The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-01-11
ORIGINAL CLEMSON MAN.
DIR. j. w. DANIEL SAYS HE Is RE
SPONSIBLE FOR COLLEGE.
MIR. Clemson Proposed To Establish
Mining school, But Amended idea
To Make IL Agricultural.

Walterboro, Jan. ST am respon-
sible for Clemson college, and 1 am
proud of IL" was said by DR.. j.
ID. Daniel, presiding elder of the
charleston district, at a meeting of
the board of stewards at the first
quarterly conference held Sunday
night at Bethel Methodist church.
To a newspaper man present, this
was rather a startling statement Sem
ator B. K. Tillman has been receiv-
ing credit for the achievement in this
neck Of the woods. and doubtless in
every other neck where the state
ment of DR.. Daniel has been heard.
So the newspaper man present sat
up and took notice.
The discussion of the efforts being
made to raise funds for the purchase
Of the new district parsonage in
Charleston caused the remark. DR..
Daniel Is very much interested in this
recent purchase by the Methodists
of the Charleston district, and was
asked by member of the board to
tell those present about This oc-
CURED in one of those delightful IN
formal periods punctuating all Of Dr.
Daniels meetings with the stewards
Of his district, when he becomes rem
inlscent.
He said that when he was quite a
young man having just entered the
ministry he was sent to the old Pen
dleton charge. At that time Thomas
G. Clemson was an old and eccentric
man. n skeptic. He had never been
known to go to church, but after sew
eral visits by DR.. Daniel ne came at
once to his church. DR.. Daniel said
there seemed to spring up a liking for
him by the old man, who was quite
talker.
About this time a meeting Of the
local agricultural fair association was
held and Gov. Perry was present as
a speaker. Attention was thus direct
ed To the subject of agricultural de-
velopment. Shortly after this Col.
Simpson came to see DR.. Daniel and
in conversation informed him that Mr..
Clemson was thinking Of leaving his
possessions to found a mining college.
Col. Simpson being an alumnus OF
Wofford college was anxious to get
this property for his alma mater. DR..
Daniel said to Col. Simpson: 1T
would be foolish for Mr.. Clemson to
leave this money to found a college
on mines as there is nothing to mine
in this State but a few fish bones
down on the coast, and if he wants to
found O college why doesn't he found
an agricultural college?" Col. Simp-
son. Dr. Daniel said, was very Inn
pressed with the suggestion and
stated that he was going right over
and suggest it TO Mr.. Clemson, which
he did. Mr.. Clemson at once becom-
ing quite enthusiastic. This" said
DIR. Daniel. twas the birth of Glenn
son college which has become such
n splendid school. Mr.. Tillman and
others may not like me to say this
but these are facts
After the meeting adjourned, DR..
Daniel was asked by the reporter IL
he had any objection to the use of
his remarks relative TO the foundation
of Clemson college. None what
ever" was the reply. They are
facts. so why should l mind?"
1t requires no stretch OF the imag-
ination 10 believe that this was the
real birth of the college. to one who
knows Or. Daniel A close student
of the conditions and affairs, and with
an intensely practically mind, such
suggestion was but a logical sequence.
\ book which is now in the hands
Of the publishers, written by him
shows how very practical he can be.
This book, THE Bottom Rail-" will
create sensation, il Is predicted,
when 1t comes from the press, and
perhaps will have as far reaching ef-
fects as the suggestion to Mr.. Clemson
that he leave his money to found an
agricultural college.
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