Shoo-Fly!

It's summer which means it's fly season. However, the deer flies that have bothered me lately on my morning walks apparently are minor compared to Kingstree's fly problems in years gone by.

Fly on a tulip.

The Kingstree Civic League, in cooperation with the town council, sponsored a Fly Killing Day in 1910. Six years later, in May 1916, the entire month was devoted to promoting "A Flyless Kingstree." The ladies of the civic league promised prizes to the children who killed the most flies. The rules were surprisingly complex. The league would pay 10 cents to each child who turned in 200 dead flies. After the first 200 were turned in, children were instructed to deposit the flies they killed in pint jars. For each pint jar turned in, the civic league would pay an additional 10 cents. However, if a child chose not to participate in killing the first 200, he/she could still earn a dime by turning in a pint of dead flies by the end of the month. 

The child who turned in the most dead flies by the end of May would receive $2. The town was divided into three sectors: Kingstree, New Town, and Nelson's Addition. A member of the civic league was assigned to each sector to receive the dead flies. Children in Kingstree delivered their flies to Margaret Arrowsmith; those in New Town to Ann Swittenberg, and those in Nelson's Addition went to Lillian Clarkson. These ladies received flies on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons only, from 3-4 p.m. Children were not allowed to bring in less than a half a pint of flies. 

Black children living in town were also encouraged to kill and collect flies. They would compete for separate prizes. However, The County Record did not print what those prizes were.

Perhaps not surprisingly, participation had not been quite up to the ladies' expectations. They expressed their disappointment in The County Record, noting, "In an enterprise which is for your good as well as for the good of your neighbor, it should be a pleasure as well as a privilege to contribute thereto."

But, it is possible that years earlier, Williamsburg County may have contributed to the old minstrel show song from the 1860s, "Shoo Fly, Don't Bother Me." There are many versions of how the song originated, but in November 1882, The St. Louis Post Dispatch re-printed a story which ties Williamsburg County to the origin of the song. Here is that story:

"The other evening a party of gentlemen were seated in the social room of the Meridian Club, discussing the smiles and frowns of fortune. In the party was Henry J. Sargent, the well-known theatrical manager. Finally someone said, 'Sargent, were you ever dead broke in a strange place?'

Sheet music for Shoo Fly.

"'That experience has been mine on several occasions; in fact, they have been too numerous to mention. While you were talking I was reminded of my experience in 1867, at Charleston, SC. On the 1st of July of that year, I found myself walking on the Battery with no money, save a lucky penny bearing the date 1833. I had a railway map, and added to that quite an extended knowledge of the geography of the South, for by that time "Sargent, the Illusionist" had become pretty well known in that section of the Union. After looking over the map, I decided on a tramp to Kingstree, a country town sixty-three miles from Charleston. I at once went to the hotel, packed my traps in such a shape that I could carry them, ate a big supper and went to bed. 

"'At four the next morning, I left the hotel without breakfast, for I did not want a scene with the proprietor, and took up my march on the railway track. Time was too precious to stop for dinner, so I trudged along until nine that night when I reached Funkstown, 37 miles from Charleston. It had poured rain all afternoon, and I had not a dry thread on me. The army of dogs which seemed to inhabit the shanties along the railway, near the station, were all on the alert to give me a reception, and somehow I felt that I reciprocated the feeling that they had me under suspicion. I went on until I came to the station which was occupied by the station-master, his wife, a sick child and a Negro servant. I asked the man if I might sleep in the depot, but he said that he could not allow me to, as the roof leaked. I finally curled up on my bundle outside, beneath the eaves and spent the night battling with mosquitoes. 

"'The next morning I was up early and on the march, though I was as stiff as a broken-down racehorse. As I walked along, I overtook a jolly-looking Negro, who was whistling a merry air, and I asked him if he had not had his breakfast. He said he had not. My resources consisted of a gilded watch-chain, which I used for tricks on the stage. This I offered to the Negro if he would procure a breakfast for me. He said he would, and I waited while he went across the field toward some cabins. In a little while he returned with a watermelon and two roasting ears. I ate the melon, which was only half ripe, and then continued my journey. At noon, I came to a small station containing a variety store, and I went in and asked for the proprietor. To him I handed a pair of tortoiseshell eyeglasses, saying, 'I am hungry, give me as much cheese and crackers as you can for these. I will send for them if I ever get any money.' Without a word, the man made up a bundle of the articles I wanted, and it was a good big one, too, then gave me his address and I moved on. 

"That night I reached a place six miles from Kingstree, but having no money, none of the white inhabitants would take me in. Their refusal was a lucky thing for me, for that night I discovered the tune, 'Shoo-Fly.'

"'An old Negro man seeing my trouble followed me a short distance and said, "Boss, I ain't got much of a house, but you're mighty welcome to go there, " and there I went. They gave me some cornbread and fat meat, with which I mingled the remnants of my cheese and crackers and feasted royally–far better than we have here tonight. After supper a Negro with a banjo came and played and sang "Shoo-Fly." The air impressed me, and before I went to sleep I had learned it. When I resumed my tramp the next morning, I marched to the tune of "Shoo-Fly."'

"'But you did not march into finances and comfort to that tune, did you?" asked one of the party.

"'No, indeed. I marched to the water-tank about a mile from Kingstree and waited until the train from Charleston came by and stopped for water. As it moved away, I climbed on, and when it reached the station, I stepped off, and inquired the way to the hotel. After that I did not go hungry, though I came within a hair's breadth of it. I had arranged for the hall for three nights and had posted the few bills I had with me, and all was going well, when a man who had seen me pawning my eyeglasses for the cheese, said to a merchant that I was not Sargent, but some fraud, for he had seen me on my tramp and told the circumstance. That night I had but $22 in the house, but the next night I had $75, and my troubles on that trip were at an end. When I reached New York in the Fall, I was flush, and I got a young man in Boston to arrange the music for "Shoo-Fly" and he gave it to Delehanty and Hengler."

So, did the song "Shoo-Fly" originate in a little cabin just outside Kingstree? I don't suppose we'll ever know, but it's a good story, nevertheless.

Watergate Committee Chairman Had Deep Williamsburg County Roots

Fifty years ago last week, a break-in occurred at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate in Washington, DC. The scandal it created eventually led to the resignation of President Richard M. Nixon two years later. But between the break-in and the President's resignation, the Senate Select Committee on Watergate held publicly televised hearings during the summer of 1973 from mid-May until late September. Presiding over those hearings was Senator Samuel James Ervin, Jr. (D-NC). Although he was born in North Carolina, Sam Ervin's roots ran deep in the soil of rural Williamsburg and Clarendon counties, South Carolina.

The Honorable Samuel J. Ervin (D-NC)

Sam Ervin was the son of the Samuel J. Ervin, Sr., a prominent attorney in Morganton, NC. His grandfather was John Witherspoon Ervin, known as Witherspoon, who married Laura Catherine Nelson, the daughter of John Jared Nelson. Witherspoon and Laura Ervin raised their nine children in Clarendon and Sumter counties, where he taught school in the Brewington community, edited the Black River Watchman in Sumter and was headmaster of the Manning Academy. His roots, however, were in Williamsburg County, and Senator Sam Ervin could boast that he was the fourth great-grandson of not only early settlers John and Janet Witherspoon, but also of Major John and Jean James.

Three of Senator Sam Ervin's uncles lived for much of their lives in Williamsburg County.

Lawrence Nelson Ervin, a farmer at Indiantown, was a Confederate veteran who was wounded in battle. Not much other information is readily available about Nelson Ervin. He died on May 7, 1893, and is buried in the graveyard at Indiantown Presbyterian Church. His wife, Gotea Wilson Ervin, died in 1920, and her obituary states that she was one of the best known women of Indiantown. His son Lawrence Nelson "Laurie" Ervin, Jr., may have been the surveyor who was hired by Williamsburg County in 1903 to survey the Williamsburg/Florence county line after a dispute arose between the two counties. Laurie Ervin was admitted to the Florida bar in 1905.

Lawrence Nelson Ervin, Sr., tombstone at Indiantown.

Source: Findagrave, Nancy Lee Huggins

Another of Senator Ervin's uncles, Erasmus Ellerbe Ervin, became a Presbyterian minister, eventually serving churches in Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina, including a number of years as pastor of Williamsburg Presbyterian Church in Kingstree. E.E. Ervin was a graduate of Davidson College, where he married Lily McPhail, the daughter of Davidson's president. She, however, died very young, and E.E. Ervin later married Mary Guthrie. Mary Guthrie Ervin died shortly after her husband accepted the call to preach at Williamsburg Presbyterian, so that during his tenure here, his daughters, Lily and Belle, became involved in many community activities.

In 1905, E.E. Ervin was called as a supply minister for both Williamsburg and Central Presbyterian churches. He was described as "not a brilliant orator, but a lovable teacher." Two-and-a-half years later he was installed as the regular pastor at Williamsburg Presbyterian. Participating in the installation service were Dr. Wilson J. McKay and Elder D. James Winn, who had been E.E. Ervin's classmates at Davidson. All three claimed ancestors who had been among the founders of Williamsburg Presbyterian in the 1730s. During his tenure in Kingstree, Ervin was deeply involved in the community. He also was instrumental in raising the money to build a new manse. In 1909, he gave a lecture to Kingstree's school children on the local history of Williamsburg County.

In November 1911, Ervin was called to pastor the church in McClellanville, where he remained until his death on May 13, 1918. He, too, is buried at Indiantown Presbyterian Church.

Tombstone for the Rev. E.E. Ervin and his wife, Mary Guthrie Ervin.

Source: Findagrave, Nancy Lee Huggins

The third of Sam Ervin's uncles who lived in Williamsburg County was Donald McQueen "Mack" Ervin. He moved to Kingstree from Clarendon County in 1879 where he worked as a clerk in John M. Nexsen's mercantile business. He then moved to Indiantown where he opened a mercantile business of his own and married Susanna Theodosia Barr. 

In 1907, his health began to falter, and the Ervins moved to Kingstree, building a house on what is now Third Avenue in what was then known as New Town. The Ervins threw themselves into the community, Mack Ervin served on the local school board and was one of the incorporators of the Williamsburg Livestock Company. In 1909, during the auction of 63 of P.B. Thorn's lots east of the railroad, a handful of coins was thrown out into the crowd. According to The County Record, Mack Ervin picked up a $5 gold piece. He was also active in Democratic politics. He and Sue regularly visited family in Indiantown, Darlington and Morganton, NC,  during the years they lived in Kingstree.

The house on Third Avenue built by Mack and Sue Ervin.

This house was known as the Sue Ervin House when I was young.

In 1911, Mack became seriously ill, undergoing an operation in Richmond, VA. He survived, but over the next few years, his health failed. He died on April 7, 1915, and like his brothers is buried at Indiantown. After his death, Sue Barr Ervin rented the house on Third Avenue to H.A. Fennell, a shoe salesman, who had not been able to find suitable housing to move his family to Kingstree. She, however reserved one room in the house for her own use and often sat on the front porch, engaging anyone walking down the sidewalk in conversation. 

Sue Ervin, for whom the Ervin Bible Class at Williamsburg Presbyterian was named, gave Presbyterian College $1250 in 1916 to endow a ministerial scholarship in Mack Ervin's name. He had been an elder both at Indiantown and Williamsburg Presbyterian churches. Candidates from Kingstree and Indiantown were to have first claim on the scholarships.

Sen. Sam Ervin (second from left) presides over the Watergate hearings.

Ranking Member Howard Baker (R-TN) is at far left of photo. Counsel Sam Dash is

to Senator Ervin's left and Sen. Herman Talmadge (D-GA) is to Dash's left.

In ten short years, Kingstree will celebrate its tricentennial. In the 300 years since its founding, there have been many descendants of the early settlers, such as Senator Sam Ervin, who have made names for themselves all across the United States. It would be a huge undertaking, but collecting as many of their stories as possible would make an interesting tricentennial project.

The Watts Family Ran Jewelry Business for Over 30 Years

Suppose you are arriving in Kingstree by rail in the early nineteen teens. As you step off the train, your attention would be immediately drawn to the retail establishment closest to the depot. And, after 1910, that would have been Watts & Watts Jewelry store, located where Corner Pawn and Music is today.

Watts & Watts Jewelers was located in a "Flat Iron" building on the spot

where Corner Pawn and Music is today on Main Street.

The first thing you'd notice would be the shape of the building. During its construction there was much made over its "Flat Iron" style. While most Flat Iron buildings are multi-story, this one was apparently only a single level. The entrance was at the point of the building where the street by the depot branches off from Main Street. 

While the side view of todays building is windowless, the old

Watts & Watts Jewelry had a wall of display windows

facing the depot.

Built in 1910 by John T. Nelson on land that had long been a part of the Nelson plantation, the building was, however, designed by jeweler/watchmaker Richard Allen Watts specifically to meet his needs. There were large display windows not only on the front of the building, but also on the side facing the depot and on a portion of the back wall, giving it more natural light than any other store in town. This was important in those days prior to electricity. Watts told The County Record that he had designed the store with the good of "Greater Kingstree," the town's slogan or brand at the time, in mind.

While the most famous Flat Iron building in the world is in

New York City, more people are probably familiar with the

Hurt building in Atlanta, GA, also an example of Flat Iron

architecture. TV's Ben Matlock had his office in this building.

In August 1910, just days before the store was scheduled to open, The County Record described how it would be laid out. The large display window on Main Street would showcase silverware and gold-mounted goods. Watts would repair watches and jewelry on the side of the store nearest the depot, while mahogany wall cases would line the west wall of the building. They would display hollow ware in sterling and silver plate, clocks, and ornamental goods. Mahogany cases in a horseshoe design would fill the center of the store, where watches, diamonds and gold jewelry would be kept.

Watts & Watts had been in Kingstree for some time prior to its move to the new store opposite the depot, although in the early years, Watts' presence in Kingstree had been sporadic. Richard Watts came to Kingstree in 1899 from Goldsboro, NC, where he had been by all accounts a successful jeweler and watchmaker. He was welcomed into the Kingstree business community; however, after a few months he returned to Goldsboro, citing ill health for his move. But, in January 1900, he was back in Kingstree. This time, he stayed until November, before selling his stock to Kingstree native Richard K. Wallace.

There is some indication that the Wattses were a bit eccentric. In the January 23, 1902, issue of the The County Record, Watts' son published this notice: "Bring your watches, clocks and jewelry to R.A. Watts, Jr., at once as I don't know how long I will be here. Academy Street, opposite the dispensary." His location was in what was known then as the Stutts Building, owned by Richard R. Stutts. Today it is encompassed by the Downtown Parking Lot. Again, Watts left for the summer but returned to the Stutts building in the fall. In general, it appears that the Wattses would come on September 1 and stay until May or early June each year. 

It appears that at least four members of the Watts family did business in Kingstree over the 30 plus years they owned a jewelry business here. Richard Allen Watts, Sr., began the business and was involved until just a few months before his death on August 4, 1912, at age 73. He had retired to Florida but was visiting his son here when he became ill, subsequently dying. 

R.A. Watts, Jr., was involved early on in the business here, but later returned to Goldsboro, NC, where he died in 1937. Another son, Eugene Augustus Watts, spent a number of years in Kingstree and was likely the second Watts of Watts and Watts. In 1907, he moved the business to the first floor of the Hotel Van Keuren on Main Street. When J. T. Nelson began building commercial buildings on the family's land that fronted Main Street, Eugene and his father moved their store to one of those buildings before moving into the building Mr. Nelson built according to Richard Watts' specifications. In July 1914, E.A. Watts moved to Dublin, GA, accompanied by his sister and her daughter. He died in Union, SC, in 1932. His death certificate indicates that he was a jeweler there at the time of his death. The Watts jewelry store in Kingstree continued operating, with a third son, Frank St. John Watts at the helm. He continued in business here until his death on December 9, 1937. He is buried in Williamsburg Cemetery. 

An ad in The County Record for Watts & Watts Jewelry.

The family often advertised in The County Record. In 1908, the firm advertised that it sold watches, diamonds, clocks, silverware, novelties, wedding rings, wedding and Christmas presents, all kinds of jewelry and specialized in repairing watches, clocks and jewelry. In one advertisement for wedding rings, they used the catch phrase "When Ringing a Belle" be sure to see us. In December 1910, Dr. H.D. Reece set up an office for a week in the jewelry store to examine eyes, examining children free of charge. By November 1911, Watts & Watts had become the headquarters for fine Waltham watches. The store had also added decorative art ware, such as floor stands, vases, and hanging baskets, to its merchandise.

Frank Watts often advertised with the slogan: Quick Sales and Small Profits. In 1917, he claimed his prices were lower than any other jewelry store in the state. In 1920, he ran this ad: "BIG SALE: I am not going out of business at all. I am overstocked and need ready cash is the reason I am putting on this sale."

He, too, was apparently something of an eccentric, as on August 1, 1930, The Greenville News ran a small story which noted that while F.J. Watts has been in the jewelry business in Kingstree for nearly 29 years, he frowned on modern conveniences such as telephones and automobiles. He reportedly said, "I don't need it. And I can do business cheaper by doing without a telephone, a car, and a servant in my home."

According to the US Census, Frank Watts lived on Hampton Avenue in 1920. His sister and her daughter lived with him. By 1930, he and his sister had moved to a house on Railroad Avenue.

Spreading the News

Last Thursday, The News celebrated its 50th anniversary with a Backyard Bash behind the paper's office on Longstreet. Newspapers in Kingstree, however, have been spreading the news since at least the middle of the 19th century. Here is a look at some of them and where they were located, gathered from information provided in a story in The State newspaper, written by Nell Flinn Gilland in April 1928 and from the reminiscences of Herbert Cunningham, a Williamsburg County native, who at one time owned a newspaper in Kingstree before settling in Bishopville where he published the Bishopville Leader and Vindicator for many years.

Senator Ronnie Sabb (center), along with Reps. Cezar McKnight and Roger Kirby

present a Legislative plaque recognizing The News' 50 years of service in 

Williamsburg County to News publisher Tami Rodgers.

Nell Gilland's piece was written, in part, to announce that Lindsey H. Cromer,  then editor of The County Record, had recently bought out the interest of the estate of the late W.F. Tolley, who had served as editor and publisher of the paper, officially from 1915 until his death in 1926. Cromer owned The Lake City News, as well, which he had bought the year before. In January 1928, he also began publication of The Timmonsville News, as that town had been without a paper for about a year.

According to Nell Gilland, Richard Columbus "Lum" Logan began printing The Kingstree Star in 1856. He served as its editor and publisher, employing his brothers, Calhoun and Texas, as printers. In 1861, publication was suspended when the three brothers volunteered for the Confederate Army as members of Capt. John G. Pressley's Wee Nee Volunteers. 

Richard Columbus Logan

However, Herbert Cunningham wrote in The County Record in 1917, that The Kingstree Star was started in 1856-57 by Gilbert and Darr of Sumter. He noted that it then took all day to produce a press run of 500 copies, and a year's subscription cost $3. They, Cunningham wrote, sold the paper to R.C. Logan.

At the conclusion of the Civil War, Logan returned to Kingstree and re-established The Star. 

In 1873, Stephen Atkins Swails established the Williamsburg Republican in Kingstree. It's not known with certainty how long this paper existed, but it was likely published until Swails was forced to leave Kingstree, although his family remained here, and he appears to have visited often. Swails' law partner, M.J. Hirsch, was involved in the paper's publication, and Louis Jacobs was business manager for The Republican.

Stephen Atkins Swails

When R.C. Logan gave up the Kingstree Star, it was bought by Samuel W. Maurice, a prominent Kingstree attorney. Mr. Maurice published the paper in addition to carrying on his legal work. Nell Gilland wrote, "When remonstrated with by his friends for overtaxing his health, Mr. Maurice replied that he felt obliged to use the paper as his weapon for fighting Republican rule in South Carolina." He edited the paper for almost three years before his failing health forced him to rent the printing office to J.S. Heyward, a school teacher, who published The Star for a couple of years before moving to Orangeburg and later to Columbia. 

In 1877, Herbert Cunningham bought The Kingstree Star and re-opened it under the name, The Williamsburg Herald. Shortly thereafter, he decided, for sentimental reasons, he said, to change the name to The Kingstree Star and Herald. He published the paper until he was forced to move to Greenwood in 1885 because of his wife's health. There, he established that town's first newspaper, The Greenwood Light. And so, he owned two newspapers, 180 miles apart, during a time when travel took considerably longer than it does today.

He finally decided he had to get rid of the Kingstree paper, selling it to two young Kingstree men, Andrews, the Baptist minister and Chandler. Neither of them had newspaper experience, and the paper struggled for a couple of years before closing.

Louis Bristow

Just before Hebert Cunningham sold The Star and Herald, R.C. Logan appeared back on the newspaper scene in Kingstree, establishing The County Record in a building on the east side of the Williamsburg County Courthouse on Main Street. He edited the The Record for 10 years before selling it to P.A. Alsbrook in 1895. Mr. Alsbrook employed E.G. Chandler, a Kingstree attorney, as editor before selling the paper two years later to 19-year-old Louis Bristow. Bristow built up the paper's reputation and circulation, but sold it after he volunteered in the Spanish-American War in 1898, to Charles W. Wolfe, who remained editor and publisher until his death in 1915 of tuberculosis.

Charles W. Wolfe, with his wife Bertha and daughter Stella.

Also, in 1915, a new newspaper opened in Kingstree. The first issue of The Kingstree Enterprise appeared on June 1. Editor H.H. Brown and business manager Robert E. Houston announced that they would publish twice weekly. The second and last issue of the paper was printed June 4. Rumors were that Brown and Houston had left town Saturday, June 5, for Spartanburg. No one was sure what had happened to cause their quick exit.

W.F. Tolley moved to Kingstree from Virginia, where he had 30 years of newspaper experience, in 1912 to work at The County Record as Wolfe's health began to deteriorate. After Wolfe's death, Tolley and R.K. Wallace bought the paper from his widow, Bertha. Wallace, however, soon sold his interest to Edwin C. Epps. Mr. Epps, a banker, was not active in the newspaper business, leaving that to Tolley, who for some time employed W.H. Welch as business manager. As Mr. Welch's own business grew, though, he had to relinquish his newspaper duties. Mr. Epps also eventually sold his share in the paper to Lindsey Cromer, who then acquired sole ownership of the paper at Tolley's death.

In 1902, attorney, later to be Third Circuit Solicitor and Congressman, Philip H. Stoll and his brother, Charles, had started The Weekly Mail. That publication remained in operation for four years.

Another paper called The Williamsburg Herald was founded in 1916, owned by a stock company, and managed by F. Earle Bradham. The paper was located on Main Street on the second floor of the Baggett Jewelry Store building. The Herald published for three years before it was bought by The County Record.

Nell Gilland noted in 1928 that the various papers had changed the location of their offices many times. She wrote, "According to the unwritten recollections of some of the older citizens of Kingstree, the Kingstree Star in 1855 was published in a building which stood about where the home of Charles Tucker is on Main Street. The next move was across the street to where Dr. J.A. Cole now lives. Both of these buildings have disappeared."

Bill Rogers, recently retired Executive Director of the South Carolina

Press Association gets his door prize ticket from News employee

Melissa Ward at The News' 50th anniversary celebration.

Herbert Cunningham built a building on Academy Street to print the Williamsburg Herald, next to a store owned in 1928 by Mrs. W.T. Wilkins. While The Star and Herald was located on this site, a storm demolished the roof of the building, destroying all the paper's files. Nell Gilland wrote that one of the few exiting copies of that paper had been placed in the library in Charleston for safe-keeping.

When R.C. Logan started The County Record, it was located on the second floor of Bill Lee's general merchandise store to the east of the Courthouse. A filling station occupied that property when Nell Gilland was writing in 1928. By the time Louis Bristow acquired The County Record, it was located in a small cottage at the edge of the J.N. Hammet property on Main Street, today the site of the Williamsburg County Administration Building. Charles Wolfe moved it in the early 1900s to the second floor of the three-story Gourdin building, still standing on Main Street, next door to Jenkinson, Kellahan, Thompson & Reynolds. In 1908, or so, he wrote an entertaining story about the trials and tribulations of attempting to lower the large printing press from a second story window, and to replace it with an even larger press. The paper occupied the second floor of that building for many years before it moved two door down Main Street to the old Bank of Kingstree building. That building, in 1928, when Nell Gilland was writing, was occupied by Reynolds & Son. In 1926, The County Record moved across the street into the old McCabe building on the west side of the Courthouse (now the Alex Chatman County Complex). It stayed there until the 1970s, when it moved into an office on Jackson Street, where it was located when it closed in 1974.

Jim Fitts, printed in The Charlotte Observer, 1988

In the 1980s, Jim Fitts established The Voice. an African-American newspaper for Kingstree and Williamsburg County. Mr. Fitts was indicted in 1988, using South Carolina's archaic criminal libel law. The charges were, however, eventually dropped. But this case is now taught in journalism schools across the county.

Vickey Boyd (center) served many years as publisher of The News.

The News was established in 1972 in a building, once occupied by Clark McCall Architects, on Mill Street. It remained there until it moved in 2006 into its present location on Longstreet Street. Vickey Nexsen Boyd was publisher of The News for many years before moving to Charleston, where she has continued working for Evening Post Industries. She is scheduled to retire this summer after 50 years in the newspaper industry. Tami K. Rodgers is currently publisher of The News.

Tami Rodgers (right), News publisher, shown here with her daughter.