The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-12-08
THE FREUNDsCHAFTsBUND.
History Of the soc1ety-Details OF Old
Times-TheNew HnH-h Splendid En-
terprise-The Dedication Tonight.

In 1892 O number OF the German residents
OF Charleston, including othSrs who spoke the
language OF the Fatnerland, desireus Of drawing
closer those social ties which are so emlnently
characteristic OF the Teutanic race, organized
the society now 80 widely known as the Freund,
schartsbund. Mr. John strohecker was elected
the first president The members assembled from
time to time con n.tltutlng as 1t were, the nu.
cIeus OF body from which has emanated o vast
amount of usefulness. Although not strictly
speaking charitable society, 1t bestowed mate
rial aid upon the poor and lriendless German,
and made him feel that, while stranger In q
strange land he could still enjoy the associations
perpetua!ed by his people.
In the year 1870, or about that time, other Ger
man soclties, some Of them military in character,
were formed, but, among them al, the Freund-
schartsbund pursued the even tenor OF its way,
enlarging its field OF duty and increasing in num-
bers, until during the year 1852 1t was found neces
sary to reorgaaize. Mr.. John Siegling than became
nresIdent, and so remained for sixteen years. At
that time the society used to meet in Werner's
building, on the corner Of Cumberland and Meet
ing streets. Subsequently ohey assembled In the
hall OF the German Friendly Society, 10 Archdale
street. Under the administration OF President
siegling. they continued to prosper, until at last
the finances OF the organization permitted them
to purchase hal. vi Snelr own IN Society street.
They assembled here for several years, but such
was the growth OF the Bund that 1t became evil
dent. even before the war, that larger and more
suitable hall was necessary Tor their purposes.
From mere handful Of twenty, the society Ihas
swelled Its numbers to two hundred and twenty.
five. And OF that handful, but one remains,
namely: Our old and esteemed fellow.citizen,
Mr.. John KIncK. Heaven spared him to enjoy
long life OF usefulness, and to witness the happy
frution Of Ills generous endeavors forty years
ago. May many years elapse before he reaps his
highest and best reward above.
In consequence OF the war, the contemplated
plan OF building handsome hail could not be
carried out. Still, the object being Kept steadily
in view, suitable lot, ninety by a hundred and
fifty feet in dimensions, was purchased In Janu-
airy OF the present year. on the corner OF Meeting
and George streets. The architects, Messrs. Aora-
hams s Seyles submitted their designs and in
accordance herewith the corner st)ne was laid,
with imposing ceremony, on!the 22d ofsFebruary
last-the birthday OF Washington. Since that
time the work has steadily progressed, and the
Freundschaftsbund possess to-day one of the
most elegant and substantial structures OF the
kind In the South. What Is better still, 1t ts paid
for. The building was constructed on shares OF
fifty dollars each, every one OF which Is held by
members OF the society, and cannot be sold ont OF
the society. Eventually O sinking fund viii re-
deem then.
THE OFFICERS OF THE FREUHDsCHAFTSBUND.
President Captain Jacob Small, who has been
successfully reelected for several years; Captain
Alexander Melchers, vice-president; 81. Il. Mul.
Ter, treasurer; ]. n. Petersen, secretary, In place
Of Charles Slegllng who declined re election; J.
c. Lesemann, C. Rooster and W. Knobeloch,
stewards.
The building committee consist of Jacob Small,
chairman; and Messrs. Alexander Melchers, J. c.
Lesemann, W. Muller, (slnce decsased,l c. Plenge,
O. Aichel, II. klatte, q. Oampsen, D. Bollmann,
Fl. Bruning, D. A. ANNE and c. D. Brahe.
The special finance committee are Messrs.
a. Gerdts, c. o. witte and ". G. Dlngte.
DESCRIPTION OF THE HALL
In STYLE the architecture OF tile hall Is Gothic.
Its shapely outlines at once attract the eye anu
satisfy the most critical taste. The building, in
Guiding the basement, is three stories in height,
fifty feet in width, and one hundred feet IN depth
1t is painted cream color. The basement has
main entranc. under the front portlco, and Is
we l.lighted apartment every foot Of which has
a purpose On the left, running the entire length
OF the building, are TWO nine.piu alleys. On the
right Is a succession Of rooms, one of which Is
pan 'ry that communicates by dumb-wat' er with
corresponding pantry above. Another Is d
large kitchen, with q cooking range capable OF
supplying food to Two hundred people A clstern
under the kitchen has a capacity for 25,OOe ga,,
Ions. A private staircase connects the basement
with the upper stories. Other rooms are prepared
fer the various purposes of entertainment.
The main approach to the second story consists
Of TWO flights OF stone steps, running right and
left lroma bread stone platform. The entry Is
eight feet wide On the right hand side Is large
billiard room, with tables and pantry. On thelelt
hand side are reception and reading rooms, where
the magazines and journals OF the day are to be
had. Also small refreshment room. which
opens IN the club or dining room. The latter Is
thirty feet in width and forty seven feet In depth;
contains four handsome chandeliers OF French
bronze, TWO 'tlO HiG'pluCCSi auu
the usual club-room furniture.
The walls and ceilings are OF hard finish, and
the panelling AMI doors OF every apartment
beautifully grained in imitation OF oak. The third
story or main hall Is reached by broad STAIR
way ascending from either side of tho chief
entraucc The dimensions of this concert room
arc rurtyseven by sixty feet. The floor Is raised
around the s:des so that during ball, chairs and
spectators will not be in the way OF dancers.
Dressing rooms for ladies and gentlemen, with all
the modern conveniences, are situated over each
stairway, anil communicate with the hall. The
chief feature or this portion Of the building
Is the stage which, In all Its appointments. is
equal TO any theatre In the South. It Is twenty
eight feet wide twenty three feet deep, lighted
from! above and below, with dressing rooms on
each side. There are eight very beautiful
drop scenes, painted by WallacS, in his
best style, anu the machinery for raising
and lowering the same, as substitute
OF the old.rashioned sliding arrangement, Is as
perfect as il can be m lde by art. The hall con-
tains magnificent central chandelier OF French
bronZe with thlrty.two burners, and smaller
chandelier OF eight lights In each OF the four
corners All the gasllghts were furnished by
Mr.. GuillemIn. The plasterlng was done under
the direction OF MIR. W. H. Gruyer; Timing by
Adams, Damon & Co. painting by Douglass i
Miller; plumbing by ". F. Paddon; stone masonry
nv w. T. White and iron work by O. Werner The
general contractor and builder Is Mr. T. ]. Knaur,
and the substantial and complete manner In
which his labor has been performed attcsts tile