The Republican journal., 1904-04-07
TIE HOME OF CALHOUN.
Correspondence of The .yourna, 7

"AA"1>oAlA SPRINGS, FLA, March IS.
1904. 1t would be emitting an interest
ing chapter from my southern sketches
if did not tell you something of the
home of Calhoun, in connection with
my recent visit to Charleston, South
Carolina. The old home of South Caro-
lina's famous statesman is now cared
for by the trustees of Clemson college.
and is practically as the owner left it.
The estate is near Pendleton, Just out
of Charleston, and here John c. Cal
houn passed the greater number of his
days. His memory is revered by the
people of South Carolina, and various
monuments have been erected in the
State in his honor. His remains lie in
the churchyard of St. Michaels church,
Charleston, mention of which, and of
it's lighthouse tower, was made in a for
mer letter.
Calhoun's old home owes its present
condition largely to the fact that the
statesman's son-in-law, in his will, left
the Calhoun plantation, comprising
some 500 acres, with the historic build
ings and the sum Of fifty odd thousand
dollars, to endow an industrial and ag-
ricultural college, that the sons of the
farmers of the State might, if they so
desired, obtain an education. The home
is kept as nearly as possible as Calhoun
left it. The furniture remains the
same, the old pictures still hang on the
walls, the books and ornaments are
just as the statesman left them when
he ceased his life's work. In rear of
the mansion is small frame building
used by Mr.. Calhoun as his law office.
1t is said that in this building the
greater part of his research and early
study was done. In later years he used
it as study.
As a neighbor and friend Calhoun
was beloved. He had charming man
mer and rare conversational powers
and his great abilities and sterling in
tegrity won for him general admiration
and esteem. His open hospitality
brought to his home many visitors and
at one time or another it had sheltered
nearly all the great men of his day.
The house stands by itself near the di-
viding line between Oconee and Pick
ems counties, in the foot hills of the
Blue Ridge, nearly 900 feet above the
sea level. 1t is an old-time Southern
mansion, massive in construction, with
pillared portico and high ceilings. To
mas and other holiday festivities when
the dashing Southern youths and dainty
maidens danced the minuet in stately
halls, or rode in summer time under
the grand old oaks and pines on their
thoroughbreds from far Kentucky.
While most readers are familiar
with the life of John c. Calhoun it
might be interesting to note that his
grandfather emigrated from Donegal,
Ireland, to Pennsylvania in 1873, bring
ing with him a family of six children.
Patrick, the father of the accomplished
statesman, moved from their home in
Pennsylvania to West Virginia, where
he lived but a short time, becoming a
resident of South Carolina in 1856,
where he established the "Calhoun Set
tlement' in the upper part of South
Carolina. During the Revolution he
did important duty as a surveyor and
soon became recognized leader in his
section. The Cherokee Indians were
thep frequently on the war path, and
becoming distinguished for his courage
in these Indian fights Calhoun was
given command of a company for the
defence of the frontier called the Pro-
vincial Rangers.
1t is said Of Patrick Calhoun that he
was man of studious and thoughtful
habits and we'll versed in literature. He
was, like his son, great student, and
profited much by the few works he was
then able to obtain. Patrick married
Martha Caldwell of Virginia, the daugh-
ter of an Irish immigrant and woman
of high character. Their son, John
Caldwell Calhoun, whose memory is
now revered, came rightly by his high
character, sturdy convictions and pat
riotic devotion to liberty. He was the
pride of his parents, although they did
not live to see the success of his
achievements. His father, Patrick, was
for many years member of the legis-
lature and his counsels had much weight
with his son, and although a youth
when his father died, he often quoted
his father as saying: "That govern
ment was best which allowed the larg-
est amount of individual liberty, COM
patible with social order" After his
fathers death Calhoun found wise
counsellors and he was educated by his
brother-in- law, Rev. DR.. Waddell, a
Presbyterian minister. In 1902 he went
to Yale. He studied law with H. w.
Desaussure Of South Carolina and then
entered upon his successful public ca
reer.
Dandelions and Strawberries are in
| b1oor,