The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-05-12
From rhe Greenville News.

From rhe Greenville News.
An interesting story that has more
than the ordinary remarks Of truth
was tumbled upon by the Daily News
correspondent while rambling around
In the vicinity of historic old Abbe-
VILE.
Back In the SOS there were in the
old University at Athens. Ca. two
young men. who both became after
wards Presbyterian ministers of more
than local renown. One was a quiet
student who devoted his heart and
mind to his books and aftepward be-
came in connection with the minister
iai work a professor in old Erskine
College at Due West.
The other. a young man of restless,
energetic. inquiring turn of mind. was
always trying to solve some problem
the solution Of which would Tighten
the burdens OF the working people.
Among his new fangle" machines
was one which would do the needle
work Of the family In much quicker
time than many seamstresses could
accomplish It. He was enthusiastic
about his invention. It was a crude
machine. but It did the work-a SIM
r't lock-stitch mechanism turned by
hand and mounted on q stand table or
whatever was convenient. His pride
In his machine was such that he
showed It. and discoursed upon It on
all occasions.
There came one winter between
1880 and 1891. a young man from the
North to winter in Georgia. The In
ventive young student, who was af-
terward the Rev. Francis r. Goulding,
OF Georgia. showed the machine to the
Northern friend after their acquain-
tance. He was struck to see its pos
sibilities. and Its value, and upon his
return North appropriated the design,
mechanism and whole machine to his
own use without the advice or consent
of his Southern friend. and patented
the first sewing machine. The young
Northerner was Elias Howe.
Young Gouldins was amazed and
horror struck at what deprived him OF
his rights. for being a boy Of but mod
crate means he had not yet funds to
take out letters patent on his machine.
This story was told by the daughter
of young Gouiding's classmate above
referred to. the late Rev. William Nc
Whorter.
In his teachings In schools and COL
lcges whenever he saw Elias Howe
mentioned as the inventor Of the sew
Ing machine. he would always close
the book and tell the class the story
above given, always ending with the
statement: Nov. boys. always remem-
ber 1t was not Elias Howe who in
vented the sewing machine. but the
Rev. Francis r. Goulding, South
Carolina boy at the Athens. Ca. Uni.
versity. whose design was approprlat.
ed without leave or license by Elias
Howe. who saw II while on q visit to
Georgia."
This story he urged his daughters
who became teachers, to tell their
classes also. that justice might be
done to the genius of Francis r
Goulding. a student at Athens Uni
versity between 1880 and 1895 who
was the inventor of and maker of the
first sewing machine. William Nc.
whorter and Francis r. Gouldine
graduated at Athens, Ca, In 1885.
The two daughters Of the Rev VIII.
liam McWhorter lived near Abbevillt
and have often heard the story from
their fathers lips. and know that ht
was d fellow student of Mr.. Gould.
ing.
The Greenville News would like tC
hear from any of the descendants OF
the Rev. Francis X. Goulding, and with
them assist In making somewhat
tardy atonement to his honor.