News Around Westminster (1888-1909): As Reported in the Keowee Courier

By John Ashton Hester

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Keowee Courier always had a Westminster correspondent who would write a column each week reporting the goings-on in the town. This book contains selected items from those columns during the years 1888-1909. The reader can follow the development of the town, as wooden buildings gave way to brick buildings, horse-or-mule-drawn wagons and buggies gave way to automobiles--the first of which drove through town in 1902, stores began using gasoline engines to generate electric lighting, and industrial development included a shuttle and bobbin factory, a cotton mill, and a knitting mill. The school and churches were centers of activities. The economy largely depended on the cotton crop. Too much or too little rain could be devastating. Too much cotton on the market brought a lower price. Fortunately, the boll weevil had not yet arrived. . .This book will give the reader insight into what day-to-day life was like in Westminster during the town's early years.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781796096828

John Ashton Hester

Early in his career as a reporter, photographer, and editor for the Keowee Courier, ASHTON HESTER became fascinated by the volumes containing issues from past years of the paper, which was founded in 1849. He began compiling a weekly column containing news highlights from the corresponding dates 10, 20, 30, 40, etc., years ago. He first titled the column From the Past but eventually changed it to Looking Back, which is also the title of this book and six previous books which highlighted different years and contained different stories.

Book preview

1888

FEBRUARY 2, 1888

(Item from the Keowee Courier’s general news): Farm machinery is now so perfected that two men can raise enough food to feed three families.

(Items from Westminster Correspondence by E.): The winds may cease, the wells may go dry and the moon forget to shine, but the quantity of lumber shipped from Westminster never fails. . .The Hopewell school house, near Hopewell church, was burned up one night last week. The fire is supposed to have originated from some wood that was left in the fire place at the hour of dismissal. Miss Ellen C. Hunter was teaching at the school. . .The Masonic Lodge of this place was re-organized on the 27th of December, with twelve members. . .Dr. Burt Mitchell has just erected a new cottage on one of his suburban lots. The Doctor means to have houses whether he finds an occupant or not.

Westminster Grange Elects 1888 Officers

(Another item from Westminster Correspondence by E.):

The Westminster Grange met in Haley’s Hall on the 30th day of December, 1887, and the officers elected to serve for 1888 were installed by Deputy Master John W. Shelor, as follows: Master, J.H. Stone; Overseer, James W. Bearden; Lecturer, Andrew Bearden; Steward, M.F. Whitaker; Assistant Steward, W.R. Kay; Chaplain, S. Waite; Treasurer, C.J. Milford; Secretary, Joseph Bearden; Gate Keeper, J.A. Eubanks; Ceres, Mrs. S.A. Stone; Pomona, Miss Martha Tolleson; Flora, Mrs. E.R. Kay; Lady Assistant Steward, Miss Miranda E. Bearden.

The patrons of this Grange are building a large and handsome two-story hall near Haley’s store.

FEBRUARY 9, 1888

(Item from the Keowee Courier’s general news): The contract for carrying the daily mail from Westminster to Walhalla has been awarded to Mr. E.R. Herring, and the route from Westminster to Townville has been awarded to Mr. Wade Jenkins. Their contracts run for four years.

(Advertisement): LOOK OUT for CHEAP GOODS. I have a large stock of all kinds of goods that have been bought at bottom prices. They must be sold. I mean business. Come and get bargains at T.N. CARTER’S, Westminster, S.C. School Jeans, 25 cents per yard.

FEBRUARY 16, 1888

(Items from the Keowee Courier’s general news):

Captain A.D. Gaillard has been appointed jailer by Sheriff Gibson and has taken personal charge of the gaol.

The first jonquil bloom February 9th.

People seem to have a mistaken idea that publishers are millionaires, and that newspapers are run merely for amusement.

If the price of phosphates keeps advancing, our farmers will be compelled to do from necessity what they should have done all along from choice—make their fertilizers at home.

We noticed one sensible farmer this week who was hauling his cotton seed back to his farm instead of selling them. Cotton seed are worth far more on the farm than the prices that are now paid for them.

FEBRUARY 23, 1888

(Item from the Keowee Courier’s general news): An editor’s labors are seldom estimated. A lawyer will give you five minutes of advice on a topic and charge you $5 for it. An editor will give you advice on a hundred topics and charge you five cents a copy for his paper. And very often five cents given to an editor would save $5 given to a lawyer.

MARCH 1, 1888

(Items from Westminster Correspondence by E.): DEAR COURIER: Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. It also enables him to get a good sniff of the odiferous guano which is arriving on every train. . .The Westminster Division Sons of Temperance had a rousing big time at their last meeting on Saturday night. By happy coincidence three preachers were in attendance, viz: Revs. Dr. Manly, M.L. Carlisle and W.W. Abbott. Each of these gentlemen made a stirring address. . .Dr. Charles Manly, President of Furman University, Greenville, S.C., visited Westminster last week. Dr. Manly is endeavoring to interest the Baptists of this county in an effort to increase the endowment fund of his university. . .Joe Brown, of Georgia, entered the Westminster school as a pupil last week!

Book Rental Enterprise Doing Good Business

(Another item from Westminster Correspondence by E.):

Mr. W.P. Anderson, one of our leading merchants, is operating in connection with his other businesses, a book enterprise, which is meeting with much favor from the people.

Mr. Anderson keeps in stock a good supply of books for general reading, which he rents for a small fee.

MARCH 8, 1888

(Items from Westminster Correspondence by E.): The Westminster Division Sons of Temperance will celebrate the first anniversary of its existence at the next meeting. The infant of twelve months has grown into a vigorous youth. . .Pretty peach blossoms now perfume the pleasant air. . .Several cars of mules and horses passed on the Air Lines last week going East. . .The literary club enjoyed a very pleasant meeting at the hospitable home of Mr. John Carter on last Friday evening. The club, which holds weekly meetings and which is now more than a year old, has done much good among our young people by cultivating a taste for classical literature. . .Dr. Burt Mitchell and Mrs. Mitchell have quite a number of boarders now.

New Ladies’ Head Gear Store Opens

(Another item from Westminster Correspondence by E.):

Miss Annie Jones has returned from Atlanta, bringing a fresh supply of fashionable frills, fantastic frounces, funny furbelows and other fancy fixins, all fitted to fascinate the fair sex.

The establishment is a bran new one in Westminster and will be operated by Miss Annie and Mrs. W.R. Zimmerman. They occupy a room on Main street.

Young ladies who need any head gear can call on Miss Annie at the store. The young men will continue to call as heretofore at the family residence, one-half mile East of town.

New Physician Rumored Coming to Town

(Another item from Westminster Correspondence by E.):

The probability is that Westminster will add a new physician to her population in a few days. This will be Mr. W.S. Cornog, of Franklin county, Ga., who graduated last week from the Atlanta Medical College with the first honors of his class.

It is the purpose of Dr. Mitchell to retire from practice and give his entire attention to his drug business.

Opossum Treed after Chase … by Mules!

(Another item from Westminster Correspondence by E.):

We are reliably informed that Rev. E.E. Verner, who lives a few miles South of this place (Westminster), has some mules which have recently exhibited some strong canine qualities. While riding along the road through the forest, Mr. Verner observed a mule colt that was following him run off through the woods as if chasing something.

The mule on which Mr. V. was riding made off in the same direction with an evident desire to join in the chase.

After capering around for some time, the mules drew up to a tree and seemed to indicate that the object of pursuit had gone up it. Mr. Verner’s curiosity led him to inspect the tree closely, upon which he soon descried an opossum.

MARCH 15, 1888

(Items from the Keowee Courier’s general news):

About this time the politican begins to talk of the office seeking the man, and he clearly indicates by his tone of voice that he is the man it is looking for.

Candidates should be getting up a stock of good laughable anecdotes that will make the people split their sides. No stale ones allowed this year. The candidate who carries some of the comic almanacs around in the campaign should be ruled out of the race.

There are just two sides of the temperance question—a right side and a wrong side. It is hardly probable that the saloon keepers, gamblers and criminals are on the right side. If you are with them, look well to your footing.

MARCH 29, 1888

(Item from the Keowee Courier’s general news): The storm (*) in Oconee on Tuesday night of last week was general throughout the county. There was little or no damage at or near Walhalla. But in other portions of the county the damage is general.

(*) In several other stories in this issue, the Courier called the storm a cyclone.

Suspected Cyclone Wakes Up Westminster

(Item from Westminster Correspondence by E.):

On last Tuesday night between one and two o’clock our people were awoke by what seemed to be a cyclone. The peculiar roar which accompanies a cyclone was clearly discernible, and nearly every family was up expecting the worst. For half an hour the wind blew with great fury, but finally abated without any serious damage.

A number of trees were uprooted and a great many garden fences damaged. An unfinished dwelling, belonging to Mr. J.T. King, was lifted off its pillars. A portion of Col. Mason’s windmill was blown away. Mr. William Abbott, near Conneross Baptist church, had his milk cow killed by the blowing down of his stable.

(Another item from Westminster Correspondence by E.): Mr. John Carver walks five miles to attend the Westminster school.

APRIL 5, 1888

(Item from the Keowee Courier’s general news): The ice is broken at last. Messrs. H.A.H. Gibson and W.M. Dillard announced this week as candidates for Sheriff, and Col. R.E. Mason as a candidate in the Senatoral race. (Book editor’s note): They were all candidates in the Democratic primary election. In that era there were never any Republican candidates for local offices, so the winner of the Democratic primary was automatically elected.

Visitor Notes Westminster Improvements

(Items from Tugaloo Home Correspondence by B.F.K.):

We will notice a few items during a visit to Westminster last week. The Westminster flour mill, where we exchange our own wheat for snowy white flour, has intricate machinery that takes out all extraneous matter foreign to the staff of life, and if one wishes to use a little of the outer coats of this royal grain to make graham, he has a clean bran to give the phosphates.

We notice a fine two-story building at Haley’s store that the Grangers are erecting, the upper room to be used as a hall and the basement as a store room.

The road below Westminster is being widened to twenty feet and otherwise improved.

APRIL 26, 1888

(Items from the Keowee Courier’s general news):

Dr. Burt Mitchell, of Westminster, was elected President of the Oconee Medical Society at a recent meeting of that body.

A Pickens letter to the Easley Messenger states that the teachers of the county met to organize a Teachers Institute. We hope the teachers of Oconee will call a meeting and organize an Institute in this county.

Leading Prohibitionists in this State are preparing to take steps for effecting an organization in line with the National Prohibition party.

The Republicans of Oconee County, to the number of 35, met in convention in Walhalla, April 19th. M.H. Bryce was elected party chairman and he and S. Jones were elected as delegates to the State Republican Convention.

Oconee Election Precincts: The following named places are the legal election precincts for Oconee county: Walhalla, West Union, High Falls, Salem, Little River, Rowland’s, Mrs. Barker’s, Damascus, Cleveland, Tugaloo Academy, Richland, Westminster, South Union, Seneca City, Haley’s Store, Holly Springs, Sitton’s Mill, Fair Play.

MAY 3, 1888

(Item from the Keowee Courier’s general news): All the Democratic Clubs in the county are called to meet on Saturday, the 5th instant, for the purpose of reorganization and the appointment of delegates to the County Convention.

(Items from Westminster Correspondence by E.): DEAR COURIER: Sickness and absence from home have caused a break, during the last few weeks, in our contributions to the COURIER. . .An election of town officers was held in Westminster on the 23rd instant with the following results: Mayor, A. Zimmerman; Councilmen, R.A. Mathewson, C.A. Smithson, J.W. McGee and Jeff. G. Waldrip. . .Mr. James C. Miller keeps dogs and hunts rabbits on rainy days. He counts 150 scalps since the first of January. . .Mr. William Cross, who has been distinguished for his attention to business, was unexpectedly missing for a few days last week from his post at Col. R.E. Mason’s buggy and wagon shop. . .James A. Kay and family, who went to Texas last fall, have returned to the land of their nativity and will reside in Westminster for the present. . .Mr. W.C. Porter returned home last week a full fledged graduate of the Lexington, Ky., Business College.

Temperance Jubilee and Picnic Set

(Another item from Westminster Correspondence by E.):

On the 18th instant a Temperance Jubilee and Picnic will be held by the Westminster Division Sons of Temperance.

All candidates would do well to have themselves announced by that time and be on hand with a basket proportioned in size to the vote which they expect to receive. Candidates acting on this suggestion will please have stars affixed to their baskets for the information of those who are hungry.

MAY 10, 1888

(Items from Westminster Correspondence by E.): The time fixed for the Temperance Jubilee of the Westminster Division Sons of Temperance is Saturday, the 19th of May. The meeting will be on the grounds of the school building. Everybody is invited to come and bring himself and a basket. If either one is left at home let it not be the basket. . .The ladies of New Baptist Church will give a strawberry festival for the benefit of their church next Friday night.

‘Westminster Guards’ Company Organized

(Another item from Westminster Correspondence by E.):

The young men of Westminster and the surrounding country met last night and organized a military company under the name of the Westminster Guards.

The following officers were elected: Captain, B.H. Cross; 1st Lieutenant, Dr. W.W. Cornog; 1st Sergeant, W.G. Smithson; 2d Sergeant, W.M. Kay; 3d Sergeant, J.C. Miller; 1st Corporal, G.W. Kay; 2d Corporal, C.A. Smithson; 3d Corporal, T.N. Hall; Surgeon, Dr. Burt Mitchell.

The Captain says the company is composed of material that can be relied on in any emergency demanding military prowess and valor, and if their colors are ever seen to trail in the dust, there will be found beneath their tattered folds the carved carcasses of forty as valiant lads as ever went forth to sniff the breeze of battle.

MAY 17, 1888

(Items from Westminster Correspondence by E.): A streak of winter knocked the bottom out of summer yesterday and all the warm weather leaked out. Frost is reported from all quarters this morning and some apprehend that the cotton crop is damaged. . .The strawberry festival given last Friday evening by the Ladies Aid Society of the Baptist church was well attended and netted a very handsome sum. . .We regret to announce that Mrs. M.F. Puckett of this place fell yesterday from the steps leading to the store-room of Mr. W.M. Dillard. She sustained severe bruises but no bones were broken. . .Messrs. Joseph Norris and Robert Reid boarded the West-bound train on the Air Line Monday morning. They go to Alabama to engage in railroading.

(Advertisement): For Sale: A Good Saw Mill. John V. Stribling, Westminster, S.C.

MAY 24, 1888

Sons of Temperance Pic Nic Enjoyed

(Item from the Keowee Courier’s general news):

The Division of the Sons of Temperance at Westminster gave a pic nic on the Academy grounds, in that town, on Saturday last. The Walhalla Division was invited, and a number of the members were present.

The procession of Sons was formed in the grove at the Academy, and was then marched through the principal streets of the town, and returned to the position of honor at the stand, where the speeches were to be delivered.

Temperance was the all absorbing topic of the day. The brass band of Toccoa, Ga., furnished excellent music for the occasion.

(Items from Westminster Correspondence by E.): The spring bird has ceased his whistle. The reptiles that had crawled forth to bask in the sunshine of summer have now retired to their winter dens. Our room doors are closed and the windows are all down. Big fires are blazing on the hearth. Outside the cold rain is falling. . .On next Friday night the ladies of the Methodist church will give a hot supper, the proceeds to be used for re-seating their church.

Westminster Brass Band Being Formed

(Another item from Westminster Correspondence. by E.):

The appearance of the Toccoa Brass Band at our Jubilee on Saturday infused quite a musical spirit into our boys, and they can’t understand how they have done without a brass band for so long.

Nearly one hundred dollars have been subscribed by our citizens, and it is probable that our atmosphere will soon be filled with the blowing of horns and beating of drums.

MAY 31, 1888

(Items from Westminster Correspondence by E.): Another change in the weather and summer seems to have begun in earnest. Cotton is very small and the stand poor. Rust has appeared on the wheat. . .Mr. Tom Gray, who lives on Capt. G.W. Phillips’ place, reports that he killed five owls at one shot. People having owls to slaughter would do well to send for Mr. Gray. If he can’t be had, the next in order is Mr. James D. Porter, who killed three of the same birds at one shot. . .Mr. W.L. England, who has been attending Mercer University, at Macon, Ga., has returned home for the summer.

JUNE 7, 1888

(Item from the Keowee Courier’s general news): Mr. A.B. McGuffin, the steward of the poor farm, stated to us that the outlay by the county for support of the paupers, over and above supplies grown on the farm, was, for the month of April, $17.90, and for the month of May $3.20.

(Items from Westminster Correspondence by E.): Dr. J.P. Carlisle, a dentist from Greenville, S.C., is on one of his professional visits to Westminster. . .Rev. J.N. Wright, agent for an illustrated Bible, was taking subscriptions in Westminster yesterday. . .Children’s Day in the Methodist church at Center was celebrated on last Sunday.

Educational Joint Stock Company Meets

(Another item from Westminster Correspondence by E.):

The annual meeting of our Educational Joint Stock Company was held last night. The following officers were elected: Directors, A. Zimmerman, R.E. Mason, R.A. Mathewson, Dr. Burt Mitchell, J.D. Dickson, M.A. Terrell and E.R. Doyle. Secretary and Treasurer, W.P. Anderson. Mr. A. Zimmerman was elected President of the Board of Directors.

The commencement exercises of the school will be held on Friday, the 15th instant. The exercises will begin at 10 A.M. and continue until 1.

Gala Day Takes Aim at ‘Whiskey Curse’

(Item from Tugaloo Home Correspondence by B.F.K.): The 19th at Westminster was a gala day. It was one of the May festivities enjoyed by all—lads and lassies, adults and children, the temperate and the intemperate—and we hope it may inaugurate a new impetus for the crusade against the whiskey curse.

JUNE 14, 1888

Westminster High School Has Closing Exercises

(Item from the Keowee Courier’s general news):

Programme of the Closing Exercises of the Westminster High School. Friday, June 15, 1888, 10 A.M.

(Book editor’s note):

The entire programme was listed. The students who made individual presentations were Hugh Bibb, Olin Zimmerman, Sallie Terrell, Rosa Mathewson, Lela Carter, George Marett, Paul Burns, Jessie Stribling, Frank Cross, Hattie Norris, Clinton Stribling, Clarence Mason, Jimmie Moss, Mollie Terrell, Pauline Mason, Robert Burns, Clarence McLin, James Norris, Florence Norris, Eula Hull, Lou Ann Norris and Lillian Mason.

The Valedictory was by Robbie Kirkpatrick.

Some presentations by multiple students did not list names, such as, Speech: ‘Give the Little Boys a Chance’—Six Little Boys.

JUNE 21, 1888

Identity of E. is revealed

(Book editor’s note): In this issue of the Keowee Courier, E., the writer of the Westminster Correspondence column, is revealed to be Prof. E.R. Doyle, principal of the Westminster High School.

(Items from Westminster Correspondence by E.): Mr. Hugh Blair, a life-long citizen of this community, died at his home two miles from Westminster on the morning of the 16th instant. . .Mrs. Phebe Doyle lies very sick of bilious fever at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Daniel Hull. Mrs. Doyle is nearly eighty years of age.

More News about Closing Exercises at School

(This account of the closing exercises at Westminster High School provides some more details, in addition to the account that was in the previous week’s Keowee Courier. The writer is not identified):

The closing exercises of the Westminster High School were held on the School House grounds, in a beautiful grove. This was one of the most enjoyable entertainments ever held in Westminster. This fact is due in a very large measure, first to the efficiency of Prof. E.R. Doyle, Principal of the school, and second, the unceasing zeal and energy of Miss Josie Wilks, assistant.

(Book editor’s note): The article proceeds to give a detailed report on the entertainment, including the following excerpts: How I Love the Baby, sang by little Eula Hull, requires especial mention as being most beautifully sang and enjoyed by all …The Doll Drill, by twelve little girls, was nicely performed.

JUNE 28, 1888

History of Westminster Schools Recounted

(Book editor’s note): An article with the headline, Westminster High School. An address delivered by A. Zimmerman, Esq., on June 15, 1888, recounting the early history of the schools of that flourishing and progressive town, occupied slightly over half of the front page of this issue of the Keowee Courier. Following are some excerpts from Mr. Zimmerman’s address:

I was the first man that settled in Westminster and of course have seen all its progress. I well remember when all this town was in the woods. I also well remember the first school we had in Westminster, and the house it was taught in. The house is still standing. It was not erected for the purpose of a school building; it was built for a saw mill shanty. It is situated in the Southeastern part of the town, on the left hand side of the Richmond & Danville railroad, Atlanta & Charlotte Division, and Richmond & Danville Syndicate, and nearly opposite Mrs. Doran Kay’s, and is now occupied by Jim Chancy, a colored person.

Prof. G.W. Green, now deceased, was elected principal of this high school; I believe that is what we called it. And I can say to the honor of the deceased Professor that he always had a full house or a house full. I had the honor to be trustee for this school. But after a while the people of Westminster concluded that the location was a bad one for school purposes. They said it was too close to the railroad, and that the trains scared out all the learning that Prof. Green scared in. So the school was moved.

About that time there happened to be a two-story building in town, the first one built in the town, with a hall in the second story, and at a meeting of the citizens it was decided that the school should be moved to the hall. And Prof. B.H. Cross was elected unanimously and without dissenting voice to take charge of the high school. This made us feel mighty big and proud, now that we had a high school sure enough, for this hall, to the best of my recollection, was about twelve feet high. We called our teacher all kinds of names—Mr. President Cross, Mr. Professor Cross, Mr. High School Cross, &c. I have forgotten how many it was that graduated the first year, and every one of them with first honors.

Prof. Cross made the boys walk the chalk line. I was down town not long since and happened to be out in the woods back of the school hall with a friend, and he remarked that the bushes had not got over Prof. Cross’s cutting switches out of them until this day. I never did hear what kind of a line he made the girls walk.

But something got the matter, and this hall would not do for school purposes any longer. Another big town meeting was called, and we procured from Mr. Jones a lot and built the house now standing over yonder. I don’t recollect now what all we did call this new building. I think it was College, University, High School, and so forth, &c. But one thing I do know, we were all mighty proud of our new school house.

After this building was completed, we must have a fine teacher. We advertised by letter and otherwise. And here the teachers came. They came on the train, in buggies, on horseback and afoot. I thought the town was going to be captured by the teachers—these pettifoggers or pettigoggers, I believe they call them. We employed Mr. Tom Smith the first three months, and Prof. Peter Jones the next three months, and Miss Susan Scovendike the next three months. And I do verily believe the town lost about half of their time hiring teachers and keeping them.

We had another whopping big town meeting and elected Prof. E.R. Doyle principal of the school, just like Prof. Cross was elected, unanimously and without a dissenting vote.

Well the town kept growing and the children kept increasing. So once more I happened to be out in town and my attention was directed to a big advertisement on a door: School House Meeting To-Night. Prof. Doyle was at the meeting. He said we must have some more room, so we formed ourselves into an Educational Joint Stock Company and commenced to devise ways and means to build the new house. The work was let out and was finished about the first of September 1886, nearly two years ago. And to-day we are enjoying the privileges of one of the best village high schools in the up country.

JULY 12, 1888

(Items from Westminster Correspondence by E.): The heated season has arrived and the question now is how to keep cool. . .The new wheat has reached the market and is pronounced very sorry. The roller mill is engaged daily in converting it into flour, but Messrs. Freeman and Simpson say they have a tough time in making flour from some of the lots sent in. . .A.B. McGuffin, proprietor of the poorhouse farm, sent in a cotton bloom picked from his field on the 25th. . .Dr. Burt Mitchell gave a juvenile party at his residence last night which was largely attended and greatly enjoyed by the lads and lassies of the town.

Mail Schedule to Walhalla Made

(Item from the Keowee Courier’s general news):

An important change in the schedule of our Walhalla mail has gone into effect. It now leaves Westminster at 10 A.M., instead of 12:40 P.M., as heretofore. Returning leaves Walhalla at 4 P.M.

Mr. E.R. Herring has the contract on this route for the next four years. He succeeds Mr. Wm. Holden, who has had the route for the past eight years.

JULY 19, 1888

Westminster Correspondent Very Sick

(Item from the Keowee Courier’s general news): We regret to learn of the sickness of Prof. E.R. Doyle, of Westminster. He is reported as very sick. His interesting weekly letters from Westminster to the COURIER will be sadly missed during his illness. We hope for his speedy recovery.

Candidate Speaking Schedule Announced

(Item from the Keowee Courier’s general news):

Our people should not forget the county campaign, which begins at Walhalla on Wednesday, July 25th, Seneca, Thursday, July 26th, and Westminster, Friday, July 27th. The candidates for the various offices will address the people.

The Democracy (*) should turn out in large numbers to these meetings.

(*) - In that era it was common to refer to the Democratic Party as the Democracy.

AUGUST 2, 1888

Correspondent’s Death Announced

(Book editor’s note):

The death notice of Prof. E.R. Doyle, who had been writing the Westminster Correspondence for the Courier, was in this issue of the paper. The notice stated, in part, He has been the regular correspondent from Westminster for the past four years, and his fresh, newsy and interesting letters have proved him to be a ready writer … For the last five years he has been the principal of the Westminster High School … He had been suffering about three weeks from typhoid fever.

Directory of Public Officials

Members of the General Assembly. Senator—D. Biemann. Representatives—R.E. Mason and Joel Beard.

County Officers. Clerk of Court—James Seaborn. Sheriff—H.A.H. Gibson. Probate Judge and Master—Richard Lewis. School Commissioner—Isaac Wickliffe. Coroner—R.T. Jaynes. County Commissioners—W.N. Cox, A.P. Crisp and A. Bearden. Clerk—Joe W. Shelor. Steward Poor House—A.B. McGuffin. Auditor—John J. Smith. Treasurer—J.W. Holleman. Supervisor of Registration—N.C. McDonald. Jury Commissioner—G. Wanner.

AUGUST 23, 1888

Westminster Correspondent Needed

(Book editor’s note): In a letter to the editor in this issue of the Keowee Courier, N.L. Davis expressed his sympathy to the family of Prof. E.R. Doyle of Westminster, who was the Courier’s Westminster correspondent before his recent death. Mr. Davis also asked that some one give us the news from Westminster, through the columns of the Courier.

Impressive Cotton Crop Reported

(Item from the Keowee Courier’s general news):

Mr. Wm. J. Stribling, of Westminster, has eight or ten acres of the best cotton we have seen. He is counting on a 500 pound bale to the acre.

He informed us that the total cost of cultivating this cotton to the present time, including fertilizers, plowing, hoeing, &c., is about $7.50 per acre. To gather the crop, ginning, &c., will amount to about $7.50 more, which will aggregate $15 per acre.

This cotton at 8 cents will sell for $40, netting Mr. Stribling $25 per acre, besides the cotton seed. Who says farming will not pay?

SEPTEMBER 6, 1888

(Item from the Keowee Courier’s general news): Some of the rum-soaked politicians are asking, If you get prohibition, what will we do with our corn? We will raise more hogs and less hell.

Grangers Plot Against Jute Bagging Trust

(This issue of the Keowee Courier contained a lengthy story titled The Oconee Grangers, reprinted in the Courier from the Greenville News. Following is the beginning of the story):

The farmers about Westminster, Oconee County, propose to see the Jute Bagging Trust and go it a long ways better.

Their plan is a simple one, and sensible. The Grange, which a few years ago was pretty thoroughly organized all over the State, but suffered in most sections a decline almost as rapid as its growth, is still an active organization in Oconee, and the Westminster Grange is one of the strongest in the county, having 105 members.

Ever since the bagging combine rushed up prices on cotton baling, the Westminster Grangers have been thirsting for a small share of the combine’s gore, and they believe they know how to get it. They conclude that if they could sell their cotton direct to the factories they wouldn’t be obliged to buy jute bagging and would consequently be independent of the trust.

Courier Editorial Supports Grangers

(The Keowee Courier editors responded to the above report with an editorial supporting the Grangers’ efforts. Following are some excerpts from the editorial):

Members of the Grange in Oconee claim that the cotton buyers in their market towns combine against them to keep down the price of cotton. Whether that is true or not in this case, it is certain that in smaller towns where cotton buyers are few, such a combination is always possible. It is not possible where there is a factory which can take a good part of the crop of the neighborhood.

The bagging trust is a new thing, but other things of the kind likely to injure and oppress the cotton grower will always be likely to come, so long as the cotton grower is defenseless, and forced to hurry his crop into the market and take what he can get. The more local factories there are, the stronger the competition will be and the better hope there will be for having top prices bid. They make the farmer independent of bagging and hoop iron trusts, freights and shippers.

(Book editor’s note): Fortunately for Oconee’s cotton growers, the county’s first cotton factory was being planned in Seneca, and cotton factories would soon follow in Newry, Walhalla and Westminster.

SEPTEMBER 13, 1888

(Item from the Keowee Courier’s general news): The next Regular Examination of Teachers before the County Board of Examiners for Oconee county will be held at Walhalla on Friday, the 5th day of October, 1888.—Isaac Wickliffe, Wm J. Stribling, S.H. Johnson, Examining Board.

Westminster High School Advertises for Pupils

Westminster High School opens Monday, September 17th instant. Continues ten months. H. Turner Smith, A.M., Principal, with a corps of competent assistants. Tuition per month: Primary class $1.50. Intermediate class $2.50. Advanced class $3.50. Music $3.00. Pupils prepared for college or business life. This is a town of churches, remarkably moral, temperate, refined and one of the healthiest places in the world. No intoxicating liquor here. Send us your boys and girls. For further particulars apply to the principal, H. Turner Smith, or W.P. Anderson, Secretary Board of Trustees.

SEPTEMBER 20, 1888

(Items from the Keowee Courier’s general news):

Vote the straight Democratic ticket from President to Coroner!

For three consecutive years disaster of some kind has befallen crops. The three days of rain last week further damaged both the corn and cotton crop. In old land many cotton stalks have not a leaf on them and appear to be as dead as in December. The rivers were over low bottoms again.

Merchants Get Stock of New Goods

(Item from the Keowee Courier’s general news): Westminster is alive with new goods. Messrs. Peden & Anderson are receiving a handsome stock of general merchandise, fresh from market. Mr. W.P. Anderson, the buyer, has just returned from an extended trip North, where he bought their large stock of goods.

Farmers’ Alliance Being Organized

I will be at the places named at time mentioned below for the purpose of discussing and organizing a Farmers’ Alliance. All are invited to attend: (The meeting places listed were Shiloh, Friendship, Haley’s Store, Fair Play, Bachelor’s Retreat, Chauga Church, Cleveland, Conneross Church, Walhalla, Fairview, Richland Church, Poplar Springs, Westminster, Seneca and Sitton’s Mills.) The farmers of the South are making earnest effort for thorough organization.—S.J. Hester, Organizer.

SEPTEMBER 27, 1888

(Item from the Keowee Courier’s general news): Rain fell again in various parts of the county last Friday, and through the day on Sunday. Cotton has been further injured, and that gathered since the rain has been bringing 5 1/2 to 8 cents. Middling cotton is quoted at 9 to 9 1/2 cents, but there was none on the market.

(The following is an excerpt from an article reprinted in the Keowee Courier from the Wrightsville (Ga.) Headlight): We are glad to learn that Rev. H. Turner Smith has been elected as Principal of Westminster High School, South Carolina. Mr. S. had charge of the Wrightsville High School and the Baptist church as pastor during the years 1886-87.

OCTOBER 4, 1888

Westminster Gets New Correspondent

(Book editor’s note):

A new Westminster correspondent, who wrote under the pen name Veritas, appeared in this issue of the Keowee Courier. Veritas succeeded Prof. E.R. Doyle, whose death from typhoid fever was announced in the August 2 issue. Veritas’s real name was not revealed.

Strangely, Veritas only wrote this one column before being replaced by a correspondent who signed his columns P. However, Veritas returned January 17, 1889. Perhaps he became ill after writing the first column, and recovered enough to continue writing on January 17.

(Items from Westminster Correspondence by Veritas): Pure Democracy, unsullied Democracy, stand by the nominees of the party. . .The music department of the Westminster High School is ably managed by Miss Dixie E. Wilkes. She has nine years experience in teaching music. Send in your daughters. . .Dr. Mitchell has rented his fine dwelling to Mr. Thos. H. Jones for a boarding house. Parents who wish to patronize the high school can here find a good place to board their sons and daughters. Good table and everything else first class. Board cheap. . .The Presbyterian church has been without a pastor ever since the death of Mr. Kirkpatrick, but they keep up their prayer meetings and Sunday school. . .We never hear an oath nor see a drunken man on the streets of Westminster. Whiskey drinking and swearing are not countenanced in our moral, religious and progressive town. It strikes me that here is the place for parents to send their sons and daughters to school. Several boarders are attending the school. . .This scribe overheard the remark that Dr. Cornog has only one patient, and she was able to be out at the reading club last Friday evening.

A History of Westminster’s Transformation

(The following are excerpts from a lengthy story in this week’s Keowee Courier. The author was not named, but it likely was A. Zimmerman, who wrote the history of Westminster schools that was in the June 28 issue of the Courier):

Fifteen years ago travellers on the great Air Line Railroad were awakened from their slumbers by the cry from the conductor, Westminster! To the traveller turning over leisurely in his seat and looking out the car window, the only object of importance in all his view was a little house some 12x16 feet, built on the side of the railroad, which was called the Air Line depot. And your correspondent was frequently asked, Where is the town?

The whole country in and around Westminster was then in a forest. But it was not long before the whistle of the saw mill engine was heard in all directions, and the little town of Westminster soon became noted as the most extensive lumber market in upper South Carolina. If the city of Greenville was asked where she received the millions of feet of lumber that have built up that progressive city, she would answer, From Westminster.

Some of the lumber dealers of Greenville well remember standing around this little depot in the cold and rain, waiting for the 12 o’clock train bound for Greenville, when it was the only house in a mile of the place. Your correspondent well remembers sitting up with Captain Cagle, of Greenville, one cold and rainy night speculating how long before there would be a pleasant waiting room for passengers.

Westminster has gradually grown from the little 12x16 depot, referred to above, to the progressive and prosperous village of eight hundred inhabitants, consisting of a class of people well known for their courtesy and intelligence.

About the year 1874 the town of Westminster was incorporated, and forthwith came the cry that we could never build up the town without bar-rooms; and almost as soon as the town was chartered, there were two or three bar-rooms licensed to sell whiskey, and then the fun commenced. There were only a few of us in the town then, not enough to have a good police force.

There being some four or five saw mills around Westminster, the saw mill hands would flock to these bar-rooms in such numbers and get on such big drunks that business houses were compelled to close doors often, and ladies and children were afraid to walk the streets. I must say, however, in justice to the saw mill hands, that the drinking and rowdying was not confined principally to them. Many citizens in and around the town participated in this drunken and rowdy business, and often did the good and sober people have to close their doors and form themselves into a police force to protect the town from the threatening of the drunken crowds around the bar-rooms.

This state of things existed some two years, when the good people of the town said: We have had enough of this kind of business. If it took bar-rooms to build up a town, we did not want any town. So with a mighty effort we voted the bar-rooms out of the town.

What is the result? To-day we have a town that stands second to none in morals, in sobriety and in religious influence. The whole country has prospered. We have four churches in town, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian and colored Baptist. The people of Westminster are noted as a church-going people.

The Sons of Temperance have a flourishing division in the place, and are doing all they can to educate the people on this great moral question. The Knights of Honor and the Ancient Order of Free Masons both have flourishing lodges here.

Our educational advantages are second to none. We have a good school building well adapted to school purposes; centrally located and under the management of Professor H.T. Smith, A.M. It promises to be what it has been in the past—one of the finest schools in the up-country. Board is cheap, instruction thorough, association good. Situated at the foot of the mountains, the health of the town can’t be surpassed. Send on your boys and girls if you want to give them a good education.

NOVEMBER 15, 1888

Unmarried Merchants Cause Concern

(Item from Westminster Correspondence The writer was not listed):

We had quite a boom in trade last Saturday, all our merchants having a big trade. Our town seems to be growing in its popularity as a trading point, many people coming from a long distance to buy the winter supplies of our enterprising merchants.

Still our town has one serious drawback, and we feel it is our duty to call the attention of our people to this dark cloud which hangs over us: We are cursed with unmarried merchants of marriagable age. We append a partial list of them and do hope that among the readers of the COURIER will be found some kind-hearted ladies who will take pity on them and consent to be a helpmate—Dr. Burt Mitchell and Dr. W.C. Cornog, Messrs. J.H. and J.T. Porter, and also Messrs. Smithson Bros. All of them need some one to guide them in the rough road of life.

Farmers’ Alliane Organization Continues

(Item from the Keowee Courier’s general news):

S.J. Hester, of Spartanburg, will return to Oconee on the 21st of November, to complete the organization of the Farmers’ Alliance at the following places: Malone’s Station, Westminster, Conneross, Ben Cleveland, Chauga Church, Greenfield School House, South Union, Fair Play and Sitton’s Mill.

The County Alliance will meet and organize at Richland Academy on November 28th, at 10:30 A.M., under the direction of Mr. Hester.

NOVEMBER 22, 1888

(Items from Westminster Correspondence. by P.): Cold damp ugly weather. . .The farmers are making slow progress gathering their cotton. We are glad to see, however, that they are getting a good price now for what they are putting on the market. A few nice bales have brought 10 cents per pound in our market in the last few days. . .I see President-elect Harrison will not open his mail on Sunday. We look upon this as a good sign. . .Rev. M.L. Carlisle preached his last sermon of the year in the Methodist Church here last Sunday. . .Rev. S.Y. Jameson, the pastor of the Baptist Church here, has accepted a call to a church in the city of Atlanta. Brother Jameson has been laboring in our midst for four years. . .Rev. J.H. Zimmerman will preach in the Presbyterian Church here next Sunday morning at 11 A.M. …We are glad to see evidences of prosperity in our town, but let us never be satisfied until we have a factory of some kind and a bank. . .We are pleased to see so many KEOWEE COURIERS leave our office every COURIER day.

(Book editor’s note): The last statement would seem to indicate that the writer was employed at the post office. Could P. stand for Postmaster?

Store Open Expanded Hours for Christmas

(Item from the Keowee Courier’s general news):

They say that the early bird catches the worm. If this old adage be true, our wide-awake merchants, Messrs. Peden & Anderson, in Westminster, will certainly catch the trader and buyer, as these gentlemen announce in their advertisement this week that their store will be open every day at 6 1/2 A.M. and close at 6 1/2 P.M.

NOVEMBER 29, 1888

(Items from Westminster Correspondence by P.): Senator R.E. Mason and Representative A. Zimmerman have gone to Columbia. Westminster feels proud that she is able to furnish the county with two such men to represent her at the State capital. The colonel has been there before and we are not uneasy about him, but we will expect General Verner (*) to kinder look after friend Zimmerman, as this is his first trip, and send him back to us all right. . .The clouds have gone and bright sunshine has taken their place. The boys are following up the plow around here now in earnest, and our farmers seem determined to place themselves in a position that will make them independent of wheat trusts. When our county once learns how to make her own bread she will be independent indeed. . .J.T. Porter has sold out his interest in the mercantile firm of J.H. & J.T. Porter to Mr. .T. Maret. The firm will be Porter & Maret.

(*) - General Verner was E.E. Verner of Richland, who was Oconee County’s other representative.

County’s Taxable Property Listed

(Item from the Keowee Courier’s general news):

Mr. J.J. Smith, our County Auditor, kindly furnished us the following abstract of personal and real property in Oconee county for the fiscal year 1887-’88, upon which the present taxes are now being collected:

(Book editor’s note): This article proceeded to provide a long list of various types of property and their value. Some examples are as follows: 1258 horses, $65,808 value; 4767 cattle, $45,049 value; 874 mules, $45,489 value; 1910 sheep and goats, $1,867 value; 4585 hogs, $7,893 value; 342 gold