Charleston Township

Charleston Township

Charleston is pleasantly situated on the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad, very nearly the center of the county, and 117 miles from Indianapolis, 14-) miles from St. Louis and about the same distance south of Chicago. It is a handsome little city of some four thousand inhabitants, and noted for its energetic business men, its mills and manufactories, and its excellent schooh, churches, and the genei'al intelligence of its inhabitants. While it claims i:o very extensive manufacturing establishments, yet there are several located within its limits, which will receive appropriate mention in the proper place. It is well supplied with water works, and the pure, clear water of the Embarrass River is thus utilized in providing its people with a bountiful supply of the health-giving element.

Charleston was originally surveyed by Thomas Sconce, the first Surveyor of Coles County, and laid out by Commissioners (William Bowen, of Vermilioii County ; Jesse Essarey, of Clark, and Joshua Barber, of Crawford) appointed by the Legislature for the purpose of establishing the seat of justice of the county. The original town embraced, as shown by the plat on file in the Recorder's office, the west half of the southwest quarter of Section No. 11, in Township No. 12 north, of Range 9 east. It was resurveyed in June, 1839, bj Joseph Fowler, County Surveyor, and in this resurvey is noted the addition of Nathaniel Parker, of the east half of the southwest quarter of Section 10, etc. Since the first laying-out of Charleston, the records show some fifty additions and subdivisions to the original town by different individuals, giving it sufficient area, one would suppose, for a much larger city. It was named by the Commissioners who located the county seat, in honor of Charles Morton, one of the proprietors of the land on which it is situated, and who donated twenty acres of land for county purposes. In naming the place, they added the last syllable of Morton's last name to his first name, thus forming the word Charleston.

The first house was built in Charleston by William Collom, who i's termed the first actual settler in its corporate limits. It was a small log house of one room, and in this spacious building he kept the first tavern in the future city of Charleston, then an incipient village. Such a diminutive hotel would scarcely supply the demand of the wayfaring men of Charleston now. The city is well furnished with excellent hotels. The Charleston House, with its genial landlord, Dan Van Sickle, is a model in its way, and is a cheerful home to the weary, wayworn traveler. Dan is an old commercial traveler, and, as such, has been the guest of half the hotels in Illinois and Indiana, and the experience thus obtained is used in the Charleston House to the advantage of his guests. The Maples Hotel, situated near the railroad, is less pretentious, but, withal, an excellent house. The first brick residence was built by Col. Norfolk, about 1835-36. James Wiley was the contractor, and superintended its erection. It is still standing, and being used as a residence by the widow of Col. Norfolk. Charles Morton was the first merchant in the village. As mentioned in the history of the township, he brought a stock of goods with him when he moved to the country, and opened them out in a cabin where he first settled. After the laying out of Charleston, he had reserved a choice "corner lot," in his donation to the county, and upon this he erected a storehouse. It was near the present post office. He also erected a number of " pole cabins " near his storehouse, in the rude style of architecture of that day. They stood all in a line, like the "nine little Injuns," and these he was in the habit of " letting "" to new-comers, three months free of rent, which time was sufficient to build a cabin of their own, if they were at all energetic. The second store in Charleston was kept by Baker & Norfolk, and was opened as soon after the town was laid out as the population of the place would justify.

The first post office was kept by Charles Morton, and was established about 1830-31. It was called " Coles Court House," and, after the town was laid out and christened, the name of the post office was changed to that of Charleston. The mail came from Terre Haute, via Paris, and passed on west through Shelbyville, Taylorville and Springfield to Quincy. It was carried by a man named Moke, Avho was over six feet high, and rode a very small pony, his feet almost touching the ground. His weekly trips were hailed as an event of vast importance, and everybody gathered at the post office then, just as they do now

(except the " small boy," who was not invented then, and who is the grandest nuisance to be found about the country post office at mailtime in this fast age), eagerly looking for the longed-for letter from absent friends, although they cost a quarter then, payable at the office of delivery. Col. G. M. Mitchell is the present representative of Uncle Sam in the post office department at Charleston, and, we may add, that his duties are somewhat heavier than were Mr. Morton's, when Moke used to bring the mail once a week on his little pony.

Owens and Harman were the first blacksmiths in Charleston, and are noticed elsewhere as the first in the township. David Eastin opened a tan-yard soon after the laying-out of the village, which is also noted in the township history, as is the carding machine of John Kennedy. Albert Compton and a man named Hanks were the first shoemakers, and to them the people were for some time indebted for a substantial " understanding." The former is still a resident of the city, but long since retired from the shoemaking business. Col. Dunbar was the first practicing lawyer, and had the field all to himself for awhile. He is still living, but has quit the law. Drs. Carrico and Ferguson were the first physicians, and both now sleep in the church-yard.

Charles Morton had the first mill in the village, which was the horse-mill mentioned in the township history as built by Morton, in the vicinity of his first settlement. When the village was laid out, he moved it within the corporation. The first steam-mill in Charleston was built by Byrd Monroe, which ran for several years, and was then burned. He at once rebuilt it, and, after several years, having passed into the hands of the Gages, was again burned, when they built the large and elegant brick mill near the Depot, at a cost of about $40,000. The City Mills were built some two years ago, by Alvey & Van Meter, a large, substantial brick edifice, with all the new and improved machinery. A mill was built in the west part of town, years ago, which finally passed into the hands of Ashmore, and was burned some time afterward, and has never been rebuilt. Charleston has just cause to be proud of h«r mills, for but few cities of her size can boast of two more excellent mills than the two mentioned above.

The Court House

The first brick house erected in Charleston was the present Court House, which was built some time before Col. Norfolk's residence, mentioned a little space ago. As noticed in the general county history, the first Court House in Coles County was built in the south part of the town, near where the Christian Church now stands, and was a log structure. The present brick Court House was built in 1835, by Leander Munsell, of Edgar County. His agreement with the County Commisioners is dated December 4, 1834, and covers nearly four pages of the record-book. The original building was the then prevailing style of architecture of an old Kentucky tobacco-barn ; was perfectly square with the roof, running up from all sides to a point in the center. "A steeple to extend five feet, with a ball about ten inches in diameter, to be covered with gold leaf, and a spear to extend six feet above the ball with a fish or chicken on the top." The contract price for the building was $5,000, and, at the next March term of the Court, Munsell was to receive " one-half for the labor performed and material furnished, provided there are sufficient funds in the treasury to do it." The foundation of the house was built of the rock taken from the cut through the Embarrass River hills of the grade for the old Terre Haute & Alton, now the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad. This building served the county many years as its temple of justice without alteration; but as the people increased in wealth and importance, and became proud and high-strung in their notions, they were at length seized with an extravagant fit, and had the old building renovated and " rejuvenated," until the very rats, that had grown gray under its floors, did not know it. The building was enlarged, porticoes added and the entire structure modernized generally, so that it now presents a very attractive and imposing appearance, and is quite an elegant and commodious Court House. The court-room is in the second story, is large, airy and well furnished, with jury-rooms, consultation-rooms, etc., adjacent, while on the first floor are the offices of the County and Circuit Clerks, the County Treasurer and Sheriff", and also the Jail. The " square " is filled with young sugar maples, well set in blue grass and surrounded by a substantial iron fence.

Charleston makes no pretensions to a wholesale mercantile trade, but its retail business in this line is excellent, and its merchants are live, wide-awake, energetic business men, who are well up to the times, with large and complete stocks of goods sufficient to fill all demands. But few cities of its population have as good a class of business houses as Charleston, many of them being of a style and quality that would look well in more pretentious cities. Our space will not admit of the particularization of the diff"erent mercantile houses, and we pass with this general compliment to their worth and honesty.

The banking business was begun in Charleston as early as 1853. In the fall of the vear mentioned, T. A. Marshall and others established " The Farmers' & Traders' Bank." This bank flourished until 1857-58, when in the great financial crash that swept over the land in those dark and gloomy years, it, like hundreds of others, went down. About 1860-61, Marshall & McCrory commenced a private bank, which, with some changes in its name and partners, finally became the Second National Bank, and as such is still in existence. The President of this bank is Isaiah H. Johnston, and Charles, Clary, Cashier.

The First National Bank of Charleston was developed from the private banking firm of T. G. Chambers & Co. This firm had been doing a general banking business since 1866, and, about 1868, together with another private banking firm, consolidated and formed the First National Bank, with Thomas G. Chambers, President, and William E. McCrory, Cashier, which positions both gentlemen still hold. Both the First and Second Nationals are sound.

healthy establishments, officered by men who have a long experience in banking and who possess the entire confidence of the people and the community at large.

One of the largest, perhaps the largest, manufacturing establishment in Charleston is the Broom-Factory of Traver & Nixon. Although it has been in operation but a few years, their business has increased almost beyond belief. They manufacture many thousand dozen of brooms annually, which are shipped to all parts of the country, but principally south - New Orleans being one of the best points, Georgia and Texas next. Three salesmen are continually on the road. Their business sums up about |60,000 a year ; seventy hands are employed at an expense of $15,000 per year. They cultivate about five hundred acres of broom-corn in addition to v/hat they buy. Since the establishment of this factory by these energetic men, the cultivation of broom-corn has become an extensive business among the farmers. A dozen years ago, there were scarcely so many acres of broom-corn grown in the county ; now thousands of acres are annually produced, and the business is increasing every year. The firm owns the Charleston elevator and broomcorn compress for baling and rebaling broom-corn for shipping, and are the only parties in this section owning such a machine. R. A. Traver, the senior member of the firm, is the author of " Traver's Broom-corn Culturist and Broom-maker's Manual," an interesting work devoted to the raising, cutting, curing and preparing broom-corn for market, from which we make a few extracts, as being of general interest to our readers. Speaking of the cultivation of broom-corn, he says: " At the present time Illinois is the acknowledged head-center of broom-corn growing in the United States, its rich and fertile prairies being well adapted to its growth and development. Chicago, Cleveland and Philadelphia broom manufacturers say that the finest and best broomcorn comes from the section of country bordering the Illinois Central Railroad, between Charleston, Coles County, and Champaign City. It appears the soil is naturally adapted to it so as to grow a fine article of hurl and brush corn, just as some sections of the United States are better adapted to the raising of tobacco than others. Chicago has become the acknowledged broom-corn market of the United States, and at present controls the market. * * *

In raising broom-corn, the first thing necessary is good land ; that is, what is considered good Indian corn land, and it will always pay to plow the land just before the planting, so that the broom-corn can get a start of the weeds. In fact, it never ought to be planted on weedy land. The best land for a certain crop is a sod, subsoiled, and then there is no trouble with weeds. The land should be thoroughly harrowed and in fine condition, and then the seed should never be put into the ground until the soil is thoroughly warm, so that it will come up soon and keep ahead of the weeds. * * * * the broom-corn, and the sooner it is cut the better, so that, when dried, it will be a bright pea-green color, as that color commands the highest price in the market ; the brush also weighs heavier, and is tougher and wears better when made into brooms. The ditFerence in price in all of the large markets between bright-green and ripe red brush generally runs thus : red, per lb., 2 cents ; green hurl, per lb., 8 cents - or in about that proportion; so it will be seen that it is of very great importance that it be cut and cured so as to be of a bright-green color." A great deal more of valuable information is given in this interesting little pamphlet.

The Charleston Foundry, owned by A. N. Bain, are quite an extensive establishment. In 1857, he and his brother, William Bain (now dead), came to Charleston and erected a small frame building for a foundry and machine-shop. For several years, their receipts were small, and, it was not until 1863 that they commenced the manufacture of stoves, which they continued until their popularity and business increased to a voluminous extent, and they manufactured fifty-two different kinds and sizes of stoves. A trade was built up that extended from Indianapolis to the Rocky Mountains. House-fronts and ornamental veranda work was added to their business, and many towns in Illinois show fair specimens of this line of work. William Bain died in 1875, since which time the business has been owned by A. N. Bain alone.

The Woolen-Mills of Messrs. Weiss & Frommel, are quite a large institution of the kind. It was originally established by Henry Weiss, at whose death Gruenther Weiss, one of the present proprietors, purchased an interest. His partner, Frederick Frommel, first engaged with Henry Weiss as a traveling salesman, and, after Mr. Weiss' death, he also purchased an interest in the mills, since which time the firm has been Weiss k Frommel. They do a large business in the manufacture of woolen goods, and are highly-respected, energetic business men of the city.

The pork-packing establishment of I. H. Johnston is a large concern, and in the days gone by did a large business, but for the last year or two has not been operated to its full capacity, but during the winter season does a good deal in its way.

Among the early munufacturing establishments of Charleston might be mentioned the brickmaking of George Tucker. He was, some years ago, the largest brick manufacturer in Coles County, and large building contractor ; has built a majority of the brick buildings in Charleston. He is a prominent Mason and Odd Fellow, and to him we are indebted for a history of these fraternities.

There are several other manufactories of less note, such as plow, wagon and carriage factories, which do quite a thriving business, but do not manufacture on a large scale. Charleston, we have no doubt, will, in time, become quite a manufacturing city. All that is needed is a little capital to develop the coal-fields, which lie but a few hundred feet below the surface. Time will do the balance.

Village Organization

Charleston was organized as a village in 1853, and, of the first Board of Village Trustees, Nathan Ellington was President. In 1865, it was incorporated as a city, with L. P. Tomlin as the first Mayor, and the old Board of Trustees acting as Aldermen. The Council and city officers at present are as follows, viz.: Hon. W. R. Patton, Mayor. Aldermen - R. Alexander, R. A. Traver, Harvey Said, E. H. Clark, W. S. Coon, Robert Stewart, H. M. Ashmore and James Skidmore. The City Clerk is Andrew Kershaw; George Steigman, Treasurer ; A. C. Ficklin, Attorney ; William Jeff"ries, Marshal, and W. Goodman, Superintendent of Streets. The city has an excellent Fire Department, consisting of Engine, Hose Company and Hook and Ladder Company, wellorganized and equipped. Water Works have been added to the city's convenience, welfare and safety, which, in connection with its splendid Fire Department, have saved the city many thousands of dollars. The Water Works were built in 1875, and are of a substantial character. The water is brought two miles, from the Embarrass River, thus utilizing that beautiful little stream in another capacity than mills and navigation.

The bar of Charleston (not the one where you look upon the wine when it is red, for Charleston is a red-ribbon town) stands high, and combines an array of legal talent that will compare with any community. Space will not permit particular mention of all as they deserve, hence we shall not attempt it. But the names of Connely, Cunningham, Ficklin, Wiley, Neal, Peterson, Adams, and others will be recognized as men of eminence and ability.

The medical fraternity, too, is able and deserving of a more particular mention than our space will allow. It embraces men who stand high in their profession, and have held high positions in the medical societies and institutions of the community.

The religious history of Charleston is as old as the town itself. The first religious services were held under the auspices of the old Predestinarian Baptists, who, at one time, were quite numerous in the town and county, but are rather scarce at the present day. Once they had a church-building in Charleston, with a flourishing society and several ministers, among whom were two or three of the Parkers and Elder Newport. The organization, we believe, is still kept up, but they have no regular preacher, nor regular church services, and but few members.

A society of the Old- School Presbyterians was organized June 13, 1835, by Rev. John McDonald and John Montgomery, with thirteen members, as follows, viz.: James Lumbrick, Thomas 0. Roberts and wife, Rosina Letner, Adam Mitchell and wife, James Mitchell and wife, William Collom and wife, Eugenia Campbell, Arthur G. Mitchell and wife, of whom only three are now living, viz.: Mrs. Esther Mitchell (widow of James A. Mitchell, afterward married to James Lumbrick, and again a widow), Mrs. Eliza CoUom and Mrs. Arthur Mitchell. The following preachers have administered to the Church since its organization, mostly as "stated supply "' : Rev. John McDonald, from organization to the spring of 1843, with the exception of about one year in 1840-41, when Stephen A. Hodgeman preached as stated supply. Rev. H. I. Venable supplied the pulpit for about one year in 1844-45, when Rev. Joseph Adams was called, and preached from 1846 to 1849. Rev. Robert A. Mitchell was then called, and labored as stated supply from 1849 to the spring of 1853. Rev. H. I. Venable* was recalled in the spring of 1853, and continued in charge until the close of 1855, when Rev. R. A. Mitchell was again called, and labored as stated supply from early in 1856 until 1858, when he was installed Pastor, upon the completion of the new house of worship. He continued as the Pastor until April, 1870, when he resigned the charge, having labored in this Church, altogether, for about sixteen years. Rev. R. F. Patterson was then called, and commenced his labors in October, 1870, and continued until the close of the year 1873, when he resigned on account of the ill-health of his wife. Rev. James A. Piper was then called to the charge, and labored one year as stated supply, when he was elected and duly installed Pastor, a position he still holds, beloved by all, making the seventh minister who has served this Church since its organization.

The first church edifice was commenced about 1842, and finished in 1845 - a frame building, costing about $1,000. The second building was commenced in 1857 and completed in the summer of 1858, and was dedicated to the service of God in August of that year. The dedicatory sermon and prayer was by Rev. Dr. Newell, of Paris, 111. It is a brick structure, and cost, originally, about |!9,000, with an additional cost of $5,000, for improvements, made the "memorial vear," in which the two churches - the new and the old - were united, thus making the sum total of the cost of building and improvements about $14,000. Membership, about two hundred and ten.

The following persons have acted as ruling Elders of the Church since its organization, in the order mentioned, viz.: James A. Mitchell and James Lumbrick, elected at organization ; William Collom and Stephen B. Shellady, elected October 14, 1837 ; James M. Miller and Dr. R. H. Allison, elected April 26, 1845 ; George S. Collom and James E. Roberts, elected October 25, 1851 ; John A. Miles, elected in 1853; John McNutt and William Miller, elected December 9, 1854; A. Carroll and Richard Roberts, elected February 27, 1864; Robert F. McNutt and T. C. Miles, elected October 13, 1866 ; Willliam E. Adams and T. C. Miles (the latter re-elected), March 28, 1871.

The Sunday school was organized about 1842 or 1843, and has been kept up nearly, or quite all the time since, except during the winter season prior to the completion of the first church-building in 1845. W. J. Ashmore is the present Superintendent, and there are on the roll the names of about two hun- dred and fifty children. Mr. J. M. Miller is Clerk of the Session, and to his courtesy and kindness we are indebted for the interesting history of this venerable Church.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Charleston was organized in 1837.* Robert Lightfoot and family settled in the neighborhood in 1836, and Mrs. Barthenia Lightfoot, his wife, was a member of the Methodist Church. Being joined by parties who had recently moved from Ohio, and James Y. Brown and others, who were members of the society which had been organized east of town, they united in forming the first Methodist Church of this city. The name of the minister who originally organized the society cannot now be ascertained. The first church edifice erected was a large frame building, very large for that early day, and was built about the year 1839, on the block where Dr. Van Meter's residence now stands, and was of so frail a construction that it was only used about two years, when it was pulled down to give place to a much more elegant and durable frame building. The Church worshiped in this temple until 1857, when the present brick edifice was erected, under the direction of Rev. Timothy B. Taylor, Pastor in charge. It is a very neatly constructed building, two stories high - the basement containing one large room and two small class-rooms. The entire cost of this building, including the spire, was about $10,000. It was dedicated by Rev. Hiram Buck, who is still a leading member of the Illinois Conference. There has recently been added to this church property a convenient and valuable parsonage. The present active membership is 201, under the pastoral charge of Rev. J. B. Wolfe. The Sunday school was organized in 1840, and has an average attendance of about one hundred and fifty ; the Superintendent is Charles Clarey.

The history of the Christian Church in Charleston is of more modern date than that of the societies already given. It was originally organized about 1842, by Elder Samuel Peppers. The first church was built in 1846-47, which was used for a number of years and then sold to the Catholics, and the present brick edifice erected in the south part of the city, a short time previous to the beginning of the late war. We were unable to obtain the names of all the Pastors, but of those who have administered to the spiritual welfare of the Church since its organization are Elders Tyler, Tully, Young and Peppers. The present Pastor is Elder Walter S. Tingley, formerly of Indiana, and he has in his charge over two hundred members. The Sunday school was organized about the same time as the Church. It has a large attendance, and is under the superintendence of William Wright.

The Universalist Church is of comparatively recent organization in Charleston. The society was originally formed in 1868, by Rev. W. W. Curry, and the church edifice erected in 1870. The only two regular Pastors since the organization of the Church were Revs. Curry and D. P. Bunn. Death and removals have reduced the membership to thirty-six, though it has far exceeded

*There had been an organization previous to this, one and a half miles east of Charleston, but of it we were unable to obtain anything definite.

this number. The Sunday school was organized in 1870, and has an average attendance of eighty-seven ; Joseph Gtiffitli, Superintendent, and Neil. S. Dew, .Assistant Superintendent.

The Missionary Baptist Church was organized by Rev. Mr, Riley, now of Paris. They have an excellent Church and Sunday school, of which Harvey Said is Superintendent ; but, as the minister does not reside in Charleston, we were unable to learn much about it.

The St. Charles Roman Catholic Church was organized a number of years ago. Their first church was bought from the Christian society, and after being used a short time was blown down in a storm. In 1871, their present brick church was erected, at a cost of about $5,000, and is 60x30 feet in size. The present Pastor is Rev. Father C. Kuhlmann, and about sixty families worship at this church. The Sunday school was organized in 1871, is well attended and is superintended by Mrs. J. W. Dikob.

There is also a society of the Episcopalians in the city, but they have no church edifice, and, we believe, no regular pastor. They keep up the organization, however, and have occasional preaching.

Benevolent Organizations

Freemasonry was introduced in Charleston at an early day. Charleston Lodge, No. 35, was organized October 9. A. D. 1845, A. L. 5845. The charter members were William D. Gage, Edmund Roach, Adam Mitchell, Green G. Guthrie, Thomas C. Moore, James Watson and Jacob Linder. of whom William D. Gage was Worshipful Master ; Edmund Roach, Senior Warden, and Adam Mitchell, Junior Warden. The present officers are : E. B. Buck, Worshipful Master ; Harvey Said, Senior Warden ; J. W. Tucker, Junior Warden ; Charles Clary, Treasurer ; J. I. Brown, Secretary ; H. C. Barnard, Senior Deacon ; John A. Ricketts, Junior Deacon ; George Burton, Tiler, and George Tucker and H. M. Chadwick, Stewards. The records show about seventy members. The Lodge sustained a heavy loss by fire some years ago, but has recovered from its eifects, and is now in a flourishing condition.

Keystone Chapter, No. 54, Royal Arch Masons, was organized August 4, 1859, by virtue of a dispensation issued by the Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the State. The first officers were : H. P. H. Brorawell, High Priest ; G. W. Teel, King, and N. W. Chapman, Scribe. The present officers are : S. B. Walker, High Priest; G. W. Burton, King; George Tucker, Scribe; W. W. Fisher, Captain of Host ; William Chambers, Principal Sojourner ; W. S. Coon, Royal Arch Captain ; C. J. Endsly, Third Vail ; Jo Watkins, Second Vail: Benjamin Dawson, First Vail ; I. Winters, Treasurer; J. I. Brown, Secretary, and J. A. Ricketts, Tiler, with twenty-three members on the roll. H. P. H. Bromwell, mentioned as the first High Priest of this Chapter, and now a resident of Denver, Colo., was one of the brightest and most talented Masons of Southern Illinois, and once served the craft as Grand Master of the State.

Kickapoo Lodge, No. 90, I. 0. 0. F., was organized October 17, 1851, by Grand Master H. S. Rucker. The charter members were B. M. Hutchason, Elijah C. Banks, A. D. Walker, D. S. Gales and A. M. Henry, of whom B. M. Hutchason was Noble Grand, and E. C. Banks, Vice Grand. The present officers are : Moses Kershaw, N. G. ; John W. Mock, V. G., and J. I. Brown, R. S. Number of members admitted since organization, 250.

Charleston Lodge, No. 609, I. 0. 0. F., was organized March 8, 1876, by Grand Master John H. Oberley. Ten members were embraced in the charter, and Dr. Denman, of Kickapoo Lodge, was appointed Special Deputy by the Grand Master, and instituted the new Lodge. The present officers are : E. H. Clarke, N. G. ; Andrew Stimmols, V. G. ; J. C. Hall, R. S. Coles Encampment, No. 94, was organized several years ago, and is the highest body of the Odd Fellows. The officers are : F. Frommel, C. P. ; John Rail, H. P., and J. I. Brown, Secretary.

The Public Schools. '

High school was organized January, 1871. First graduating class, June, 1873. Total number of graduates, 125; of these, 54 are teachers, or have been, 4 lawyers, 3 doctors, 1 dentist, 2 druggists, 4 merchants, 9 clerks, 3 have died, and all are conducting themselves in such a manner as to win the respect and confidence of the community. The high-school course embraces three years.

In pursuit of such an education, the studies of our schools serve as efficient means toward an end, but they are not the end sought. The higher and better uses of all studies are their indirect uses, the benefits that flow through their proper prosecution, in greater power of attention, enlarged comprehension, quickened curiosity, greater self-control, and wider and more far-reaching influence over others. Our schools are striving to attain these results. They are divided into three departments - high school, grammar, primary. The primary is divided into four grades, and each grade into three classes ; the grammar into three grades, and each grade into two classes. The present corps of teachers are :

Central Building - Mrs. Nellie Bain, Principal, high school ; Miss Emma Bain, Assistant, high school ; Miss Kate Whittemore, third grammar department ; Mrs. J. T. Terrill, second grammar department ; Miss Stella Hitchcock, first grammar department; Miss Sarah Gray, primary department.

Of the present corps of teachers, eight are graduates of the high school. An Alumni Association was formed in 1874, and meets every June. Present Superintendent, Prof. M. Moore, is now serving his ninth year.

The public-school buildings of Charleston are all elegant brick edifices, of modern architecture, and present a very fine and imposing appearance, particularly that in the Central District. It was built in 1870-71. The cornerstone was laid in the spring of 1870, by the Masonic fraternity, and the building was completed in time for the session of 1871. It cost about $50,000 ; is well arranged for school purposes, and supplied with all modern improvements in the way of school furniture.

The Newspapers

we read to-day the news from the capital of the Russias; from the southern extremity of the Grecian Archipelago, from Athens, from Paris, from to John S. Theaker, who published it till October, 1866, and sold it to Dunbar BrothBrs. Albert Dunbar, one of the proprietors, died in 1875, when Lucian Dunbar continued to publish it until in May, 1878, when he sold it to McConnell & Co., the present proprietors. It is Republican in politics, and a live, energetic newspaper.

George Harding, after his retirement from the old Courier in 1857, established the Charleston Ledger, which he published about two years, and sold it to John M. Eastin. He sold it to McHenry Brooks, who published it until 1867, and sold it to Shoaff and Underwood. About this time the name of the Courier had been changed to that of Plaindealer, and ShoafF & Underwood changed the Ledger into the Courier. Shoaff sold his interest in about a year to Major Miller, who now publishes a paper in Tuscola, and in about a year more, Miller sold to E. B. Buck, who, with Underwood, published the paper until about 1873-74, when Buck bought out Underwood and has published it ever since. Mr. Buck is an editor of considerable experience and an able newspaper man, and has filled the oflBce of President of the State Press Association. His paper is true blue Democratic, and a faithful exponent of the principles of that party.

The grain trade of Charleston is not very extensive, from the fact that a large proportion of it is fed to stock by the farmers. Among the grain-buyers of the city is the firm of Messrs. McDonald and Zink, who use the elevator on the railroad owned by Traver k Nixon, and who, in the grain season, do a very large business.

A feature of Charleston is the studio of Charles Briggs. He was the first house and sign painter in Charleston, and from that has taken up portrait painting. We have seen several portraits of old citizens of Charleston, which show considerable talent of the artist for this kind of work. He has made a specialty of painting fine stock bred in this county, in which he excels. Specimen paintings of hogs from Shepard & Alexander's herds look so natural that one naturally expects to hear them grunt and squeal.

The Infirmary of Dr. Van Meter, mentioned in another page, was, some years ago, one of the largest institutions in Charleston. But years of labor, and ill-health compelled the doctor recently to close it and retire from active business life.

Mound Cemetery, Charleston's beautiful little city of the dead, is located about one mile west of town, and is well adapted for cemetery purposes. The name is well chosen, being a large mound in the center, and the land sloping down in all directions. The first cemetery is now in the city limits and becoming pretty well filled. Mound Cemetery was laid off, as stated, one mile west of the city.