The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-05-06
THE ROOSTER CAME DOWN,
After Standing on Weather Vane for
Thirty.Six Years, 1t Came Down

After standing on "eRtner Saue IOr
Thirty.Six Years, it Came Down
Monday.
In the year 1867 T. C. Seal. ]. w. Sign and ].
William Robertson bought the lot on WASH
ington street, where they built large two.
story carriage shop, and other buildings. In
the belfry big bell was swung, which for q
quarter OF century rang the work hours, as
we'll as the times when the men shou Id cease
on t6s sop oa S
run through II so that 1t was easily adjusted
to the wind currents. One peculiarly about
that "rooster" was that 1t never orowed at
Another popularity about 1t that marked 1t as
different from any other bird was the fact that
1t always turned its tall to the wind. It stood
that way until the recent heavy wind storm
that swept the country, when Its tall was
doubled back toward the 'front.' which doub-
ling made that bird appear not in the likeness
Of anything on the earth or In the sea.
was commenced, by Messrs. Calvert & Nickles
when the tower was thrown down, and the
history Of that weather vane was concluded.
The bell TO which reference was made was
some four or five years ago, transferred to an
other field OF usefulness. Some years ago, q
portion OF our colored citizens mixed their re-
igion and their feet, and after 1t was deter
mined to have a footwashng organization q
bell was necessary so that ali could pray and
W ash feet at the same time. That bell which
formerly called the mechanic from refresh
TD0QG 10 laOOT, anu lTOu1 laUOT 10 T6IT6bQLu6UL
sounds the signal for footwashing, the sweet
incense from the purifying process ascending
TO the sky on the perfumed air alike In Sum-
mer and In Winter. The "Liberty Bell" in
Philadelphia proclaimed the freedom of the
American people from the rule OF the mother
country. The effort cracked its side, and the
historic metal Ia preserved q relic or the all
importsnt event. The shop bell in It's new
steeple still serves Its purpose, In ringing out
the glorious news Of free salvation 10 repent
ant sinners and procaiming TO an amazed
people the tidings Of the fumlgated feet OF
those who would wear the golden slippers or
walk the city OF golden streets.
In little while the old shop and all It's as
sociations will disappear from our sight and
mind. It's existence will soon be only q mem.
ory. In former days 1t was the chief manu-.
featuring establishment in the county. The
members OF the firm were young and ener-
getc. Their skill as the builders Of bonest
vehicles was acknowledged by all. But the
bringing OF machine work to this market
brought a change In the price Of carriages and
buggies. Handwork could not compete with
machine work, and the glory Of the biggest
carriage shop in this part of the country was
gone. Wagons and buggies were reduced to
one-half the former prices, and the well-psid
mechanics had to give up their Jobs. the doors
Of the institution were closed, and the bell as
1t stood sentry In the tower was silent. 1t
neither called men to labor nor announced
the hour Of rest,
Instead Of acting as umpire between capital
and labor, as In former years, 1t will now look
after the feetwashing business down the hill.