The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-07-08
LINDSAY HALL.
The Demolition of nn Old and His
tOric Building.


On last Monday morning, July G.. 1896, con.
tractors began the work Of taking down
Lindsay Hall at Due West
Lindsay Hall is a historic building, being
the hall in which the commencement eXer'
cisos or ErsISine College were held for thirty
wears. while the Due West Female College
used it for like purposes since the iounaatlon
of the college In the latter part OF the nlties.
Some of the best men in the country nave
made their graduating speeches from m .ne S ros'
trnm of thai building, and rs pretty, as MOD
est as noble and as intellectual young LADIES
as ever graiified fathers Eeart or graced an
| american flreSidc. have received their de-
nlomas from the same platform.
The building was finished In 1851, and the
first commencement was held In that build
ing I'm August of the same year.
lanes Lindsay, the father Of Rev. J. o.
Lindsay, was tho contractor, and because of
his libcrality in settling the debt the audito-
rum was named for him-Lindsay Hall.
Among the men who did work on that build.
ing were John Bell, Marion Bell Jeptha Will
son, and others.
At the time OF its construction 1t was con-
sidered fine building, and Its observatory
was the highest In this part Of the State.
But as the years came, and as time passed.
the building became antiquated. It's archi-
lecture was Of the plainest, and its walls be-
gan to show signs of insecurity. The tower
was taken down some years ago. and now the
walls Of the structure itself Is to be razed,
and except in tradition and history, nothing
will remain OF the historic editice, and noIh-
ing will mark the spot on which 1t rested for
more than iorty years: Ana thus IL Is, that
all visible traces OF the builder and MS handl'
work have passed from the sight OF men.
The material evidences OF their existence
have been removed. The builder has long
since been forgotten, except as connected
with Lindsay Hall, and now that once splen-
did monument to his head and heart Is TO be
swept from the face OF the earth, and In lit
tie while no trace or remembrance OF either
can be found except In the hearts and minds
hD I1l =
stored away in dusty books for the resurrec-
ton and inspection OF the antiquarian OF fu-
No building in South Carolina has been
more closely connected with all that Is good
and noble than has been Lindsay Hall. Its
walls have been inviting scenes for all that
touched the people in the higher and nobler
walks of life. Its proportions and dimen-
and hearts of thousands Of the highest and
best educated people in this county.
Aside from the purposes for which 1t was
built IL has been used to proclaim gospel
truths and has furnished place for wor-
shippers when they had no house which had
been sci apart and dedicated TO the worship
Of the Most High. 1t had been used for lee
lures, speeches., town meetings, while the
rooms beneath the Hall had served thous-
and varied purposes of usefulness.
No history OF Due West, and no history OF
E,rskine or of the Associate Reformed church
would be complete without mention OF Lind
Although Due West is an unpretentious
little village-so modest and so retiring that
IL never assumes to assert power-yet as O
matter OF fact as silent and as gentle as the
dews OF heaven 1t has for more than fifty years
eXerted al influence and power In the land:
1t has been the home OF the most potential
agencies known to the human race-the
printing press and the college-the printer
and the school master. Whether In church
or State, In war or In peace, In the law or In
senate as missionaries abroad in distant
lands, or as rulers of men at home the repre-
sentailves Of that quiet and serene little vii.
lage have been actors-the bravest and the
truest-the highest and the best. And the
names of Duo West-Erskine College-Lind.
say Hall-Due West Female College-are
known In every quarter of the globe. Their
names will 60 down in history and their
power for usefulness will be felt wherever the
sweetness and purity Of the christian religion
is experienced, and wherever a knowledge oil
the Saviour of mankind has gone, these
names will there be found, and revered by
the sons of men.