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SEMI-CENTENNIAL EDITION 1900... BY ?JA YNES, SUE LOU, SM ITU ? ST KO IC. WALHALLA, SOUTH CAROLINA, AUGUST 24. 100O. ESTABLISHED IN 1849. Walhalla Celebr Its ? COUNTY SEAT OF OCONE CENTER-HISTOR DEVELC Originally Settled by the Cei Charleston---The Men milK TOWN OF WALHALLA is fifty y oars old, and J- mi August 28 and 2?! it celebr?los thu Sonii-Centonninl i?f its rounding, There is something in human naturo which dolightS lo recur to the past and do honor tinto those to whom honor is due. Tho 1*0 is, perhaps, no event whose anniversary we so willingly join in commemorating ns that which gives birth lo a community, a Slate or a nation. In such a festival tho liner and bettor feelings of the human heart are enlisted. Prompted by these feedings, hundreds from distant towns, cities and States have assembled to celebrate tho fiftieth anniversary ol' (he founding of Walhalla and to perpetuate the memory of the pioneer settlors. This event will mark an important epoch in the history of the town, which nestles at the font of the Blue Ridge. The settlement hero had its Origin in tho minds of certain enterprising Gorman citizens of Charleston, S. C., a little over fifty years ago. The leading spirits were John A. Wagener, Christopher K. Soeba, Claus liullwinkel, J. C. ITenckcl and Jacob Schroder, all of whom were residents of Charleston. They organized the Cern?an Colonization Society, ol' Charleston, and had associated with ti amselvos as charter members tho following well-known Gharlcstonians ol* that day, viz : .11)11 N A. WAOI0NI0K. .1IJ bl US M. OSTKNDORFF, JACOb SO.IIUODKU, ll. ( i I SS Kl,, OKA US HU I.KW IN K Kb, .1. U. H. OKAUSSKN, .1. ll. WU11K.MANN, ll KUMA N UK KM KU. JOHN M. II KNOKKN, F. KA M PK, D. VON KIT/KN. .1. D. M KY KR, COU I) OTT KN, UKOUOK ll. KOUIIKU, KIM KU OAFFKLMANN, WILLIAM LA DIO Y. (IKOKOK COKDIOS, K. NlllAUS, D1KDU1CII lil KM ANN, HKNUY BA?1NTOK, JOHN 0. VON I,KHK, IIKNKV I'. TIloDK, 11 KN KV MKYKIt, ll KUM AN KNT010, .1 II. KA NOK, .1. II. KA bli, JOHN KKK IN I1I0OK . MAUTIN W ION DKKK KN, CH KISTOI'HKK F. SKKUA, ll KUM AN FA J KN, LOUIS UKMUODT, OA lt ST KN W IO N I) KL K IO N, FUKDKU1CK WIKBKNS, (IKOKOK ll. D. CKA.MIOK, ll. ll. MULLKK, (IIOKIIAKD K HOOK IO, FHKDKIUOK SOIIULKKN, JOHN 0. IIKNOKKL. The success of their entorprize was assured by the pur chase of :i large boundary ol" fertile land, wei' watered and adapted to agricultural purposes. They sought a healthy climate, rich land .-iud good waler, and, after sending out dill'oroni exploring expeditious to various places, they (?nally found here (he desired natural conditions and resources so well suited (o (he establishment ol' their colony. Accord ingly, on December - I, 1849, a large purchase ol' land was made in this section ol' (ho then Bickens District. On that day Kev .Joseph Gresham, ol' West 15nion, one of the largest landed proprietors ol' the up-country, sold io Christopher l?\ Seeba, .John A. Wagoner i ('laus liullwinkol, .John C. ITonckol and .Jacob Schroder, as trustees of ihe Gorman Colonization Soc i et) ni* Charleston, 17,851) ocres of land for $27,000. The lille was approved and the deed drawn by thal eminent jurist ol' his day, the late Governor IL I'". Terry, who was then practicing al the Greenville liar. Ile was recognized as one of the mos! distinguished and successful lawyers of the State. The purchase included (wo tracts, known as the H igh Kails ami Wost Uiiion tracts, comprising ?,<SSu and ll,i)70 acres respectively. The former was surveyed and plaited by Tyre li. Mauldin, deputy surveyor, on December If?, Ism, and Ibo lader by M. S. McCoy, deputy surveyor, I >ooember 22, ls IO. TliO silo for tho low ii nf Walhalla w as selected near the western boundary of the West Union tract. The site and general plan were determined upon by tho ollicers of the Society, and under their instructions Ibo survey omi original pilli "I' the lown was made by Tyre IL Mauldin, in .Jan uary. I8o0. The li|*s| house within ihi' corporate limits was built Ly the lalo Died rich liiemann in tho year 1850. Ii was an old* fashioned Ino cabin and Occupied the sile ol' tin- large t WO Story traine building ol' lifter years, famed far and near as liieinann's Hotel. lt was not long until the arrival nf other pioneer settlers, and this soon became a distinctive German colony, The houses svero originally of primitive design and built princi pally alono Main street. In the course of lime m re substantial houses were built, and, by reason of the natural contour the IOWII beean lo develop along the gentle undil la jig ridge fruin F.a-i to Wist. Main street grew to an ti isual length, and thus did Walhalla early become known a the "Shoe-Siring Town." This, however, cannot now be said of ii, for ii lins sleodily grown in width as well as length, until to-day lhere are inanv elegant residences and " happy hoines " on every si reel w ithin the corporate limits, which are one milo S<|U0l'n. The ^ I oies a nd business houses, though, are slid located along Main stree), which is I'OCOg ni/.ed to he one of the most beautiful streets that aiiv town ates *emi=Centenn?al E-IMPORTANT BUSINESS Y, GROWTH AND >PHENT. rman Colonization Society of who Do Its Business? or city can boast of. It is ono hundred and twenty foot w ido, and tito groator part adorned with throe rows of sh ado trees. The sito selected tor tho (own lies just four miles south of tito Stuinphouso Mountain, a spur of thc grcal Bluo Ridge range, lt was not chosen with ;t view to being tho county scat; but when Picketts District was divided by tho Stato Constitutional Convention in 1808, into Oconeo and Picketts counties, Walhalla becatno the capital of Ocoueo County, lt has hoon ascertained by subsequent surveys to he within (wo miles of the geographical center ol' the county. The town was named "Walhalla" on Mareil 8, 1850. Thu:-' it is fifty years old, and appropriately celebrates ils Scnii-Ccntonnial. The word is borrowed from Scandinavian mythology and signifies "Paradise of the Clods,"or "Happy Home." The idea seems to he that ol' the abode of mighty warriors, enjoying the fruits of many hard-fouglll victories, as they recline in tho shade of the (rees, in beautiful gardens, beside limpid streams, where each drains or loaves his bowl precisely as ho fools inclined. The name maybe written down tis a synonym for a placo ol' sweet rest ?nd health giving refreshment. Could lite (own have been moro appro priately named? We think not ; for Walhalla has long since become a synonym for the beautiful in nature. Having been planted by tho Germans, it remained almost exclusively a Cern?an colony for oightoon years. After tho Court House was removed herc from Old Pickens, in 1808, there was a gradual influx of American citizens, Tho two nationalities were on the bos! ol' terms from the first, and it was nol long until (hey were about equal in nu mho rs, wealth and i nfl nonce. Fraternal relations were cherished between them ; but this mixing and intermingling of (?crinan ami American residents in (he course ol' a few years resulted in Americanizing (he habits, language ami customs ol' the community to a largo degree. The difference ol' nationality is now known mainly in name. All of (he original thirty-seven settlors have passed over the river lo rest under the shade d' thc frees in Ibo Paradise above, except three, Capt C. V. Serba, ol' Walhalla, and ,J. C. II. (Haussen and .1. II. W?hrmann, ol' Charleston. Their descendants may now speak ano) her language, bul they still maintain (he habits of thril'l and industry which characterized their fathers. BUILDING TIIK TOWN. In 1850 the largo (raels ol' land above described were vast primeval forests. Tho axe had to be laid at (he pool Of tho (rec, the forest felled, fields cleared and shelter built for man ami boast. Tho beginning was neces sarily hard and slow. Tho near est markets were Allions, Ga., and Hamburg and Anderson, S. G. Those were the days of stage coaches for travel and wagons for fra Hie. The whole country was nol (hen one network of railroad, tele graph and telephone lines. The consummation of business trans actions was necessarily lardy and tedious ; such delays ?0-day would madden us with impa tience. Hut those sturdy pioneers did not attempt to crowd a week into a day; (heirs was the motto, "Learn lo labor and lo wait. ' ' A nd labor I hey did ; well ami faithfully were (heir (asks performed. A ftor the silo for ( he (own had been laid off the remainder ol' those largo tracts was sub divided into small farms ranging from fifty acres upwards. Thc town lots and farms were sold and apportioned among tho members of the Society accord* ino; t0 the amount of money paid into the treasury by catii purchaser respectively. Literally they paid their money and took their choice. All the members having boon first supplied with lots and farina, much of thc remainder was subsequent ly sold to other partios, until finally thc whole survey was parcelled out and owned in fee simple by individuals. Then began the actual work ol' construction. The mammoth pine and giant oak which stood in street and field were alike felled. In 1850 the firs! house in Walhalla was hu ill by Diedrieh iVicmann. I( was a rude log hut, but it served for sheller I'm- several seasons. Others went up in rapid succes sion, and finally (bose primitive huts were replaced by commodi ous and substantial buildings. The sound of the hammer and saw was constantly heard ; the lown grew steadily in popula tion und business, until by tho break ine-out of the war in ?801 tho inhabitants numbered over five hundred, and there were several stores, shops and old limo bar-rooms, lt is commonly reported until this day thal at one time there were seventeen licensed bar-tenders. Thus il would appear that in vain was the appeal 'nade to (?cn. Wago ner by that venerable local Methodist preacher, Kev. Tyre li. Maiildin, w ho lilied the dual enpnoity in his day of preacher and surveyor, and was good in both, When in one of his lei tors to (?en. Wagoner, bc closes by expressing the hope that tho General would induce his people to fake an inlercsl in the Irm ?u i'll II fi ru UKI . A charier was not obtained until ?855. In that year appli cation was made to thc Legisla ture foi- a c'n;t rt er, and on Decem ber 10th. 1855. an Act was approved duly incorporating tho town, and authorizing the elec tion of a Town Council consist ing of an Intendant and six Wardens. The Act designated Jacob Schroder, I). Biemann and John II. OstendoriV as managers of tho election which was ap pointed to be hold on thc third Monday in January following. CITY FATHERS. 1850. Of tho three managers consti tuted in tho Act, only two, viz, Jacob Schroder and D. Biemann, signed the certificate of election. The first Town Conned was composed of John II. OstondorlV, Intendant, and Herman Fajen,j Jacob Schroder, John W. F. Thompson, Henry Bahnfge, Herm?n Knee and John M. Henckon, Wardens. John M. II enricen was elected clerk of the Council. Below we give a list of tho members of tho respective Town Councils to tho present time : 1867. John II. OntomlorlT, Intendant; ll. Knoc. J. Schroder, H. Ka jen, (i. ll. Korbor, A. Bron necke, J. M. Mencken. I H?H. John ll. Os??iulorff, Intendant; <?. II. Korber, J.Schroder, Krnesl Brassen, John tl. Kruse, A. IO. Norman, I), Bie mann. IK?SI. A. bryce, Sr, (mondant; II. 0. Ko chab,O. Kiecke,.lr, IO. brassen, M. Billi winkel.J. Darby, J.W. K. Thompson. I HliO. J. \V. F. Thompson, Intendant; IO. brassen. J. Schroder, ll. 6. Borium, M. Iblllwinkol, lt. V. II. bowery, ll. (lissol. 1801. J. W. K. Thompson, Intendant; J. Schroder, II. Olssol, D. Biemann, IO. brassen, ll. V.U. bowery, ll. W. Pieper. 1862. A. K. Norman, intendant ?J. Schroder, D. biemann, ll. BobnIge, John Kauf mann, 0, ll. Issorlel, II. Fajen, lstv.t. J. W. K. Thompson, Intendant ; ll. W. Pieper, I), biemann, ll. (basel, IO. brassen, ll. Kajen, H. Knee. The minutes contain a hiatus for the years 1804 and 1805. Il is probable that owing to tho exigencies of the war, then drawing to a closo, and tho dis organized state of civil and municipal government, no elec tions wero held during those years. If this were so, tho Council elected in 18G3 hold over until 1806 by operation of law. In tho lattor yoar, how ever, we find tho Council con stituted as follows: 1800. John Ansel, Sr, intendant; M. Bull w in kel, H. W. Pieper, H. Kneo.J. W. P. Thompson, II. O. llochau, II. Stucke. 1807. II. W. Pieper, Intendant; I). Bio matin, A. Brenneoko, H. Knee, H. Stucke, II. (.'<. Rochan, .1. Kaufmann. 1808. li. S. Vanl>?viere, Intendant; lt. B. Chambers, ll. (5. Bochan, J. W. P. Thompson, I). Bionuinn, W. M. Woodln, .lohn Ansel, Sr. 1800. John Ansel, Sr, Intendant; 1). Bio maun, 11.(5. Bochan, B. B. Chambers, H. W. Pieper, .1. W. P. Thompson, W. M. Woodin. 1870. John Ansel, Sr, Intendant; W. M. Woodin, ll. (5. Bochan, A. Taylor, A. Brenneoko, Wesley Pitchford, li. L. Lowery. 1871. John Ansei, Sr, Intendant; (5. M. Ynrbrough, ll. W. Pieper, A. Brenneoko, II.Stucke. U.C. Bochan, M. Bullwinkel. 1872. C. IO. Watson, Intendant ; G. M. Ynr hrotlgh, A. Taylor, Wm Korher, J. Kaufmann, C. P. Seeba, W. C. Keith. 187?I. A. Brennecke, Intendant ; .1. J. Nor ton, J. W. flollemnn, H. W. Pieper, II. C. Uoehail, W. Pitchford, M. Bull winkol, ll. B. Schroder. 1874. A. Brennecke, Intendant; I). Bie maiin, H. C. BoChatl, J. W. K. Thomp son, ll. W. Pieper, J. 1). Vernor, M. ?ullwinkcl, I87f). S. P. Kinard, Intendant;.!. IT. Sligh, ll. (!. Bochan, J. H. Watson, J. Kauf mann, T. M. Adair, I). Biemann. 1870. .1. I). Vernor, Intendant; C. 1,. Kidd, C. Wendelken, I*. V. Waller, A. Bryce, Jr, A. Brennecke, W. A. Addington. 1877. J. W. Striming, Intendant; (). Won dolkon, A. Brennecke, C. 1.. Reid, I). Riemann, P. V. Waller, S. K. Dendy. 1878. .1. D. Venier, intendant; 1). Rie mann, A. Brennecke,.!. II. Sligh, (J. K. Watson, C. Wondolkon, 0. L. Held. 1879. O. L. Reid,Intendant; W. Pitchford, J. E. Hendrix, D. Biemann, A. Bren neoko, 0. Wendelkon, O. E. Watson. 1880. D. Biemann, Intondant ; W.O. Ervin, A. Fisoheasor.O. L. Reid, J. E. Hendrix, O. Wendelkon, W. Pitchford. 1881. J. 1). Veiner, Intendant; J. W. Strib ling, D. Biemann, O. Wendelkon, J. J. Ansel, A. Fischossor, O. L. Reid. 1882. A. Brm necke, Intendant ; W. J. Strip ling, J. P. Mickler, Dr. L. B. Johnson, G. Wendelken, J. W. K. Thompson, J. J. Ansol. 1883. H. 1). A. Biemann, Intendant; J. 1). Venter, V. L. Norman, J. O. Mickler, C. I.. Reid, J. J. Ansel, O. Wendelken. 1881. .1. 1). Verner, Intendant; O. L. Heid, II. 1). A. Biemann, O. Wendelkon, J. W. F. Thompson, .1. Kaufmann, ll. W. Pieper. 1885. J. 1). Verner, Intendant; J. W. F. Thompson, H. 1). A. Biemann, J. Kauf mann, O. W. Wiecking, A. L. Roberts, O. I.. Reid. 1880. J. 1). Vernor, Entendant; .1. W. F. Thompson, II. 1). A. Biemann, O. W. Wiecking, A. !.. Roberts, Cl. I.. Reid, J. Kaufmann. 1887. J. 1). Vernor, Intendant; J. W. F. Thompson, II. 1). A. Biemann, C. W. Wiecking, A. 1.. Roberts, J. Kaufmann, G. I.. Ueid. 1888. J. 1). Verner, Intendant ; J. Kauf mann, J. W. F. Thompson, O. W. Wiecking, H. 1). A. Hiemann, A. I.. Roberts, O. L. Reid. 1880. 0. W. Wiecking, Intendant ; A. L, Roberts, J. W. F. Thompson, J. Kauf mann, ll. 1). A. Hiemann, V. I.. Nor man, C. L. Heid. 1800. I). H. Darby, Intendant; O. H. Heid, H. I). A. Hiemann, J. W. F. Thompson, O. II. Schumacher, I). Oolkers, G. W. Pratt. 1801. 1). H. Darby, Intendant ; C. H. Heid, II. D. A. Biemann, F. 10. Harrison J. W. F. Thompson, 1). Oolkers, O. II Schumacher, 1802. ll. A. II. (?ihson and J. J. Ansel, In tendants; W. J. Brandet t, C. W. Pitch ford, J. W. llolleman, \V. 1.. Vernor H. D. A. Hiemann, H. P. Torluine. 1803. H. D. A. Hiemann, Intendant; W. L Verner, J. M. Baldwin, W. J. Brandet! H.W.Pieper, O. II. Schumacher, D Oelkers. 1801. J. W. llolleman, Intendant; O. S Reid, .T Thompson, W. H. Vernor J. W. Bell, H. F. Kaufmann, John Vol I tadeln. 180?. J. W. llolleman, Intendant; C. 1. Heid, W. H. Verner, John Von llndeln John M. Baldwin, Jas. Thompson, R.K Kaufmann. 1800. ('. W. Pitchford, Intendant ; W. 1 Verner, C. I.. Reid, Jas. Thompson J. M. Baldwin, John Von II adeln, K. F Kaufmann. 1807. ll. A. II. Gibson, Intendant; W. I Vernor, treasurer; Jas. Tbompsoi ?derk; J. M. Ward, J. M. Baldwil H. F. Kaufmann, f. A. l?oilomon, 1808. ll. A. II. Gibson, Intendant; Ja Thompson, clerk and treasurer; W. 1 Verner, ll.~I. Weaver, (!. W. Pitebfort A. P. Orisp, F. S. llolleman. 1800. F. S. llolleman, Intendant; Ja Thompson, clerk and treasurer; CV Pitchford, W. H. Vernor, A. P. Gris] W. S. Frazier, J. J. Thodo. 10(K). V. S. llolleman, Intendant; Ja Thompson, clerk and treasurer; G. V Pitchford, W. I.. Veiner, A. P. Gris W. S. Frazier, J. M. Baldwin. M A DK TIIIC COUNTY S KA'I Hy an ordinance of thc Const tutional Convention, done in eoi vent ion, at thc city of Charlo ton, on January 29th, 180 I'ickons District ssas divid? into Oconcc and Pickons cou tic?. A hoard of special cot missioners was therein raise consisting of Wesley Pi tell for W. E. Holcombe, Bry Fret we M. F. Mitchell and Dr. 0. fl Doyle, Who wero di rec tod " seloct a propor site, and loea and erect a Court House and j?* for Oconoc County, which lot tioti shall bo oither tito town Walhalla or some point on 1 Blue Ridge Railroad bet we that place and I'erryvillo After due consideration ll board of live commission! unanimously made the local i at Walhalla. They porch os lots and had the present Cot HotlSO and jail erected in oho* ence to thc mandate of the on nance, and made report of tin fiction to tho next Conceal Asse bl y. Theil* action was ratifie and thus Walhalla bocamo t county seat of Oconoo. Tl added much to its importan and gave quito an impetus to progross and development. Tho current of trade and travel was turned more and moro in this direction, and Walhalla became the natural distributing point for a largo section of territory lying to tho north and wost, extending far into tho States of North Carolina, Goorgia and Tennessee. Her merchants en joyed an extensive trade, and several became quite wealthy. Among the most prominent merchants and business mon of former years were : 1). Bicmannn, H. D. A. Bieniann, H. W. Pieper, Dr A. E. Norman, 0. H. lasertel, J. P. Mickler, J. S. Bauknight, Wesley Pitchford, H. Fajen, A. Bryce, Sr, U. H. Korber, U. Y. H. Lowery, B. L. Lowery, j, M. Hencken, II. Bahntge, C. P. Sooba, ll. S. VanDiviero, K. B. Chambers, C. 10. Watson, C. A. C. Waller, .1. ll. Oldham, C. W. Yarbrough, C. Voigt, C. L. Reid, D. Oelkers, T. B. Whitmire, S. K. Dendy, W. C. Perry, D. Froneherger, J. B. Watson, J. C. Carter, .1. H. Oatondorff, .1. ll. Sligh, I. D. Fincannon, V/. T. Heid, M. W. Coleman, Dr L. B. Johnson, Dr J. W. Spearman, Dr B. W. Bell, J. P. Noibuhr, John Ansel, Sr, Henry Stucke, A. Taylor, II. 0. Sligh, J. II. Collins, H. Gissel, A. Brennecke, ' L. D. Brennocke, J. M. Lee, F.O.Ritter, M. H. Bryce. The business men of Walhalla have always enjoyed the confi dence of the public. By honest, fair dealing they have drawn and held a full share of tho county's tr ado. Those at the helm to-day are true to the teachings and trad:''ons of tho past. It is proper in this con nection to pass in brief review the present condition of tho town. There is no more appro priate way than by recording the name and work of those who are doing its business. MK ItOH A NTS AND DRUGGISTS. The merchants now doing business are C. W. Pitchford Company, (?arter & Company, CW. Bauknight, C. G. Jaynes, V. Li. Norman, G. A. Norman, L. Bloom, M. Saul, W. H. Reeder, J. I. Smith, Dean & Karlo, G. II. Schumacher, H. C. Busch, .1. E. Hendrix, A. Fisch csser, .1. J. Ansel, Mrs. E. M. Cud worth, Mrs. W. P. Nash, Dr. J. W. Bell and J. H. Darby. Tt is probable that the largest merchandise business is done by the C. W. Pitchford Company. C. W. Pitchford is at the head ol' the linn, and, while still a young man, he has achieved remarkable success. He served an apprenticeship in the store of the late J. P. Mickler, having clerked for him from early boy hood. Twelve years ago he began business on his own ac count, and his trade grew stead ily from tho first. His business increased in volume and popu larity and he soon occupied a most enviable position. Three years ago Messrs. S. N. Pitch ford, W. 1). Moss and G. M. Ansel, who had previously clerked for him, became mem bers of tho firm, A joint stock company was organized, with $10,000 capital, and a charter obtained under tho name of tho C. AV. Pitchford Company. Tho annual volume of their business ranges from $50,000 to $00,000. Two years ago C. W. Pitchford eroded the largest brick build ing in (own for store room and other purposes. The firm of Carter & Co. is composed of J. Carter and W. J. Neville. Mr. ('arter is an expe rienced and successful merchant. His father,tho Into J.C.Carter, ran a store here for many years. W. J. Neville is a young man of line business qualifications, They carry a large stock of gen eral merchandise and do an annual business varying from $10,000 to $50,000. C. W. Bauknight is a success ful young merchant. Ho is a son of the late J. S. Bauknight and inherits his father's busi ness tact. Nine years ago, when only eighteen years old, ho began (Continued on Fourth Page.)