Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1905-08-30

Inc work OF the committee has been
varied and laborious, and has also
made the centennial a most interest.
ing and successful celebration.
The committee of arrangements
has erected handsome monument
to be dedicated to the pastors, eld-
ers and deaoons of Bethel church.
The names of the pastors, ruling
elders and deacons of the church ap-
pear on the monument. On the base
appears: Bethel church. On one
side: 1905. On one side 1905.
The monument is handsome tribute
to the fathers of the church and has
been erected by the committee with
the free will offerings of the friends
of Bethel Presbyterian church. The
monument will be unveiled on Thurs
day, the last day of the celebration.
The cemetery at Bethel church is
large. A large number of persons
have been buried there year by year
for the century. As many of these
are not marked by monuments much
disappointment is occssioned. Mr..
Mellow, of Meredian, Miss, looked
in vain for the grave of his grand
father who was buried there, but it
could not be found. There are
large number of monuments, how
ever, but these have been erected
more recently. Robert Cowau, a
Revolutionary soldier, was buried
there. Doubtless other soldiers of
that period are also buried there.
The grounds are in good condition.
A wire fence or stone wall would
be protection to this sacred spot.
One of these may come in good time.
The early history of Bethel shows
that the first house of worship was a
primitive affair. In some sections
of upper Carolina bush arbors were
used for religious services, and even
oampmeetings were in. order. We
have, however, moved away from
that condition but the evidence of
these old primitive places of wor-
ship still abide with us. The wooden
building at "Hopewell. Keowee" was
certainly primitive. But the Old
Stone Church, which took its place,
is more than century old, the
centennial of that church having
been celebrated some years ago.
John Rusk, loyal Irishman, built
the Old Stone Church. He is buried
at Bethel. One of his sons, Thos. J.
Rusk, rose up to bless him |! In the
struggle between Texas and Mexico
the son greatly distinguished him.
self in the field. After the annexa-
tion of Texas Gen. Rusk was elected
to the United States Senate. After
his success he returned to South
Carolina and secured for his wife
Miss May Cleveland, niece of Col.
Benjamin Cleveland. He died at
middle age.
Samuel Il. McFall was a .ative of
Anderson District, and removed to
Pickens more than fifty years ago.
He was blessed with large family,
nine daughters and two sons. Mr..
McFall was ruling elder of Bethel
church. He was spiritual leader
of great vitality in the church. His
work in the Sabbath school and
prayer meeting was benediction.
When there was no preaching,
which was often the case, he would
read to the congregation one of
Bakers or Spurgeon's sermons. In
1861 he took arms in behalf of his
country and fell whilst gallantly
fighting her battles. His son, S. N.
w. McFalI, fell mortally wounded
on the same day. Three of his
daughters are dead. One of these,
Mrs. Neville, left two children-one
daughter and one son. The son is
William G. Neville, distinguished
in the ministry of the Presbyterian
church in this State. His aunt, Re-
becca A. McFall, did much for him
in his early training and also in his
education. Mr.. Neville has de.