Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1916-12-20
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tThe State, Dee. 3D.

tThe State, Dee. 3D.
Inc resolve expressed two years
ago ny the South Carolina DAUGHTERS
oi the American Revolution to estab-
liSh an industrial school in one of the
mountain counties OF the up-country.
has taken definite form and will soon
be reality. After serious consider
alton Of many sites, the recent con-
terence in Johnston voted to accent
one at Tamassce, in Oconee county,
ten miles from Walhalla and three
miles from the government forest re-
serve. 1t comprises 10 acres, Of
which so were given by Mrs. Uayne
Jones. 80 by George Harrison and 10
by W. &. Whitmire. The generosity
or the donors was further evidenced
ny the conditions imposed, practical
~ the only one Of importance being
that at any time this land ceases to
De used for educational purposes, the
y. a. Il. are to purchase 1t at $3.50
an acre. irrespective Of future value,
or to return it to the original own
ers. AS this price is considerable be-
low the present value of the land il
shows the confidence Of these public
spirited people in the sincerity OF the
ID. A. II. and reflects the desire Of the
community for such a school
Sltc Is l'irIienS Home.
or special historic interest to the
people Of South Carolina is the fact
that this is the region OF the govern
iEent land grants made to Gen. An
drew Pickens for his RevolutiOnary
services. and he retired to this noun
tain spot to spend his declining
Years at Tamassee. Those who have
seen the wonderful views from here
do not marvel at his choice.
From a utilitarian standpoint the
site is desirable for many reasons
The considerations which the Daugh-
lers have had In mind in determining
the location Of this school are that
1t should be remote, yet accessible
Where the need was greatest. and our
coming be In answer to a manifested
desire Of the people for the aid we
otfer.' This place is ten miles from
the terminal point Of the railroad
yet has excellent roads with r. f. D.
service by auto once a day. The only
schools within many miles Of this
spot are held in small, crowded
buildings. greatly in need of repair,
and open for only two or three
months in the year. The eagerness
Of the people for our school has
been evidenced by their generous
contributions toward the building
fund, and their promise OF labor and
corporation
School Opens Next Fall
The conference which accepted this
site created a school board of seven
members. with the State Regent as
chairman, three members elected by
conference (now Mrs. Duvall. Mrs.
Carlisle and Mrs. Hayne Jones, all
members of the D. A. RI, these four
to elect three additional members,
who may be either men or women.
all terms to be for three years. This
board will have full control OF the
school and its affairs. They will plan
a group Of buildings. allowing for
future growth. While it will be nee
essary to begin in q modest way, as
each building is added it will fit into
the general harmonious scheme. 1t
is expected that the first one, that
for the day school. will be built this
summer and school open with the fall
term.
The water problem will be simple.
In addition to several small springs
there is a stream with an S-foot fall
and the water shed in our control,
running through the property, which
insures running water in the build
ingS at small cost. The land is par
TALLY wooded and about so per cent
is level or slightly rolling. Cheohee
mountain protects it from ice storms
from the north and west and the land
will be well adapted to grapes and
fruits. Prof. w. w. Long, who has
charge Of the State extension work,
has promised his cooperation, and
will make the school the center of
the county demonstration work. The
government is interested in encour-
aging grazing in the mountain por-
tions of the State, and to this end
purposes establishing several cheese
factories 1t is planned to have one
of these in connection with the
. school, both as q means Of income
and to teach the industry to the pu-
pills.
Financial Prospects Good.
Tho financial prospects Of the
, school are most encouraging. The
citizens Of Walhalla and vicinity have
contributed over $500 toward the
building fund witD the promise of
more. Many Of the Oconee county
people have not yet been approached
owing to tho short time between the
offer OF tie site and the meeting Of
conference, but assuredly OconCe
county and the upper section of the
State will make their appreciation OF