The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-08-05
MILESTONE IN HISTORY.
LAYING OF THE CORNER-S STONE OF
CLEMSON COLLEGE.

CLEMSON COLLEGE.
| Three Thousand People Brave the Ele-
ments to Witness the Impressive Cere-
mony-Addresses by Gov. Tillman,
Grand Master Izlar, Maj. Buist and
President Polk.
FORT HILL, S. G., July 2S-Today is
a red letter day in the history OF South
Carolina. 1t marks consumma'lon OF
the dearest wish of the farmers, the
| backbone and sinew of the Palmetto
state. Today, in the presence of huge
crowd. and with solemn Masonic rites,
the cornerstone of Clemson college, the
realization of the dream and hearts de-
sire of the most illustrious of all the
famous sons of South Carolina, John
G.. Calhoun, was laid.
The skies were dull and grey, and at
intervals from morn to eve, the rain
fell pit plash, danpenlng the ardor OF
the spectators and putting the roads IN
horrible condition. Notwithstanding
the wet and sloppy weather, people
poured into Fort Hill all the forenoon.
The majority of the visitors from other
parts of the state bad collected at Pen
dleton. Every vehicle and every horse
and mule in that town were pressed
into service to convey the crowd over
the four miles TO Fort Hill and what
nasty. sloppy four miles they were.
The long continued rains had degen-
Grated all the roads leading to Fort
Hill into mud puddes, and yet through
these roads pushed thousands of eager
people, some on foot, others on horse or
mule, and the balance in every variety
and species of vehicle that could be
thought of. Even OK carts could be
seen in the long procession that wound
through the valleys and over the hill
tops to historic Fort Hill. Excellent
stock, most Of it was, too, for the farm
ers of Pendleton are famous for the
fine horses and mules they raise and
own. Many persons rode distances OF
twenty and thirty miles TO ue present.
A happy crowd it was assembled at
the grounds Almost everybody was
splashed from head to foot with sticky
red clay mud. The rain persisted IN
falling, and yet nobody seemed tomlnd
these set-backs to the perfect pleasures
of the occasion. Stalwart. broad
shouldered men, bonnie winsome lasses,
comely matrons, and men whose hair
was whitened with the SHOWS OF many
winters, and whose faces shone with
the wisdom OF learning and experience,
all were bright and smiling. Their
sunny faces seemed to fill the place OF
the hidden king of day.
The chemical laboratory is the only
building OF Clemson college which has
been completed. 1t Is very pretty
structure. 1t was filled all day with
curious spectators. who wished to SEE
the place in which hereafter South Car
olina boys will learn to analyzs the soil
and find out what is is.necessarJ to bring
1t to higher productive powers.
ly completed. 1t, too, sheltered large
crowds during the frequent showers.
The house Of the secretary and treasur-
er of the boarG Of trustees, and one OF
the professors cottages have been com
pleted. All the buildings are Of brick,
and put up in handsome and substan-
tial style.
The venerable old building which was
the home of Calhoun and Clemson, was
the central object of interest. 1t was
filled all day with persons admirlng the
old pictures and furaiture. A hand
some oil painting Of the benevolent
Clemson, and an antique harpslchord,
upon which Calhoun's daughters used
to play, were especially admired.
MASONIC CEREMONIES.
About II o'clock the Grand Lodge of
Ancient Free Masons, of South Carroll
ma, met in the mechanical building
with Pendleton lodge. The following
members of the grand lodge were pres
ent: J.. T. IZler, grand master, Black
vile; J. T. Barron. as deputy grand
master, Columbia; T. Z. Dendy, senior
grand warden, Walhalla; c. E. Sawyer.
Junior grand warden, Aiken; Il. D. Cor
bett, as grand treasurer, Maysvlle;
Charles Inglesby, grand secretary, Char-
lesion; Rev. y. w. Hiott, grand chap
lain, Williamson; G. Watkins. senior
grand deacon, PendletoD; W. \. Mar
chant, senior grand deacon, Granite
vile; T. F. Hill, junior grand deacon,
Anderson; S. J. McElroy, junior grand
deacon, Greenville; COL A. J. Lltton,
grand marshal, Pendleton; J. l.. 9. Du-
pree, grand pursuivant, Abbevll!e; X.
S. Porcher, grand steward, Seneca; j.
L. Quinby, grand steward, Aiken; f.
o. Hopkins. grand tiler, Pendleton.
Many members of various lodges,
particularly the Pendleton and Seneca
lodges, met with the grand lodge and
Joined in the ceremonies
The Masons and the trustees of the
college marched from the Mechanical
building to the foundation OF the main
college building. which will crown the
highest hill in Fort Hill.
TIE CORNER R-sTONE,
huge block of Carolina granite, was
suspended over the place where 1t was
to rest. A platform around it was oc-
cupied by the Masons and trustees.
Grand Master IZlar conducted the cere.
monies. Grand Chaplain Hiott made
tile opening prayer which was solemn
invocation to the Supreme Architect
of the universe to accord his blessing
on the college; to bless the grand lodge,
and the cause of education. and to en-
large the minds and broaden the hearts
of the people of the state that they
might in the future be more liberal to
the cause Of education. God was asked
to give wisdom to the trustees that they
might select true and God-fearlng men
to be the faculty of Clemson and that
they may teach the youth Alright. -.
At the conclusion OF the prayer the
stone was lowered into position and
tin box placed in it.
CONTENTS OF THE BOX.
The following things were placed IN
the box:
Mr.. Clemson's diploma as graduate OF
the Royal School OF Mines at Paris;
sketch OF the life John G. Calhoun, by
Mr.. Clemson; chronological chart OF
Mr.. Clemson, by Fowler; sketch OF the
life of Mr.. Clemson, by Col. r. W.
Simpson; record of the entire proceed
ings in the case of Isabella Lee VS. II.
W. Simpson, executor; copies OF several
newspapers; names of the trustees and
o,,,or+;,-a onm ,njttpe Of Clemson Col |