The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1892-09-07
The History of Converse.
w sPARTAEBURG CAME TO HAVE A
FINE FEMALE COLLEGE.
News and Courier.

FINE FEMALE COLLEGE.
;
News and Courier.
,About the year 1851 the Rev. John D.
scCollcugh, young clergyman OF the
Episcopal Church, having moved from
;h3 santee country to this place, enter
"a 4ed the idea of building a college for
spys. Being well educated and having
3 eye for the beautiful, the location
Is the first thing to which he gave
4ention. In those days there was no
fcity of lots and tracts of land for
&, and one could have his choice in
ds quarter Of the town After care
Accumulation K he selected high ridge
lost level, on the north side Of Main
-stset. just one mile from the Court
Kuse. That was the beginning of the
SJohn's College. which was kept up
ulil the war came on. The property
r,tss d from Mr.. McCollough's hands to
~ hu~ch. From 1855 to 1888 little at
tention was paid to the incomplete
building.
About that time many of our citizens
became interested in an effort to estab-
lish school for girls. A few meetings
we're held and the m tier began to as
sumo shape. A committee correspon-
ded with the trustees of the st Johns
property and finally it was purchased.
A joint stock company vas formed and
building committee appointed. Suit
able plans were submitted by architects
and the old building was utilized in the
construction Of the new. Itwas ready
for the opening in the fall of 1890. The
Rev. B. F. Wilson, then pastor OF the
Presbyterian Church, was selected to
take charge of the institution. His two
years Of service indicate very clearly
that tle trust ees made wise choice in
the election of a president.
WHY NAMED CONVERSE.
Mr. d E. Converse was the largest
subsciber to the company and took the
greatest interest in the enterprise, and
the trustees and stockholders united in
calling the institution Converse Col
lege." This was a worthy honor to a
worthy man. For single hour he has
never relaxed his interest in the College
or withheld money when it was needed.
The location is all that can be desir-
ell The surface drainage is perfect and
a large underground sewer conveys all
Waste water far from the College
grou nds. The elevation is OIL feet
and Tryon and other peaks OF the
s ,lp ia range look as if they were only
a few miles from the campus. While on
Main street, it is secluded place and
the pupils have the privilege OF roam
ing over fifty acre camp 8 without
any fear OF ammo, aace or molestation.
Garrett's famoas chaly beate slring is
only few minutes walk from the Col
lege and the girls have the privilege OF
drinking all of that healthful water
they desire.
The first building was one Of the most
beau tiful ip the State. The plans were
~, -. 5uakSI+ rnost Httrsrtir@, II
'~Isas situated in a grove Of native forest
trees with blue grass we'll set, and
walks aud drives artistically laid out.
TIE inside arrangement was admirably
adapted to the comfort, health and con-
venience of pupils and teachers. The
lighting and ventilation were good. 1t
was considered by all visitors the very
ideal of female college. The rooms,
however, were not sufficient to accom-
modate the large number OF pupils that
came the first year. An annex was
built in the spring of 1891, which ad-
mittey an increase OF boarding pupils
and gave more room for recitations and
societies. This annex was occupied at
the opening Of the fall session OF 1891
Everything was moving on we'll and
the increasing success of the College
was assured.
THE GREAT FIRE
On Saturday night, January 2, 1892,
the main building of this college was
burned. When Sunday morning came
the walls were nearly all down, the pu
Ills were scattered and weakhearted
nan would have despaired. The in
5urance was not enough to replace the
building and "hard times" was the cry
of the day. But before the fire hac
died out in the smoking ruins the WORK
of restoration began. Certain citizens
Issued call for public meeting in tht
Court House on Monday night. There
as no arranged programme, no orator.
with prepared speeches. Bishop Dun
can presided. With one accord the
GRO gded house determined that the ex
drcises of the college should continue
a-d that a new and better building
should he erected. A satisfactory sub
scription was taken up and work wa!
commenced in earnest. New plan
we're secured, which did not have to b.
hampered by the old building No o.
was sanguine enough, however, to be
lieve that this main building could b.
| Fl nished by the opening, September %
1892. But all doubts have been remov
ed. A visit to the College shows tina
! ! about ore hundred workmen are bus,
from morning until night. They NOV
forward, each in his place, withou
losing any time. Many OF the room
ere now ready for the furniture and a
,rill be in readiness when the new pu
ills arrive. n,ra
iThis main building is a great In
Jrovement in the internal arrangement
yer the old one. For instance, tn
chapel has santing floor ard will col
lain $50 opera chairs. There is a larg
gallery we'll arranged for seeing an
hearing. The seating capacity OF tn
chapel is about 1000 without crowdln
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