https://johnsonvilleschistory.org/files/original/02fdccb2a36b2f8e74fe15cddfadee1a.pdf 9e41302dc4d96a104e0bcac7af91b495 PDF Text Text hi The Pee Dee • , • m la one In a series ''always ~t correct weight, prompt tobacco would be sold. Later that ry prepared by facaltv of Francis e. This ls the second tebaeco growing in the supplied to the OBby Dr. G. Wayne Department.) important efforts by y lobacco interests JS was to establish a AS early as February, acbleved this objective returns, and at all times the very highest market prices.'• R. C. Crute was the auctioneer for the firm ''anxious for your tobacco." The local newspapers continued to boost the tobacco industry throughout the decade, noting that Darlington was ''moving rapidly forward'' . with its tobacco industry but plaintively acknowledging the lack of progress in Florence. Although Florence had been the first in the area in the cultivation of ce Tobacco ''Factory'' tobacco, in this case one editor conwith a capital of cluded: ''The first shall be last.' ' providing a local market. Florence merchants and this was not enough businessmen were the special mrget of some farmers because this editor, who criticized them for their often carried ad- ''lack of cooperation, selfish shutting up appeallng to fat 111ers to of themselves in their own skin ... ur home markets.'' The narrowmindedness which carmot see ere warned not to be beyond their own doors will kill any ''drwmners (salesmen) town, will drive away business and sow • Richmond, Darlington, grass seeds in the streets.'' When there was favorable news in the JDarket.'' 10 local farmers in early tobacco industry, the newspapers were Taylor of the Florence just as eager to print it. In 1897 when a -Unoa1nded that, if the group of Florentines visited Canada, their tobacco with him, the newspaper reported that the group uaured that they would had predicted that 650,000 pounds of bi - growing season was longer that in season the newspaper announced : North Carolina or Virginia and in many ''Florence is taking long strides for- cases the quality was superior. In ward as a tobacco market." addition farmers in the area improved Although there were ''no fancy the curing process, which not only could prices'' on the Florence tobacco begin earlier than in the states to the market, the average were ''good. '' north but also could continue longer. More specifically, the journal reported It was estimated that one acre in the that W.C. Player's prices had ranged area could produce up to 900 pounds of from 8 to 17 1h cents; W.H. Mcilveen tobacco .Local specimens displayed at jounal reported that W.C. Player's the Danville Tobacco Exposition drew prices had ranged from 8 to 14 to 211h praise from agricultural experts. The cents; M.W. Player's from 8 to 17 1h price also reflected the high quality. cents; and T.S. Coker's from 6 cents to In the early 1890's some Florence 30 cents. County tobacco sold as high as $1.25 a In one day in the 1897 tobacco season pound and in one case a packet of 400 pounds brought $600.00. 20,000 powids of tobacco had been sold. With the extraordinary growth of the Unlike the vision of the industrial prophets of the New South Creed, the industry, a new tobacco warehouse was planned for the 1895 crop. A new potential of tobacco was more than a mirage. By the mid-1890's, the average company was formed with a capital of profit on an acre of tobacco was $1300. Officers were R.C. Commander, reported to be as much as $150 to $200. President ; J . F. Stackley, ViceThis figure compared much more President; C. L. Boinest, Secretaryfavorably to cotton, which yielded Treasurer; and B.F. Douglas and H.F . Rose, Directors. These men had met approximately $10 per acre at the time. Once king now cotton had become a with the city council to solicit their support. cruel master. Impatient with the council's caution, Florence County was particiula rly suited for the tobacco industry. The they had proceeded with the ) I organization on their own. In particular, they "resolved to advertise the advantages of Florence at their on expense without waiting for the council.'' At the end of the decade the tobacco industry still appeared to be accelerating. It was predicted that 1899 would "be a great year in tobacco circles." There were many signs that Florence. County was '' sweeping ahead" with the " Golden Leaf.'' From Effingham it was reported that "Lee Howard, who planted eight acres last year, has run up to forty.'' At Savage Station a local merchant. A. Poston, reported: " Whereas only two customers planning tobacco last year, between fifty and sixty are planting now." The news was the same from other areas of Florence County. On a trip to Florence J.M. Litch reported that in the Evergreen area a ''number of new tobacco barns'' were being constructed. He predicted that some 200 acres would be used to tobacco in 1899 as compared to the less than twenty ('ontinued to Page 12 Early Tobacco Barn This structure. reminiscent of early days of tobacco farming, stands beside a road In the Nesmith area. In the early days of tobacco culture, the barns were commonly constructed of poles cut on the fa1·m with the cracks ln between filled with mud or a mortor mixture. Metal Dues ran through the barn to carry beat from a wood-bumlng fumace. Thia method of curing the golden leaf after It was gathered by b~nd Is a far cry from the modern day mecbanlca\ barvesten and bulk bams. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Weekly Observer Description An account of the resource The Weekly Observer was published out of Hemingway, SC from 1973 until printing ceased in 2012. The paper continues as an e newpaper on scnow.com Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1973-2012 Subject The topic of the resource Local Newspaper covering the Johnsonville and Hemingway communities. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Weekly Observer Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tobacco Barns WO 6-12-80 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Weekly Observer News Newspaper Weekly Observer