The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1889-10-31
An Old South Carolina Town.

NcrSQaW Is aaoIucf vi t"N
counties into which this State IS sub
divided. Outside of its Incorporated
towns it has 45i,5 ,539 acres OF tim
bered and farm lands, These are
valued on the latest tax lists Il: S9o5''
4.0. and tho buildings on them at
$3.50 ,G6O. The ,ndeb edness OF the
county is for bonds Issued to the
three C's" railroad for SluO.ooo'
about which, by the way, no ques
ton has ever been raised hy any
citszen. The general tax levy is this
year l35 mills on the dollar. Inc
assess.I valuation is from one Third
to one half less than what these
lands would command Mt force sale.
Camden. the conuty seat, antedates
the American Revolution, and is the
oldest inland town in the State, hav
ing been settled in 1850 by l COLBY
Of Irisn Quakcrs. Ten years alter
wards it was plated and named IN
honor of Lord Camden by Col"ne
Joseph Kershaw, the first Of The 'ong
line OF m rchants who have sirce
done business here. lie soon there
after entered into partnership with
John Chesuut, and the firm esta9'
li,hed -four and other mills. ihneaI
descendants Of both these pioneers
have lived here from that day until
now. and have always been promi'
uent in all that concerned TINS
county and State. In ICY the
town was chartered and its bound'
aries enlarged. In 1ISl the British
occupied the place onl celebrated
ther victory by burning the co"T''
house aad Jail.
In early days this was the mos
importans business center 10 The H.
terror of Soath Carolina, and 't re.
mained such until the building cl
railroads created rev conditions ana
diverted much OF its distributing
business to other places. 1t was a'sp
the acknowledged socia. center o.
the interior, for many we<hy On"
refined families had their homes he:c'
among whose members were granu'
ates OF Harvard, Princeton, lai': ';''d
other colleges. 1t Was q munn'"c;
turing rs well as Il t'adinS town. ant
besides cotton, flour AID othcr mli'"'
it had G. clock factory, sil"ersni't;' >
shop where spoons anh other wares
were made, and some other establish
ments of lesser consequence.
This town , is centrally located IN
the sand hill country. and Is well
drained, tot only by its e.eVa'ion
above the Wateree river ard some OF
lis tributary creeks, but also hy tie
uerco!atiun OF the surface water
through its sril, which consists oil
sand intermixrd with pebbles. lhe
mean temperature for more than
thirty wears has been GIG. and 'he
average annual rainfall for twenty
wears has been a fraction more tLan
40 inries. The prevailing winds are
south and southwest The death
rate for n long period has averaged
l2!pr 1000.
These facts show that Camden has
a climate and physical conditions
similar to those of Aiken IN TIL
State and Southern Fines OF North
Carolina. There is the same dry
and tonic atmosphere from which
those afflicted with lung and throat
troubles derive great relief. and IL
addition there are many natura!
beaut es and historic spots II the
town and its immediate vicinity to
delight the eyes and occupy the
u,inds of persons in delicate health
The roads in ull directions are capl'
tai for ding or driving. More than
this, there are two delightful home
for winter visitors, called respectively
Hobkilk Inn AMI Uphton Corrt
each OF which is uh;qae rs a hoteI
und each under excel ent manage
ment. The first will enter next
month upon its eighth Successful
season. for its proprietor has al
rhadv booked many orders for rooms
from former patrons. Tue other.
more recent venture, is unlike any
other hotel in the United State. II
is kept by aa accomplished lady
whose executive ahilit. and refue
taste have converted an ancient at
dilapiduted Southern mansion Intt
one of the most charming, eomforta
be and cosy hosacs weary traVe!el
ev,r entered
From ny cbamb RI ook out upor
q garden glowing with the brisAtncs;
of crysanthemums OF many haes. q e
with the flaming crimson OF lhe saliva
which no frost has Yet touched; an,
beyond this is Il" urbor of verdnr(
500 feet lonS extending t. the pub
lie highway. In the rear OF th'
louse is grove Of stately pi es, an,
not far away is 4 pretty lake which
reflects the many ricl TINT OF th'
tores:s OF oak aud hickory that su:
round it. Vixen. sn.Le two week:
ago in another city, icarl com
mercial traveller enthusiastically de
.cribing this house to several OF hi'
bretheren "t the gripsack, | t''oAsh
he was romancing, but from per
xonal experience | Know that lie hep
quite inside the trath.
Camden merchants do hcart re
LII Irnl. md vn,n.I iIL,h.n,r IL.