The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-05-26
correspondence of the 1ntelligencer.
BELToN, S. c., May 81, 1870

Correspondence OF Gne 1uIeAlSeucoI'
BELToN, S. c., May 81, 1870.
DEAR HoYT: The traveller by rail from Co
lumbia to GreenviIle 7or Walhalla, passes the
town of Bolton, pauses a moment and rushes
on giving it but momentary thought. Let
us, however, talk little about place that is
quite as large as Anderson, if it had the houses
and whose local history far antc-dates it.
Along the waters of Broadmouth Greek, which
heads near Belton, and flows southeast into
the Saluda, settlers from Pennsylvania, Vir-
ginia and North Carolina located at an early
period and among the Cox.s, ~Mattison's,
Browns, Telford's, Acker's, Breazeale's, and
others, we recognize the honored descendants
of honored sires, who first "felled the forest
and titled the soil.". At the "Sally Reid old
place." an adventurous band of emigrants from
Ninety Six built cabin and attempted set
tlement. Soon afterwards, a band of hostile
Cherokee Indians surrounded the house, and
burned it and the settlers together. None es-
capped but o negro, who fled to the post at
Ninety-Six and told of the massacre; where
upon Capt Robert Maxwell raised company
of Rangers, and repaired to this region to
ayenge the outrage.
But what of Bolton? At that day, the place
was called Sugar Hill, and was settled and
owned by Peter Hall and Nathan McClanahan.
Peter, who was brother-in-law of the Rev.
Robert King, lived in a cabin near the Acade-
my spring. He sold out his possessions at an
early day, and removed we, know not where.
McClanahan, who lived on the east side of the
railroad, one winters night, took a drop too
much at still-house and froze to death. His
place was purchased by Ephraim Mayfeld,
who finally cut his throat in an adjacent swamp:
Many changes took place until railroad
was built, a depot established, and town laid
out, and Sugar Hill gave place to Belton-so
called in honor of the great and good John
Belton O'Neall.
For period since the war, the town made
no progress in population or wealth. Within
the present year, marked improvement is
manifest and we confidently predict for Belton
bright future. Town lots have recently been
sold at fair price to gentlemen of means, who
intend to improve and settle upon them. We
have a fourishing Academy, under the care of
Lattimer; two Churches, Baptist and Presby-
terian; good hotel, owned and supervised
by G. w. McGee; four stores, owned respec-
lively by Austin & Davis, Cox & Mitchell,
A. J. Stringer and Dean & Willingham, the
latter of whom will soon have ready man.
moth two-story building to be used as busi-
ness house, and also on the second floor for the
meeting of Bolton Lodge, No. 130, A. F. M.
three Blacksmith Shops; one Lawyer and
Trial Justice three Physicians, Drs E. NJ.
and W. G. Brown, and G. R. Dean; two
Woodwork Shops, by VIM. Holmes and Tay-;
lor, Brown G. Dean. Thus you see that We
have a variety of pursuits, callings and busi-
ness, and we know that each department is in
the hands of sagacious and energetic men,
who know not the word fail. Handsome pri-
vate residences are being built, and others will
be erected. Friend MCGEE has determined
upon rearing large brick hotel, and Messrs.
Taylor, Brown & Dean have recently erected,
and now have in successful operation, wagon
anu CodCu 1dCtoiy, Will Iue ialeSo ohu niooo
approved machinery, propelled by steam, for
doing the varied work required in the coach.
and wagon manufacture This establishment
is under the management of G. w. Taylor and
G. W. Hyde, than whom no more skilled me-
chanics, in their line, can be found. Welearn
that Taylor, Brown & Dean also intend to gin
and pack cotton in this establishment. Sue
cess to them and the other enterprising men of
Bolton. What Sugar Hill will aspire to in the
future, who can tell?
Our farmers have also caught the spirit Of
improvement, and are found employing better
implements and larger quantity of fertilizers.
A drought of six weeks, however, causes
feeling of depression among our agriculturists.
Much of the wheat crop will not be tall
enough to harvest, and the heads of that which
can be cut do not promise large yield. So
far, but sorry stands of cotton have been Sc
cured; and as for corn, too little has been
planted.
Long ago, we promised to write out for your
paper some "reminiscences of the war; this
promise we will endeavor to redeem at an early
day. WARREN.
A Woeb;no+o,, 1attor IN eyool l,;no of tbo