Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1912-07-31
Mrs. Tillman Writes Interesting
Letter From Ocean Grove

for The Advertiser concerning
Ocean Grove. l begged her to spare
me but she would take no excuse 80
I will try to fulfill my promise, how
ever difficult that may he.
1t is easier to reach Ocean Grove
from home than to 60 from Edge
field to Greenville, S. c., and de-
cidcdly more comfortable and pleas
ant. I joined my friend, Mrs. Barks-
dale of Augusta.at Trenton on We'd
nesday afternoon. She had secured
reservation for us so we had good
accommodations during the journey
and made the entire trip to Phila-
delphia without change of cars or
coaches, reaching there at ll:9o
Thursday morning. Mrs G. E.
Johnson, baby and nurse, were on
the same Pullman on their way to
Join Mr.. johnson IN Washington,
whom she reported as being some
better but still a great sufferer. He
has been in a hospital in New York
since leaving Edgefeld but will
spend while now with his relatives
in Washington. As we passed
through Baltimore we were remind
ed of the recent Democratic con-
vention as some weather-stained
flags and bunting were seen float
ing from the windows of the houses
on the outskirts of the city, SEEM
ing to indicate that the people were
loath to surrender the honors as host
of that great gathering.
As it was raining in Philadelphia,
visit to John Wanamaker's store,
seemed the best and most profitable
way to spend the time, for that i'm
mense building is a little city in it
self. It is similar to other large de-
partment stores but extends over so
much space and contains so great
variety of merchandise that it
stands at the head of business houses
of that kind. 1t is difficult to realize
that this mammoth store resulted
from the thought and energy of one
man and it is interesting 10 note
that Il the midst of his great pros
perity he has not forgotten the
Giver of all these gifts but devotes
much of his time to religious work,
especially in his famous Sunday
school.
Leaving this interesting place we
were soon on the train again, reach
ing by way of Trenton our final
destination, Ocean Grove, in time
for supper. The new Jersey coast is
dotted with number of small viii
lagos where people congregate dur
ing the summer and most of these
places are mere summer resorts with
surf-bathing and fishing as the prin-
cipal diversion. But Ocean Grove
occupies uniqueplace among them
in that the plan and purpose of this
town is different from any watering
place on the coast.
Forty-two years ago the entire
New Jersey coast was unsettled and
Ocean Grove itself was nothing
more than a wilderness of sand and
bushes of small scrubby growth.
The land was poor and valueless.
A number of Methodist ministers
conceived the idea of locating at
Ocean Grove a place where they
could pitch their tent and for
while in the summer enjoy the surf
bathing, fishing, ETC., and have also
such religious exercises as they de-
sired. They selected this place be-
cause of the splendid beach and be-
cause it is of such height as to be
free from malaria and mosquitoes.
A number of professional men wish
ed to join them in lie movement,
so finally thirteen ministers and
thirteen laymen of the Methodist
church came together and purchased
400 acres of land for $1,000.
AS the desire of these original
members of the Ocean Grove asso-
citation was for a Christian summer
resort special charter was granted
them by the legislature, securing
the privileges of the Puritan Sab
bath which included the prohibition
of the sale of intoxicating liquors.
These stringent rules are enforced
up to the present time. On Sunday no
trains are allowed to enter or leave.
and no automobiles can come in
unless in case of sickness when
physician is needed. This has been
the policy of the association since
its beginning, but within the last
trw years some capitalists have man
.,,od +o buv q norton of tho nroner