The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-10-28
!. he WAGNER BUILDING.
A Landmark in the History of Charleston
Trade.

he MAGENER BUlLDlNG,
A Landmark in the History of Charleston
Trade.
From the Ne,rs and Courier.
The history of the firm OF F. w. Wage
ner G. Co., is cheering illustration OF
what may be accomplished il business
in Charleston by industry, integrity, en-.
terpriss and liberal ideas. The business
was frat established in 1866, under the
firm name of Wagner, Heath & Mon
sees. In 1868 Mr.. Heath withdrew
from the firm, and it was then known as
Wagner, Monsees & Co., until 1871,
when Dir. Moonsees withdrew, and since
that time the name has been F. w. Wag-
ner & CO. the present copartners being
Mr.. F. w. Wagener and Mr.. George A.
Wagensr.
Commencing as grocery house, that
busin, . has been steadily increased un-
til the foremost rank has been reached,
and to it has been added a 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 lime the enlargement of the origi-
nal stand at the northwest corner of
East Bay and Que en- streets, the building
of the large warehouse on Vendue Range
for their cotton and naval stores, and
now the erection of the present immense
building at the southwest corner of East
Bay and Queen streets, have been chron.
icled in these columns. From the time
the extensive foundations were laid the
gradual growth of the imposing edi6ce,
now known as the Wagener Building, has
beeen watched with interest, and the
announcement that the building
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 we'll known business men might be
seen collected in various parts of the first
floor 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. Wagner 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 assembled 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 to the second
floor, an immense hall, the full size of the
building illuminated with gas and Chi
nese Lanterns. where a long table was
spread alnply supplied with champagne
and other good things both solid ard
liquid. Glasses being filled, Capt. F. W.
Wagener ON behalf of himself and partner
welcomed his guests in few suitable
remarks, expressing his pleasure at so
many being present, and wishing that it
were possible that all Charleston could
have beer there.
Atthe close of Capt. Wagener's remarks
he was loudly applauded, and then tor
awhile nothing could be heard but the
popping IF corks and the clinking of
glasses. After a short time, however,
Mr.. John H. Devereux, the we'll known
architect and contractor, asked the at
tention of the company, and in brief
speech introduced Capt. S. Y. Tupper, as
the president of the Chamber of Com
merce and ex-oficio the head of the bu-
siness interests of Charleston. Capt.
Tupper then spoke as follows:
Gentlemen-I am sure every citizen of
Charleston here present must experien ce
glow of pride and satisfaction in con-
templating this elegant structure. 1
claim to share in that pride and satisfac.
tion.
The Wagner Building not only adds to
the beauty and addornment of our city,
but it is IN evidence of her growing
prosperity. 1t is an evidence of what
the will, the energy and patriotism of
one map can accomplish. 1t is such
men that build up great cities and give
character, Importance and confidence to
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
benefactor of the human race. These
are the men to whom posterity should
build monuments; and here is struct-
ure over .ur. heads, the largest of the
class in the whole country, which hope
will stand for centuries RS monument
to its fouader. May it 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. F. ". WAGNER responded to the
complimentary address of Capt. Upper,
saying that be acknowledged that he had
met with greater share of business sue
cess than lse had anticipated, but that he
by no meaus took all the credit to him
self, for thas ever since he | d 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
would excuse him. Charleston was not
so poor place as some thought, neither
was it pooy place 10 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 to bring trade