The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-09-20
BENNETsvmLE WANTS COLLEGE
Eorsner Resident Makes Liberal Do
nation to the Fund-Others In
crease Their Subscriptions.

complete BenHettsvllle's bid Tor the
Presby terian College Of South Caro-
lima. A happy sensation was sprung
bv the reading of afelegfan1 from Mrs.
Harriet M1rchison Beckwith. offering
300, 900 IN cash and l2 acres of land
as an in6aeement towards the college
locating in Bernettsyille. 81 do
fhis,'' she said. IN memory OF my
beloved son, John d. Murchison, Jr.,
who died s16 years ago today, and IN
memory Of my beloved daughter,
Eleanor Murehison y
a moment cf deep silence. after the
reading Of the telegram. was followed
by prolonged applause. as those
present grasped the full meaning OF
she words. Then Col Knox Living
stpp, D. D., McCon, ST.. and T..
T. Rogers made feeling remarks, .ex-
pressing the profoundest gratitude
90 this noble woman for her magnif-
cent offer. Col. Livingston prepared
resolutions of thanks and appreciation,
which were unanimously adopted by
q rising vote and forwarded to Mrs.
Beckwith.
Mrs. Beckwith is the lady who gave.
30 Benpettsville the beautiful Murchl-
son school building, now occupied by
the city pnblic schools. 1t was given
IN honor of her departed husband,
John D. Murchison. 1t is said to be
the hanosomest graded school building
In South Carolina.
The offer which came last night vas
unsolicited and unexpected. Mrs.
Beckwith had kept up with Bennetts-
ville's efforts to get the college
through the columns of The Pee
Dee Advocate, and had just read the
call for. the final meeting last night
when she sent the telegram.
About % years ago Mrs. .Beckwlth,
In answer to an advertisement, came
from Maryand to teach in the school
here. After teaching for a while her
heart and hand we're sought and won
by John D. Murchison, wealthy
bachelor merchant of this place. For
several years. and until Mr. Murchi-
sons death. she made this her home.
They were blessed with three children,
the two named in the telegram, who
are dead, and Ruth, who is now
youEs lady with her mother in Balti-
mo.s.
After Mr. Murchison's death Mrs.
Murchison made number OF success
ful business ventures. ano the estate
was largely increased. Then, on her
marriage to Mr.. Beckwith, his for
time was added to her own. That her
heart is linke with those Of the lpeo-
pie of Bennettsville and their educa-
tional interests has been shown in
way that should forever make her the
most loved and honored woman known
TO its citizens Her name wild go
down In history as thesbenefactor OF
BennettsvilIe. and future generations
viii rise up and call her blessed 1t
has been suggested tbas 8 monument
should be erected to her memory, but
she is building monuments more dur
able than brass or marble.
The meeting last night raised over
$1,000 IN addition to what had been
subscribed before. Among the ln'
cresses in subscriptions was D.. u.
Mccall from 5000 TO So 800, and A.
y. MathesoD. from $1,000 to So, COO.
Bennettsville's offer was forwarded
by mail and wire to Dr. McPheeters
today. DID. McColl, A. j. Matoe-e
son, Rev. Z. Ford, Dr. Bunyan INC,
Ieod and Is. u. freeman WerS eleCteo
delegates and authorized to select
Others to present Bennettsvills's
claims to the board Of trustees on
September Is, when the bids will be
considered.
The people of Bennettsyille feel tnat
with the money that she has offered to
together with the many advantages as
10 location and the moral atmosphere
of the town an6 county, the trustees
would make mistake not tc locate
the college here. =.
IF it comes mere it Will no doubt re-
ceive rich. endowrents and legacles
from those who feel deep interst III
it and Bennetsville. Besides those
who have already subscribed,
wealthy and aged Christian citizen OF
a nearby town has said that be would
nos forget the college should it pe
located in Bennettsville. Our people
want the collage and should we get 1t
it will be taken care of.-The State.
state of Ohio, City Of Toledo,
JlccaS County. SIS.