The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-10-28
EHE wAGENER BU1LDlNa.
"A Landmark in tho History OF Charleston
Trade.
EOm De Me,rs and ourier.

| Anc nisloiy Va tue urn Oh II. w. Wage
per d Co., is a cheering illustration o.
what may be accomplished in buaines
IN Charleston by industry, integrity, en-
teFprise and liberal ideas. The business
was first established in 1866, under the
frm name of Wagner, Heath e. Mon
sees. In 1868 Mr. Heath withdrew
from tie firm, and it was then known a,
WAGNER, Monsees &c CO., until 1871
when Mr. Moonsees withdrew. and since
That time the rame has been F. w. Wae.
ner q 20: The present copartners being
Mr.. +. W. Wagener and A1r. George A
Wagener
Commencing rs grocery house. thu,
business has been steadily Increased I'M.
Ill the foremost rank has been reach cd
and to it has been added large and
steadily increasing business as factors in
naval stores and cotton. Constantly
increasing business has demanded larger
and larger accommodations. and from,
time to time the enlargement of the oripi.
nal stand at the northwest corner OF
East Bay and Que en- streets, the buildipp
of the largo warehouse on Vendue Range
for their cotton and naval stores. and
now the erection of the present immense
building Mt the southwest corner of East
Bay and Queen streets, have been chror
icled in these columns. From the time
the extensive foundations were laid the
gradual growth of the imposing edifice
now known as the WAGNER Building has
beecn watched with interest, and the
announcement that the buildinp
would be occupied and the for.
NAL opening take place last night caused
no little sensation.
AT the appointed hour the building
was brilliantly illuminated and groups
OF well known business men might be
| seen collected IN various parts of the first
fioor commenting on the completion of
this great enterprise, the largest building
in Charleston or the South for business
purposes, and one that will compare
favorably in size and appearance With
| any grocery establishment in the North
or West. Capt. Wagener could be seen
first with one group, then with another,
doing the honOrs Of the occasion, and
explaining the construction and arrange.
ment OF the office, store rooms, elevators,
&C., &c. BY eight O'Clock several hun.
dred persons had as. embed among whom
could be noted the leading merchants in
all branches Of business, as we'll as a
number of lawyers and architects. The
guests were then invited 10 the second
floor, an immense hall, the full size Of the
building illuminated with gas and Chi
Dese lanterns, where long table was
spread amply supplied with champagne
and other good things both solid and
liquid. Glasses being filled, Capt. F. w,
Wagner on behalf of himself and pnrtner
welcomed his guests in o few suitable
remarks. expressing his pleasure Mt so
many being present, and wishing that it
were possible that all Charleston could
have been there.
Atthe close of Capt. Wagener's remarks
he WAS loudly applauded, and then Tor
awhile nothing could be heard but the
popping of corks and the clinkinE of
glasses. After short time, however.
Mr.: John Fl. Devereux, the we'll known
architect and contractor, asked the at
tention of the company, and in q brief
speech introduced Capt. S. Y. Tupper, as
the president &C .hs Chamber of Com
merce and ex.officio the head of the bu-
slness Interests of Charleston. Capt.
Tupper then spoke rs follows:
Gentlcmen-I am sure every citizen of
Charleston here present must experience
i glow of pride and satisfaction in con-
templating this elegant structure. l
claim TO share in that pride and satisfac.
tion.
The Wagener Building not only adds to
the beauty and addornment of our civ.
but it is an evidence of her growing
prosperity. 1t is an evidences of what
the will, the energy and patriotism of
one man can accomplish. It is such
men that build up great cities and give
character, Importance and confidence to
a community.
1t is not the man who leads armies and
wins victories in the field, who desolates
his country, destroys the fruits of indus.
try and slaughters his fcllow.men that is
the true hero in this world; but it is he
that builds up and does not destroy, that
establishes .marts of commerce, encoura-
ges industry, and gives employment to
hundreds of our people, who is the real
bcnefactOr of the human race. These
are the men to whom posterity should
build monuments; and here is struct.
ure over our. heads. the largest Of the
class in the whole country, which hope
will stand for centuries as o monument
to its founder. llayit be rs enduring
as the pyramids to encourage our youth
in the same paths of honesty, industry
and perseverance that has characterized
the life of Capt WAGNER.
Capt. +. w. Wagner responded to the
complimentary address OF Capt. Tupper,
saying that he acknowledged that he had
met with q greater share of business sue.
cess han he had anticipated, but that he
by no means took all the credit to him.
self, for that ever since he had been in bu-
siness he had had the best assistance. He
| felt that both in years and in business he
was much younger man than many OF
| the gentlemen who had honored him by
their presence on this occasion, and that
| under other circumstances he would feel
that it was somewhat presumptuous in
him to express the opinion that he was
about to announce, but he felt that un !.
der the peculiar circumstances, his guests
wouId excuse him. Charleston was not
so poor place as some thought, neither
was it poor place to do business or to
make money. The prosperity of the city
was in the hands of her business men.
What was wanted was for them to work
In harmony, work together 10 bring trade
to Charleston, and then when we get il
here we can fight to see who shall get the
| biggest share ofjs. Heretofore our bust.
ness men had satisfied themselves with
struggling for the largest share Of the
trade which the city already had, without
endeavoring to enlarge that trade. Let
that be so no longer. But let us all work
together to increase tho business of on.
city, and he hoped that the time would
| come, and that at no distant day, ,,ien
this building, now conspicuous for its
NnVsaen n0t.rf fs.-a q