The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1888-04-26

coueBe, using an amount specified in
in the will for buildings and making
tuition as nearly free as they may find
possible or advisable.
1t was no sudden freak that inspired
Mr. Clemson's action. AS long ago as
loG0 he was Interested in the establish
ment of such an institution as his will
provides for and he was then active in
forwarding scheme to procure private
gifts and subscriptions for the purpose.
After the tragic death of his only son,
killed by railroad accident in 1871, he
became moro than ever before Interested
and evolved and publicly announced his
purpose to devote the Calhoun property
to the glorious purpose of promoting
practical agricultural education. Since
then he has thought and talked much of
the subject and his will was no surprise
to those who knew him best or to Mr..
Lee, his son.in-law, who knew long ago
the destination intended for the prop
erty.
On returning from Fort Hill, the
Grconvilto News representative met at
Central ID. *. Norris, now tho foremost
leader of the "farmers' movement" and
slnce Mr.. Tilman's formal retirement,
the most prominent and persistent advo-
cate for separate farmers college. Mr.
Norris was quiet on the subject of tho
Clemson bequest, but evidently deeply
enthused and very much in earnest.
lle said the gift put the whole matter
OF the college in the hands of the farm-
er5 and they could secure magnificent
institution for agricultural education if
they will use the opportunity. With the
amount from the land scrip now given
,ho South Carolina College and the
money from the fertilizer tax now di-
vorted TO the college annex and other
purposes-every'UeE of which, he said,
was Legally and morallS~Iie. the use of
the farmers for educating MSrmers=7.e.,
income of $40, 900 a year would be Sc
cured Tor tue new college, with its
grounds and buildings all provided and
some income from the surplus endew-
mcnt That was more than the State
Military Academy and the State College
have together, he said, and would give
! splendid, thoroughly efficient agricul-
tural college capable of accommodate rg
hundreds OF students, without the addi-
ton of one cent to the taxes. He did
not believe, he said, in free tuition.
That question had been settled in the
case OF the State College. But he
thought it probable system would be
adopted by which students would be
enabled to pay the whole or large part
OF their own expenses by extra work and
service in the institution.
One valuable feature of the ForS Hill
library will probably puzzle the executor
ami tho trustees to dispose of it. IL is
the manuscript of the completed first
volume OF the life Of John G.. Calhoun,
prepared by the late Pinckney Starke,
with the aid of Mr.. Clemson. 1t is,
. hoy ,l> 4
invented by Mr. Stlrko himself, and
appears to defy all efforts to translate 1T.
| Many Of the documents, reports and
other manuscript used by MIR. Starlze
and collected by him and Il. NJ. T.
Hunter. OF Virginia, who undertook to
prepare n life of Mr.. Calhoun, but was
compelled by poverty to rclinquish it,
are in IN old trunk in the library build
ing and may be found valuable by some
later biographer.
After the talk with Col. Simpson and
| Col. Norris and after seeing the intense
cnrncstness wi h which they appear to
be inspired in the execution Of the work
| left with them to do, the News represen-
tatlvc had no difficulty in bringing to
bis mind's eye tho picture that was
doubtless presented to Mr.. Clemsons
Imagination many times-the picture of
the homoly house, hallowod by the name
OF the grim old statesman whose face
with its Celtic cheek bones and blazing
eyes looks with lfe-like gaze from tho
! jnncr wallis, the centre of group of
statliCr buildings--of the rounded slopes
OF velvet green, made deep and dark be-
meath the intcrlacing branches of the
sturdy ccdaos and of lighter and moro
delicate shifting tints whore they fall
away i'll the sunlight to the silver river
on one side and tho murmuring, spark
ling stream and bending willows on the
other, pcoplcd with the young and
sturdy bono and sincw Of the State
! Calhoun loved so well and represented
SO graudly, learning how to make her
richer, grandcr and happicr-the glori-
ons, fruitful homo OF u people as pros
porous and strong as they have ever been
bluVc, generous and free.