The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-10-23

Opening OF the winthrop NorHai "ho
Industrial Institute Under Most Aus.
picious Circumstances--Prid of all the
People.
Rock HILL, Oct. 15.-This is a red
letter day in the history ofRock Hill;
The Winthrop Normal and Industrial
College was today opened to students
under most favorable auspices;
There are already here two hundred
and sixty-fve girls.
There were probably a hundred stu
dents on the train from Columbia yes
terday afternoon coming from many
different parts of the State. They were
jolly set-laughing and talking and
singing quite a different tune from the
one many of them will very likely sing
after they have been here a few days
and begin to long for home: AS the
train pulled out of the Blanding street
station the girls tried their lungs by
giving the following yell: Ra, ra, ra,
"a, ra, re, hurrah for the girls of w.
N. G. When the train stopped at
Chester they greeted that town with
the same yell.
The train reached Rock Hill about
8 p. ma half hour late-and was
met by quite number of the citizens
of Rock Hill-men and women. Street
cars and vehicles of various descrlp-
tions conveyed the crowd to the mag
nifcent college building, which was
brilliantly lighted with electricity to
welcome its future occupants. The dill
fcult task of assigning the girls to
rooms was finally accomplished, and
they were soon dreaming dreams
meath the roof of as fine a college
building as can be found in the South.
When they awoke this morning they
saw above them lowering sky that
threatened to send rain during the day.
Though the heavens do not smile on
the college at its opening the citizens
of Rock Hill certainly do. The whole
town is swelling with pride at its
achievement in securing the lnstltu-
ton.
If there is one thing in the State into
which no politics enters it is surely
this college. The attendance is made
up of the daughters OF South Carolin-
ians of various creeds. Senator I'LL
mans two daughters are here, as are
the daughters of some of his most earn
est opponents.
DR.. Curry, who was expected to be
present to make the address of the
day wrote that he was unable to come,
much to the regret of citizens and Wis
itors alike.
This unlooked-for mishap shortened
the proceedings somewhat. The ad-
dress on behalf of the citizens of Rock
Hill by Mr.. w. J. Roddey and the re-
ply thereto was made by Governor
Evans. Senator Tillman then dellv-
cred his speech.
. The teachers are here and tomorrow
the regular school work will begin.
The liz ghting, heating and cooking ap-
paratus are in good working order. TO
20 into the power house and see the
huge boilers there for heating the
school and running the laundry one
would almost think an engine for
running a good-sized factory was be,
fore one. The building is model and
modern one in every respect. The
entire interior is of dark stained oak,
and presents beautiful appearance.
There is only one corner of the entire
building where the sunlight does not
penetrate and President johnson says
be will have a gas jet constantly burn
ing there. :,
The chapel or auditorium is probably
more beautiful than any such place or
any theatre in the State with the pos
sible exception of Sumter's beautiful
opera house. Over the stage is beau
tiful painting of the South Carolina
coat of arms by Rock Hills own artist,
Mr.. 81. A. Brown. The painting is
from a photograph of Mrs. T. @. Rob-
ertson's original painting.
Each of the 260 dormitory rooms is
furnished with two single beds, wash
stand, a table and chairs; is heated by
steam and thoroughly ventilated.
There is room for A0 girls in the dor
mitories-the remaining rooms being
for the use of teachers. All students
over this number will have to get
board in the homes of the citizens OF
Rock Hill, for which ample provision
has been made by President Johnson,
and the hard working Rock Hill mem
bers of the board of trustees, DR.. T. A.
Crawford and Mr.. W. ]. Roddey.
The school will have well-equip-
ped gymnasium and swimming pool.
The water for drinking purposes and
fire protection is all that could be de-
sired. An enormous tank has been
placed on the roof of the main building
lust beneath the clock tower, into
Which clear, healthy water is pumped
from five artesian wells that have
been SUI nix in the neighborhood. From
the tank the water is conveyed by
pipes to all parts of the building. The
building is surrounded by hydrants to
insure a bountiful supply of water in
case of fire. A large basin has been
sunk near the college into which the
rain water from the building will be
conducted and held as a reserve sup
ply in case of extreme need at a lire.
All in all the building is most COM
plete.
If most flattering beginning is any
indication of permanent success the
success of the Winthrop Normal and
Industrial College of South Carolina
is certainly assured.
It is said that the girls will be taken
to Atlanta in November, along with
the cadets from Clemson College.
Before noon today the sun came from
behind the clouds and made Win