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?J? ?Jj ?J? ?J? ?J? ?J? ?J. >J? ?J? .|??J??J??J??J? .*..*??*? ?J? ?J? . I History of R $ Presbyte .??'.M^M' 'M"!"!"!**!* 4*4**1**1**1**1* *M4? (The following very Interesting paper, prepared by john W. Shelor, at the request of Piedmont Presby tery, giving the history of one of tho oldest Presbyterian churches in this part of the State, Will provo Interest ing and of value to many of oort readers. Wc are glad to be able lo give this article to the public as wor thy of preservation as an important part of Oconee's history.- lid. Koo wee Courier.) To Hov. Wm. H. Mills. Historian ol' Piedmont Presbytery: In accord ance with tho requirements of Pied mont Presbytery to furnish an his torical sketch of Retreat church, I Cheerfully submit the following tacts: Tradition says that In the year 1 80 4 Rev. Andrew Brown, a Presby terian minister, did the lirst mission ary work in Pickens District, now known as Oconee county, and preach ed in a log house near Mrs. Ward's. Oil the road leading from Westmin ster to Oak way, about two miles from Westminster post ellice. The house wns forcibly taken possession of by one who was banished from his home in a neighboring district, nnd services were held in private houses until one John Oliver Green donated seven acres of land for a Presbyterian church on the she where tho Old Westminster Baptist church now stands. A house was built on the grounds and Mr. Brown supplied tho congregation for some time, and finally moved to Alabama and died about the year 1820. Mr. -. -. Russell and William Dickson, the father of Andrew, David and Simpson Dickson, served as eiders and kept tho organization alive, .lohn Vernor, tho forefather of Hie Vernor family; .lohn Ferguson and Asa Smithson, t ho lather of David Smithson, were members. On the Otb of March, IS3G, Leon ard Towers. Josiah Perkins and .lames Johns, Sr., the father of Dr. .lames and Samuel ll. Johns, "did voluntarily and freely give n plat of land jointly, on brandi of Chocs too Creel., waters of Tllgaloo River, on the Pendleton road," nmount ol' ground not stated, "for tho purpose ol' building a mooting house thereon to encourage and promote the Chris tian religion, and the ministers of the Gospol of Christ thal are of regu lar standing in their own socloty^aro made welcome to preach in said house, and also to be occupied as a Sunday school house." li is not deil nitoly known when the house was built, but in 1814 there was an old house in which worship was conduct ed. We lind Ito written record of services in tho church, but Mrs. Emily C. s. Vernor, Hie only survivor of the original members ol' tho or ganization, says that in that year the Rev. Joseph lllllhouse supplied tho church for two years, and was in turn followed liv Iiis son, Joseph lt.. tor two more years, during which time he taught a school nearby. Al this limo tile bouse was old and the pulpit was vcrj high, approached by a dight of steps enclosed with a door, and nearby was ihe communion tables, which were always ned in the communion service. Wo cannot as certain whether "tokens" were ever used in this church or no. Rev. Wm. McWhorier served thc church from lime to time until is'.T. when the regular organization of the present church was effected. Leonard Tow er?, .lames Johns, Sr., and Dr. T. S. Miller gave and added io thc lot above spoken of, for a Presbyterian church to tho nmount of four acres, on which tho present house was bulli and the cemetery located, and Leonard Towers. Joseph ll. Shelor and Ebenezer !'. Vernor were named as trustees. Thc church was regu larly Incorporated under the laws of (he state as an Old School Presbyte rian Church on Ihe Mb day of Do comber, I8i>8. Many churches Of the different denominations all over the state were included in the Act. After the removal of Mr. Brown we have been unable to lind any records of any service in this com munity. In thc year 183 I Dr. Dowe, in l-.is History of Presbyterianism in South Carolina, says: "The Westminster church was organized by Rev. Benja min D. Duin er with 2 2 members, and was BU pp] lcd consecutively by him un til A. D. 1839, and by his wisdom and executive ability and Ibo divine grace of Cod increased her member ship to ll, but, dissentions arising within, and on account of a close proximity to Richland church, her name was dropped from the roll of South Carolina Presbytery." in the year 1841 a majority of her mem bers united with Richland church, which was also organized by Mr. Du pree, and was the mother church of Retreat. On tho .".th ('ay of April, 1851, the ?j??J,^*?J* ?1**1**1**1**1 ** e treat | rian Church? | following members, mostly rom Richland church, wore organized into Retreat church, by the Rev. Wm. MoWhorter hy consent ol* South Car olina Presbytery, viz.: .lohn Veiner and wife. Rebecca Vernor; simpson Dickson and wife, Sahret Dickson; Mrs. Violet Smithson. Mr*. Sarah ? Towers. Mrs. Kltrel Lee, Miss Marga re! Fullerton, Miss Louisa Fullerton. Samuel .1. Vertier and wife. Melinda Veiner; Joseph R. Shelor and wife, Rebecca Shelor; James Brownlee and wife; Lemuel ll. Vernor. Miss Repay Terrell. Mrs. Mary Baldwin and Mrs. Kmily C. S. Vernor. Simpson Dick son was re-elected an elder. L. II. Vei ner was also elected an elder, and S. J. Vernor was elected a deacon. The above constituted the organiza tion of the church. This house we now worship in was built in the year 1855. Messrs. Wm. and Titos. Bibb, both now living in Westminster, were the architects, and lOldor Kbenezer 1*. Veiner was chair man of the building committee. The original cost was about $1,250, and the building is well preserved al this time owing to the hue material used and the excellent workmanship in its const ruction. Tlie original record book having been lost, we have no ant beni ic rec ord until IS56, when Rev. Wm. 1'. G ready, from Charleston Presbytery, served the church until the fall of 1S60, and was followed by the Rev. Wm. McWhorter. who served the church faithfully until IS6S. Rev. .1. O. Lindsey, I). D., of th?' Associate Reform church, supplied the church for one year. Then followed Dr. McNeil Turner, who remained one year with us. and then Rev. Kzekiel F. Hyde supplied the church until the tall ol" I ST:!, when Rev. Wm. Mc Whorter supplied the church until April 1st. I87S. The records are very meagre from ISCA up to this date and many points ol' Interest are unrecorded. tin April 1st. IS7S, Rev. Hugh Strong, assisted by Rev. .1. R. Riley, supplied the church and labored with us until the 20th ol' March, lss."i, when he was summoned io worship with his fathers. He was a faithful and consecrated minister, and was much loved by his people. During tlie summer ol' ISS5 Wm. C. Mellon aid, a theological student of Hu Presbytery of Haslem Texas, suppli?e the burch. On the tit h ol' September. ISS5, ; call was made for the pastoral sor vices ol' Rov. Robt. McK. Kirkpat rick, ol' North Alabama Presbytery The call was accepted by him, and lu was installed as thc first pastor of tin church on the 20th ol' May, 1 SSO This most successful pastorale wa: terminated liv his death on August ii I sss. He was a most God!J mai land loxed by all who knew him From ibis time regular service wa: held by the elders until, in May ISSO, we secured the service ol' W (). Croce, a student from the semi ! nary, for the summer months, li ! 1800 Licentiate .1. 12. Mebanc, o Mecklenburg Presbytery. (Nortl Carolina?, supplied the church nilli November ist. when Rev. ,i. L.Cook evangelist of South Carolina Presby tory, labored with us until Februar1 Isl, I sit I. On June 1st we seucret the services o?' Licentiate W. I) Bratinen, of H no ree Presbytery, win remained about six months with us. On May IT. IS02, Licentiate New ton Smith, of Bnorec Presbytery, be gan his labors here and served Hu j church one year as statetl supply, ant on April 30, IS?;:, was installed pas tor ttl' the church, anti continued il that capacity until february li I MM;, when the pastoral relation were severed ami he removed ti North Alabama Presbytery. On the 13th of May. IS06, tin church secured the services of Rev W. T. Matthews as slated supply who remained with us until Novem ber 1st. 1 ViT. when he accepted th chancellorship of the Presbyterial College of South Carolina. We re luctantly accepted bis resignation tun there was virtually an agreemen that his service would termin?t with the Improvement of his health. The church services were conduct ed regularly by the elders until Apri 1st. I SOS, when we secured Licontl ate Jos. T. Hendy for four month timing his summer vacation at th seminary. On \ptil L'o. I v..:.. Kev. S. L. Wi! son lu gan his work with us and rc malned with us until July isl 1901 and was regularly dismissed to Ai llngton, Va., by Presbytery. On An gust 1st Rev. s. p. Vernor Bupplie the church until he was calle 1, I November, to lake part in the wor tn' Tuscaloosa I nsi it nie. On the 1st of April, 1002, Rev. .' C. Sblve began his work as state supply, but in October of that yea: the health ol* bis wile giving' awaj he carried ber to Hot Springs and remained until June 1st. The church wa? closed during his absence on ac count of tho physical inability of the writer of this sketch to attend to such duties for six months. After Mr. Shire's return he served us faithfully until he was called to an other held In the Presbytery lu Sep tember, 1903. Another vacancy occurred until March ?th, 1904, when Kev. j. .1. Harrell carno to our relief. A call for hi* pastoral services for one Fourth of his time was made at the April meeting of Presbytery at Hodges and accepted by him. He was regula ry installed as pastor on the first Sabbath In July. Rev. John G. Haw preached and propounded the constitutional questions, Kev. \V. S. Ham!ter charged the pastor, and Hi der John W. Todd charged the peo ple. His services were attended With much good, hut the pleasant re lations were severed on November 1st. 1908, by his resignation, which was reluctantly accepted and ap proved by Presbytery. Thc church was vacant again un til April 1, 1909, when a call was made out for Rev. M. E. Peabody for one-fourth of his Hine and ac cepted by him in Presbytery at Kes ley. In July he was regularly In stalled as pastor. Kev. John tl. Law. D. H.. again was called upon to install him. Dr. Law preached the sermon, propounded the consti tutional questions and charged the pastor; Kider M. S. Stribllng charg ed the people. This present pastor brings tts to this date, and it affords the writer nuich pleasure to say this church has been most signally blessed in secur ing such an able and consecrated ministry as we have recorded here, and we give all the praise to Hod. who has so abundantly blessed our church. We now revert to the eldership. At the organization of the church we lin.l Simpson Dickson and L. H. Veiner, the only elders mentioned, but at the first recorded meeting of the session there are present Simp son Dickson, h. H. Veiner. Wm. Steele and Patrick J. Miller. We will not attempt to explain these irregu lar records, but pass them by in thc most charitable way. In August IS56, H. I'. Veiner was elected, or dained and installed an elder. In 1S70 Biders Wm. Steele -.url Patrick Miller were regularly dis missed by letter, and David K. Smith son was duly elected and installed as elder. In June. 1ST?, Samuel ll Johns and H. ll. Cross were dui) elected and installed elders. In May ISTS. Hider Simpson Dickson passet to his reward. John W. Shelor was elected to th? eldership on the ?th of June, ISSI and regularly installed. Elder ll. H Cross was dismissed to Westminster church to take part in the organ! Station ol' that church in June, ISSI Elder E. V. Veiner was called t< worship with his fathers on the 2Ttl of June. 1891. Wm. H. Sheldon Samuel Hunter and James A. Wylj wore elected elders on the L' 1st o April, 1S95, and properly inductee Into office. On the 2d of February. 1S96, El der David E. Smithson passed to hi: reward. He was faithful to his du ties and was never absent iron church whilst able to go. Eide Samuel ll. Johns was dismissed t< Westminster church in 1896? Eide Samuel Hunter died at the home o bis daughter in Florida on the I Ttl of November, 1906. Bider L. ll Venter departed this life on Novem ber Hots. He was the f on mle and one of the original members o the chu nh. Ile was zealous, of gooi works, and a faithful witness fo Christ. Biders C. H. Miller and N S. Dickson were elected and Install ed on December llb, 1901, and Fl der Miller was dismissed to West minster church in I90S. The boan ol' elders consist< ol' John W. She lor. C. S., J. A. YVyly and N. S. Dick son. Next in order come the deacons Samuel J. Vernor was elected dea con at the organization and died ii the year 1st'. I. Ile was a faithfu Officer. I cm glean very little in formation of Deacons L. D. Boldli and Bratten Dickson. The re?oit does not show when and where tho: were dismissed. Both were men o high moral qualities and are spoke! of well by those who knew tin m Sloan Dickson was elected in 1871 a deacon and dismissed to West minster church to take part in tin organization of that church. Wm ll. Sheldon was elected deacon li IS70 and advanced to the eldershii in isp;,. Wm. I,. Veiner was dui; elected and installed deacon ol June 5th, issi, and regularly dis missed to Walhalla church. Cliftoi ll. Miller, on the 6th day of June issi, was electod deacon and wa a most efficient officer as treasure of the board of deacons, and on De ceniber 4, 1904, was called by tin Church to fill tho office of ruling el dor, and was regularly dismissed ii Westminster church. On A pr il 2 1 1895, James A, Dickson, I). Paysoi Verner and Charlea F, blakeley were duly elected and Installed deacons. Janies Dickson moved with lils fam ily to Oklahoma and wns regularly dismissed by letter to the Presbyte rian church wherever Cod in his providence called him. On Febru ary 14, 1008. 1). Payson Ver ier was suddenly called from his earthly la bors t worship with his fathers, and then, on the 2 Otb of August. l?Oi). Charles F. Blakeley, after an illness of a few days, was called to meet his brother deacon who had gone on a short time before, thus emphasizing the Importance of the divine injunction, "Be ye ready, for ye know not the day nor the hour when the Master called for thee." On December 4, 1904, D. Ryland She lor and Stephen Hunter were duly elected deacons and they constitute the board of deacons at this time. During the pastorate of Rev. R. M. Kirkpatrick Retreat and West minster determined to build a manse for ibo pastor, W. J. Stribllng gen erously gave the building lot, and then, by private subscription, enough money was raised to put up the house. Retreat bearing the major part of the cost, but afterwards Westminster, as she developed her strength, bore her full share of one half interest. The house was built Hist on-street, some distance from the church, and in the course of events it was deemed wise to ex change for an improved lot and building adjoining the church, which was more convenient for the pastor. In the progress of time many changes have occurred. Westmin ster has grown strong and Retreat has become weak by the constant re moval and dismission of her mem bers to the Westminster church. For this cause, and to secure pastoral service for the venerable and aged church, and at the same time not to be dependent upon Presbytery for help, Retreat determined to sell her half interest to the Westminster church upon conditions thai West minster should not interfere with the group established by Presbytery until- lh(? exhaustion of the amount promised for her one-hall' interest of the manse. This arrangement will redound to tho interest of both chunhes and will secure to Retreat the preached word for several years. The church consists now of :if> members, including three elders and two deacons. Two families have re cently moved to Westminster to edu cate their children, which lessens the future prospects of the church. Other families in the near future will move from ber bounds, still reduc ing her numbers, and whilst it is sad to see her walls deserted and her pews vacant, Cod has promised to bc with the few who are faithful to him and will grant many blessings tn those who worship Him in the spirit of righteousness and truth. 1 have now discharged a pleasant duty imposed upon me by Presby tery. I have not attempted to en large or make this paper verbose, but simply confined myself to facts. This duty performed is the labor ol love 1 cheerfully give to my dear old church, and in nil probability will be my last work of service to her. I have spent many pleasant days within ber walls: - "I love Thy church, O Cod! her walls before Thee stand; For her my tears shall fall, for bei my prayers ascend; To her my cares and toils be given till toils and cares shall end." Soon 1 shall bid farewell to her and the many happy scenes of my youth and cast my lol with new Presbyterian friends and will en deavor to spend the remainder of my days profitably to myself and a light to others to guide them in Hie way of eternal life. John W. Shelor. C. S. When a cold becomes settled In the system, it will take several days' treatment to cure lt, and the best remedy to use ls Chamberlain's Cough Remedy, lt will cure quicker than any other, and also leaves the system in a natural and healthy con dition. Sold by Seneca Pharmacy; L. C. Martin. Clemson College. Leap's Prolific Wheat. *Pre Most Prolific arid Best of Milling Wheats Yields reported from our custom ers from twenty-five to fifty-two bushels per acre. When grown sido by sith; with other kinds this splen did beardless wheat yielded from five to eighteen bushels more per acre on same land and under samo conditions as other standard wheats. Wherever grown it is superseding all other kinds and it should bo sown universally by wheat growers everywhere. Wrlco for price and "Wood's Crop Special'* which contains new and valuable aiticle, " How to grow big crops of wheat." T. W. WOOD & SONS, Seedsmen, -- Richmond? Va. We are headquarters for Farm Seeds, Grass And Clover Seeds, Winter Vetches, Dwarf Essex Rape, Seed Wheat? Oats, Rye, Barley, etc. Descriptive Fall Catalog mailed freo. HON. J. M. SULLIVAN IS DEAD. Passed Away lu Columbia, Succumb? lng to Attack ot* Paralysis. (Columbia Record, Nov. 2.) Hon. Jamos Mallison Sullivan, of tho South Carolina Railroad Com mission. died this morning at '?' O'clock at his homo In this city of paralysis, with which he was stricken October 17th. Mr. Sullivan was 56 years old. He had done faithful, In telligent service for his city, his coun ty and his State, and throughout his career had shown that his ideal of a public official's duty was unusually high. lt had been realized from the Hist that Mr. Sullivan's illness was seri ous. Hope of recovery was held, however, and in the last two or three days there had been some Improve ment in his condition. Toward the last he lapsed Into unconsciousness. Cal herod at the residence when the end came were Mrs. Sullivan, her sis ters, the Misses Vance and Jesaiu Hu lloso, of Atlanta; 0. C. Sullivan. J. M. Sullivan, Jr., Jacob VV. Sullivan, and Miss A lol boa Sullivan, of Ander son, willi the three youngest chil dren, Vance, Jessie and an Infant. Ono daughter, Mrs. .Nina Sullivan Smathers, wife of Dr. Smalhers, of Anderson, was ill and unable to como to Columbia. Two ot' Mr. Sullivan's brothers. X. B. and NV. NV. Sullivan, of Anderson, were here Sunday, but had gone homo, believing the patient would recover. Sketch of His Life. James Mallison Sullivan was born nt Anderson, September 8, 1855. Ho was a son of Capt. N. K. and Km Hy Sullivan. His lather was ono of the pioneer merchants of the Piedmont and a prominent business man in Anderson. Pendleton. Walhalla and Picketts, and served with distinction in Orr's Beg! men I from tho begin ning to the end of the War Hot ween Ute States. At the close of the war Capt. Sullivan bogan business in An derson and was so occupied at the time ol' his death, in 1881. Janies M. Sullivan was educated 111 the common schools of his native county and was for several years a student ot Prof. NV. J. Ligon, one of the most successful teachers of his day. Ho also had the advantages ol' a brief collegiate course at Davidson College, .North Carolina, whore, ow ing lo want ol' funds, he could not romain' lo graduate. At the age of 1 !> Mr. Sullivan be gan the mercantile business in An derson, which vocation he pursued uninterruptedly until 1897, when he retired, having built up and estab lished, with his brothers, a largo I rade in hardware and machinery. The linn, the Sullivan Hardware Company, was recognized as one of the largest and most successful of Its kind in thc State. j Mr. Sullivan held no public office until his election as a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1895. The following year he was elected to the House of Representatives. Ho served one term in this body and in the succeeding election he was cho sen, without opposition, State Sena tor, serving as such the full terni of four years. Ile declined to allow the use of his name for re-election and was al | once (dectod mayor of Anderson. Ho held this ofllcc for two consecutive terms, retiring In August, Hint'. Por two years after retiring from the mayoralty, Mr. Sullivan was agent at Anderson for the Charleston and Western Carolina Railroad. Loss than a week previous lo the opening of the State campaign in June, 1906, he announced himself a candidate for Railroad Commission er in the Democratic primary. Al though tho fifth and last man to ( li ter the race, Mr. Sullivan was nomi nated by a handsome majority and subsequently elected, and served as a member of tho Commission up to his doa Iii. Mr. Sullivan was married May 10, 1S77, to Miss Mary A. NVannamaker, of Orangeburg, who died some years ago. leaving five children. Mr. Sul livan's Bocond marriage was to Miss Harriot Du Boso, of Atlanta, who sur vives him, with three children. The family residence was removed to Co lumbia in Soptember, moo. Law as to Succession. Mr. Sullivan's unexpired tenn will bo Ulled by a commissioner, the ap point mont of whom is now devolved by law upon Governor M. P. Ansel. Mr. Sullivan was elected four years ago and would have remained In ofllco for (wo years and about two months longer, tho term being six years. 1,000 Bales Sold at 17?i. New Orleans. Nov. 3.--A New Or leans colton firm yesterday paid 17% oonls a pound for one thousand bales of cotton produced on the Slate convict farms In Mississippi. Thc deal Involves moro than $90, 000, and is the highest prlco record ed for spot colton this season. The Mississippi Dolts cotton ls moro val uable than the ordinary short staple cotton. V SCHOOL LIBRARY (JETS A LIFT. Thirty Volumes Donated by tho Hus ton Lend-n-iinml Society? Trowbridge. Trowbridge. Trowbridge. Thompson. Tlie Walhalla Graded School baa received a valuable addtltion to ita library in the form of a donation. The gift waa made by the Lond-a Hand Society of Heaton, through ita president, Miss Sarah Brigham. Tho volumes are: Playtime Stories and Pictures. Fireside Stories for Little People. Our Darling. .loo's .lack O'Lantern. The Orchard Camp. Miss Chick's Turkey. Little Sunshine's Holiday. Hil lock. The Jolly Hover. A Start In Life. The Pocket Rifle. tireen Mountain Hoys. Hlack Rock. Connor. Under the Liberty Tree. Otis. When Israel Putnam Served tho King. Otis. Aunt Martha's Corner Cupboard. Kirby. George Washington. Scudder. Hlack Beauty. Sewell. Swiss Family Robinson. Robinson Crusoe. Defoe. Beautiful Joe. Saunders. Queen Elisabeth. Abbott. William, the Conqueror. Abbott. Mary, Qdeen ol' Scots. Abbott. Little Prudy. May. Captain Horace. May. Cousin Grace. May. Story Hook. May. Dotty Dimple. May. Sister Susy. May. * Friends and Helliers. Eddy. Wy ss. Many school children suffer from constipation, which is often the cause of seeming stupidity at lessons. Chamberlain's stomach and Liver Tablets are an ideal medicine to give a child, for they are mild and gentle in their effect, and will cure even chronic constipation. Sold by Dr. J. W. Hell, Walhalla; C. W. Wickliffe, West Union. MACON PAPFR RI RNFD OUT. Linotype Operator, Raymond (May. t 'reunited-Loss $ 100,000. Macon. Ca., Nov. 3.-Fire break ing out in the rear of the building ai i? o'clock tiiis evening destroyed the plant of the Macon Telegraph, carry ing with it some of the liles of tin; paper nearly a hundred years old. Raymond Clay, a linotype operator, lost his lili- In the tire. lils body, discovered ai 7.30 o'clock, was bing in a closet, where he had gone, ap parently in an effort to escape. He was here only a week, coining from Knoxville and Atlanta. Ile was said to have been unacquainted with the building, and lost his Hie in a futile attempt to get out. Other operators in the make-up rooms were forced (?ut rapidly, and no one thought to look for the man in the excitement. In the effort to locate him, fellow machine men went back Into the smoking ruins and found his body burned almost beyond recognition. Ile was past assistance when found. Ile was a young man and unmarried. The entire force of the paper was driven from their posts of duty, hardly realizing how rapidly the lire was spreading. The loss will bc close to $100,0(10. The building was a two-story structure and well In sured. The blaze cann* from waste paper in the distributing room in the rear. From tlie start the fire shot upward, fanned by a high wind, and when the department reached the scene much headway had already been gained. "My child was burned terribly about the face, neck ?ind chest. 1 applied Dr. Thomas* Eclectic OH. The pain ceased and the child sank into a restful sleep."- -Mrs. Nancy M. Hanson, Hamburg, X. Y. T. H. Fraser, Esq., of Sumter, will be a candidate for Associate Justice of the State Supreme Court in case tin; constitutional amendment pro viding for an additional justice is adopted. li Scrofula disfigures and causes life-long misery. Children become strong and lively when given small doses of Scott's Emulsion every day. The starved body is fed; the swollen glands healed; and the tainted blood vitalized. Good food, fresh air and Scott's Emulsion con quer scrofula and many other blood diseases. POR SAI,H HY AI,I, DRUGGISTS Send 10c., name of poper mid Hits ad. for our beautiful Bavlnga Hank mid child's HkoUli.l!<><?k. linell batik contains n Good l.llck I'rtiny. SCOTT Sc iaOWNF, 400 IWI Si.. N. Y.