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 4

Author: Robbins, D. P. (David Peter), 1845-
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Columbia, S.C. : Printed at the Presbyterian Publishing House
Number of Pages: 210


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 4


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Dr. P. E. Griffin, the present Super- number in charge are paid for by intendent, is a native of Darlington friends. The average number under


County, graduated from the South treatment is about 650, and the ad- Carolina College in 1852, attended a missions during the year were 228, medical course at Charleston, and with 75 recoveries reported in the graduated from the medical depart- ment of the University of Pennsyl- vania, 1855, after which he contin- ued his studies at Paris for a couple of years and practised in his native county for 20 years prior to having been called here. same time, which is over 33 per cent. One hundred and ten died during the year, which would be 12} per cent. of the average population. Seven-twelfths of the inmates are white and the remainder colored, the sexes being about equally Dr. Griffin is a man eminently fitted for the work by nature and education, and his successful man- agement, both in point of economy and enterprise, as well as in the medical treatment of his patients, will compare favorably with the management of any similar institu- represented. Almost every profes- sion or business is represented, about in accordance with its ratio, thus giving the preponderance to labor- ers, farmers, and housewives. Among causes given, heredity is credited with 7 per cent., and next in order comes epilepsy, domestic afflictions, tion in the land. He is assisted by intemperance, etc.


Dr. J. L. Thompson, of Fairfield


The yearly maintenance of the County, and Dr. L. G. Corbett, of Asylum costs between $70,000 and Sumter County, with Dr. J. M. Cald- $80,000, but considering the large well as dispensing druggist, all number of inmates, the percentage graduates of the South Carolina that is restored to usefulness and the Medical College of Charleston. humanitarian achievements of this


The new centre building cost institution, the expense is very light, about $80,000, and was erected in and the officials deserve high compli- 1883-4. This adds greatly to the ments for their success. architectural beauty, completing a


The Asylum was founded in 1822, block in length of three and four the old portion having been com- story brick edifices as one continu-


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HISTORICAL SKETCH


ous building. The grounds cover chartered by the Legislature in 1801, about twelve acres, and with the and four years later opened its doors buildings and extensive brick walls, to students. It continued in suc- have cost nearly a million of dollars. cessful operation until the buildings The Legislature of South Carolina were taken possession of by the should be highly commended for Confederacy in July, 1863, and were their philanthropy in making appro- used for two years as a hospital. In priations for this work of charity, 1866, it was reopened as a Univer- while the covering for their own sity, but ten years later again closed heads was still incomplete and badly on account of political strife. The in need of attention. The Stateowns charter was amended in '78, divid- a farm of 220 acres not far from the ing the University into two branches, city, the tilling of which is princi- the So. Ca. College at Columbia exclu- pally done by the patients, and the sively for white students, and Claflin Superintendent recommends the pur- College, at Orangeburg, for colored chase of twice as much more, which students, and in '82, the State Mili- could be used in like manner with tary Academy, at Charleston, was profit to the State and benefit to the added as a third branch. The South insane, as employment is one of the Carolina College was reorganized valuable adjuncts to treatment. the latter year with a full faculty


In addition to the Board of Re- and has since made remarkable pro- gents, Superintendent, and physi- gress. cians, H. P. Green officiates as Sec- retary and Treasurer; Rev. E. A.


Many of the most distinguished citizens of the State have been its Bolles, Chaplain ; Wm. Crawford, alumni or officials. Rev. Jonathan supervisor; and Mrs. W. A. Carter, Maxcy was its first President. Suc- Matron, with Miss A. S. Cheatham, ceeding bim came Thomas Cooper, assistant.


UNIVERSITY OF SO. CA.


R. W. Barnwell, Robert Henry, Win. C. Preston, J. H. Thornwell, C. F. MeCay, A. B. Longstreet, and Wm. Poreher Miles. Among emi-


If there is any one department of nent names (now dead), who at- social life above another that hu- tended this institution before 1850, manity should seek to elevate, it is were Harper, Petigrue, McDuffie, the educational. and this feature of Earle, O'Neall, Legare, the Ward- any city is a leading one'in making


laws, Richard Yeadon, Edm. Bellin- selections for residence or business. ger, J. H. Thornwell, James Simons, Columbia and the entire State of B. F. Whitner, W. R. Davis, Job South Carolina may well feel a just


Johnstone. W. C. Preston, Waddy pride in her University. and as show- Thompson, A. P. Butler, T. N. Daw- ing the educational advantages of kins, J. H. Hammond, Stephen Elliott, this place, with the view of encour- and others. Our personal mention of aging enlightened immigration, we officials and business men of Colum- shall make no excuse for using seve- ral pages of this pamphlet in the description of schools and colleges.


bia will show that many of our leading citizens have availed them- selves of this prominent institution of learning under its different titles and management. It has always


HISTORICAL.


The South Carolina College was ranked high as an educational enter-


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COLUMBIA CITY.


prise, and, perhaps, never more so ing themselves for Engineering, than at the present writing. Dur- Agriculture, or strictly scientific pur- ing the administration of Preston, suits. about 1850. the average yearly at-


For students unable to remain tendance ran from 190 to 202, and longer than two years in college, the present average is very nearly special courses have been arranged : 200. A comparison of catalogues the Shorter Course in Agriculture, from :3 leading colleges of the United for those proposing to become farm- States shows that but fifteen rank ers; the Shorter Course preparatory higher in point of attendance. thir- for Teaching, for those fitting them- teen coequal, and forty-four below selves for the work of teaching; the ours. In ratio of attendance to Shorter Course preparatory for population of the State. South Caro- Medicine and Pharmacy, for those lina shows the best record in the wishing to prepare themselves for South, and for number ofinstructors, the successful study of Medicine or but two colleges present a better ratio than the University of South Carolina.


Pharmacy; the Shorter Course of Applied Science, for those intending to engage in callings demanding some acquaintance with science ; and the Shorter Course of Science, for those about to enter upon the ordinary business avocations of life. These courses have also been care- fully revised and improved within the past two years.


Illustrating the different courses from which students may select, we give the following outline of studies :


For those desirous of pursuing a full and complete line of study, seven parallel courses for a degree, of four years each, are provided-four gen- eral and three technical. In the


Every matriculate is required, ex- course of Classical Literature, Latin cept in special cases approved by the and Greek. are the dominant studies; Faculty, to elect one of the forego- in the course of Latin and Modern Literature, Latin and the Modern ing courses. The student is graded in each study of the course selected Languages; in the course of History according to bis preparation therein. and English Literature. History, The majority of his studies deter- Ancient and Modern. and the Eng- mine his rank. In each year of lish language and literature; in the every course there are from seven- course of General Science, the teen to eighteen class exercises per Modern Languages. Mathematics, week, and from five to six distinct and Science. In each of these courses branches of study. With the con- abundant provision is made for sent of the Faculty, other studies, liberal culture in Language, Letters, in addition to those prescribed in and Science. and all three will com- the course, can be carried. These mend themselves to young men provisions allow the student the full


benefit of his preparation in each study of the course, and give flexi-


looking forward to literary or pro- fessional life. The courses of Civil Engineering, and of Agriculture and bility to the courses and system of Chemistry, which have been materi- gradation. A full Law course is also ally strengthened. and that of Me- given. Next year Normal and .chanical Engineering, which has Pharmaceutical Colleges will be been added, within the past two added, greatly widening the range years, are intended for those prepar- of studies. Free rooms are furnished


...


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HISTORICAL SKETCH


to students and board is as low as $10 Centre DeSaussure, and, lastly, East per month. Parties who are unable DeSaussure. To your right, the to pay their tuition fees have them line commences with a double tene- remitted upon proper application.


GROUNDS, BUILDINGS, ETC.


Descriptive of the buildings and their surroundings perhaps.we can- not do better than to make extracts from a report of Visitors in 1885, of whom Wade Hampton was Chair- man :


"The College grounds proper are in the shape of a parallelogram, hav- ing a circuit of about one mile, and inclosed by a substantial brick wall. The area within the wall is about 203 acres, that within the quadran- gle of buildings 5 acres, and that within the drives running around the Campus about 3 acres. Recently, and under the present administra- tion, the wall in front has been low- ered to its base and an open iron fence superimposed, thus affording a view of the College grounds from the street and improving the ap- pearance from within. A noble grove of trees shades the Campus, and beneath them lies a beautiful carpet of improved grasses, carefully fertilized and well kept. The State can, without humiliation, compare its College grounds with those of any State in the Union. Their beauty and classic appearance excite the admiration of every visitor. As


ment residence, and then proceeds with Pinckney College, West Legare, Centre Legare, a double tenement residence, West Rutledge, Centre Rutledge, and East Rutledge. Out- side of the College walls are the large Chapel, Steward's Hall, Mar- shal's cottage, and the farm stables. The buildings within the Campus supply for the use of the College 1 chapel, 4 halls, 1 reading room, 4 laboratories, 2 fraternity rooms, 3 apparatus rooms, 12 lecture rooms, 101 students' rooms, 202 dormitories, and ample and comfortable, resi- dences for eight Professors. Each student's room has two dormitories annexed. Two students now room together, each having his own dor- mitory, but each suite (room and two dormitories) could without serious inconvenience lodge three or four students. The Steward's Hall is a large building of three stories besides basement, with thirteen rooms.


"Besides this property there are over twenty acres of land, adjoining the College grounds, that are made use of as an experimental farm, and laid off in plats for tests of seeds and fertilizers, two silos, and the stock and implements sufficient for the conduct of the farm."


These buildings and grounds foot you reach the Campus by the main up a total valuation of over $350,- 000, and are a property which adds


entrancefrom thestreet, there fronts you, from the other end, the Presi- great attractions to the city.


dent's residence and the Green House. OFFICERS AND FACULTY. To your left comes first the Library building, behind which is a resi- 'President John M. McBryde, Ph. dence now occupied by the Librarian. D., LL.D., appears to be just the Then, in line, come Elliott College, right man in the right place. He West Harper, Centre Harper, East has a happy faculty of making every Harper, a residence with two tene- one feel at case in his presence and ments, affording room for two fami- of inspiring his students with the lies, West DeSaussure College, importance of persistent work. As


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COLUMBIA CITY.


an executive he is well-balanced, ate M. A. of University of Virginia, clear-sighted, practical, cultured, and 1853, student in Berlin 1856-8, and wide in his range of sympathies. then professor in William and Mary He seems to easily hold the utmost College, Virginia. In 1866 Professor good will of the entire College, and of Modern Languages in Washing- to control with ease both the execu- ton College (afterwards Washington tive and educational departments. and Lee University, Virginia); came President McBryde is a native of to the South Carolina College from Abbeville County, was educated at the University of Tennessee in 1882. the South Carolina College and the Professor Joynes is author of some University of Virginia, and was well known text-books in modern a Professor in the University of languages, including a series of Tennessee, when called to a pro- classic French plays, and a course of fessorship here in 1882. A year both French and German texts; later he was elected as President, more recently a German Grammar and we feel safe in saying that no of high reputation. Some of these wiser selection could have been books are used in the first institu- made.


tions of the country.


James Woodrow, Ph. D., M. D., Wm. J. Alexander, A. M .. D. D., D. D., LL.D., Professor of Natural officiates as chaplain of the College Philosophy and Geology, is a native and Professor of Moral Philosophy of Carlisle, England, graduated at and English Literature. Dr. Alex- Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, in ander is a Georgian, graduated at 1849, then took a scientific course the Mercer University, and after- at Lawrence Scientific School, Har- wards spent two years at the Green- vard University, after which he ville (S. C.) Theological Seminary, graduated from the University of and served as pastor at Darlington Heidelberg, Germany, with the de- and elsewhere several years prior to grees M. A. and Ph. D. He was one accepting a chair here in 1882.


of the faculty of Ogelthorpe College,


Wm. B. Burney, Ph. D., Professor Ga., from whence he was called to the of Chemistry, was born in Mecklen- Perkins Professorship in the Colum- burg County, N. C., and graduated bia Theological Seminary ; was Pro- from Davidson College, in his native fessor of Chemistry and Geology in County. Later he attended the Uni- the old S. C. University from 1869 versities at Leipsic, Paris, and Johns to 1872, and accepted his present chair at the reorganization of this school in 1880.


Hopkins, taking the degree of Ph. D. at Heidelberg, and holding a fel- lowship at the Johns Hopkins. He


Benj. Sloan, Professor of Mathe- has held a professorship here since matics and Engineering, was born at 1880. Pendleton, S. C., graduated at the


Rev. Edmund L. Patton, LL.D., West Point Military Academy, and Professor of Ancient Languages, was held the chair in Mathematics at born in Abbeville County, took a Adger College of Walhalla, S. C., preparatory course at Erskine Col- prior to accepting his present posi- lege under the auspices of the Asso- tion in the South Carolina College- ciate Reformed Presbyterian Church, entered the Junior Class of the South


seven years since.


Ed. S. Joynes, of Virginia, Pro- Carolina College in 1845, and gradu- fessor of Modern Languages, gradu- ated with the highest honors of his


,


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HISTORICAL SKETCH


class. He accepted a chair in


The professors, without exception, Erskine in 1855. and four years later appear to be able men, accomplished was elected as its president. Later in all the learning of their respect- Prof. Patton was president of the ive departments, and at the same West Tennessee College at Jackson, time painstaking, enthusiastic. and in that State. for six years, returned efficient teachers. In addition to the to Erskine Theological Seminary in Faculty are several tutors, and the 1877, and was elected to.the above number of instructors under the new chair in 1882.


University régime will be twenty-


R. Means Davis, A. B., LL.B., eight. Professor of History and Political John G. Barnwell, the Librarian, Science, was born in Fairfield, took is a native of Beaufort, and the son of a preparatory course at Mt. Zion, of Hon. Robert W. Barnwell, who offi- Winnsboro, and graduated from the ciated for many years as President of University of South Carolina in this institution. Mr. B. has been a 1869, and from the law department practising attorney in Beaufort for in 1872. Prof. Davis practised for a many years, and upon the death of his time, was editor of the Winnsboro sister last year, he was elected to fill News and Herald for nearly a decade, her position as Librarian here. The and for a half dozen years Principal Library building is well adapted to of the Mt. Zion School prior to com- its purposes, and contains about 27,- ing here in 1882. He is a member 000 volumes.


of the State Board of School Exam- iners.


There are also several minor offi- cers, but our allotted space has al-


R. H. Lougbridge, Ph. D., Pro- ready been taken. and we can only fessor of Agricultural Chemistry and add that the South Carolina Univer- Mineralogy, was born at the Presby- sity has made a record of which terian Mission in Indian Territory, every citizen of the State may well graduated from the University of feel proud, and is fully entitled to Mississippi in 1872, and was assist- rank with the foremost institutions ant professor in Chemistry for two of learning in the land. years, then assistant State Geologist of Georgia till 1878. Prof. Lough- FEMALE COLLEGE. PLAIN STREET. ridge was assistant Geologist of Ken- tucky for some time, and two years since was elected to the above chair.


The State University for males has its counterpart in the Columbia


G. W. McElroy (Assistant Engi- Female College for the higher edu- neer U. S. N.), Professor of Mechani- cation of young women. This was cal Engineering, is a native of Henry, chartered by the Legislature in 1859, Ill., attended the Adrian Michigan and was in a most prosperous condi- College and graduated from the tion in February. 1865, having a U. S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, senior class of forty-six members. Md., 1878, has spent seven years at As soon as it was known that the sea, and accepted his present position Federal troops were advancing upon in the University of South Carolina the city, the school was closed, and two years ago.


Joseph D. Pope. A. M., Professor of Law, will have a mention in our pages on the legal profession.


the young ladies were sent home. A few days later. Feb. 17th, the city was burned, and this building, which had escaped the fire, was used the


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COLUMBIA CITY.


remainder of the year by the pupils musician and teacher, are worthy of of Ursuline Convent. which estab- more than this passing notice. lishment had not been so fortunate. Fourteen officers and teachers are employed, and are as follows: For seven succeeding years, educa- tional institutions could not be pat- ronized, and the College was leased and used as a hotel. In 1873, the Trustees decided to reopen, and elected the Rev. Samuel B. Jones, D. D., President. Prior to the suspen- sion of the College, 159 young ladies had been graduated; 129 have since taken the degrees. and with the pres- ent senior class of 18 members, the alumnæ will number over 300. The enrolment of the term that closed February 7th was 120. and the pres- ent attendance is about the same.


Rev. Osgood A. Darby, D. D., President, Mental and Moral Science ; Mrs. O. A. Darby, Lady Principal; Lawson B. Haynes; A. M .. Mathe- matics and Natural Science; Miss Fannie Leavell, Latin, French and English Literature; Miss Annie A. Warren, History, Natural Science, and Penmanship; Miss Mary L. Yeargin, Elocution, Rhetoric, and Grammar; Ernst Brockmann, In- strumental Music; Miss Sallie B. Reynolds, Assistant in Instrumental Music; Miss Carrie Louise Laval,


There have been six presiding offi- Vocal Music; Miss Anna Lynch, cers since the opening of the College, Guitar; Miss Minnie Walker, Oil as follows: Rev. Whitefoord Smith, Painting, Painting in Water Colors, D. D., Rev. Wm. Martin, Rev. Henry Drawing. and China Painting; Mrs. M. Mood, Rev. S. B. Jones, D. D., Col. Jane T. Reynolds. Governess of J. L. Jones, and the present incum- Chapel: Mrs. E. II. Bull, Superin- bent, Rev. Osgood A. Darby, D. D. tendent of Domestic Department ; Dr. Darby is a native of Charleston, Dr. A. N. Talley, College Physician.


The course of study consists of


English Language and Litera- a quarter of a century prior to ac- ture, Mathematics, Natural Science, History, Mental and Moral Science, . Ancient and Modern Languages,


and was graduated from the South Carolina Military Academy in 1850. ten schools, viz .: He taught for a time, but for nearly cepting the Presidency of the Colum- bia Female College, was a minister in the Southern Methodist Church. Art, Music, Elocution, Physical Cul- His seven years efficient work here, ture. speaks higher than any eulogiam Special prominence is given to the from our pen could do, regarding his first, but cach department has its success in the management of the relative merit, and the schools are affairs of this prosperous institu- arranged to meet the wants of all. tion.


The entire cost of a term to each Prof. L. B. Haynes, the instructor pupil, for tuition, board, fuel, lights, in Mathematics and Natural Science, etc., is $100. The College is supplied is a native of Spartanburg, a gradu- with Philosophical. Chemical, and ate of Wofford College, of that place, Experimental apparatus, a micro- and has a record of a dozen years as scope magnifying 25.000 areas, and a a superior teacher.


telescope that enlarges 129 diameters.


Prof. Ernst Brockmann, of Greens- Students also have the advantage of boro, N. C., has had charge of the the State museum and agricultural music department for seven years, exhibit. Music, art, and physical cul- and his accomplishments, both as a ture, have their proper prominence,


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HISTORICAL SKETCH


and every facility is given to perfect was pillaged and destroyed by the a pupil in any desirable branch. As Federal troops. shown on former pages, Columbia is The night of the burning of the exceedingly healthy, and in this Col- convent and the next day, the Nuns, lege, with a record of twenty school with their pupils, spent in the years, and high average attendance, church-yard, but by the succeeding there has been but one death. The night they had obtained shelter in hygienic surroundings and instruc- a building, which, having been taken tions are of the best, and the pupils as a hospital although not used as are required to take daily exercise in such, was provided with an abun- the open air, when the weather will dance of mattresses and comforts, permit. A large portion of the city made of unbleached domestics. resembles a beautiful park, and the There a number of families had al- location of the College could not be ready taken refuge, and, finding more desirable as to railroad com- themselves in such close quarters, munication, church privileges, or its the Nuns thought it best to accept general surroundings. the offer made them in the church-


The building is one of the most yard by Gen. Sherman, of "any un- elegant and imposing school editices occupied house in the city," and asked Gen. Preston's, which had in the State, and with a contem- plated addition (at an estimated ex- been ordered to be burned, but was pense of $30,000), will leave nothing spared on condition that they take to be desired as an institute for the immediate possession on its being higher education, refinement, and vacated by Gen. Logan and his suite. moral culture of the young ladies of The message came almost by day- the State.


URSULINE INSTITUTE. BLANDING STREET.


The Ursuline Order, of which this Convent is a branch, was founded by St. Angela di Merici, at Brescia, Italy, in the year 1535.


break that morning, "send a detach- ment of the sisters at once, or it will be burned." Three courageous ones were sent to take possession, and the house was saved. As soon as a letter could reach Gen. Preston, he was informed by the Mother Supe- rior of the safety of his mansion, and the readiness of herself and commu- nity to give it up to him as soon as he and his family could return to Columbia.


The order spread rapidly through- out the Christian world; and at the present day has numerous convents and academies in both hemispheres.


The Ursulines of Columbia were A few months after the burning brought to South Carolina by Bish- of their convent the Nuns removed op England in the year 1834, and in to Valle Crucis, a country place two 1858 the convent in this city was miles from Columbia, continuing founded by Rt. Rev. P. N. Lynch, their work of education under trials D. D., Bishop of Charleston. The and privations of every kind.




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