The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1919-08-08
The Printers of the Ante Bellum
Times
By F. H. Gerk.

BY +. Il. Gerk.
Dear Reader:-It is worthy of re-
membrance when one can look back,
for over half century, and state
facts at the present time of those
who composed the craft in the ante
bellum times, which is worthy Of at
tention now. It is a pleasant task
to US and mingled with sadness, when
we can repeat the names of those
who toiled at the case in the long
ago.
History has never been written of
those who helped to educate the
masses by their untiring energy; nor
has the bard ever been born to sing
the praises of those gattant men who
have aspired to arise to fame in this
world. Time alone can reveal this.
When the writer started out on life's
journey he had many things in view;
perhaps he may be building air
castles in his imagination, as is the
case of many young men at the pres
ent day. But in all sincerity, let us
relate facts that came under our OBJ
servation over half century ago;
and speak of those who were our CO.
workers in the ante bellum times.
Mr.. Hugh Wilson, who started out
on life's journey, was poor boy. He
had no means of his own; but his un-
firing energy and activity, and that
indomitable will power, soon placed
him in the front rank of journalism.
There is an important lesson to the
youth of our land which is worthy of
imitation. Mr.. Wilson was foreman
of the office at that time, in 1855,
when the writer made his debut, and
Jas. Wright, J. T. Darlington, Henry
M. Darlington, vino were experts
along that line, composed the craft
at that period. The Erskine Miscel-
lany was then in existence, and it
welded great influence among its
readers. 1t was ably edited by DR.. j..
I. Bonner and DR.. j. C. Lindsay, and
it marked an epoch in the cause Of
journalism. The newspaper was a
standard bearer for truth, and the
cause of education combined, and up
held the good work that Erskine col
lege was doing at that time, and
which at the asent day, like never
ceasing foun' IN, sending forth it's
stream of gladness to many thirsty
sons who are seeking for an educa-
ton. What the Erskine Miscellany
was to the public in disseminationg
truth, so was Erskine college in train
ing young men for the important
duties Of life. And what this insti-
tuition has done for the welfare of
the church at large is shown by her
record of over half century ago.
In speaking of our co-workers, who
have won a record in the past, let us
retrace our remarks and dwell upon
a throne that is dear to our heart.
It is about our coworkers who helped
to build the Erskine Miscellany by
their untiring energy so as to place
many young men and women upon a
sure and solid foundation. The paper
was the channel for those who were
seeking after knowledge, and even
those who were heads Of families de-
rived some benefit from it's sacred
paper, and in many homes it was an
heirloom, a beacon light, to enlighten
them on the important duties of life.
In the course of events the sphere
of usefulness of the Erskine Miscel-
lany came to an end. The good work
done by this newspaper had already
bore some fruit, which still abides
with us. Then came the Due West
Telescope in an enlarged form as its
successor. It made an excellent