On the 19th ult., the Court house in Darlington district, S. Carolina , with all the records & c., was consumed by fire.

The last case on the criminal docket was one of intense and melancholy interest. It was an indictment against two boys (neither of them nine years old) for murder. When they were placed in the dock, and about to be arrainged, his honor Judge Bay, then presiding, expressed some doubt whether children of such tender years could be what in law is called deli cafiax: that is, whether they had sufficient discretion, or maturity of intellect, to know the consequence of such an act of criminality, and at the same time, an evil and malicious disposition to perpetrate it. His honor remarked, that he had never known a trial or prosecution where the parties were under nine years of age and so much was he impressed with the novelty and importance of this case, that he ordered it to be adjourned over, until he could see and consult with his brother Judges.

Died in September last, of the Bilious Fever, at Georgetown , South Carolina , in the 31st year of his age, Garret, son of David Denaree, of this county.

Messrs. Editors – I see it stated in one of the Boston papers, in mentioning the death of the late Gen. Putnam that he was the last General Officer of the Revolution.  It is a mistake.  Gen. Sumter,* it is well known in this state now lives in fine health, at this residence near Statesburgh.  He has been always one of the most active men in this state, and to this day he rides about and attends to his business with as much spirit as most men of middle age. – South Carolina .

*General Sumter is supposed to be about ninety years of age. 

On the afternoon of Tuesday, the 8th inst, one of the most destructive hail storms we recollect ever to have heard of, passed through Lexington district, and crossing Broad River about four or 5 miles above this place, went through the upper part of this district, Richland, destroying everything in its course; on one plantation, the only one from which we have had a particular account, not a stalk of corn was left; and one field, of about 80 acres, just beginning to tassel, was so completely beaten to pieces, that in many spots, not a trace of corn remained; the whole crop, between one and two hundred acres, must be replanted.  Our informant, on whom we can rely, and who was on the place during the storm, assures us, that after it was over, and it lasted near an hour, the hail lay half leg deep on the level ground; that many of them were nearly as large as a hen’s egg, and quite round; and that the bark was beaten off many trees of considerable size.  Considerable damage was also done by the wind, in unroofing houses and tearing up trees.

Extraordinary hot weather

The excessive heat that had been experienced in this town, during the last six days, we presume is altogether unparalleled in this country.  The Mercury in an excellent Fahrenheit Thermometer, stood at 3 o’clock, P.M. exposed to the air in the shade, on Saturday last at 90 deg. – on Sunday at 94 deg. – on Monday at 103 deg. – on Tuesday at 103 deg. – on Wednesday at 105 deg – and on Thursday at 100 deg.  During all this period we have had no rain, and the heat still continues to be distressingly oppressive.  Should this weather continue, it would not be surprising if the town of Cheraw should ere long be found completely depopulated, the citizens all having evaporated by sudorifies. – Intel.

Mr. Josh Nelson of Lancaster District , S.C. was most inhumanly murdered as he lay in his bed, on the night of 6th ult.  Mr. Nelson was well known, on account of his singular deformity, having neither hands nor arms, except one short stump of about 18 inches in length. He was single man, aged about 60 years, resided alone, and was distinguished as an accurate teacher of the languages.  The murderous deed appears to have been executed with a common axe; he was much mangled but the fatal blow was received on the soul. It is supposed  to be the work of some negroes in the neighborhood, who have been arrested on suspicion. – Cheraw Intel. 

We regret to learn that the Yellow Fever is extending its ravages at Charleston , S.C.  Seven cases were reported by the Board of Health, on the 25th of August. – Amer. Sen.

A Great Tree

The Yorkville Pioneer gives an account of a sycamore tree, which for its great size and capacity, surpasses perhaps any one in the United States . It is seventy-two feet in circumference, with sixteen feet of a hollow in diameter, had held within that space 7 men on horse back.  It stands near Hewel’s Ferry, S. C. on Broad River, on the York side. Tradition reports it gave shelter and afforded protection to many families during the lowering days of the American Revolution

The Daily Herald, Grand Forks, ND March 24, 1890
FEARFUL CYCLONE
South Carolina Swept By A Tornado

COLUMBIA, S. C., March 24 - Further details of Saturday's storm are at hand. The fury of the cyclone was principally felt in Sumter. Every house was shaken to its foundations. Roofs were carried away and demolished and trees uprooted. I. DO. Richardson was killed by falling houses. Two men, names unknown, were fatally injured and many persons were badly bruised and scarred. Matheson's machinery depot was demolished and two large sheds of the Atlantic coast line railroad were blown down. The White Baptist Church and the jail and factory are badly damaged.

The bridge over Broad river, on the Spartanburg Union & Columbia railroad at Sheldon, was blown into the river and completely demolished. An unknown man standing on the bridge was carried with it.

In Chester county the tornado did great damage. Several small villages are also badly wrecked. At Edger more, the Dutch reformed church and railroad depot were blown down. At Black stock the academy buildings were destroyed and several smaller structures blown down. One woman and several children were fatally injured. In this city the immense ventilating roof of the state penitentiary was torn from its position and thrown down upon an adjoining building. A score of convicts narrowly escaped death. It is reported that the town of Prosperity has been swept away, but as wires are down nothing can be learned. Torn and twisted trees marked the path of the storm and it is feared that immense damage has been done.

A special from Camden last night stated that the cyclone struck a house there and killed Mrs. Tasterling who was in the act of giving medicine to her step daughter. The bed which the sick child was on was torn to pieces and the mother killed, while the child, though thrown into the yard, escaped without the slightest injury.