The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1899-02-09
Mrs. Catherine Ladd.

many hearts, for this lady IL one
of tho most. noted and successful
teachers of the State of South Car
ollna, and hundreds Of her pupils
many Of them now teaching
throughout tho land, remsmbel
her kindness and entire unselfish
ness.
She 10 tho most generous OF wo
mon, her time, her talents, bel
worldly goods ere at the command
Mrs. Ladd is q native Of Rich
mond, Va, was born III 1903, mar
ried whom 18 years old to Mr., G.
w. Ladd, o portrait and miniature
painter. Her MAIDEN name was
Catherine Stratten. For several
years after nor marriage Mrs. Ladd
wrote poetry, which was published
in the varioss periodicals OF the
day. For three years she was reg.
ular correspondent of several news
papers, and publishes series of ar
tlcles on drawing painting and ed :
ucatlon, which attracted consider-
able attention..
In 1S4l Mrs. Ladd permanently
settled in Winnsboro, where she
established one Of bhe largest inst
tutions Of learning IN tho State
which sustained it's we'll deserved
reputation until closed ia 1881.
Mrs. Ladd has contributed tsles,
skotches, essays, and poems, to va
rious journals under ditferont nom
do planes. as Minnie MayAower,"
"Artmas," "Alidier" and "Monia"
During the existence Of tho "Flor-
al Wreath." published in Charles
ton by Mr.. Edwin Horiott, Mrs,
Ladd. was regalas contributor.
Mr.. Heriott. in 9 notice Of tho lit
erary talent of the South, says Of
Mrs. Ladd's poetical works. "They
are sweet, smooth and flowing par
sieularly 80, but like SCOTCH mueic,
their, gayest notes are sad"
In 1891 she,, with ardor took up
the subiscs Of education. home
manufactories, and encouragement
Of white labor, believing that tho
ultimate prosperity Of South Car
olina dopended upon it. She rea-
soned from q conviction that
South Carolina could not long
compete with the more Southorne
and Southwestern states in raising
cotton, and al extensive system of
slave labor would realize no profit.
Mrs. Ladd's plays, written ut the
solicitation Of friends, and per-
formed by holn. were worry popu-
lar. The "Grand Scheme" and
Honeymoon" were celebrated far
and wide. The incidents and in
PRODUCTION Of charac Mrs showed
that she had moro than ordinary
talent for that species Of compost
ton. Mrs. Ladd has u wonderful
knack at managing young people.
After tho commeneemont of the
war, Mrs. Ladd gave up every
thing to devote horsef to the
cause of the South. She lived for
for the soldiers, was elected presi-
dent Of the Soldiers Aud Assooia-
ton, which offdioo she retain until
the close of tho war, and by her
untiring exertions kept the society
we'll supplied With oloshing. Her
pen WAS unused during tho war.
the nssdle and her personal super
vision being constantly in de-
manG.
In Winnsboro no church is
built, no charity solicited, no bali,
concert, toblsaux or fair, nothing
goes on without her cheerful and
,ver ready aid. Mrs. Ladd is said
to be "homely" and dresses to suit
herself. never caring about the
latest fashions, ignores hoops and
always wear her hair short. H"r
manner is abrupt and docided, but
one feels it to be kind.
The Confederate flag is said to
have originated with Mrs. Ladd.
Tho fro Of February 2lst, 1855,
destroyed the literary works of
thirty years. With this assistance
of = Federal ofllcer, Mrs. Ladd
ssved the jewels of the Masonic
Lodge III tho house next to hers,
but the flames and smoke pre-
vented her finding the charter. By
this tiEae che Arc had get 50 Much
ahoad on her own premises and
the confusion SO great that she
lost everything.
1t 10 said that outside Of the
walls Of her sohool Mrs. Ladd was
the gay, social companion of every
young lady under charge. Follow
ing her to the sohool.room. you
instantly felt tho chsnge; though
not word was spokon, every
young lady felt 1t. She has a
powerful will and habib Of centre.
ing overy thought and feeling in.
stantly on tho occupation Of the
mo Dent.
Tho cOnfusion Of vOicas or Dos.