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

center, of Oconec County. 1t is The
second town in population in the
county. 1t is located nine mile.
East of Wa!halIa, at the crossing o
the Southern and Blue Ridge Rail
roads, 121 miles East of Atlanta
Georgia, and IA miles Southwest oil
Charlotte, N. @. Its location, and
railroad facilities, render it easily tho
Gate City of Oconcc County.
Twenty-Five years ago 4 dense
forest Of pine and oak covered its
site. But when the Atlanta and
Charlotte Air Line, now the South
crn Railway, was constructed IL
1874, the town was laid out and
founded, and the woodman's axe,
the carpenters saw, and mason's
trowel, Immediately began to convert
the forest into a modern town. Sc
ncca soon attained Importance in the
trade of a thriving county. It's To-
cation, Mt the crossing of tho two rail
roads of the county, gave it an adj
vantage which none of the ncighbor-
ing towns enjoyed.
Between 1856 and 1860, when the
Blue Ridge Railroad was built, a
station was located two miles east
OF Seneca, and called Pcrryvile. 1t
was continued until Seneca was cs-
tablishcd, when it was abandoned.
The railroad authorities then re-
moved the depot to Seneca.
The town took it's name from Sc
neca River, a placid stream flowing
toward the south, some six miles
away. The river bears the name
given il by the Indians, who inhab-
ltcd these parts prior to the advent
of the "pale face" The Scnccas were
one of the five great Indian Nations,
that, two centuries ago, inhabited the
territory now embraced within the
State OF New York. Having formed
a 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 Oil the banks Of the river
which afterward bore their name.
The word "Scncca" signifies "opcn
country" aid was given TO this 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 d.
vdcs the waters of two streams, Cane
and ConnerOss creeks. It's elevation
insures dry, pure, and invigorating
atmosphere, free from taint of ma
larla. There is no better climate in
North America. The average tenn
pcraturc in summer is less than S5
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 undulatine and
readily sheds its surface water.
The highways, leading into Seneca
IRON the country and ncighborng
towns, arc well graded and reasona
bly, smooth. They afford splendid
accommodation to the travelling pub
lie.
Scpcca has better railroad iacili-
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
ampl$. a telephone line connects it
withKthc different towns nf tho
county.
IRus we find Seneca a town with
modern advantages and modern ideas
OF business and enterprise. From
itsl foundation the importance of Sc
ncAa as n commercial center was
recognized. People of intelligence,
enterprise and wealth settled here
ana c9gaged in business. It's growth
was Sapid, both in population and
prosperity. The location and sur
ronnnlngs of town contribute mach
TO ltFYgrowth, but the enterprise and
unior1 Of its people arc essential to
It's gFoatcst good. With experienced
o"sip pcss men ut the front, Seneca has
steaRlily grown in population and in