The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1888-07-13


The place is beautifully situated at tho
point of intersection of Oconee, Pickens and
Anderson counties. The Seneca river runs
along the side for considerable distance,
and from the banks upward the place con-
sists of elegantly sloping hills and rolling
lands, which are fringcd with woodlands.
Twenty miles distant are clearly visible the
peaks of the Blue Ridge mountains, and the
natural situation is one of the most pictur-
esquo in tho state.
Tho house is situated on the summit of
gently rising hill, in the midst of park of
forest trees, beautifully laid out, through
which runs an avenue of noble old cedars to
the gate, about thousand yards down the
hill. The house is Of wood and brick, with
two spacious porticos, supported by Doric
columns, facing the north and east. 1t pre-
sents striking appearance from the road
and tho valley of the Seneca river, but on
closer inspection is found to be eunpretentious
and to be built very much in the style of the
houses of well to dc South Carolina planters
before the late war.
Within the house is fine collection of rare
pictures and small bronze figures, which Cal
houn especially prized. Perhaps the only
pieces of household furniture of especial
value are the escritoire Of Calhoun and a
massive mahogany scellerette over which are
two enormous black deer horns. a gift to Cal.
houn when he was vice president. The library
is in small building at short distance in
the rear of the house. The books are not of
special value, many being damaged and in
broken sets, and many having been lost or
stolen. Perhaps the most interesting book in
the library is manuscript Of the first volume
of q life of Calhoun prepared by Mr.. Clemson
and tho late Mr.. Pinckney Starkc. 1t is
written in a peculiar shorthand character,
the invention of Mr. Starke, and it is feared
that no one will be able to decipher it, Messrs.
StarEe and Clemson had the use of number
of manuscripts collected by tho Hon. r. N.
T. Hunter, of Virginia, who had gathered
material for a life of his friend and political
teacher, but was compelled to relinquish the
task. A trunk Of manuscript lettersand docu-
ments of Calhoun, of great value to the
future historian, has also been found in the
library. Tho entire contents of tho house.
with tho exception of family portraits, has
been also bequcathed to the Agricultural
college.
The value of the real and personal property
bequeathed the state for a college is esti-
rlated at $780, 600, exclusive of the furniture
and relics of Calhoun within the house.
The property is given to the state to be
used as an institution for instruction in agri-
culture. but the will directs that the college
shall not be exclusively agricultural, and that
proper attention be given to other studies and
to general collegiate course for students
Pcndletoa the ncighboring village, was
oacc {. popular resort for many wealthy
planters from tidcwater South Carolina, and
many handsome residences were built in the
vieinity. Oh the summit of one of the highest
hills adjoining Fort Hill is 'Seneca," )" tho ele-
giant country scat of the Ravenels, of Charles
ton, and next adjoining is a once splendid
residence ''Keowee," !" the property of another
branch of the Calhoun family.