The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1891-08-06
MILESTONE IN HISTORY.
LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE OF
CLEMSON COLLEGE.


Grand Master Izlar, Maj. Buist and
President Polk.
Fort HILL, S. G., July 28.-Today is
a red letter day in the history of South
Carolina. 1t marks coDsummation 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 |
&. Calhoun, was laid.
The skies were dull and grey, and at
intervals from morn to eve, the rain
fell pit plash, dampening 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-
l.
Hill into mud puddles, 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
line horses and mules they raise and
own. Many persons rode distances of
twenty and thirty miles to be present.
n 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 to mind
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 ill the place OF
the hidden king of day.
The chemical laboratory is the only
building of Clemson college which has
been completed. 1t Is a 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 analyZe the soil
and find out what Is necessary to bring
1T to higher productive powers.
The mechanical building is very near
ly completed. 1t, too, sheltered large
crowds during the frequent showers.
The house Of the secretary and treasur-
or OF the board of trusteeSs, 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
ililed all day with persons admiring the
old pictures and furniture. A hand
some oil painting of the benevolent
Clemson, and an antique harpsichord,
upon which Calhoun's daughters used
to play, were especially admired.
MASONIC CEREMONIES.
About IL 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.. L. lZler, grand master, Black
vile; j. II. Barron. as deputy grand
master, Columbia; T.. Il. Dendy, senior
grand warden, Walhalla; G. f. Sawyer,
Junior grand warden, Aiken; II. ID. Cor
Dett, as grand treasurer, Maysville;
Charles Inglesby, grand secretary, Char
lesion; Rev. ID. w. Hiott, grand chap
lain, Williamsburg G. Watkins, senior
grand deacon, Pendleton; w. N. Mar
chant, senior grand deacon, Granite
vile; Il. F. Hill, junior grand deacon,
Anderson; 5. j. McElroy, junior grand |
deacon, Greenville; Col. A. j. LItton,
grand marshal, Pendleton; j. l.. G. Du-
pree, grand pursuivant, Abbeville; II. |
). Porcher, grand steward, Seneca; j |
u. S?ulnby, grand steward, Aiken; E. |
y. 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
Ihe 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.
THE CORNERSTONE, |
a huge block of Carolina granite, was
suspended over the place where it was |
to rest. A platform around it was oc-
cupied by the Masons and trustees. |
NIdIu MaSCer lZlar conducted the Cere-
monies. Grand Chaplain IIiott 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-fearing 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 a
tin box placed in it.
CONTENTS OF TIE 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.