Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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8 "Mill Whistl Recalls A Its familiar milestones in d.. n u o y Den n A "Mill Whistle" monument, believed to be the only one of its kind, has been erected by the Clinton Cotton Mills to preserve tins passing instrument of our industrial scene. Like the Clinton Mills, most plants within the state have stopped using the loud, steam-powered whistles which once were such a familiar part of community life. Technological advances and more economic operations have silenced them. MONUMENT BUILT Where others have junked them or left the whistles to stand mute in their old iso uiieu positions, v^nnion iviills officials last March placed an attractive six-foot monument on the lawn before their executive offices. The highly polished gleaming whistle? composing about four feet of the monument ? stands upright in a foundation of white concrete An attached bronze plaque reads: CLTNTON COTTON MILLS "MILL WHISTLE" 1896-1956 On December 1, 1956, this whistle was retired after 60 years of continuous service to the people of Clinton area. College Doors Reopen MANY CLINK Many sons and daughters of Clinton - Lydia employees will leave next month for colleges in this and other states. A number of these young men and women have been employed in the mills during the past summer where they have gained valuable work experience and earned money to aid with college expenses. Six of these young people will receive financial assistance for their advanced edu4 ; n n - Ldiiun as mercer anas tsaile> Scholarship recipients. This year's winners, Clinton's Beth Trammel 1 and Lydia's Carolyn Hairston were chosen, as were previous year's winners, Cecil Davenport, M a r y Cunningham Martha Joan Reeder, ancl Shirley Dunnaway, on the basis of character, high schoo scholastic record, qualities o! leadership, participation it student and community activities, their goals in life, anc financial need. Each is permitted to pursue his choser course of study at the South Carolina College or University of his choice. (??r e" Monument Passing Era blast marked city's progress lay Hammet Thus when the whistle sounded as usual for the beginning of the first shift at 8 A.M. on December 1, 1956. it blew its own requiem. And with it passed an era that had seen the mill whistle play a featured role in the life of Clinton. Not only had the employees of the Clinton Cotton Mills used its first blast at 5:30 a.m. as a "wake whistle" and another at 7:40 a.m. as a "call" for the first shift; city residents often depended upon this instrument as a check on time. And farmers milked cows bv it for as far as five miles away. Up until 1925? when the mills operated just one ten-hour shift daily?its service was even more extensive. including a 12 noon "dinner whistle" and a 6 p.m. nine wins lie. There were the routine daily duties. The whistle also stood ready to sound alarm in any emergency of fire or disaster. And during World War II it was converted into a "wildcat whistle" (by short, repeated blasting) for air raid blackout practices as part of the civil defense program. VICTORY BLASTS Older Clinton residents still recall its jubilant tone on November 11, 1918, upon reThroughout State ON - LYDIA YOUTH Parents of these young people are justly proud of this fine group, however, their return to school is met with mixed emotions. They are pleased that they were able to make this opportunity available but regret having them away from home for the I , CLIN PRESBYTERIAN ) James Hughes Alvin Whitmire Robert Lewis Corley FURMAN Martha Joan Reodcr Mary Cunningham Ken Trammell UNIVERSITY OF S. C. Robert Neely > Joe Neelv R. C. Wilkie Emily Bailey DUKE UNIVERSITY. N. C. Jimmy Suttlcs LYI WINTHROP Barbara Roberts CLEMSON Joe Lark CITADEL Al Williams (Emnpamfs $Ii THE CLOTHMAKER / jmmm , - 1 A passing era is commemorated the lawn before the plant's executi and Lydia Cotton Mills, shows to h after 60 years of service to the Clinl was first established by Mercer Sil? ccipt of the news that World i War I had ended. The oper- 1 ? aJ J -1 La * ? aior lieu uown lis cum, unci s the whistle blew continuously I until all of its steam had run out ? a period of 40 to 50 minutes. And for years thereafter, the whistle was sounded each November 11 at exactly 11 a.m. to commemorate the signing of the Armistice. Then, all machinery stopped within the plant for a moment of silent prayer. The whistle was retired at Clinton Cotton Mills with the * installation of modern pack- i m m v w m. *. A ^ 5 AlltNUINIi semesters ahead. ( Every effort was made in an attempt to obtain a complete list of those going off to ; college. As in most instances it is almost impossible to get i a complete list, so the following can be considered as only a partial list. TON , WINTHROP Shirley Dunnaway Beth Trammell Myra Pitts CLEMSON Cecil Davenport ANDERSON JR. COLLEGE Janet Poole N. GREENVILLE JR. COLLEGE Joan Burgess MA PRESBYTERIAN Herman Burdette SOUTH. THEOL. SEMINARY Frank Deitz UNIVERSITY OF S. C. Carolyn Hairston rnapmty t? (! mm/mm by the Clinton Cotton Mills "Mi ve offices. Robert M. Vance (abc is young son. Robert. Jr.. the ins on area. The whistle began its se is Bailey, grandfather of Presidei ige boilers. These boilers do lot provide the 100 pounds of aeam pressure required to dIow it. A system of horns and i^hts within the mills now lave replaced the old mill .vhistle, whose sound many Dersons likened to the bellow )f a furious bull. Its passing iid not uo unnoticed, for dozens of inquiries came into :he mill offices about it. The decision to establish a monument to this 60-vear-old in>trument has been expressed in these words by Robert M. THINK - Living is so complicated the straight. We: WORRY about the RUSSL a neighbor: WORRY about RADIOAC ONED spraying the flowers: WORRY about the KIDS r DRAG them across the street WORRY about CRASHINi OFF' a LADDER painting the 1 WORRY about getting on< two blocks for a pack of CIG/> WORRY about becoming around a CULVERT: WORRY about getting tl miles?then NEVP^R get a MP WORRY about the KIDS then leave HOITSFHOi n PO to SNACK on: WORRY about RET I REM can to keep from LASTING tl WORRY about II-BOMBS LIGHTING a stove: WORRY about POLIO?tin LAWNMOWER or home shop WORRY about TORNADO a whirlwind-force AUTO COI It's all right to THINK a the UNUSUAL?but it's the C RENCES that will KILL you. j)ur SflBt AUGUST. 1959 II Whistle" monument, erected on >ve, right), president of the Clinton trument which was retired in 1956 rvice in 1896 when the textile plant it Vance. Vance, president of the Clinton-Lydia Cotton Mills: "We are for progress, naturally, but we give up reluctantly those things which bring back fond memories of yesterday. Like the grist mill wheel of the old covered bridge, the mill whistle is part of our American tradition. This particular one is part of our heritage here at 1 v 1 11 1 11 M 1 IVlllia, clUU WU Wl'lt* too sentimental to destroy it. Now it is preserved for other generations as one of those small tokens of the past upon which the future is built." - WORRY ?se days, folks don't even worry ANS?then get RUN OVER by TIVE fallout?then get POISunning in front of CARS?then on the RED LIGHT: n in an airplane?then FALL house: >ugh EXERCISE?then DRIVE lRETTES: a SUCCESS?then WRAP it le car GREASED everv 1000 JDICAL CHECK-UP: getting proper nourishment? ISONS lying around for them ENT?then do everything we int long: >?then BLOW our heads off mi uet CRIPPLED bv a POWER POWER TOOL: ES then ijet LIQUIDATED in ,LISION: bout the SPECTACULAR and ORDINARY things and OCCURTurtty