By Ron Wenzell
A State News Bureau Report

ELGIN- The last shot may still be in the gun barrel in the running battle between the South Carolina communities of Blaney in Kershaw County and Elgin in Lancaster County.

Blaney voted Tuesday to change its name to Elgin. The margin of victory was a whopping 61-16 with 95 per cents of the electorate casting ballots.

The town can’t change its name officially, however, until the results of the voting have been approved by the secretary of state. This means Blaney must remain Blaney at least until after January 1, 1963.

The unincorporated Elgin in Lancaster County registered a strong protest against the referendum before Tuesday’s vote and doesn’t appear ready to surrender its name over to Blaney yet.

“We are very disappointed over the results of the voting in Blaney.” Lancaster County Senator-nominate Frank L. Roddey told The State Wednesday. “I don’t know what our next move will be, but we are investigating several possible recourses.”

Elgin had begun steps toward incorporating, but these steps were not complete before Blaney held its referendum.

Elgin’s residents were talking about little else Wednesday.

Lance Bradley who manages the Elgin wood shop, said customers visiting the store Wednesday were not resigned to losing to Blaney yet.

“We still have hope.” Bradley said. “people are taking the attitude it still isn’t decided definitely.”

In the center of the storm is the Elgin Watch Co. A new plant is now under construction at Blaney and the group leading the fight to change Blaney’s name siad they were doing it, “to honor the watch company.”

OK WITH THORNTON

South Carolina Secretary of State O. Frank Thornton said Wednesday the change in the Blaney corporate charter to remane the town Elgin would be honored by him “unless there is some objection.”

Mr. Thornton said, he hasn’t heard any objection and none had been filed with him.

Asked about the vocal objection from the unincorporated community of Elgin in Lancaster County. Mr. Thornton replied. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”

The Town of Blaney voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to change the name of the town to Elgin in honor of the Elgin Watch Co. which is establishing a plant at the town.