Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1898-05-26

ccnIcr, OIL oconcc county. IL Is the
second town in population in the
county. 1t is located nine miles
East of Wa!halla, at tho crossing of
the Southern and Blue Ridge Rail
roads, 121 miles East of Atlanta,
Georgia, and 144 miles Southwest of
Charlotte, N. @. It's location, and
railroad facilities, render il easily the
Cato City of Oconco County.
Twenty-Five years ago dense
forest of pine and oak covered its
site. But when the Atlanta and
Charlotte Air Line, now the South
ern Railway, was constructed in
1874, tho town was laid out and
founded, and tho woodman's axe,
tho carpenters saw, and mason's
trowel, Immediately began to convert
the forest into n modern town. Sc
nccn soon attained Importance in the
trade of thriving county. Its To-
cation, at tho crossing of tho two rail-
roads of The county, gave it an ad-
vantage which mono Of the ncighbor-
ing towns enjoyed.
Between 1856 and 1860, when the
Blue Ridge Railroad was built, n
station was located two miles east
of Seneca, and called Perryville. 1t
was continued until Seneca was cs
tablished, when it was abandoned.
The railroad authorities then re-
moved the depot to Seneca.
The town took its name from Sc
neca River, n placid stream flowing
toward the south, some six miles
away. Tho river bears the name
given it by the Indians, who inhab-
tied these parts prior to the advent
of the "palo face" The Scnccas were
one of the five great Indian Nations,
that, two centuries ago, inhabited the
tcrritcry now embraced within the
State of Now York. Having formed
great confederation, both offensive
and defensive, they long held sway,
but finally were conquered, and their
hunting grounds were wrcstcd from
them. The survivors being dispersed
abroad, some doubtless came South
and settled on the banks Of the river
which aftcrward bore their name.
The word "Scncca" signifies "opcn
country" and was given 10 tIii;; tribe
Of Indians because of their occupancy
OF the western part OF New York,
that being level or "opcn" country.
The name is appropriate, and both
the river and the town thus pcrpc-
trate the memory of the Rcdman,
long since lost to view.
Seneca is located on Il high ridge
of considerable altitude, which di-
vidcs the waters of two streams, Cane
and Conneross creeks. Its elevation
insurcs dry, pure, and invigorating
atmosphere, free from faint of ma
laria. There is no better climate in
North America. The average tenn
pcrature in summer is less than IS
degrees, in winter it is above 20.
The town is within thirty miles
of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where
lofty peaks appear in the distance,
lending charm and beauty to the
view.
The country to the east and south
contains much rich and productive
SOIL. The land is undulating and
readily sheds its surface water.
The highways, leading into Seneca
from the country and ncighboring
towns, arc well graded and rcasona-
bly, smooth. They afford splendid
accommodation to the travelling pub
lie.
Scpcca has better railroad facili-
ties than any Of her sister towns.
The Southern has six daily passcn.
ger trains, three each way, and the
Blue Ridge four, or two each way.
Telegraph and mail service arc
ample. A telephone line connects it
withNthc different towns of the
county.
IRus we find Seneca n town with
modern advantages and modern ideas
OF business and enterprise. From
its foundation the Importance of Sc
nc6a as commercial center was
rocogR Rizcd. People of intelligence,
enterprise and wealth settled here
and cpaE gagged in business. It's growth
was RRapid, both III population and
prosperity. The location and sur
ronnf b'ngs Of town contribute much
70 ltfYgrowth, but the enterprise and
nnlo%rI of its people arc essential to
lts greatest good. With experienced
Dnslhess men at the front, Seneca has
ateaElily grown in population and in