davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-09-30
JOHN X. HOOD, ESQ.

The young men in this day and time
arc gradually forging to the front in
every calling of life. and the people of
Anderson have seen numbers Of cases
where they have made Il success.
Anderson is full of brainy young men,
and especially in the case of the legal
profession. No better example of
young man who has made name for
himself in this city can be found than
that of Mr.. John X. Hood, the junior
member of the firm of Simpson &
Hood. He came to Anderson COM
parative stranger, but by his hard
The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-09-30

Col. R. W. Simpson, of the Ander-
son bar, was born at Pendletou, S. c.,
September II, l840 His father was
Hon. r. F. Simpson, an ex-congress-
man, and Il Majurin the Creek Indian
war. Col. Simpson is Il descendant of
the TaJiate'ro family, Of Virginia, and
other Virginians of note. He was
reared Oh his fathers farm near Pen
dleton. He attended the schools of
the day and graduated from WoHord
College iu 1861. From college he
entered the service If the Confederate
army, enlisting in Company a, Third
South Carolina Regiment. 1t WIS
one Of the first regiments TO enter Eir
ginia. He served in it between one
and two years, when, owing to bad
health, he WAS discharged. After
having partially recovered his health,
he Joined Maj. Adams battalion Of
cavalry. He was offered official po-
silons, but declined on every instance
on account OF poor health.
From 1865 III 1874, Col. Simpson
devoted himselfto agricultural pur
suits in Anderson County. In 1874
he was elected to the Legislature and
the next year WAS admitted t. the bar.
He was reelected to the Legislature
in 1876, and was one Of the seven
members who, in 1876, broke down
the door Of the House of Representa-
tives while the Radical House was in
session, and led the Democrats in.
He was one of the most active spirits
of that revolution which restored the
State to white rule. He was member
of what was known as the "Wallace
The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-09-30

The directors of this bank are ".
G.. Watson, C. F. Jones, John L.
Green, W. f. Cox, r. B. Dean,
Thomas G. Jackson, p. X. McCully,
S. NJ. Orr and R. S. Hill.
Mr.. J. r. Vandiver is the efficient
and courteous cashier of this bank,
and has held the position since the
bank was organized. He was born on
his fathers plantation in this county,
and since moving to the city has been
one of her leading and prominent clti-
zens. Mr.. Vandiver moved to Ander-
son when boy and has continued to
make this his home. Mr.. Vandiver
studied law and was admitted to the
bar in 1883 after an examination be-
fore the Supreme Court. He practic-
ed in this city until 1889, when he
was elected Cashier of the Farmers
& Merchants Bank, which position
he still holds. He was twice elected
an Alderman of the city, and served
from 1880 until 1894. He has a wife
and two children.
The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-09-30

work and gentlemanly bearing has be-
come exceedingly popular, and is re-
ceiving a large share of the practice
at this bar.
Mr.. Hood was born at Due West, in
Abbeville county. He is son OF
Professor William Hood, who has de-
voted his life to teaching, except
when following the fortunes Of war in
Kershaw's Brigade during the late
war; as State Treasurer for four years
and as a member of the "Wallace
The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-09-30

General Milledge L. Bonham, of the
firm of Bonham & Watkins, was born
at EGgefeld October 18th, 1854. He
received his primary education at the
Edgeield Academy and at Columbia.
He entered the South Carolina Mill
tary Institute and graduated there in
1876. After graduating Gen. Bonham
studied law in the Office of Col. Robt.
Aldrich, at Barnwell, and was admit
ted tc practice in 1877.
In conjunction with Col. NJ. B. Nc
Sweeney, he established the Guardian,
a newspaper, at Ninety Six, which he
edited. Upon failure of the efforts
to establish a county seat at Ninety
Six, Gen. Bonham moved to Newberry
and lived there for one year, 1879. In
January, 1880, he moved to Abbeville,
where he continued to reside until
1889, practicing his profession. In
1881 he was appointed Master of Alb
beville county and held that office for
four years. He declined re-appoint-
ment, however, in 1885, and returned
to the practice of the law.
Gen. Bonham was unanimously
elected .Adjutant and Inspector Gen
eral of South Carolina to succeed the
unexpired term of Gen. a. NJ. Mani
gault. He was reelected in 1888.
II moved to Columbia aud continued
to reside there until August, 1894,
when he moved to Anderson and form
ed partnership with Mr.. IL. Fl. Wat
kins, after the death of Maj. +. B.
Murray.
General Bonham is man of more
than ordinary experience as lawyer,
and in his chosen profession lie has
made a wonderful success. He stands
at the head Of the young lawyers in
the State to-day, and is destined to
do much good in this line Of work.
While he held the Office of Adju-
tant General he re-organizcd the State
Militia to a great extent and did much
to awaken renewed interest among the
citizen soldiery. His efforts in this
line have been productive of much
good. He was soldier by inheri-
tance, his father being one of the
most gallant officers that commanded
any body of men during the late war.
Gen. Eonham is a man of striking
personal appearance and will command
attention and respect in any gathering
of distinguished men.
The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-09-30


sons Mil, in Laure"s County, June
"a, 1866. He lived there until he
was thirteen years of age, attending
the c, un,ry schools, when his father
moved to Greenville. As a boy he
showed great aptitude and was one OF
the leading scholars in the whole
school. At The age of IA he was CIV
en- a first grade certificate and taught
in the Centreville school, which was
then presided over by his brother.
At the age of thirteen young Wat
kins entered Furman University, and
graduated in the class OF 1883, just
before bis 17th birthday.
This was quite a distinction for the
young man to receive diploma SO
early in life, but he won it by hard
and diligent study. He is perhaps
the youngest graduate Of any Leading
educational institution in the State,
and his early training is apparent in
his after life.
After graduating he began teaching
in the country schools, and continued
at this for two years in Laurens and
Abb.ville counties. He was then
elected the principal of the Prepara-
tory Department Of Furman Uuiver-
sity. This was an honor for him and
he got the position on his merits, the
authorities at that institution recog-
nizing in him young man of more
than ordinary ability. MIR. Watkins
held this position from 1887 until
1891. He then resigned this place
and came to Anderson and began
reading law in the office of Murray q
Murray. The summer previous he
attended the law lectures at the Uni
versity of Virginia, under Prot. John
B. Minor. He was admitted to the
bar in May, 1892, and was at once
offered i partnership with Maj. E. B.
Murray. Mr.. Watkins practiced law
with Major Murray until the Jatter's
death in 1894, when the present firm
was organized. He, with Gen. NJ. L.
Bouham, have built up d good busi-
ness in Anderson County, and neither
of them were Anderson men. They
went in on their merits.
Mr.. Watkins is o. trustee in the
Greenville Female College and also
of Furman University and the Ander-
son Graded Schools. In 1894 he Was
! president of The Alumni Association
of .Turman University, and has been
very prominent in educational circles
for IL number of years. Mr. Watkins
is son Of the late Captain II. H.
Watkins, once q leading citizen Of
Laurcns and GrcenvIlle Counties.
Mr.. Watkins, Senior, died shortly af-
ter his son graduated from College.
The Watkins family have held many
educational positions, and d brother
Of the present young lawyer i'll An
derson is the efficient and popular Su-
perintendent of the Laurens Graded
Schools.
The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-09-30

The firm of Bonham & Watkins, at
Anderson, enjoys large and lucrative
business, and that business is grow
ing every year. Both of them are
young men but old in experience, and
at the practice of the law they arc
more successful than most young men
who begin business on their own re-
sponsibility.
The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-09-30

House in 1876. His mother was
Miss Mclaughlin, sister OF the late
Robert i. Mclaughlin, of Newbcrry:
Mr.. Hood spent the early part OF
his life attending the country schools
and graduated from Erskine College in
1887. He afterwards taught school
for awhile and then studied law in the
office of Mcssrs. Parker & MCGOWAN
at Abbeville. In December, 1890, he
was admitted to the bar, after having
passed most creditable examination
before the Supreme Court Of South
Carolina. The following January he
settled at Anderson and began the
practice of his chosen profession. lie
has served several terms as Clerk and
Treasurer of the city of Anderson,
and the officials all speak in the high
est terms of his efficient work in this
capacity where he has given entire
and perfect satisfaction.
On January lst, 1898, Mr.. Hood
formed co-partnership with Col. Il:
w. Simpson. under the firm name OF
Simpson & Hood, which firm still ex,
lists and receives a very large share OF
the business in this and adjoining
counties. Mr.. Hood has unlimited
confidence in Anderson's pluck and pro-
gressiveness, and he believes that her
future welfare will justify his judg-
ment in making this his adopted home.
Mr.. Hood has already made name
for himself in Anderson in the practice
of the law, and has bright future be-
fore him in the line of his chosen cali
ing.
The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-09-30
H. H. WATKINS, ESQ.

One of the most prominent young
members of the Anderson bar is Mr..
H. H. Watkins, of the firm of Bonbam
& Watkins, and although heis no An
derson County man by birth, yet he
has already made quite name for
himself through the County.
The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-09-30
COL. JOSEPH N. BROWN.

One of Anderson's oldest and most
respected citizens is Col. Jos. N Brown,
who, for more than half q century, has
been identified with every business en-
terprise in Anderson, and who has at
all times used his influence and aid to
advance the interest and prosperity Of
his native town and CITY.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-06-11

as In a dungeon. Out of the west came
another storm, resembling the first, and
terrified mortals fed from 1t wildly and
aimlessly. All the time the rain beat
down desperately.
Night came on a city thoroughly and
pitifully demoralized. In all its vast ex-
tent there was not a man who knew what
had been accomplished by the terrible
wind
CHASTITY Tales Told.
About o'clock the eastern horizon took
on a rudy appearance, and through the
binding rain long tongues Of fire could
be seen mounting high in the air. East
ST. Louis was on fire. There were fires to
the south and to the east and to the west.
The city was walled in with flames on
three sides and the streets were impassa-
Bile.
Out Of the confusion and chaotic spawn
of rumors, 1t became soon apparent that
the bulk Of the damage had been done in
South and East St. Louis. No one knew
the extent of 1t and all feared to guess.
That 1t was unprecedented was intuitive-
ly surmised. Up In the city, where the
full force Of the charge Of the angry
clouds was not felt, the ruin gave a faint
indication Of what it was where the tor
nado had moved path through the solid
evidences Of the industry Of man. A
steady stream Of travel took It's way to-
ward the south and all night long it ebbed
and flowed out Of scenes Of misery and de-
vastation into scenes Of devastation and
misery. The rain did service in putting
out numerous fires the fremen could not
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-06-11

the storm. Volunteers poured in from
every direction, ready to dig and delve or
do anything to assist the authorities.
Eight hours followed such as never be-
fore were licked off by the clocks of st.
Louis; eight hours OF terror and uncer-
tainty. The innermost recesses Of the
highest mountain ranges were scarcely
more difficult of access than were the
stricken districts. A darkness that seem
ed all the more impenetrable because il
was experienced by people unused to
darkness, hid the view Of one side of the
street from pedestrians on the other.
Wires hung at all angles or lay on the
ground, tripping those who tried to cross
them at every step. Telegraph poles were
spread in every direction in the downtown
districts and the remnants OF buildings
that had stood the brunt Of the storm
were stacked up like small hills on every
corner. Those who ventured into that
portion of the city lying south Of Clark
avenue took their lives in their hands.
1t was like defying fate to plunge into the
vortex of ruin, but fate was defied. Trucks
loaded with fremen were sent out to clear
roads leading to the hospital from South
st. Louis. Then men on them were
equipped with wire cutters and axes, and
they blazed paths through piles Of wreck
age.
The bulk of the horror of the night was
grouped at the morgue, at the City Dis
pensary and at the hospital on Seven
teenth and Pine streets. Down the mar
row alley back Of the city hall ambulance
after ambulance swung in, loaded down
with suffering humanity. The limited
quarters were repository for the mis-
cry Of days crowded into hours Newly
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-06-11

to the painting of woodwork In solid
colors, and in some few cases this Is
not to be condemned at present. Houses
that from their situation are bound to
be dark sometimes gain from the wood
work painted in light warm tones. But
paint will not long remain fresh. be-
coming scratched and grimy, and then
nothing can be done save TO paint 1t
all over again, at considerable cost.
On the contrary, wood that is Oiled
waxed, shellacked or vanished can be
touched UP in spots whenever it ie
needed. and at comparatively no ex-
pense.
For cottages and small inexpensive
houses, perhaps the best results are
obtained by the use Of cherry and
pine both in their natural colors. Both
woods harmonic well, and there are
no violent contrasts where the two
are compelled to meet. The use Of
hard woods, like oak, chestnut, or ash,
for a few rooms, finishing the rest
Of the house in any soft wood, makes
a contrast that will always be displeas-
Ing to the critical eye. Whitewood
and Eastwood are sometimes used, bnr
these have no grain at all to speak Of;
when stained, they are always vile; in
natural finish they are not displeasing,
but they are not to be commended on
account of their lack of durability. A
single dig from carelessly used rock
ing chair will gouge out q piece as eff
fnnftunIu q n nhfGqI
The one prime caution in the use OF
any wood Is to avoid as much as pos
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-06-11
HIGH PRICED HOUSE.
ARCHITECTURAL BEAUTY nv IN.
TERROR FINISH.
Cherry and Pine Are Chez. y Woods that
Give Pleasing Effects : should BE
Finished in Their Natural Color
Avoid Much Machine Work.


The wood finish and joiner work Of
a house puzzles many a man who con-
templates building. The estimates for
the various styles of finish differ quite
materially, and yet the matter Is ono
that cannot be settled off-hand by the
question Of price, as the owner wants
to be sure that he will get satisfactory
results, for this Is the one part of the
house that Is abiding. Il the matter Of
money does not cut any figure, Of
course the problem Is simple. There
are the rich and valuable hardwoods
that produce the most beautiful effects
when finished by competent cabinet
makers, such as mahogany (both San
Domingo and white), butternut, syca-
more and quartered oak, which can DO
used appropriately In the different
rooms, and the results will be a con-
slant pleasure to the eye and graft
fication OF the aesthetic sense.
These luxuries, however, are impos-
sible to most house owners, as the ques-
ton Of cost must dominate most plans,
80 that the choice is restricted TO the
cheaper hardwoods and the few soft
woods that are used for the purpose.
Chestnut and ash are satisfactory In
certain cases, but the result Is rarely
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-06-11

pleasing If they are used for nll the
joinery work, having little beauty Of
grain and lacking In warmth Of color.
Cherry Is UNNECESSARILY better than
either, but 1t should always be used in
its own beautiful soft color, with rich
satin effect. Cherry that is stained to
initiate mahogany deceives no one,
loses all it's natural beauty and is al
ways an abomination.
1t is only within the past few years
that one Of the best American woods,
with fine color and effective grain, has
been used for interior finish. This is
pine, and few woods yield better eff
feet. Time was when pine was freely
used, but was always grained to imi-
tate the various hard woods, the art
of the grainer being wonderfully per-
fected. Many panels in the doors Of
the old-time house-are marvels Of mis-
directed art-the height of philistinism
which has happily fallen into desue-
tude. After granting came the return
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-06-11

Bruised and torn and bleeding, stagger-
Ing from the force Of the blow, but still
reliant and confident Ia her own strength,
The city Of st. Louis is standing In the
,iew of hundreds Of thousands Of visitors,
beautiful picture even in her misery and
pain. Though 200 of her children were
torn from her by the merciless wind, and
scores are lying inithe hospitals on beds
Of agony, she is rallying her superb re-
sources ready to begin again the march Of
progress. Property worth millions was
snatched from her bosom. and from the
fair surface of her vicinage huge fac
tories, beautiful dwellings, gigantic ele-
vators and thousands of homes of the
poor have been RACED. Dazed and half
bleeding, she has struggled to her feet,
cropping in the darkness Of af1iction.
Her little neighbor is scarcely able to
move. The full force of the storm that
laid her waste was not lost In the long
and remarkable voyage across the river.
Out Of population Of nearly three-Quar-
terra Of million St Louis lost two hun
dred souls. East st. Louis has scarcely
. family in her limits that does not num-
her in its membership one dead or wound
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-06-11

In the history Of the world. the disaster
that overlook the sister cities will live on
and on as the greatest Of modern times.
Birth of the Tornado.
On that fateful Wednesday afternoon
the clouds formed in conclave over st.
Louis. For months, weeks they had been
lowering in an atmosphere that made
them worried and restless. They were
surcharged with energy generated by ex-
eessive heat and they were suriy. They
thirsted for rapine and slaughter. Down
below them myriads Of mortals ran about
the streets of the big city like ants, each
carrying out his part in the daily journey
of the world. Across the river dense vol
umes Of smoke arose and from the many
railroad yards the shrek Of locomotive
whistles mingled with the rumble Of NOV
ing cars. Thegreat stock yards and the
rolling mills and 'tAe foundries were add
ing their quota to the atmosphere that
was irritating the vapory masses in the
sky.
Traitorously the storm crept upon the
city, and even as the people wondered
why the shadows of vapor were behaving
IN a manner so unusual they framed their
battle front and brought to being the
tornado, the child of unusual atmospheric
conditions, the concentration Of the pow
or of the elements. In less than ten min
u,es it caused damage to property that
cannot be replaced in years and loss OF
life horrible to dwell upon. 1t swept q
city from end to end, attacked a swollen
river, lined with shipping, made Of It q
waste Of muddy water, showing here
and there on its surface q wreck, and
rushed on through the little city across
the bridge, demolishing 1t most utterly
II left behind a long trail OF blood and
twisted ruin.
When the force of the wind abated from
every door and every place of shelter mer
and women swarmed with blanched faces
and trembling lips. Every thoroughfart
was a vista of broken signs, overturned
vehicles, ground and shattered glass and
twisted wires. Lights were snuffed ou
BY the fury Of the gale and the wonderful
current that propels 30 many OF the car
Of the city was rendered useless. In tn,
downtown business districts, where tn,
damage was slight, the streets wer'
crowded with citizens anxious TO get Il
their homes to reassure loved ones. Al
felt that a dreadful calamity had occur
red, but none could say the extent Of II
While the news of all the fatalities wa
being circulated in the manner that new
was circulated in the olden time, whel
town criers were the chroniclers Of tn
events of the day, night was falling rap
Idly. The telephone system Of the cit
was useless and the rapid transit con
veyances stood idle in the streets. Ligh
was at premium. Candles were calle
into requisition and gas jets that had no
seen service for years were pressed int
use. The streets were wildernesses o
risk. On every hand the wires were spit
ting and swapping and from roofs piece
OF debris were falling suddenly and with
ont warning. An hour before the usus
time the town was buried In black pa
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-06-11

reach and then died slowly and sullenly,
as though angry at being called upon to
render any succor to the victims Of its
allied friends, the wind and the clouds.
To the Rescue.
Brave men, with heads cool and hearts
true, realized, as soon as the full fury Of
the visitation was spent, that there was
work for them to do. The City Dispen-
sary naturally became the central point
Of news and succor. Every minute news
of fresh horrors was received. Ambu-
lances began to reach the city hall loaded
down with wounded and dead before any
measures looking to their care could be
taken. Physicians, full of energy, willing
to do their part, came from every district
in the city that had not been touched by