Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1900-08-24

in square raised letters. The in.
scription die is beautifully polished
piece of artistic work, cont ming on
three sides the names of the origi-
nal members of the German Coloni-
cation Society, (see names on first
page0 and the East side, (thc
face) the following inscription:
1850 1900
Erected to the memory of
GEN. JOHN A. WAGNER,
Founder of Walhalla, and to His
Co-Laborers of the German
Colonization Society.
August 1924, 1900.
Each of these panels or sides bears
an artistically executed laurel wreath,
emblematic of the crowning work of
General Wagner and his co-labor-
ers. The plinth, which caps the
inscription die, has on the east and
west sides an old English monogram
"W." The shaft is an imposing one
l6xl6 inches at the base, diminish
ing to 10x10 inches at the apex.
The whole height of the monument
is % feet. The monument was de-
signed and executed by Mr.. G. II.
Mayhem, who is famiiarly known in
this and other States as an expert
monumental designer and builder.
The crowd about the monument
was dense for the unwilling exercises.
Not even the booming of cannon
did scatter the crowd. The
German Artillery took place to the
East of the monument and placed
one cannon on either side Of the
shaft. Capt. f. w. Wagner faced
the monument and the Artillery
Band was near the column.
Mr.. V. l.. Norman made brief
dedicatory address, suggesting mod
estly his paternity Of the idea OF the
celebration. He said:
Ladies and Gentlemen: 1t is not nv
intention to detain you here with an
address, as you have already been well
entertained by speakers Of State rcputn-
ton. On looking ut my calendar last
JANUARY the fact dawncd upon me that
tho year 1900 would mark the Scmi-ccn-
tennial of the founding Of our dear little
city. thcrenpon suggested through
the columns of THE KE0wEE COuRIER
| that we fittingly celebrate the event and
unvcil a monument in honor of the noble
pioneers, all of whom, except three,
nave passed over the river, one Of them
being present with us to day
The ink had hardly dried ON the paper
which contained my article when tho
most encouraging letters with substan-
tial offers of aid began to pour in, some
IRON distant California and others aS far
South as the everglades Of Florida. 1t is
duo to this unanimity of spirit and de-
votion that this celebration has assumed
tho immense proportions that you wit
ness to-day.
My friends, to those of us who are
present this occasion is fraught with the
most noble feelings and cnnobling scnti.
mcnts is testimony to departed
worth and may well be an inspiration
to the youth of our broad land to the
noblcSt deeds of honor and humanity.
AS q representative of tho members of
the Executive Committee, in whose
hands you have placed the carrying out of
this celebration, take the opportunity to
thank you one and all, those present and
those absent, but who are with MS in
heart and spirit, for the splendid con
tributlons Of your money, your talents
and your patriotism.
And now it becomes my most pleasant
privilege to dedicate to the town of
Walhalla this magnificent testimonial Of
your love, honor and cstcem for her
founders.
The Artillery Band played "My
Country 'ts of Thee" and as the last
notes faded away Miss Chcrric
Wagener, the granddaughter, and
Capt. j. G. II. Claussen, the settler
of the tfties, pulled the veil from the
monument, while the crowd chcercd.
Then the German Artillery fred
fifty times, once for each OF the fifty
years of Walhalla's existence.
The color-bearer of the German
Artillery was f. w. Wagcner, Jr.,
the grandson Of Capt. Jurgcn Wage
ner, who, in 1912, founded the com
pany and was the first of the three
Wagener brothers to command the
historic company, Jirse,l, John aud
now f. w. being respectively the
honored commandants.
The artillery battalion went into
its headquarters in the Semi Cen
tcnnial hotol. Capt. Wagcncr, who
naturally was enthusiastic over the
exercises, spoke with much feeling
of the days events. He told his
men Of how he remembered the
colonists leaving Charleston and
what the move meant and how near
and dear to his heart were the men
to-day honored, and he spoke feel
ingly Of the Walhalla Germans who
went TO war and laid down their
lives for their adopted country.
Then with tenderness he spoke OF
how few were left, and how glad he
was that Mr.. j. G.. III. Clausscn was
with them and begged that the Com
pany have its photograph taken to-
day which was agreed upon.
Walhalla, which has done itself so
much credit, is no longer a hamlet,
but lively town.
The Fort Motto Guards are in a