Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-11-10


Yesterday we visited the site of what
was an antebellum seat of learning, a
college town that was as famous in this
part of the country as old Mount Zion,
in Hancock county, Georgia, and, like
! that famous place, now a name only.
This was more of q college town than
Mount Zion, as it had it's girls school
as we'll as the cadets. And when the
federal army scattered with ruthless
hand the torches that laid LAGRANGE
waste there was no DR.. Beman to return
in after years and put even one more
generation on the highway to a thorough
education.
This LAGRANGE had massive brick
buildings adjoining College hill, and
nestled in its grove were mess hall
and a girls dormitory. The red brick,
brought from "AIerrie England" some
what thinner than ours of the present
time and put together with mortar that
is as solid today as when those earnest
men put it between the brick makes a
house defying the elements.
Gradually, as their necessities de-
manded, the stricken walls, left as mute
appeals to heaven, We're hauled away to
build up other houses and other Chin
neys, and kindly Mother Nature has
filled the scars left by the digging of
the very foundations away from the col
lege site.
The Methodist church still holds it's
own; dropping plastering, a leaking roof
and suken floor are mute testimony
OF the ravages of time. But the pulpit,
and long window seat in it that kept safe
things demanding lock and key, the
white rallied altar where have kneIt SO
many of the souths illustrious men and
women is as good as any in the modern
churches. Bishop Payne had a home up
there and was a leading spirit in the
welfare work of the church and commun-
ity. AS i stood in the sacred house, the
substantial red brick walls holding aloft
the roof and belfry and gazed on the
benches, altar and high old pulpit 1
thought what pity it is that some
struggling church in a more accessible
place could not transport this structure
and let 1t continue to be used for the
glory of God and the betterment of the
world. The pulpit and altar could easily
be moved and to my mind would
be priceless treasure, for they are real
ly some of Americas few antiques
There have been royal meetings of the
Alumnae but like the Confederate veter-
ans their ranks have thinned and there
have been none for several years. The
Anderson home, now the summer home
of Mr.. and Mrs. Bates, of Leighton, is
the only house to mark the site of thriv-
ing old LAGRANGE.
our plans for going there have been
nebulous until last Monday night Miss
Byrdie said eff we do not go to Lee
Grange right away the roads will get
bad and we will have, to give up the
idea this year" The Farmers walked up
to the fact that time was flying and we
then and there decided on a day. Mr.
and Mrs. Alsobrook, Miss Etheridge, Mr..
Kicks, his sisters, the Farmer and Miss
Downing, with your humble servant
made happy and entirely congenial
party. The three men gave us all the
help we needed and drove the three bug
gies over about the worst mountain
roads your ever saw. That road up the
mountain may truly be called IAN awful
had road" Stones three feet square
project in such a manner that there is
nothing to do but pull and slide down