The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-03-19
RELICS OF eAROLINA'S PAST.
Historic Corner of the Exposi.
tion---Fire-Proof Protection
Needed.
Jas. A. Hoyt, Jr., in The State.


The collection of historic records and
relics in the southwest corner OF the
State building has interested many
visitors to the Exposition, and there
are always sightseers around the cases
in which this display is made. 1t is
the first time that South Carolina has
ever attempted to display to illustrate
that in which in many respects she is
richest, the treasures of the past.
A visitor entering the building is
Immediately attracted 30 handsome
case containing Is or 90 battle-scarred
Confederate flags, and occasionally
when an old veteran sees the colors OF
his regiment, tears are shed over
these precious mementoes.
In an adjoining case one of the late
pictures of General Hampton occupies
a conspicuous position, while imme-
diately under it is the original Ordi-
nance of Secession, which, next to the
Declaration of independence, is the
most notable State paper in existence
in the United States. The balance of
the space in this case is devoted to
some of the choicest relics from the
collection of the Wade Hampton
Chapter, Daughters Of the Confeder-
acy of Columbia. This collection in
cludes the battle sword of General
Hampton with which many bloody
charge was led. An especial effort has
been made to include in this collection
articles Illustrative of the home manu-
factures of the people of the South,
and especially the women OF the Con-
federacy during the dark days OF block
ade and privation.
An adjoining case contains distinct
lively the exhibit of State records.
These are too numerous for detailed
description. Many quaint acts OF the
General Assembly during the period
of the proprietary government are
shown. It is notable that one of these
provided for the encouragement OF
ship-building in the province. Among
the notable records on display are sew
eral treaties made with the Indians in
the early history Of the State, and the
original record of the charter OF the
State of Georgia made at the time OF
the grant of that franchise by His
Majesty, King George. In one corner
is shown the Oldest piece of writing
and probably the oldest article OF any
kind preserved of the first settlers OF
the province. It is record OF the
proceedings of the colonists one year
after the settlement at old Charles
Town, which was copied and repro
duced in Rivers History of South
Carolina. It is probable that this
record book was brought on the ship
which first made permanent settle
ment on our coast. Indeed, records
are shown during the..reigns of Charles
II, of England, William and Mary,
Queen Anne and the Georges. The
Quaint old English writing will prove
of exceeding interest, even though 1t
be not very ineligible to people OF
this generation in Carolina.
The famous Jackson vase is on dis
play, draped with the flag of the Pal
metto regiment and the flag of Mexi-
can regiment captured in Mexico. One
of the medals given survivors OF the
Palmetto regiment is also shown. In
adjoining cases are the old great seals
of the State, including the original
wafer seal made by order Of the Gene
raj Assembly in 1776. The original
Ordinance of Notification is on dis
play, as is also the scabbard of the
sword OF State with the curious mono
gram "W. NJ" which some aver to
be that of William and Mary Of Eng
land.
In wing cases on the walls are shown
the autographs of many OF the pro-
prietary governors of the State, and
many papers illustrative of the colo
NAL history of Carolina, which will
repay the careful Investigation OF stu
dents of history.
The "tar and feather papers col
lected by the late Dr.. R. W. Gibbes
are strikingly interesting, while auto
graph letters are shown of all the not
able officers of the State during the
Revolutionary war, some OF which
have never been published.
Such of the Revolutionary rolls OF
the State as are in condensed form
and can be consulted have been placed
in these frames for examination.
None of these rolls have been publish
ed. The only roll in existence OF
Sumter's brigade is on display.
This exhibit was collected by ASSIST
cooro+ory of Gtate T r. CAN'T. at