantry, South Carolina National Guard, will encamp for two weeks at Big Springs, beginning August 25...the men will receive pay during the encampment.

Sunday School Convention
The 36th annual Sunday School convention for Kershaw County will be held at Sandy Grove church...Go to stay for every session, as the people of Sandy Grove will certainly take care of you. J.C. Humphries, President.

[On the two-day program: Rev. J.C. Davis, P.B. Fields, Prof. A.L. Humphries, F.F. Whilden, Alvo Humphries, W.L. McDowell, Rev. C.B. Smith, W.A. Harrelson, A.J. Beattie, Henry A. Wise, and T.B. Humphries.]

Hotel Advertisements
Big Springs Hotel, now open and the fare excellent. Large crowds suffering with rheumatism or stomach troubles are being benefited. Good bathing, boating, dancing and other amusements. Ask your [railroad] agent for cheap rate ticket.

King’s Hotel, Bethune--Rates $2.00 per day

More Local Ads, Features
Carter and Padgett Undertakers [colored and white]
H.W. Northcutt--New Home Sewing Machines
L.P. Carter--Colt’s Acetylene Generators
J.A. Stone--Insurance
McBee Auto Repair Shop (J.B.Bolin)--Practial Auto Mechanic
Bethune Drug Co.--Dodson’s Liver Tone for 50 cents
G.S. King--General Mechandise, Pumps and Fittings
The Peoples Grocery--Next to railroad track, Bethune
WANTED--To rent or buy a two-horse farm near Bethune

Seaboard Railroad Schedule
[Four separate Northbound trains arrived daily in Bethune--two in the morning at 7:22 and 9:35 a.m.; and two later ones at 5:43 and 8:25 p.m.

Also four separate Southbound trains arrived daily in Bethune--two in the morning at 9:35 and 10:05 a.m.; and two later ones at 6:08 and 10:43 p.m.]

24 AUGUST 1916 Issue
Local and Personal
The box party which was to have been held at the residence of Mr. D.W. Horton above town last night for the benefit ofthe Cedar Creek Sunday School, was postponed on account of threatening weather...

The Woodmen and Junior Orders at Timrod had a banquet at the Timrod school house Saturday night. Judge M.L. Smith and Mr. C.W. Birchmore, of Camden, came out and delivered addresses. Mess. S.T. Gardner and J.E. Copeland accompanied Judge Smith and Mr. Birchmore to Timrod.

Mr. and Mrs. M.M. Johnson spent Sunday night at the home of the former’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.T. Johmson, at Shamrock. Mr. Johnson was formerly a citizen of Jefferson, where he was prominently identified with municipal and civic affairs for several years. He has moved to Camden, where he expects to reside. Murdock Johnson is a young lawyer with bright prospects and we predict for him a splendid future.

1 FEBRUARY 1917 Issue
Bethea Lectures
Hon. Andrew J. Bethea, Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, will deliver a lecture in the Bethune high school auditorium tomorrow (Friday) night. Mr. Bethea’s subject will be an account of his peace trip to Europe. This lecture has been delivered in a number of towns in the State during the past year and has been favorably received wherever heard. Admission free

Items
Mr. D.M. Kirkley, of Kershaw R.F.D., was in town Saturday afternoon with a petition praying the citizens of Buffalo township to protest against... a 3-mill tax to improve and maintain the public roads of this township. Quite a number of people...signed the petition.

The Observer, 50 cents, a year, in advance.

25 MAY 1922 Issue
Local and Personal
The new post office building will probably be completed by Saturday next and occupied early next week.

C.C. Horton, manager of the Bethune Hotel, is visiting relatives at Kershaw, Heath Springs and Lancaster...

A game of baseball was played at Heath Springs last Friday afternoon between Bethune and Heath Springs, high school teams...

The business houses are urged to close their places of business for one hour every day, from 11 to 12, and attend services at the Methodist Church...

Quite a crowd from this section attended the Confederate Reunion in Darlington last week.

New Jewelry Store
The Edgeworth Jewelry Co., Corbett Edgeworth, manager, opened a new jewelry store here on Tuesday.

Mr. Edgeworth is well known here, having resided in Bethune for a number of years, and is an expert jeweler...
10 AUGUST 1922 Issue
Local and Personal
Saturday last was a big day with the colored folks in this vicinty. There was a picnic and three baseball games at the Josey Spring, about 7 miles below here.

Big Day at Big Spring
Next Saturday, Aug. 12, will be a big day at Big Spring. A general basket picnic and barbeque will be held and a large crowd is expected to be present.

The candidates for state offices have accepted an invitation to be present and this will be an added attraction for the visitors. The speaking will begin at 10 o’clock, and last until about 5 o’clock, if necessary, giving the candidates ample time to present their claims...A big time promised to all.

The Home Front

Sample article from the Society's February 2001 Update newsletter.
A Lynches Creek Civil War Letter

By Harvey S. Teal

When recording the history of wars, it is the details about battles, strategy, troop movements, exploits of particular individuals, casualty counts, and other military matters that receive the giant share of interest and treatment by historians and others. Often left undiscussed or inadequately treated are matters pertaining to the home front. This approach and attitude is often also reflected by what collectors value and collect from these wars.

The War Between the States is a good example. Letters and other items from that war that have to do with fighting or battles command prices many times higher than similar letters describing matters back home.

Fortunately many historians and others have begun to realize this deficiency. Due to a heightened appreciation of the historical value and worth of these items, many are now collecting civilian letters that illuminate conditions on the home front and the emotions and feelings of those back home.

A “home front” letter from my collection datelined Lynches Creek, July1, 1862, from J. M. Kirkley and his mother to their brother and son, Dan Kirkley, illustrates how these letters contribute to a fuller understanding of the war. Dan was in Richmond, Virginia, at the time and was recuperating from a wound. Historic Camden, Nineteenth Century lists a Daniel M. Kirkley as a private in the Flat Rock Guards, Company G, 2nd South Carolina Volunteers and describes him as having been wounded. It is assumed this Dan is the subject of this letter.

A transcription of the letter follows. Misspelled words have been corrected and some punctuation marks added. Otherwise the letter appears as written.

Dear Brother—I received a letter from you June 30th dated June 22 [1862]. I was happy to hear from you that you were able to be up and about one time more. Dan, these few lines leave father and mother well at present. My family are well, except myself, hoping they may find you enjoying the same blessing. Dan I have not been, to say, well, since I left Richmond. I have been up and about until ten days ago when I was confined to my bed. I am better now, able to be up and about the house. We have been very uneasy about you since I left you at Richmond. You say we must excuse you for not writing to us. If I had hold of you I would excuse you the right way.

The conscript [draft notice] are ordered to me at Camden today. I was not able to go. I don’t know what they will do with me. I intend to get off if I can.

Dan, crops are very sorry, generally speaking. I got behind [with] mine when I was in Richmond and stayed two weeks with you. Left there Monday and never got home until Saturday evening. We are suffering much for rain. At present, it has been three weeks since we have had any rain. Dan, If you can’t get a furlough to come home you must stay where you are until you get perfectly well before you go to camp. If you want a Negro to cook for you, pa says you shall have one.

You must write to some of us every week as I am not able to write much. I must close, asking you to excuse me for not writing no more, but still remain your affectionate brother until death.

J. M. Kirkley

Dear Son—Was glad to hear from you [and ]that you are getting well. I have been uneasy about you. We have been looking for a letter from you ever since James came home. I thought you would of wrote us as soon as you was able to write to let us know how you was. We have been looking for you to come home, but I suppose you can’t get a furlough. My son, if you can’t come home, I want you to stay there until you get well before you are to come. [You] wrote that you [would] be glad of some mens clothing. I have clothes [I] would send to you if I had any way to send them to you. I want you to write as soon as you can. I want you to write if you are getting off your cot. You must take care of yourself as well as you can. So nothing more at present, but remain your affectionate Mother until death.

Nancy Kirkley