USA > South Carolina > Richland County > Columbia > Historical and descriptive sketch of the leading manufacturing and mercantile enterprises, public buildings, officials, professional men, schools, churches, ets., railroads, canals, rivers, advantages and surroundings of Columbia, S.C. > Part 2
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Queen City, and our city will be on "This section of the State is emi- the veritable short line to Florida, nently salubrious, presenting as it via Cumberland Gap, Asheville, does a favorable exhibit of all the Columbia, and Charleston or Au- features essential to health, such as gusta.
elevation, drainage, dryness of air and exemption from epidemic and malarial visitations. Situated so high on sandy and porous soil, which drinks in the rain and prevents humidity of atmosphere and the noxious influence consequent upon the decomposition of vegetable and animal matter, removed far from the miasmic generation of stagnant marshes and ponds, and possessing an affluence of pure spring water, distributed in pipes throughout the city, Columbia is comparatively free from zymotie diseases, and abso- lutely so from those of a malignant or .epidemie character. Cholera, yellow fever, and similar diseases, though more than once brought here, have never been known to
climatic influences, such as pulmo-
"As a pleasure retreat and health nary affections (including consump- resort it is certainly superior to tion, bronchitis, and asthma), or upon them all. The climate of Columbia a change of climate, as dyspepsia, is unsurpassed. It is mild and liver and kidney diseases, and rheu- equable-a medium between that of matism. It is claimed by the physi- Florida and Virginia, combining the cians of Columbia (and there are advantages of both. As far back as several distinguished ones here), our meteorological record carries us that the city is the healthiest of its
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Improvements in the navigability of the Congaree River are very much needed and the force of public opin- ion will doubtless constrain Congress to appropriate the limited amount necessary. Captain W. H. Bixby, the United States Engineer. reports that the $5,000 spent for this pur- pose in 1887 opened up forty-seven miles, and that now the obstruction of the South Carolina Railway bridge alone deprives Columbia from a free communication with the oceanf by steamer. This obstruction to com- merce should be removed at once by a sufficient appropriation to cover the expense of the necessary change.
WINTER SANITARIA.
A correspondent of the Atlanta spread, whilst innumerable witnesses Constitution, instituting a compari- testify to the advantages to be de- son between Columbia and the prin- rived from a residence here in the cipal cities of the South Atlantic treatment of that class of diseases States, writes in the following glow- which depend for their cure upon ing style:
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
size in the United States. The Cemetery is worthy of more than a mortality reports recently published brief reference, with its commanding bear out Columbia's medical men view, splendid monuments and finely and prove the justness of their proud kept lawns where sleep the honored boast. Northern invalids and tour- dead. The several manufactories, ists now sojourning here who have water works, new canal, State Uni- spent winters in Florida. California, versity, public and private schools, and Aiken, assert that Columbia is will command a share of our space equal in every way, and superior in farther on. many particulars, to any of these places." -0-
SOME PROMINENT FEATURES.
+ At the lower end of Main street stands the State House, which will
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND' OFFICIALS.
Perhaps no city of like size in the be described further on. Near its United States has so many costly northwest corner is a very perfect public buildings as Columbia, and a semblance (in iron) of a palmetto dozen of these are worthy of more tree, which was raised as a fitting than a passing notice. The State tribute to the South Carolinians who House, Government Building, Court fell in Mexico. Just at the en- House, City Hall, Penitentiary, In- trance to the grounds is the impos- sane Asylum, State University, ing monument, raised by South Female College, Public Schools, etc., Carolina women, to the memory of are deserving of a fair share of space the brave men from this State who in this publication, and it is also fell during the war. On the side proper that a brief historical refer- hill a block or two from the centre ence should be made of the incumb- of Main street lies Sidney Park, a ent officials; but without flattery or handsome field of twenty acres, fulsome praise, which are always in which is owned by the city, and bad taste and only relished by men where nature and art have combined of small calibre. As first in costli- to make a lovely resting spot during ness and importance we shall give our numerous sunny days. Near an outline of the upper end of Main street on a commanding eminence, stands the THE STATE HOUSE. Government Building, and from
The State Records were removed which an exquisite view of the city to Columbia December 1st. 1790, and and its surroundings may be had. the Legislature of South Carolina The Governor's residence, occupy- assembled at Columbia the first ing the site of the old arsenal, with Monday of January 1791, and as an its fine shrubbery and well cultivated advertisement to the world of the grounds, makes a bandsome mark beauties of this city, and a fitting of distinction. The property of the tribute to the memory of the past, State Agricultural and Mechanical the Legislature this year should ap- Association (containing about fifty propriate an ample sum with which acres), is in the northwest suburbs to celebrate their centennial anni- of the city, and with its fields for versary at Columbia in Jan., 1891. the exhibition of machinery, etc., is The oldest building used, of which quite an attraction. Elmwood we have any record, is a part of that
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COLUMBIA CITY.
now occupied by the Normal School. all of the public energies of the State Further on in history the old State were given to the Confederacy and House was built a few rods west of the work nearly at a stand still for a the present structure, and which time. When Columbia was taken stood until it was destroyed by the by Sherman it was estimated that a ravages of war on February 17th, million dollars worth of finished or 1865. Prior to this, however, the unfinished sculptural and other grand old government of South work, designed to go in or on to the Carolina, feeling ber importance, had edifice, was destroyed, and the entire determined to have a Capitol build- cost of the Capitol up to the present ing not surpassed by any of the date has been between four and five States. Incomplete plans were millions. The west wall of the made about 1850, for the stupen- structure received the mark from a dous work, a foundation was laid, shell or two, but the walls are like but before it had reached the first those of a citadel and would with- story it was found to have settled stand with impunity a considerable
from its ponderous weight, the entire bombardment, so that the fortunes superstructure was removed and of war have only left a relic of inter- piling driven down at the insecure est in the mark of the shells. points, cribbed and cemented in order to make a solid and lasting foundation.
The granite for the main structure was secured within two miles of the city, and the recent work of cornices, etc., was shipped from Fairfield County. The Assembly and Senate Halls are gorgeously furnished and handsomely finished, but there re- mains to be much labor and expense before the various offices will have received the final touches or the com- pletion of the superstructure brought to a close.
About this time Governor Man- ning wrote to Baltimore in search of the best architect that could be found, and was referred to John R. Niernsee, who was then engaged on the plans for the Smithsonian Insti- tute at. Washington. 'In 1851, Mr. Niernsee began his labors in Colum- bia, and a year later removed his family to this place, where he con- tinued in architectural pursuits until PAST GOVERNORS. the war, removing to Baltimore and returning to Columbia when the South Carolina has had a long list work was continued, where he served of honored Governors, and as a mat- until his death a couple of years ter of interest to all, we reproduce since. the entire list:
The original designs were very Under Proprietary rule first came elaborate and contemplated an ex- in 1670, William Sayle; 1671-74 and penditure of eight to ten millions of '84, Jos. West; 1672, John Yeamans; dollars. The present building was 1682-85, Joseph Morton ; 1686, James begun about 1852, and the structure Colleton; 1690, Seth Sothill; 1692, progressed slowly, as is the case Philip
Ludwell; 1693, Thomas usually with enterprises of such Smith; 1694-96. Joseph Blake; 1695, gigantic moment, under the direc- Jobn Archdale; 1700, James Moore; tion of General James Jones as 1703, Nathaniel Johnson ; 1709, Ed- superintendent, and the rough en- ward Tyne; 1710, Robert Gibbes ; closure was nearly completed, when 1712, Charles Craven; 1716, Robert
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
Daniel; 1717, Robert Johnson; 1719, re-elected in 1878, but chosen to James Moore. United States Senate, and W. D.
A temporary Republican govern- Simpson officiated until his election ment was organized in 1720, and the as Supreme Judge in 1879, when Governors from that until the Revo- Thomas B. Jeter succeeded as Gov- lutionary war were : ernor for a short time. In 1880,
1721, Frank Nicholson; 1725, came Johnson Hagood; 1882, Hugh Arthur Middleton; 1730, Robert S. Thompson, who was re-elected in Johnson; 1735, Thomas Broughton; 1884, and a short remainder of his 1737, William Bull; 1743, James term served out by John C. Shep- Glenn : 1756. Wm. H. Littleton ; pard. 1760-63-69, Wm. Bull; 1762, Thomas Boone; 1766. Charles G. Montague; PRESENT GOVERNOR. 1775, William Campbell.
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Beginning with the Revolutionary war came John Rutledge, who was re-elected in 1779 ; Rawlins Lowndes having served a year in the mean- time.
His Excellency, Hon. John P. Richardson, is a native of Clarendon County, this State, and his father, also of the same name. wore the executive robes of this Common- wealth in 1840, having been elected
1782, John Mathews; 1783, Benj. to the office of Chief Magistrate Guerard ; 1785 and '94, Wm. Moul- while officiating as a member of Con- trie; 1787. Thos. Pinckney; 1789, gress. General Richardson, great 1796 and 1806. Chas. Pinckney ; grandfather of the present executive, 1792, Arnoldus Vanderhorse; 1798, moved to South Carolina from Vir- Edward Rutledge; 1800 and 1808, ginia before the Revolutionary war, John Drayton ; 1802. Jas. B. Richard- and his son, James B. Richardson, son ; 1804, Paul Hamilton; 1810, grandunele of the present Governor, Henry Middleton : 1812. Joseph Als- held the Gubernatorial office of the ton ; 1814, David R. Williams ; 1816, State in 1802-4, this making the Andrew Pickens : 1818, John Geddes; third Governor among the Richard- 1820, Thomas Bennett ; 1822, J. L. sons in direct family snecession. Wilson ; 1824, Richard I. Manning; Governor Richardson was educated 1826, John Taylor; 1828. Stephen in South Carolina College, and a . D. Miller; 1830, James Hamilton; member of the Assembly 1856 to 1832, Robert Y. Havne; 1834, 1862. He was an Aid-de-camp on the George MeDuffie; 1836, Pierce M. staff of General Cantey in the Con- Butler; 1838, Patrick Noble; 1840, federate army, and after the war a John P. Richardson : 1842, Jas. H. member of the Convention to form a Hammond; 1844, William Aiken; State Provisional Government. He 1846, David Johnson; 1848, W. B. again served the State in the House Seabrook ; 1850, J. IL. Means ; 1852, and Senate, and in 1880, was elected John L. Manning; 1854. James H. State Treasurer, having been re- Adams; 1856, R. F. W. Allston; elected in 1884 for a third term, and 1858. Wm. H. Gist; 1860, F. W. in 1886 as Governor of the State. Pickens; 1862. M. L. Bonham ; 1864, Louis R. Chazal, a native of A. G. Magrath ; 1866, Jas. L. Orr; Charleston, and manufacturing chem- 1868, Robert K. Scott; 1872, F. J. ist in that city for several years, offici - Moses, Jr .; 1874. D. H. Chamber- ates as Private Secretary for the lain ; 1876, Wade Hampton, who was Governor.
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COLUMBIA CITY,
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
Hon. Wm. L. Mauldinis a native of Greenville County, S. C., and in 1877 was elected as Mayor of the city of Greenville. In 1882 he was elected to the Legislature, and two years later chosen as President of the Senate. Governor Mauldin has taken an active part in the develop- ment of the railroads of this State and is a progressive official.
SUPREME COURT.
Hon. Wm. D. Simpson, the Chief 1864. He practised law for a time in Justice of the State, was born in North Carolina, returned to bis na- tive State and in 1868 was appoint- ed to his present position, which he has held ever since. Deputy Su- 1823, graduated from the South Carolina College in 1843. served in the Legislature and State Senate a number of terms, was Lieutenant preme Court Clerk, J. A. Sawyer, is Colonel of a South Carolina regi- also from Lexington, and was ap- pointed as an assistant four years ago. He is reading law preparatory to admission to practice. ment in the late war, and later a member of the Confederate Congress. He was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1876 and again in 1878, and when Supreme Court Librarian, Robert A. Lynch, was born at Cheraw, in Chesterfield County, educated in Europe, came to Columbia in 1874, and in 1877 was appointed Libra- rian. Mr. Lynch was admitted to the Bar in 1880 and practises in all the courts. General Wade Hampton was sent to the United States Senate, Lieutenant Governor Simpson became Governor of South Carolina. In 1880 he was elected Chief Justice of the State and re-elected in 1886. Justice Simpson was elected to Congress in 1868, but the seat was given to bis opponent.
Associate Justice Henry MeIver graduated from the old South Caro- lina College, and was admitted to the bar in 1847, and served after the war as Solicitor General of the Eastern Circuit. He then practised law at Cheraw until placed in his, and practised law at Anderson and present responsible position eleven years since.
Associate Justice Samuel Mc- Gowan was born in Laurens District in 1820, graduated from the South
Regiment in the Mexican war, and was aid to General Quitman in the storming of Chepultepec. Judge McGowan became Major General of the State militia, and was appointed to the command of a brigade which was known as McGowan's through the Confederate service. He was elected Associate Justice in 1880.
The Clerk of the Supreme Court, Al- bert M. Boozer, is a native of Lexing- ton County, attended the South Caro- lina College and graduated from the University of North Carolina in
The Attorney General is not exact- ly a part of the Supreme Court, but his connections with it in legal mat- ters are very intimate, and we place his mention here. Hon. Jos. H. Earle is a native of Greenville, graduated from the Furman University of that place in 1867. was admitted in 1869
Sumter prior to his election as At- torney General in 1886.
SECRETARY OF STATE.
Hon. W. Z. Leitner is a native of Carolina College in 1841. was after- Fairfield County, but for thirty years wards admitted to the bar, and in past a resident of Kershaw. He 1846 he was in the famous Palmetto was admitted to the bar in 1854, and
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
was First Lieutenant of a company and in 1878 United States Com- from Camden that supported the missioner to the French Exposition battery of Morris Island at the at Paris. bombardment of Fort Sumter. He
John Taylor, the bookkeeper, is a left the army as Major, and served direct descendant from Col. Thos. two terms as Representative from Taylor, who sold the present site of the Kershaw District, and later as Columbia to the State government a District Judge. Judge Leitner was hundred years ago. a member of the State Senate 1882-6, C. O. Martindale, of Charleston, and in the latter year was elected as has officiated as Bond and Stock Secretary of State. Clerk for some ten years past. .
U. R. Brooks, of Edgefield County, is Chief Clerk in the office of Secre- tary of State, having officiated for some years as travelling agent for public lands prior to accepting his present position in December, 1886.
D. II. Means, of Fairfield County, is General Agent for Public Lands, having been an active surveyor and railroad engineer for some time prior to taking the position of Agent for Public Lands in December, 1878.
V. F. Martin is the present Travel- ing Agent for the Public Lands of South Carolina. There is now on hand of lands that have been for- feited to the State about one million acres of an average value of $3 per acre.
STATE TREASURER.
COMPTROLLER GENERAL.
The financial accounts of the State are under the charge of Hon. John S. Verner, a native of Oconee County, and a member of the famous Wallace House of 1876. He was elected a member of the House again in 1880, and in '87 to his present responsible position. Mr. Verner bas officiated as Secretary of the last two State Conventions and stands high among the political leaders of this State. .
Winthrop Williams, a native of Charleston, bas officiated as Clerk here since the war and as Chief Clerk in the Comptroller's office for ten years. He was Adjutant of the 27th S. C. Regiment in the "late un- pleasantness.17
T. B. Barker, of Berkeley County,
Captain Isaac S. Bamberg is a has acted as principal bookkeeper in native of Bamberg, Barnwell County, the office for a half dozen years and served in the Confederate army past. as Captain of the First South Caro- SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION. lina Volunteers. He was successful in mercantile trade before and after
. Hon. James H. Rice is a Charles- the war, and is connected with the tonian by birth and present resident banking business in his native town. of Ninety-Six, Abbeville County. He He was a member of the Wallace graduated from Furman University House and elected to the supervision 1858, was admitted to law practice of the State funds in November. '86. in '59. was elected to the House of
W. J. Laval, Chief Clerk in the Representatives in '78. Mr. Rice Treasurer's office, is a native of was elected to his present office in Charleston, and an old employee in December '86, and is reported to be the State House, having been twice an indefatigable worker in the cause State Treasurer, for a term Comp- of education. troller General of South - Carolina, Charles M. Tew, of Charleston,
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COLUMBIA CITY.
thirteen years a resident of Colum- formerly local editor of the Register, bia, has officiated as Clerk in the for several years the correspondent Department of Education for eleven of the News and Courier from this years past and is fully acquainted with the duties of the office. place, and was appointed State Librarian to fill out the vacancy
The State is just getting nicely to caused by the death of J. T. Sims. work on the free school system, hav- A magnificent room in the State ing now 3,760 schools. an increase House has been designed for the of 100 during the past year. In Library, but it is now undergoing 1887 there were 86 school buildings completion and the Major has on erected. of which six were log, one hand forty-five cords of books that brick, and the balance frame. South he is removing from place to place Carolina has over a million inhabi- for security. If the work is ever tants, and the average school atten- completed, the Library will make a dance is 125,000, of whom 65.000 handsome showing.
Major Richardson served in the Confederate army, but received his present title from General Hampton of the State troops.
are colored. A total of $368.585 is paid annually to teachers.
ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERAL.
The military affairs of the State and accoutrements of war are under the supervision of Milledge L. Bon-
RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS.
Hon. Milledge L. Bonham, Sr., ham, Jr., a native of Edgefield Co., was appointed nine years ago as and son of ex-Gov. Bonham. The Commissioner for Railroads and held militia is divided into four brigades, the office alone for four years, when the law was amended and two more
Bonham still officiating as Chairman. Ex-Gov. Bonham is a native of militia for last year was $13,000. Edgefield County and his official life Adjutant General Bonham was is so well known as to, scarce need elected to this charge Nov., 1886.
repetition bere. For nine years he Col. John Scoffin is on the staff has served the State faithfully in his and officiates as Assistant Adjutant present trust. Col. Duncan is ex- General and Chief Clerk. He is a President of the Agricultural and native of England, and came to Mechanical Society of South Caro- South Carolina in Jan., 1870, and to lina, a native of Virginia, but an old Columbia some fifteen years ago. resident of Union County. Mr. E. Col. Scoffin became an American P. Jervey is a prominent and suc- citizen in November, 1876, and is cessful commercial citizen of Charles- enthused with his adopted country. ton. M. T. Bartlett, who acts as He was appointed by Gov. Jeter to Secretary of the Board, is an effici- fill the unexpired term of General ent railroad man and well known in Moise, resigned.
Columbia.
STATE LIBRARIAN. -0-
The older this book becomes, the
Major H. Clay Richardson is a native of Virginia, and fourteen more valuable it will be for refer- years in South Carolina. He was ence.
each having a battery, cavalry and infantry. There are about 4,500 added to the commission, with Gov. men on the rolls mostly equipped, and the expense account to the
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
GOVERNMENT BUILDING.
Work on the Government Build- ing was commenced in August, 1871, and the structure completed in June of the centennial year at a total cost of over $400,000. It was de- signed by A. B. Mullett, who moved away during the process of construc- tion, leaving Wm. A. Potter as his successor. James A. Cochran, of Augusta, Me., officiated as superin- tendent of the work, and A. H. Monteith, of this place, assisted in various clerical duties throughout the entire time. The edifice is of native granite, the foundation stones being secured in the city and the main walls from the quarries of Winnsboro, some thirty-six miles distant, the structure having been designed, erected, and finished in a most unexceptionable manner, making an edifice of which any city in the world might well be proud.
THE POST-OFFICE
ral supervision of the office. The Department put on the free delivery system September 1st, 1887, with four carriers, (R. O. Thackham, Wm. H. Turner, Alfred Wallace, and Wm. A. Ford, ) at a salary of $50 per month each. Sixteen letter pouches are received by rail daily, thirteen country offices have semi-weekly, and three, weekly mails from Co- lumbia. The number of packages bandled daily averages 7,000 to 10,- 000. Postmaster Gibbes is a native of the city, served for ten years as County Treasurer, is a graduate of West Point Military School, and served as a Major of Artillery in the Confederate army.
INTERNAL REVENUE.
The Department of Internal Reve- nue for the District of South Caro- lina has its headquarters on the second floor of the government building. D. F. Bradley, the pres- ent Collector, was appointed June 1st, 1885, and has as Chief Deputy A. Bacon, office deputy L. T. Levin,
Occupies the ground floor of the government building, and its con- Jr., clerks Mrs. C. LeConte and C. stant increase in volume of business R. D. Burns. The annual amount is a certain index to the growth of collected averages over $100,000. the city. Postmaster W. H. Gibbes Major Bradley is a native of Pickens was appointed by President Cleve- County, served in the Assembly two land July 1st, 1885, and receives a terms 1874-78, as State Senator, salary of $2,500. He is also allowed 1878 to 1882, and was Chairman of $2,500 for clerk hire, but consider- the Board of Directors of the Peni- ing the fact that at least five expert tentiary for five years. He origi- assistants are required, this is nated the Pickens Sentinel and pub- scarcely enough to fill the demands. lished it from 1871. until his removal R. W. McCullough is general mail- to Columbia in 1885.
ing clerk ; Mrs. A. A. T. Cunning- ham attends to the money order. business; B. G. Thomas, to the reg- istry department; H. A. Lindfors,
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AGRICULTURAL HALL.
The State Agricultural Building at the delivery window, and Thos. is said to have been erected by the D. Green assists in the registry and funds of the State, when State Treas- mailing departments, while the post- urer Parker held sway, and cost master gives his personal attention $50,000 to $60,000. When the revul- to making out reports and the gene- sion in political matters "turned the
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COLUMBIA CITY.
rascals out," the title to the building Hon. H. L. Buck, Port Harelson ; was found in private hands, and its Hon. W. A. Ancrum, Camden ; Hon. purchase and improvements have R. A. Love, Chester; Hon. T. J. since, cost the State nearly $30,000. Moore, Moore's; Hon. B. F. Cray- The basement is used for heavy ton, Anderson, S. C., all experienced storage. The Exhibition Depart- and efficient public men. ment is in charge of Capt. A. P. Brown, of Barnwell, who has been VALUABLE STATISTICS. with the Department since. 1881,
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