The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1907-05-08
SunIe7ton News.
2ditor The Manning Times:

by Rev. VIM. Thomas. This
man commenced his school here
before the war between the
States. Being man of great
force of character, executive
ability, public spirit, and, with a
spirit of industry that knew no
tagging he built up a school
that will ever live in Summer
tons history. He continued to
teach the school until about '62.
when he left for the war as a
private soldier. At this time
the school buildings were com
posed of a chapel and four other
rooms including one for chemi
cal apparatus. Pupils to the
number of 110 were enrolled,
and there were two teachers be-
sides Mr.. Thomas. Many have
been the stories told the writer
by men who were his pupils,
about his iron will, strict dis
cipline and complete mastery Of
his business. Many Of his old
pupils will tell you today that
they always believed he could
see behind as well as before.
When he went to the war he was
succeeded in the school by Mr..
Richard r. King, who had re-
Gently graduated from college.
After teaching about a year he
also went to the war, and died
in Virginia. After this the
school was taught by Mr.. R. K.
Rutledge and others.
Owing to the utter prostra,
tion incident to the war, it was
impossible to keep up the school
to it's high place either in its
efficiency or number of students.
Consequently education received
a serious set back, and only
small primary schools were
taught in the community until
1888. By this time having re:
covered materially, and received
an influx of new citizens, the ne
cessity of again building up
larger school became a live issue
Prominent among those who
were instrumental in getting the
new school movement on foot
were Rev. J. S. Beasley, ther
preaching here: and DR., T. l.
Burgess, who had lately come
into the community. A board O:
trustees was organized with DR.
Burgess as chairman, and steps
were taken looking to a better
school. At this particular time
Miss NJ. NJ. Ragin, a most ex
cellent lady was teaching a small
school in one room, which wa:
all left Of the Thomas academy
building. Children Lad grown
beyond the capabilities of the
school, and others were moving
in, making a more advanced
school an absolute necessity
In looking around for a teacher
a suitable man was recommend
ed by DR.. S. A. Derham o:
Greenville, who at the time was
visiting his brother-in-law, the
late E. A. Tindall. This mar
was John G. Lanham, Of Spar
tanburg.
Upon investigation the ser
vices Of Mr.. Lanham were en-
gagged, and ne assumed charge
of the school. By his ability a;
a teacher the school again grew
into an important factor in the
community. For four years hf
taught the school, it being large
enough to always demand ths
services Of an assistant. While
he was principal a new academy
was built. the one now in use
The money for this building was
mainly raised by private sub
scription; some came from en-
tertaiuments and a little from
the county. or state. To his
credit be it said that a great dea
OF work was done upon the
building by Mr.. Lanham per
sonally.
Another relapse followed hi:
retirement from the head of the
school and it again became small
in numbers, with more or less
revival until the special schoo
district was formed and the
present graded school was be-
gun. Prominent among those
instrumental in getting the
graded school were: Messrs.
]. S. and NJ. S. Cantey, O. G.
Scarborough, ]. c. Lanham. F.
F. Whilden and others. It might
be said that from this date can
be marked the permanency OF
advanced education. For the
support of the school coming
from taxation, makes it indepen-
dent Of the whims Of individual
supporters and makes education
of the best kind available in the
cheapest way possible. To ac-
complish the above 1 mill tax
was put upon the school district.
Two years ago, realizing that
the size of the school had out.
grown it's accommodation, it was
determined to build new house.
The most feasible plan being by
taxation, the people again voted
a tax of 5 mills to provide fluids
for a new building. This build
ing is now under construction,