The New York herald., 1878-03-10
PETER COOPER'S PROJECT.
THE INSTITUTE AT LIMESTONE SPRINGS, SOUTH

THE INSTITUTE AT LIMESTONE SPRINGS SOUTH
CAROLINA EDUCATIONAL PLANS.
1t was stated some time ago that Mr. Peter Cooper
arranging for the establishment OF an Institution
In South Carolina. to be OF somewhat similar char
acter TO the Cooper Institute. IL was regarded
mistake. But IL now appears however, that, although
the news premature Mr.. Cooper does entertain
design Of the kind, and than probable
that he will shortly put In execution. Mr. Cooper,
some tmo SINCE advapced tho sum OF $l3 900 to Mr..
G. II. Bonner Who owns large property at Lime
stone Springs, South Carolina, taxing q mort
gage on the property, with the privilege Of
purchasing II AZ time within for $685. 600.
He subsequently advanced $4,000 more for tho pur-
pose Of developing Of the natural resources OF
the land which leaves balance Of So o0O by the pay
mont OF which the property will become his Lime
stone Springs is spartansburg, the line OF tho
Air Lilo Railroad, and in ante-bellum uays q
iavorite summer resort for Southerners and wintcr
resort Tor Northerners The elevation above the
Is about twoive hundred feet and the and water
said to be exceptionally ane. When the place
prosperous IL supported . young ladies'. college, a
hotel, large churoh, &c, but during tho II foil
into decay and alter the war Mr. Bonner, alter pur
chasing the properly for a mere song, tried 10 re-
establish the school, Owing to the depression OF af.
airs the South was unsuossssful in his enter
prise, and hnding II impossible carry the school
and keep the property he endeavored to sell It 70 Mr.
Cooper.
A ARCADIA.
Mr. Cooper told the OF the story himself to
HERALD reporter yesterday. He was sitting IN his
parlor reading newspaper when the reporter called,
| and cropping MS paper no began once talking
enthusiastically OF his now project saying that If
found every thing about tho place to be as II was
represented TO him 10 no, and no was able 70 carry
out such arrangements he had in mind no thought
thut Limestone Springs would become sort OF new
Ia II tle
cess OF the Cooper Institute aud the good done
TO- hundreds OF young men ana women through
many respects The new establishment would
probably DO made to resemble the Cooper
lnstuie. IL have got that gong' he SAID, $50 that
Will support itselt when am gone, think 1t has
an income now Of about $4,000 year, ana want
porting one. l don't think much Of those institutions
tnat have to bs supported by begging" he told OF
good postions OF some who had saved themselves
from distress by the use Of Knowledge acquired In Tho
Copper Union schools, and SAID that he INTENDED 10
make the South Carolina school OF science
art, applicable and applied to every day lie. "rhals
my idea o useful education" he SAID, with SMILE
Speaking further OF the way In which he became
teresleu the matter, he SAID -"rne place
college ior young ladies. Inc head OF the college.
forget his name, conducted 1t or sixteen years and
hau only one death among them n all tnal time. He
accumulated u fortune, but when the rebel broke
out lent the rebels some $40. 900. They used him
up, aud when the war over Mr. Bonner bought tue
place tor song and UNDERTOOK to carry on school
| THERE But everything was depressed
pose, all through the SOUTH ana he pressed by
creditors nnaly became ANXIOUS to sell for S26 O00
anEuga @ suppose M .ns o" non on Inc property
advanced him $1,000 Tue lrst advance was only
sl3o but len. him S. 900 aiterward 10 build soma
new lmekilns. You SEQ the only place on the noun
Tain where the limestone appears the surface
this property, and they nave had some OLD fashioned
k,lIs al work there, but nowadays they make very
different kns from what they used TO and he wanted
to develop the NINE.
ADVANTAGES OF THE PLACE
| ~ have tho place" continued MIR.
| Cooper 'but what l know OF II learnod from
pamphlet about II which shown to me, and from
whal u numoer OF persons have told me who have
been there They say II Is most deghtlul spot, and
the country around. The climate is most healthiu,
and the grounds themselves are beautiful, witn great
number OF trees OF fine growth large fruit orchards
&C. Then there Is u large building erected for hotel
ana brick church capable OF seating 900 persons aud
by establishing an attraction thore people will be
duceo to buy villa sites ana erect residences tnere 10
laria OF the lower country in the summer time, while
the Northern people Will 20 there IN the winter as
sAave you thon decided fully to establish this in.
stitutionY" asked tho reporter.
''wel, Is too say that, " said Mr.. Cooper
"but um gong down to SEQ the place very
Pm gong TO take my daughter and somo Others OF
the family with me, aud snail 80 aown and find out
| sary TO be done. OF course you know the buildings
| must be very much out OF repair and will need "a
| quantity oil painting and other work. a builuing
will get out OF repair when Is neglected for fifteen
| years, as they have been"
It TOO soon 20 ask thar" SAID tho reporter
"Oh, can't tell thut yet haven't got rs far
that " said MIR. Cooper "I am gong down there,
| first 10 decide whether shall do anything more
aooat IT, and then TO arrange the details OF II IN case
| determine 10 20 on"
A SCHOOL.
"lt is said that there will DO normal school estab
lisheu IN addition to the regular academic
the benefit OF those who intend 10 become teachers.
| Is that sof" asked tho reporter.
'Oh yes. consider tuat 70 be a most valuable de-
partment Teach the young people now 10 support
| themselves The institution must not only be made
| seli-supportng, but tho pupils must also. Now in
the Cooper Institute the especial value Of the classes
to them Not long ugo u lady Unexpectedly re-
| duced to poverty ny ner husbands beng disabled
through some injury, and she SAID that casting
about ior something TO do IN this geucy she
graphically one OF our classes. Shc applied at
ot the courts Tor employment, and now sne sno
| Is able To support ner husband comfortably" And
the kind hearted old gentleman laughed happily at
at the thought vi ns result OF his lavOrite Institute
cit IS also SAID that there Will be In the new eslaU
| lishmept kndergarIen department, and that II viii
be under the charge of LADY ana also that there will
DO SCHOOL OF ART and design" said mo reporter.
'sYes, tbat ~ "a very correct account" SAID Mr.
Cooper, ''but 1t Is not yet startod." And he smiled
again.
| .Everything about It will be under the charge of
womeu,n he continued. ''exccpting that Mr. Bonner
viii continue 10 be at the head Of IT, But must say
agan that too TO talk about the particulars
| AT present have not determIn upon thcm.u And
Mr. cooper changed tue subject Oi tho conversation,
saying tnst he had recently prepared arcle Tor tho
press, which would soon be published IN which no
had f0rtn MS views OF what necessary 10 be
lie OF the nation, nc thought trembling In tho
bal Ince, and prompt measures should We taken 10
avert saster.
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