USA > Mississippi > Lowndes County > Columbus > A history of Columbus, Mississippi, during the 19th century > Part 8
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The presidents of the Industrial Institute and College have been as follows: Dr. R. W. Jones, Prof. Chas. H. Cocke, Miss M. J. Callaway, Prof. A. H. Beals, Dr. Robert Frazer, and Prof. A. A. Kincannon, now its honored president and grand nephew of the Hon. A. A. Kincannon, the projector of the Columbus Female Institute in 1848 .*
*NOTE-State Superintendent of Education H. L. Whitfield, in 1907, succeeded Prof. Kincannon as President of the Industrial Insti- tute and College, the latter having been elected Chancellor of the State University. Industrial, art, science, normal, literary and phys- ical education departments have been established; handsome build- ings provided for each, and the I. I. & C. under its present adminis- tration continues increasingly its career of blessing to the women of the State .- EDITOR.
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Under its present management with its superb buildings, furnished with every modern improvement, with its varied and extensive literary and industrial courses of study and its extremely cheap expense account to its students, the insti- tution is fast realizing the expectation of the State and the highest hopes of its projectors and friends. The girls of Mis- sissippi are being educated for lives of usefulness and dis- tinction. When the industrial and art departments are fur- nished with buildings commensurate with their special de- mands and importance, the state of Mississippi will have an industrial institute and college of which she may always and justly be proud.
NEWSPAPERS.
Two newspapers were established in Columbus about 1833-34 called The Southern Argus and Democratic Press, which represented the two political parties of the day; The Southern Argus representing the National Republicans, led by Henry Clay, and The Democratic Press representing the Democratic Republicans, led by Andrew Jackson. The editors of The Southern Argus were S. Nash and G. W. Bonnell. This paper was merged in 1840 into The Columbus Whig and became the organ of the Whig party. The Democratic Press was edited by M. E. Abbey and in 1836 became The Columbus Democrat. The Whig continued its issues until 1850, when its name was changed to Primitive Republican. Among the editors of The Columbus Whig were R. H. Browne, W. P. Jack, (1843) ; E. J. C. Kewen, (1847); W. A. Short, W. P. Donnell and F. G. Baldwin, (1850). The Primitive Republican, F. G. Baldwin editor, in 1850 was merged into The Columbus Dem- ocrat in 1853.
" THE COLUMBUS DEMOCRAT,"
which began its issue in 1836 was continued without inter- ruption until 1859 when H. H. Worthington, who had been its sole editor for twenty-three years, died. H. H. Worth- ington was the father of Henry Winfield, and Samuel Worth- ington, who were all connected with the press in Columbus. The Columbus Democrat, Henry Worthington editor, was continued until 1861, and stopped its issue on account of the
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MUSIC HALL OF INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE.
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war. The Columbus Democrat was re-established in 1868 with W. H. and W. C. Worthington, as editors until 1874 when S. Newton Berryhill became the editor. He continued as editor until 1879 when The Columbus Democrat was sold to The (Columbus) Daily Dispatch Company. Mr. Robert J. Youngblood was associated with S. N. Berryhill during the last year of its existence.
The Palladium, a literary monthly for young men was published in 1848 by Rev. J. N. Roach, pastor of the Cum- berland Presbyterian church. It was discontinued after a short existence.
The Evangelist, a religous monthly, was published for a short time in 1848, by Green Hill, an intelligent layman of the Christian church. The Columbus Eagle, a weekly news- paper was published in 1856, R. O. Davidson and W. M. Shep- herd, editors.
The Southern Standard, a strong and vigorous political paper began its career in Columbus in 185-, with Dumas, Chapman and Mellard as successive editors, when in 1856 it was merged into The Columbus Democrat. No newspaper was published during the Confederate war.
" THE COLUMBUS INDEX "
was established in 1865 by the Worthington brothers as editors and proprietors. Jas. A. Stevens, was local editor in 1867. The Worthingtons continued editors and proprietors of The Index until 1868, when it passed into the hands of Jas. A. Stevens, T. H. Baker, and Capt. Battle Fort. After a year or two, T. H. Baker retired. Capt. Battle Fort sold his inter- est to Maj. Gardner Tucker, when it was conducted with Tucker and Stevens as editors and proprietors until 1874 when Tucker became the sole proprietor.
Mr. J. A. Martin succeeded Mr. Gardner Tucker as editor and proprietor of The Index, and with his sons, C. C. and Stan- ley Martin, continued its publication as a weekly and semi- weekly for a long period of time. He was succeeded by Capt. R. W. Banks and Miss Lucile Banks who transferred The Index to the ownership of Mr. J. T. Senter, and he, after changing its name to The Columbus Commercial, has con- 9
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tinued to issue it as a weekly and semi-weekly to the present time, 1901.
" THE INDEPENDENT "
was established by J. A. Stevens in 1875. Sometime after, Gen. J. H. Sharp became associate editor and proprietor and subsequently sole editor and proprietor until its discontinu- ance.
The Southern Sentinel was established in October 1879 by L. A. Middleton and continued until his death in 1887.
The Patron of Husbandry was established in 1872 by W. H. Worthington and after a continuance of eight or ten years was moved to Memphis.
" THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH"
in 1880 became the property of J. M. Barrow and others and was continued as a weekly newspaper until 1881, and was then sold to Mrs. S. C. Maer who succeeded as editor and proprietor of The Dispatch, and with the assistance of her sons, Artemus and Percy, has continued its publication as a weekly and semi-weekly from that time to the present.
The New Light, with R. D. Littlejohn (colored) as editor and proprietor, was established about 1887 as the organ of the colored people, has continued its publication since that date.
[NOTE-The writer desires to express his thanks and indebtedness to Maj. W. A. Love, of Lowndes county, for the use of material col- lected by him some years ago, from which many of the facts contained in the history of newspapers in Columbus were taken.]
TWO LITERARY DECADES IN COLUMBUS.
The decade beginning 1840 was distinguished for its literary character and opportunities. During this period the great political parties of the nation, the Whig and Demo- cratic parties, held their political discussions in the presence of interested and excited thousands of citizens. Columbus was a favorite field for Mississippi's best orators and statesman, and the intellects and patriotic spirits of her people were stirred to their deepest depths.
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Two celebrated religious discussions took place in Colum- bus during this decade. The first, between a learned Scotch divine of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, the Rev. James Smith, D. D., a highly accomplished scholar, and Prof. C. G. Olmsted, infidel in his belief and teaching, on the sub- ject of the inspiration and authenticity of the Bible. The second between the Rev. T. J. Fanning, one of the most dis- tinguished controversialists of the Christian church, and the Rev. J. A. Lyon.
Literary societies were very popular and very useful. The Columbus Lyceum, an institution for the promotion of literature, science, and oratory was established and held its weekly public meetings for a number of years. In 1847 Dr. Dabney Lipscomb was president; Thomas W. Christian, vice president; Geo. W. Van Hook, secretary; William Ward, assistant secretary; John N. Mullen, treasurer; Dr. S. W. Malone, librarian. In 1848, Chas. H. Morse, Esq., was presi- dent with J. T. Sims, vice president; G. W. Van Hook, secre- tary, Joseph W. Field, treasurer. The name of T. I. Sharp appears as vice president.
Not only were the literary and professional men organized for mutual improvement but the working men had their organizations, notably the Trades Union Association and Library. This society was very popular and numerous. In 1847 its officers were John K. Ottley, president, assisted by Harrison Hale, N. E. Goodwin, John R. Sanders, Benja- min Catley and Seth C. Floyd. It collected six or seven hundred volumes in the Trades Union Library. This library was somewhat scattered during the great fire in 1854. The remnant was transferred to the care of the Young Men's Christian Association, and many of its volumes are still to be found with their blue linen covers stamped Trades Union Library.
The decade beginning in 1890 was another distinguished literary period, and at this time entirely controlled by the women of Columbus, who organized Shakespeare and century clubs, reading circles and musical societies, whose study and investigation included the whole field of literature and made the women of Columbus as cultivated and appreciative readers
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and critics as those of any city in the land. In the vanguard of modern literature they will not hesitate to follow where Mrs. Browning, Louise Alcott, George Eliot, and such like may lead them.
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DIVELAS
THE FIRST METHODIST CHURCH COLUMBUS MIDI
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CHAPTER XII.
RELIGIOUS-CHURCHES AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.
"METHODISM IN COLUMBUS, MISS., DURING NINETEENTH CEN- TURY." READ AT THE WATCH NIGHT SERVICE DECEMBER 31, BY G. D. HARRIS, RECORDING STEWARD.
Dr. W. L. Lipscomb and I have been appointed to prepare a history of Methodism in Columbus, Mississippi, during the century just closing. For convenience I have undertaken to prepare such a collection of historical facts as we have been able to collect from records and bring together in con- cise form.
Dr. Lipscomb will follow with such remarks on these facts, and with reminiscences as will make this record more complete.
At the time that the Tennessee and Kentucky troops cut the old Military road on their way to reinforce Gen. Jack- son at New Orleans in 1813, Columbus was a little trading post with the Choctaw Indians, and called *O'possum Town, and afterwards a little village called by its present name. From that time until 1831 we have no record of any church building being erected at this place, although it had grown to be a village of 500 inhabitants. To ascertain what re- ligious advantages its citizens enjoyed, we have industriously searched the history of the Methodist conferences occupying this territory.
The first item of interest is taken from the records of the Mississippi conference in 1819. Said conference at that time occupied the whole of the territory now included in the States of Alabama and Mississippi, and had been organized since 1816. Among the list of circuits we find Buttahatchie, after- wards known as Marion circuit, which extended from the mouth of Sipsey on the Tombeckbee River, north to Cotton Gin Port thence east to Marion county, Ala., and taking in a part of east Mississippi and west Alabama, Columbus being within the bounds of this circuit. We can only conclude
NOTE-In the Choctaw, Sheck-a-tah Tom-a-ha .- EDITOR.
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that religious services of some kind were conducted at that time.
In 1819-1821 this circuit was served by Rev. Ebenezer Hearn and Thomas Stringfield, who must have been the pion- eers of Methodism in this section of Mississippi.
From 1822 to 1832, Marion circuit was served by the following preachers in the order named: Thomas Clinton, Benjamin F. Lidden, Wiley Ledbetter, John G. Lee, Thomas Owens, Thomas S. Abernathy, Peyton S. Graves, Thomas E. Ledbetter, Isaac V. Enochs, Leroy Massengale, Jesse Mize, Moses Perry, Felix Wood, Blanton P. Box, Lewis S. Turner, Preston Cooper, Nathan Hopkins and Anthony S. Dickinson.
From 1819 to 1832 the membership in the circuit in- creased from 72 to 932; the largest increase was in that part which lay in Mississippi, and necessarily included the member- ship at Columbus.
During the year 1831 the Methodists erected the first church in the town of Columbus. Before that time we have satisfactory evidence that several of the religious denomina- tions, the Methodist included, used the Franklin Academy as a place of worship.
In 1832 the Mississippi conference was divided and Colum- bus, with that part of Mississippi on the east side of the Tom- beckbee, fell in to the Alabama conference and became a station, with the Rev. Richard H. Herbert, pastor, and Rev. Eugene Le Vert, presiding elder of the Columbus district.
The first quarterly conference of Columbus station was held February 25, 1833. There were present: Eugene Le Vert, presiding elder; Richard H. Herbert, pastor; Wm. Dowsing, Sr., Robert D. Haden, Geo. Shaeffer, Wm. L. Clark, Ovid P. Brown and Wm. Dowsing, Jr., stewards. At the second quarterly conference, held May 18, 1833, Dabney Lipscomb and Alexander Gray were elected stewards.
The records of Columbus station were too incomplete to give an accurate number of the members at this early date.
The growth was slow until 1839, when under Rev. Wm. Wier, presiding elder, and Rev. Wm. Murrah, pastor, there was added to the church 30 substantial men with their families, increasing the membership to over 100. From this date the church has prospered and has grown steadily.
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During the sixty-eight years of its existence this church has enrolled about 3,000 members; has had 19 presiding elders and 35 pastors. Of the 700 members now belonging to the church, all except 12 have joined since 1860, these 12 being the only survivors of the first 1,000 members.
For additional and later facts regarding the history of the Columbus church, we refer you to the tabulated record, framed and hanging in the Sunday School room, and to the regular record books kept by the church secretary.
This church was served in 1842 by Bishop H. N. Mc- Tyiere, and in ยท1860 by Bishop R. K. Hargrove as pastors.
The Columbus church has owned three brick church buildings; the first erected in 1831 on corner lot just east of concert hall; the second erected in 1844, still standing and known as the Jewish Temple; the third our own church on Main Street, was erected in 1860 and finished in 1866, being one of the largest and handsomest buildings in the state.
The Alabama conference held four of its sessions in Col- umbus.
1st. In 1838, Bishop Andrew presiding. This confer- ence held a watch night service at that session.
2nd. 1843, Bishop Soule presiding. During this session there was a total eclipse of the sun.
3rd. 1850, Bishop Capers presiding. At this conference occurred the famous trial and acquittal of Rev. P. P. Neely.
4th. 1863, Bishop Paine presiding. At this conference the Alabama conference was divided into the Mobile and Montgomery conferences, and Columbus fell into the Mobile conference
In 1870 the conference boundary lines were again changed and Columbus fell into the north Mississippi conference where we have been for the last 30 years. During this period the north Mississippi conference has twice held its annual sessions in this church.
The church is at present served by Rev. T. W. Lewis, pastor, and the Columbus district by Rev. W. T. J. Sullivan, presiding elder, and has an enrollment of 700 members.
GID. D. HARRIS,
Columbus, Miss., Recording Steward.
Read Watch Night Service, Dec. 31, 1900.
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PASTORS AND PRESIDING ELDERS.
For easy future reference the following list of pastors and presiding elders is taken from the church record and herewith appended: 1831 to 1844 in first church building, pastors: Rev. R. H. Herbert (1833), F. H. Jones (1834), D. F. Alexander (1835), W. A. Smith (1836), S. B. Sawyer (1837-38), W. Murrah (1839), S. B. Sawyer (1840), W. A. Smith (1841), T. J. Heard (1842), R. S. Finley, (1843).
Presiding elders: Eugene V. Levert (1833-34), R. G. Christopher (1835), William Weir (1836-39), A. H. Shanks (1840), William Murrah (1841-43). Among the members not heretofore mentioned who worshipped in the first building were the Bartees, Pullers, Eckfords, Holdiness, Saltonstall, Richards, Southall, Mullens, Scull, Shaws, Randolph, Bibb, Oliver, Spillmans, Fort and Leech.
1844 TO 1867 SECOND CHURCH BUILDING.
Pastors: W. Murrah, (1844), G. S. Sparks, (1845), T. H. Capers, (1846), J. Hamilton, (1847), H. N. McTyeire, (1848), O. R. Blue, (1849), P. P. Neely, (1850-51), T. W. Dorman, (1852-53), J. J. Hutchinson, (1854-55), C. D. Oliver, (1856-57), E. Baldwin, (1858-59), R. K. Hargrove, (1860), P. P. Neely, (1861-62), A. Adams, (1863), A. S. Andrews, (1864-66)
Presiding Elders: E. Calloway, (1844-47), William Mur- rah, (1848-50), George Shaeffer, (1851-54), C. M. McLeod, (1855), George Shaeffer, (1856-57), T. J. Koger, (1858-61), George Shaeffer, (1862-64), P. P. Neely, (1865), William Mur- rah, (1866).
1867 TO 1901 IN PRESENT BUILDING.
W. C. Hearn, (1867-68), T. Y. Ramsey, (1869-70), J. B. Cottrell, (1871-73), W. S. Harrison, (1874-75), W. W. Wads- worth, (1876-77), T. A. S. Adams, (1878), S. A. Steel, (1879.82), J. H. Scruggs, (1883-86), J. W. Price, (1887-88), J. S. Oakley, (1889-92), R. M. Standefer, (1893-96), W. T. Bollimg, (1897- 98), J. A. Bowen, (1899-1900), T. W. Lewis, (1901).
Presidimg Elders: W. Murrah, (1867), T. Y. Ramsey, (1868), T. C. Weir, (1869-70), T. Y. Ramsey, (1870-74), R. G. Porter, (1875-78), T. W. Dye, (1879-80), T. C. Weir, (1881-
COL. THOMAS C. BILLUPS. (1804-1866.)
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84), J. D. Cameron, (1885-86), R. G. Porter, (1887), W. T. J. Sullivan, (1888-91), T. C. Weir, (1892-95), R. A. Burroughs, (1896-99), W. T. J. Sullivan, (1900-01).
From 1845 to 1855 the membership of the church was rapidly increased by the influx of a large number of planters from the west side of the river, who moved their homes and church membership into Columbus. This increase added not only to the numerical strength of the church but also to its influence and wealth. The second church building was found to be too small for the accomodation of the members and their families and visitors who thronged to hear the great preachers that during these years occupied its pulpit.
Among the families that moved in at this period were: Morton, Clayton, Billups, Sykes, Harris, Banks, Sherrod, Cannons, Powell, Watson, Mason and others. A proposition for a new building was received with almost unanimous appro- bation and after a short discussion of location, cost, plans, etc., the church decided to erect a building large enough not only for present but for future usefulness and settled upon the present edifice at a cost of $30,000. So harmonious was the membership in its erection that the subscription was raised upon the assessment plan, and all subscription notes made payable in bank. So far as is known not a note or subscrip- tion was unpaid and so liberal was the church that after the war which interfered with its completion upon a showing by the contractors that in the advanced prices of material and labor, they had exhausted all contract monies the contractors were released from their obligation and bond for its completion.
THOMAS CARLETON BILLUPS.
Col. Thomas Carleton Billups was of Welch descent, and was born in Oglethorpe county, Georgia, in the year 1804. He was educated at Franklin College, Athens, Ga. He was married to Sarah A. Moore, February 25, 1823. He moved from Georgia and settled in Noxubee county, Mississippi, in 1835. It was there he buried the companion of his youth.
He was married a second time to Mrs. F. A. Swope, of Alabama, on September 13, 1847, about which time he moved to Columbus, Miss.
Col. Billups was ever one of the foremost men of his county, and was prominent in everything pertaining to the interest of his section, which he represented several times in the State Legislature. He was also a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1865, which con- vened a few months after the close of the war. This was one of the
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In 1865 the church accepted a loan of $3,000 from that generous and devoted Methodist, Mr. Jas. Sykes, which with a new subscription, effected the completion of the main audi- torium in 1867 and the basement in 1871. The church debt was extinguished and the house dedicated by Dr. Atticus Haygood (afterwards Bishop), 1877, during the pastorate of the Rev. W. W. Wadsworth.
Historical allusion to the church buildings would be in- complete without mention of the names of those staunch Methodist builders, Neil Bartee (contractor for second build- ing), and James Shaw (contractor for the present), whose unimpeachable integrity and faithful workmanship made Columbus famous for the beauty and durability of many of its public buildings. When the people of Columbus knew that James Shaw was contractor and Isaac Darter, his fore- man, was on the scaffold, they knew that no shoddy work was being done and that Columbus pressed brick would repeat their record of unsurpassed usefulness and distinction.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
was introduced into the church in 1868 during the pas- torate of Rev. Wm. Hearn with a Mason & Hamlin cabinet organ with Prof. A. Poleman as organist and choister. The
most important ever held in the history of the State. For strength of will, firmness of purpose, and consistency of life he had no superior. System and order in every-day business were prominent traits in his character. By his superior judgment and energy he amassed a large fortune, but this did not divert his attention from the great interests of eternity.
He loved the church most sincerely and was always ready to con- tribute to her prosperity with his time, talents and means.
He aided by his zeal and liberality in the erection of a number of houses for the worship of Almighty God, and was especially active as Chairman of the Building Committee of the First Methodist Church of Columbus, Miss. He was no mere formalist in religion, but enjoyed a real experience of grace.
He abhorred ostentation, and eternity alone will reveal all his noble deeds. He was one of those natures to whom the advocates of honesty in man, and good in Christianity have always pointed for the vindication of the great truths they would advance. It was in his home, a typical Southern one, with its colonial architecture, broad verandas, and terraced lawn, that he ever dispensed the most generous hospitality.
Col. Billups died at his residence, August 3, 1866. He was sur- vived by his wife and five children: John Marshall Billups, Joseph Pierce Billups, Susan Billups Sherrod, Thomas Carleton Billups, James Saunders Billups .- EDITOR.
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.
JAMES SYKES. (1809-1885.)
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present pipe organ which has been the pride of the church on account of the sweetness and perfection of its tone and har- mony, was erected in 1878, during the pastorate of Rev. T. A. S. Adams, with Mrs. Clifford Hardy as organist. Since that time, Mrs. Addie Hunt Owen, Miss Carrie Meek and Prof. Howard Teasdale have presided successively over the musical department of public worship. The tasteful design and exe- cution for the arrangement of the choir, the pulpit, and the chancel were the workmanship of W. S. Smith, Methodist and architect, to whom Columbus is indebted for many of its most elegant and beautiful residences.
RENTED PEWS.
In 1873 the church, finding it somewhat difficult to raise the annual expenses, adopted as a temporary experiment the renting of the pews as a means of relief. The plan was signally successful but was discontinued when the church debt was paid and the building dedicated.
DISTINGUISHED CHURCH EVANGELISTS.
The Rev. John Newlon Maffit, one of the greatest southern pulpit orators held a revival meeting in the old Methodist church in 1836, with great success. In the second building, Father Hirsey, the pedestrian evangelist, the Rev. W. H.
JAMES SYKES.
In the earlier days of Columbus the Sykes family was a large and influential one. Stability, integrity and capacity characterized its members. These were successful in business, careful in expenditures and faithful in the discharge of their obligations whether domestic, social or religious. Of this virile, black-eyed family came Mr. James Sykes. He was born in Virginia in 1810, coming from thence in early manhood to Alabama and later to Columbus, where he generously aided the religious, educational and material development of the grow- ing town. He married a relative, one of the Lanier family. She was handsome and imposing in person, genial in manners, kind in heart and helpful in every good cause. To them only one child was given, James William, who married his second cousin, Marcella, daughter of Dr. William Sykes. Only too soon was their happy married life cut short, both passing away, leaving two of their four children to attain maturity, Wildie, who married Saunders, Billups, and Ida, who mar- ried Carleton Billups, sons of Col. Thomas Billups. The present repre- sentatives of the families of these brothers are Mrs. John Morgan, Jr., Mrs. Charles Westmoreland, Mrs. Robert Carson, Mrs. John Rich- ards,Mrs. R. E. Johnston, James Sykes Billups and Thomas Carleton Billups .- EDITOR.
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Milburn, the blind preacher, (afterward chaplain to congress), Geo. W. Carter, of Virginia, and W. P. Harrison, (afterwards book editor of the M. E. Church South), were transient oc- cupants of its pulpits.
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