The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1868-03-11
[corcs spondsnco of the N. Y. Evening Pnst.1
The Home of Calhoun-,-Its Present
Condition.
PEypLEroy. s. C.. Jan. 80. Is6s.

J. .#- PEsDLEroS. s. c., Jan. 80, 1868.
The road from Grccnvillc to Pendlcton is a
most beautiful and romantic ride, commanding
in many points fine view Of Table Rock,
Whitesiics, Chimney Top, and several other
noted submits of the Blue Ridge. could
not forbear stopping several times to gaze up
on this scene, spread out Lcfore mo und form.
ing picturesque background to the scenery
Of tho country. Tho sun had already set
when arrived at the village of Pcndleton.
Inquiring for my friend, I easily found his
residence, was warmly welcomed aud mndo
comfortable for the night. The next e-ening,
SGT out to view Fort Hill, the former resi-
dencc Of John @. Calhoun. 1t is still owned
by his family, though rope ,tcdly advertised in
the district papers to be sold for debt. The
last time General -Canby's order, ebstablithins
for the present homestead law, just saved it
from tho hands of the auctionecr, and now it
Is supposed that It will remain in the posses.
sion of the family. Mr.. Calhoun left con-
siderable property, but the estate owning n
urge number of negroes, and great amount
Of money having hccn invested in Confederate
bonds. little or nothing would have remained
to those who bear his namo but for General
CAnhy's homestead law. In former times,
am told, Mr.. Calhoun's family were nccustcm-
el to receive many visitors, who came from
far and near to view his residence, and wore
always received and Hospitality entertained Mt
his table. Parlraps 1t is not generally known
that Mr. Calhoun left at his death five sons
and two daughters, all grown up. or these
only the eldest daughter is now living; four
sons died of consumption within short pc
riod Of each other, enc daughter o: fever and
the eldest son (then a middle aged mau) died
during the war Of upoplexy. The family resi-
dcnce Is now the home OF his widow and chill.
drcn. II is but n neat and comfortable resi-.
dcnce, pleasantly embowcred in trees, and
commanding beautiful view of the noun
tains. Around it lie large and fertile fields Of
meadow land, in high state of cultivation,
stretching along tho banks of the Seneca. /
am told chat Mr.. Calhoun, during his lifetime,
was accustomed to superintcud tho culture Of
this farm with the greatest care and interest
Near the dwelling house, and shaded by beau
tiful oaks, stands his iirary and study, with
a portico which, commands an extensive vi,w
of the country. From the top Of the hill on
which the house stands ono can trace the wind
ings OF the river for several miles. Scvc-
raj gentlrmens houses, all embowcrcd in trees
can be seen, from Fort IIill to each belonging
many hundred acres of rich river land. These
dwellings in former days were the summer
residences of rich and aristocratic families,
generally from the low country. To each be-
lonSed SO many fine horses, carriages, and SER
wants, that living at a distance of six or eight
miles from the greater part Of their ncighhoIs
did not effect any isolation "f tho family hut
was rather an excuse fUf keeping open house
and entertaining visitors night and day. Now,
most Of tho families who rem ain in these dwell
ings are almost isolated from oilers. It has
become difficult for all classes to make sub
sistcnce. The cotton, which these planters cx-
pected to bring them from twenty to thirty
cents per pound, only brings twelve and half
to fifteen cents, and in many instances they
hear up against an entire failure Of crops.
With debt and anxiety hanging ovor their
heads, little disposition or ability remains for
gayciy and visiting.
suppose 1t will occasion astonishment to
hear that Mr.. Calhoun's library was lately sold,
with some othcr personal property, to satisfy
debts, at about $3.50. Whole shelves of books
were knocked down for from four to six dol
lars a shelf As Thave said, the sale of the
house and land were then advertised to take
place, and expected to follow that Of the H.
bI ary and furniture within n short time but
Gen. Canby's order, rescrvin2 to every family
n house and twenty acres Of lind, will for the
present enable this widowed lady and her chill
| dren to retain their home.
Pendleton was once q summer resort for the
wealthy low country families of tho State
Now there arc few remaining but tho plain
cNuntry people whose homo the place has al
ways been. In n circuit of half mile there
are now fourteen houses shut mp and empty.
Yet amid the general desolation 1 take pleas
ure in recording one instance of success and
prosperity in business. My friend, Mr. Smith,
came from New England some timc before the
war his means were so limited that himself
aud family wcro employed MS hands in one Of
the factories of noighboring village. Some
fortunate speculations, of which the proceeds
were Immediately and judiciously Invested,
enabled him to acquire wealt, very rapidly
lie now owns over hfty thousand dcllars' worth
of property, lives in n pleasant residence not
far from the village, and Is doing a business
which bids fair rapidly to increase his wealth
| and resources.
One melancholy instance of tho decline oi
Pcndlcton met my view. During Its prosper
Gus days four churches had beou built. Some
time ago all the place managed to support a
minister half his time. Now thero are two
but one will probably leave for want of sufIi
cient salary.
SELF INDULGENCE snys II I. on,
1y necessary TO grew old. 10 become NOR,
ipduIgent. ! see no fault committed thai
have not committed myself"
THE poorer trsder puts all bis goods IL