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PAGE SIX THE NEWBERRY SUN Carolinia Hounds Return Home to Carolina Hills; Once Thriving Piedmont Village Is Now Only a Memory % (By Luda F. Kay Anderson Independent) Honea Path, April 12—Nearly 200 years ago, in the time of mud- chinked log cabins, Indian mas sacres, and stage coach travel, the little town of Ghentsville bloomed and prospered in a South Carolina wilderness, then faded away into the shadowy past. It w'as located two and one- half miles east of Honea Path on what is now the Ware Shoals Road, and it had a general store, a blacksmith’s shop, a postoffice, and a tavern for the cpnvenience of stage-coach travelers. It al so had a stable where the stage coach horses were rested for the return trip. Like all stage-coach stops, Ghentsville had some notable visitors in its time. John C. Calhoun stopped there on his way to and from Washington when he was vice-president of the United States. Andrew Jackson stopped there when he was re cruiting his army to fight thei blood-thirsty Cherokee and Semi nole Indians. Ghentsville had its church and log cabin school house. Broad Mouth Church was organized July 20, 1837, with a membership of five white men, three white wo men, and one Negro slave wo man. The old one-room log school house stood under a great oak tree near the church. Miss Mary Erwin, who later married John William of Honea Path, was the last teacher at the school which was closed forever in 1890. My grandfather, William Pleas ant Kay, owned a farm home and a large tract of land at Ghents ville. He died a number of years before my grandmother, Elizabeth Kay who passed on in 1891. His property joined the Ghent prop erty at Broad 'Mouth Church and once it was surveyed and cut in to several smaller tracts. The surveyor of this project was and old gentleman by the name of Gabriel Mattison. One day when I was a small boy, I was sent to bring the surveyor home in a buggy after his day’s work. As w’e drove past the old Ghent house the old man said, “Son, that is an old place. My father told me that it was built many years before he was born.” I bought the old Ghent home place from the estate, of S. E. Latimer in 1917. S. E. Latimer was a grandson of Stephen Lati mer who acquired the Ghent pro perty in 1849. After I moved there I began to wonder how old the place really was. I went to the grave of Mr. Mattison, the old surveyor, and his gravestone read: Gabriel Mat tison, Born Feb. 14,1816. Accord ing to his estimates, the old Ghent house was built in 1781, which make it 172 years old. My great, great grandfather, Robert Kay, came to Ghentsville from Prince William County, Va., in 1778, with several of his broth ers. He built a house just across the Broad Mouth Creek from Honea Path, near where the con crete bridge on the Princeton Road is now located. There are still a few remaining signs of that old home. His brother James Kay settled at Ghentsville, and built the house known since as the Ghent place. Family records and the history of the Saluda Association shows that the Rev. James Kay, Sr., was born at Ghentsville June 10, 1787. Mr. Kay and his brother, William Kay, were both Baptist preachers and both preached at early Baptist churches in this section. They are both now buried at Little River, where they had moved prior to their death. I do not know the exact date of when my great,great uncle, James Kay, Sr., sold his farm to Jesse Ghent, but it was at the time he went to Little River to live with his sons. The Ghent house is built of sawed lumber dressed by hand, and not of logs as most homes were built at that time. The large old kitchen was built apart from the main building and it had a fireplace with rock warming closets on each side and pothooks swinging over the fire. An old loom house stood in the back yard where cloth was made. Two giant A Last Tribute To Mother • If you have postponed placing a suitable Memorial to your moth er, now, at the approach of Mother’s Day, is a fitting time to do it. Given your order now we will have time to make up a beautiful stone for her grave. Some of the finest monuments in local cemeteries are from oui^ place and we have designs to show you or we will be glad to follow any idea that you may have as to a stone to fittingly commemorate the one person who meant so much to you. And our prices are reasonable. We have low overhead and can save you many dollars over that of other companies. If you have already placed a stone at the grave of your mother, perhaps it is some other loved one whose grave is unmarked. We can takQ care of that for you too out of many, many year’s of experience. Newberry Monument Company J. B. COWARD, Proprietor AZALEA FESTIVAL TRIO—Miss Florence Yvonne Huxford, center, beams happily after being crowned “Miss Charleston” for 1952. She will act as official hostess for the Azalea Festival, scheduled for Charleston on April 30-May 2. Happy smiles are also shown by the maids of honor, Miss Jeannette Foster, left, and Miss Marilyn Smith, right. oaks still stand, both having a diameter of some 66 inches. An old log crib, built the same time the house was, is in good shape. There are two old pear trees still growing and they don’t seem to have changed since I first saw them over 60 years ago. Bar ring disaster, the old Ghent house is still good for many more years. The old Ghentsville store build ing was moved across the road about 50 years ago. It still stands and it is ceiled inside with broad, hand-dressed boards. The old plantation horse-powered cotton gin was located on the corner where the road turns to Cheat ham’s mill on Turkey Creek. On June 27, 1838, a committee was appointed by the Broad Mouth Church to ask Mr. Ghent if he would sell the land on which the meeting house stood. Mr. Ghent sold the church 10 and one- half acres of land for the sum of $127. The Church then appointed a committee to secure some land for a burying ground from my grandfather, William P. Kay, who owned considerable property near the church. My grandfather told the com mittee to select the land so he could have it surveyed and titles made. He told them he would give the land for the sake of thqi love he had for the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The committee selected land which was used as a potato-patch by Hiram, my grandfather's slave. No doubt the *old darkey had to clear more land before he could raise potatoes again. The logs in the old school house were chinked with mud, but there were plenty of holes between the logs where the mud didn’t stay. A modern deep freezer is a warm thing compared to the coldness in the winter time of that old school house. My sister Maud and myself attended that old school. Miss Mary Erwin was' a splen did teacher but she had her trou bles. The hickory trees in the school yard were full of wood peckers, and the hollow logs in the building were full of flying squirrels. We laid the woodpeck ers low with rocks and had fun routing out the flying squirrels. A frame schoolhouse now stands where the log school house used to be. Mr. Ghent got restless in 1849 and moved his family to Alabama. At that time he sold his place to Stephen Latimer. Mr. Latimer was a son of Dr. James Latimer and Katherine Kay Latimer, my great, great aunt. When Mr. Ghent moved to Ala bama in two covered wagons, he had three hound dogs which trailed along behind. About three months after iMr. Ghent moved away, his three hounds returned to Ghentsville. They were found at their old home footsore and thin. Mr. Latimer wrote Mr. Ghent about the dogs returning home, but Mr. Ghent answered that the trip from Alabama was too slow and expensive to get the dogs by wagon train. Mr. Ghent wrote Mr. Latimer to keep the hound dogs. The Stephen Latimer family lived in the old Ghent home from 1849 to 1908. Stephen Latimer’s grandson lived there until 1917, when I bought the place and have lived here ever since. BOYS ARE THAT WAY By J. M. ELEAZER Earliest recollection carries me back to about 1901 when a great crowd came to our house. It was the occasion of our favorite son from the Stone Hills being elected to Congress. He was a little scrap of brains, from an humble home, by the name of A. F. Lever. He later told me that my fath er, the country doctor, had been his advisor, or sort of campaign manager. His mother had died when he was a baby and in his teen years he had spent much time in our home with my unclel Robert, his age, who stayed with us and went to school. Nothing about that campaign impressed me much. But that celebration there in front of our house on the night after he was elected It was the most folks I had ever seen, perhaps two or 1 three hundred! And the Colored folks were there too, with their band from Hopewell church The playing of that shiny brass band was simply out of this world foi 4 me That day Mr Lever bought a new buggy, upon the insistence of my mother She told him, “You are our congressmen now, you must fix up a little.” He came a dim road up the back way, hitched down in our orchard, and came in the back of the house unseen by the crowd. After the band played a while, my father introduced him, and he appeared from the front porch. He was quite an orator. And they say he made one of his greatest speeches there in the soft light of lanterns and torches that night. The cheers at the end frightened me and I held tighter ot my mother’s shirt. And I noticed his old aunt Kizzie, who sat there in a rock er, was crying, and some of the others were too. I wondered about that, for I thought they should be happy. I hadn’t heard of crying with joy. Well, our little champion of t&e Stone Hills went on to a long and .fruitful service in Congress, specially fruitful to agriculture. His name is on the enabling act that brought about the Extension Service. And what we now know as the Farm Credit Administra tion had its orgin in the Land Banks that he fostered in Con gress. And President Wilson gave him the pen with which he signed that act. ANSWERS TO Intelligence Test 1—Rodin. 2—searching for wa ter. 3—golfers. 4—minim. 5—Ore gon. 6—Lazarus. 7—-(A) United States; (B) France; (C) Russia; (D) Italy. Ghentsville, as a town, passed out of existence in 1866, when the town, of Honea Path was estab lished and the Greenville and Co lumbia Railroad was built. Just as the town of Ellenton passed away to make way for the H- bomb plant, Ghentsville was sacri ficed on the alter of progress. Local And Personal News Of Interest From Prosperity See Film Strips On Plants, Cookery The April meeting of the Pros perity Garden Club was held last Monday afternoon at the home of Miss Ethel Counts with Mrs. P. E. Wise, the new president, presiding. The meeting was opened with the club motto and prayer. The club members will solicit for Holland’s magazine in April The club also voted to cooperate with the other garden clubs in putting on the Cancer Drive in Prosperity. Mrs. H. L. Fellers will represent the Prosperity club on the central committee. Mrs. Fellers, program chair man, discussed chrysanthemums, then selection and culture. Mrs. Wise gave gleanings. For recrea tion Miss Hawkins conducted a clever contest with Mrs. Fellers prize winner. The hostess assisted by Mrs. G. W. Counts served pineapple sherbert and cookies. Mrs. Elbert Shealy read a time ly poem, “An Easter Lily.” Mrs. Wilbur Wessinger, recreational leader, conducted a tree contest with Mrs, C. S. Wesinger as win ner. During the social period the hostess served sandwiches, cake, and spiced tea. Club To Cooperate In Cancer Campaign On Monday afternoon, April 7, the members of the Dogwood Gar den club met with Mrs. W. C. Barnes. Mrs. D. H. Hamm, Jr., substitut ing for Mrs. Jake Wheeler, who was ill, showed several film strips on plants, cooking and other things interesting to house keep ers. Mrs. H. B. Hendrix con ducted a clever penny throwing contest with the prize awarded to Mrs. Joe Spotts. A sweet course, sandwiches, coffee, and toasted nuts were served. Mrs. Mathis Hostess To Iris Garden Club Mrs. W. L. Mathis, Jr., was hostess to the Iris Garden club last Wednesday afternoon. “Iris and How to Grow Them” was discussed by Mrs. Otis Shealy. Mrs. Wofford Cooper read a poem .for gleanings. In a candy guessing contest conducted by the hostess, Mrs. Leon Shealy was prize winner. After the business session the hostess served a sweet course with a soft drink. Legend Of Dogwood Told At Meeting The Crepe Myrtle Garden club met Tuesday afternoon, April 8 with Mrs. C. K. Wheeler as hostess. Mrs. C. S. Wessinger, president, opened the meeting with devo tions. Mrs. Wessinger also had charge of the program and gave the legend of the dogwood tree. She discussed flower arrange ments and gave many practical suggestions as to containers and flowers. Personal Mention Spending the Easter weekend with Mr. and Mrs. George I. Hawkins were Mr. and Mrs. Ray Hawkins and son Rudy of Green ville and Mr. and Mrs. Earl Weisner and son of Aiken. % Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Wilson, Jr., and their two daughters of Greenwood were weekend guests of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Wilson, Sr., ,and Mrs. J. R. Bedenbaugh. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Shealy and their daughter Irene of Jack sonville, Fla. were weekend guests in the home of T. C. Hawkins and family. Burton Lewis,. Clemson cadet, \ spent his spring holidays at his home.. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Connelly and their children of Lockhart were weekend guests of their par ents, Mr. and Mrs. D. M. Shealy and Mr. and Mrs. Joe Connelly. Miss Drucie Connelly, student at Columbia College, spent the Easter holidays with her par ents, Mr. and Mrs. Dove Con nelly. Easter guests of Mrs. P. C. Singley were her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. W. O. Cal lahan of Columbia. Mr. and Mrs. Gurdon Counts spent Friday in Greenwood. Mrs. A. K. Epting and little Earle Reagin came home with them for the weekend. IMr. and Mrs. Robert Reagin came down Sun day and Mrs. Epting and Earl returned home with them. With Mrs. R. T. Pugh for the weekend were Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Pugh of Charlotte, N. C.; and Mr. and Mrs. James Arthur Bedenbaugh and their two chil dren, Jimmy and Anne, of Laurens. Mr. and Mrs. Clyde E. Beden baugh of Manning were weekend guests of their parents, Mrs. J. A. Counts and Mr. and Mrs. Maxcy Bedenbaugh. Frank McMillan, III, who Is attending Dental School in Louis ville, Ky., visited his grandmoth er, Mrs. L. W. Hannan last Thurs day en route to his home in Latta, where he spent his spring holidays. , Mr. A. J. Richards and her two sons, A. J., Jr., and Tommy, of Heath Springs spent Satur day with Mr. and Mrs. B. T. Young. (Mrs. J. B. Stockman has return ed home after spending the win ter with her daughter, Mrs. Robert Pugh and family of Orchard Park, N. Y. and her son, J. Walter Stockman and family of Buffalo, N. Y. She was ac companied home by her, grand daughter, Mrs. Carol Russell Caughman and Carl Russell, Jr. Major " and Mrs. George A. Sease and their two daughters of Fort Knox, Ky.; Elton C. Sease and his two sons, Elton, Jr., and Johnny of Columbia were weekend guests of Mrs. J. A. Sease. Weekend guests of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Wessinger were Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Oswald and their children of Columbia; Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Pinson of Cross Hill. Miss Katherine Counts, who is Perfect Anniversary Gift! A Photograph Here is a gift above all other gifts that will be loved and appreciated on your wedding anniversary . . . a fine photograph of yourself with the charm and fidelity that only Nichols can give it. Why not phone now for an appointment. NICHOLS STUDIO Telephone 233 Newberry, S. C. FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 1952 By George teaching in Greensboro, N. C., spent the Easter weekend with her mother, Mrs. E. O. Counts. With Mrs. H. E. Counts, Sr. for Easter were her daughter, Miss Martha Counts, of the S. C. Medi cal College, and her mother, Mrs. Corrie K. McWaters of Columbia. Spending the weekend with Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Taylor were Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Loftis and their daughter of Charlotte, N. C.; Miss Roxdell Taylor of the Columbia Hospital Nursing School, and Rogers Taylor, who is teaching in Union. Miss Anne Bedenbaugh, stu dent at Winthrop College spent the Easter weekend with her par ents, Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Beden baugh. Miss Marguerite Wise of Co lumbia spent the weekend with her brother, P. E. Wise and fam ily. Miss Eljen Wheeler left Sun day for Tamassee, where she has accepted clerical work in the D. A. R. School there. Mrs. Marjorie Rawls of Green ville, is visiting her sister, Mrs. L. J. Fellers. Miss Linda Hancock of Erskine College spent the weekend with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Hancock. Capt. Robert Myers of mond, Va., spent the w with his family in the Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Fellers. Miss Betty Ross of the Ga. School faculty spent Easter weekend with her mi Mrs. J. E. Ross. Spending the weekend with J. B. Stockman were Miss Pugh of Orchard Park, N. and Columbia College, Stockman of Buffalo, N.- Y. Newberry College, and ‘I Gene Klar and Gene Klar, Jr. Orchard Park, N. Y. Miss Betty Sue Connelly Emory University spent with her parents, Mr. and M. P. Connelly. Mr. and Mrs. J. Walter Hi had with them over the wee Mrs. Hamm’s mother and sister, Mrs. D. O. Rudisill and Miss Patsy Rudisill of Cherryville, N. C. Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. tine of Chapin spent the with Mr. Ballentine’s p Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Easter Day guests of Mr. Mrs. W. C. Barnes were Mr. Mrs. Rudolph Barnes and their two children of Columbia. •m WHEREVER YOU GO ... you’re judged by the luggage you carry. * i i -Jtg '•-Qsg ... i sBjS . - -f, ... m ■ Vacation - Time Luggage 3-piece Matched Set Wine color $17.99 ■■ i-i 1212 MAIN ST. PHONE &I0 im,