The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-09-09

South Carolina.
by Faith he S0journcu in the Land as i'm q
Strange Country. Heb. H., 8.
In Mr.. Whilden's "Reminiscences OF
Old CharlcstOn,' are given the follow
Ing descriptions Of some of tho ante
bellum customs of the people. Writing
Of 'Our Grandfathcr's House." the
author says:
I'm the corner, as you entered the
door in tho dining room, stood tho
wine cooler OF polished mahogany, in
laid with wrcaths Of satin wood, octa-
gon In shape, about three feet high, on
siX spindling square legs, divided in
slue With compartments, each to hold
bottle OF wine. Tho centre WAS lincd
with lead to hold ice or water. Being
on rollers it was wheeled up to the side
OF the host at the head OF the table and
the cooled bottles handed out as needed.
The fashions of the world change, and
those who have been accustomed to
partakc OF its contents. now that it was
all gone and never reiillcd, have failed
10 return, and for years it WAS debascd
to the humble purpose OF a scrap box,
Its glory had departed, and, like It's
owner, it seemed to be growing larger
in body and more spindling in the legs.
"Thc sidcboard, with its deep draw
ers, SIX in number, and three closets,
was large enough to contain all that
could be put into three or four of the
more fashionable kind now in use. On
each side, like sentincls, stood the
slop!ng top, knife, fork, and spoon
cases lined with green baizc alongside
of each stood the silver bottle stands,
containing cut-glass dccantcrs, and in
the centre the goblet and tumblers for
daily use"
His sketch Of the Old Elliott mansion
reveals with Il single stroke the mag
niliccncc of former times, contrusted
with the poverty and stern necessities
Of the present.
"The Elliott mansion-now the
Charleston Water Works-was built
prior to the Revolutionary War, and
has some peculiaritcs that will not
probably be repeated in house archi-
lecture. The stairway OF solid marble
goes from basement to attic, and with
out support except on the side toward
the wall. The upper story is one large
room, covering the entire building, cx-
ccpt the hall, and was built for Il ball
room. The view from the window
looking scaward is as fine as there is
in the city. On the side of the main
stairway IS a private or secret stair.
way, built in the solid masonry; with
an opening on each iloor, Servants. in
showing guest, would conduct him to
the foot OF the main stairway, and, di-
rccting him up, would meet him at the
landing on the next lloOr, aud SO on t.
the upper story, or ballroom No SER
want was allowed to go up the main
stairway with company"
The funeral customs OF old Charles
ton were exceedingly interesting
from this distance. They must have
been intensely wearsomc and trying to
the mourncrs. MIR. Whilden describes
them as follows:
''The handing around to the mourn
ers OF cake and wine has long since
passed out OF u,e. 1t was done with
snlemnity. \ cake called funeral cake
was sometimes used cut into blocks
and iced all around The custom arose
probably early in the settlement OF the
country. The friends frequently had
to come for miles, scattered as they
were, on their plantations and to
make feast would have been out Of
place.
"On the arrival at tho house, the la
dies were shown into one room, the
gentlemen into another. The hats Of
the latter were taken charge Of by a
servant and carried into Il room, where
several ladies were busily employed
trimming them with Grape, which
consisted OF band around the hat and
two streamcrs, about three feet long,
from the back, and a pair Of black or
white gloves distributed to each per-
son. The ladies' bonncts were covered
with black hoods and cape to cover
the entire shoulders they were also
provided with gloves.
"a master OF ceremonies, provided
with q carefully prepared list, took "
prominent position at the foot Of the
main stairway or elsewhere, called cut
the names at the door where tho ladies
were assembled then the master OF
ceremonies called out the names OF the
gentlemen to escort the ladies, and SO
on, till the assembled ladies we're all
provided for the remaining attend
ants fell into twos, all walking through
the streets, in the rear OF the hcarsc
or on the pavement, no one riding in u
conveyance.
CAT times the coffin was borne
through the streets by the pail bearers,
and no hearsc used. At Il funeral AZ
the Scotch Church once wine and cak c
were handed to those in the procession
on the sidewalk. Some funerals were
preceded through the streets by what
were termed walters, (namcly, two,
four, or six negro women, dressed in
white, with black scarf over the
shoulder reaching to the knccs.p
- Ssl.-------
Tho most diilicult problem Of rail
road operation, how to communicate
ttyi l, a fan 60, l.,