Spartanburg County, South Carolina - Chapter 4: ^spartanburg City - Beginning of Her Growth and, 1900

Her Achievements As A Commercial Center, Etc

.^SPARTANBURG CITY - BEGINNING OF HER GROWTH AND PROSPERITY - THE SUCCESS OF HER BUSINESS ENTERPRISES - PROGRESSIVE INDUSTRY OF HER PEOPLE - HER ACHIEVEMENTS AS A COMMERCIAL CENTER, ETC.

In a former chapter of this work we have shown the under which the present progressive city of Spartanburg acquired its location w^hich, as stated, was on the plantation of Thomas Williamson. This fact we obtain from examination into the proceedings of the first county courts held at said place, between the years 1785 and 1790. (See page 26.) During the first quarter of a century of her existence we have no record whatever, and as there was not a newspaper published in the town earlier than 1843 or 1844, we have found it necessary to gather our information mainly by interviews with some of the older residents who formed a part of the -population of the town during the period referred to. Among those with whom the writer sought an interview was General B. B. Foster, now deceased. In 1894 General Foster, then a citizen of Union county, S. C, stated to the writer that his recollection of the town of Spartanburg reached back for nearly three quarters of a century.* In speaking of the first buildings of prominence, he said that he remembered well the old Tolleson house, the leading hotel of the town where the Palmetto House was afterwards built (N. E. corner of Main and Church streets now known as Palmetto corner). Across the street from this stood the grocery store of James Alley (father of James and Henry). He also stated that in his early recollection, there were no houses between x\lley's store and Kirby Hill on which stood the residence of Muse Tolleson, and between Tolleson's house and Fair Forest creek there was only one house. This was the house of Jammie Seay, - a soldier of the Revolution. The house stood off a short distance to the left of the road leading to the stream. On the road (now Main street) leading from the Palmetto corner towards White's mill on Lawson's Fork, there were but very few houses. Rudisail's shop stood where Cantrell's carriage establishment was located. The next house was Goldthaits, an old lawyer, which stood opposite the old Harris blacksmith shop, and long before the latter was built. Along Main street up and down about the old Walker House, on the site of which is the present residence of Colonel Joseph Walker, was a race-path, where on public days, horses would be run. From Goldthait's house until what is now Garrett's spring was reached there was not a house, but to the right of this, where Richard Thomson afterwards built, there was an old log house.

General F'oster further stated that from where the old court-house stood (corner of Main and Magnolia streets) to the residence of Elisha Bomar, which stood between the present court-house and graded school, there was not a single house, all the land between these points being thickly covered with chinkapin bushes and blackjack trees. Only one house stood between Mr. Bomar's residence and Chinkapin Creek. This was the Willis house, which was some distance from the Bomar residence.

stood near the spot where the Trimmier bookstore is now located, and the public house which was afterwards the residence of Colonel G. Cannon, there was not a house in that direction for a long ways.

Colonel Foster further stated that under the administration of Thomas Poole as sheriff, Mr. Jesse Cleveland bought all the lands between the present Palmetto (Dean's) livery-stable and Wofford College, including the place of Colonel J. H. Evins, for $1.37 per acre, and used the same as a cow-pasture.*

Among the old Spartan files, dated March 27th, 1856, under an article headed "Historic Views of Spartanburg, or F'acts and Memories of Eighty Years," we find much interesting information as to the early settlement and growth of the town of Spartanburg. In this we find that the first settlers were Thomas Williamson, Wm. Wells, Thomas Edison, Alexander McKie, David Faust, Obadiah Watson, Muse Tolleson, James Brannon, Jesse

*While in conversation with General Foster, he recalled some pleasant recollections of Jesse Cleveland, who at that time was the merchant of Spartanburg. General F. had seen him mount his old flea-bitten gray (a horse upon which he hunted deer) and start to Baltimore to buy goods. His teams would start several days ahead of him. Among the teams which he employed to haul goods was that of ' ' Old Wagoner," James Ballenger, an honest, genial, whole-souled farmer, residing on the waters of North Tyger (now the plantation of Mrs. Margaret Oeland). Mr. Ballenger at that time kept the finest team of horses in the up-country, and spent much of his time in hauling goods to Spartanburg and other places from Charleston, Augusta and Baltimore. General F''. remembered that when a boy, at his father's old place (the present residence of Mrs. E. H. Bobo, near Cedar Spring), that the approach of Mr. Ballenger's team was always announced by the ringing of the bells, which was then a great attraction to him.

Referring to the residence of Mrs. Bobo as being the old homestead residence of his father, Anthon}^ Foster, General Foster stated that this was the first brick-house built in Spartanburg county; that he, with others, rode the horses that made the mortar to mold the brick that were used in building that stately old mansion.

Cleveland, B. Benson and H. Brown. The first named, Thomas Williamson, sold to Wm. Wells, who hailed from Mecklenburg county, N. C, his lands upon which the town was located.

"He (Wells) was the father of Jehu Wells, deceased, who was the ancestor of Mrs. Allen, wife of Woodard Allen and Mrs. Moss. Mr. Wells represented the district in the Legislature about 1800.* He afterwards sold his land, or part of it, to Wm. Thomson, and moved to the apex of the hill whereon L. B. Bishop and R. Bowden and others resided, known as the southern end of Hamburg. Thence he came on the north side of the ravine and erected a house near where the residence of Mrs. Cleveland stood. Thereafter he sold to Obadiah Watson, who was a hotel-keeper, and left Spartanburg in 1809. Muse Tolleson (half-brother of Alfred and J. B. Tolleson) married the 25th of May, 1809, and retailed goods in the house occupied by Watson, which he bought, and in a building that lately stood in front of the Palmetto House and afterwards owned by Colonel W. W. Harris. Alexander McKie was also a merchant, and lived a part of the time in an old house where Lee & Briggs had a grocery store. Messrs. Cleveland & Benson were merchants, and came to Spartanburg in 1808. They were both single, and boarded at the time with Thos. Ellison, who was a hotel-keeper and merchant. Mr. Ellison then resided in a building that stood at the lower end of Mrs. Cleveland's lot. He afterwards built the house now owned by Mr. Gentry, which at the time was regarded as very superior in taste and architecture to any building. in town. David Faust was a tailor, and lived in a neat little house afterwards owned by Peyton Turner, which is about where the opera-house stands. James Brannon (or Branon) was also a merchant, and sold goods in a house that stood where the late old courthouse was afterwards built, which is now the site of the Duncan building. The land was bought from him for the location of the court-house. Brannon moved to Spartanburo- in t8o8, and left in 1828. He resided on the Kirby Hill, which originally belonged to Wm. Poole, iron-master, the father of Thomas Poole, senator from Spartanburg, and Miss Jane Poole, well remembered by the older citizens of the town. This hill was sold by Mr, Poole to Wm. Shaw, a stranger, originally from England. Mr. Henry Brown came to Spartanburg in 1809. The house he tenanted was partly in ruins (1856), and stood in the hollow adjacent to Mr. O. Burgess's residence. Mr. Brown was the grandfather of Alfred Brown. His house went to Spartanburg with him. It is said that it was fitted together near Mr. John Bomar's residence, three miles from the village, and rolled there. Where Mr. John Maxwell now lives there stood a handsome house. It was occupied by J. D. Plunkett and Wm Hunt successively. They were both lawyers. Besides them there were John Earle, Isaac Smith, Major Wm. Trimmier and Major E. Roddy.

To 1820 there were no physicians in Spartanburg. In that year Dr. R. M. Young moved to that place and pursued his profession successfully for many years. In the same year Dr. Irby, of Laurens, commenced the practice of medicine with bright prospects, and Dr. Thomas also, who afterwards became a Methodist minister. All of these, in course of time, moved toother parts. Of the lawyers mentioned, only two were living in 1856. One of them (Mr. W. Hunt) had the honor of having been the legal preceptor of Hon. James Edward Henry."

It was not until 1839 that a church was organized in the town of Spartanburg. This was the present First Baptist Church. This was constituted February 23d, of said year, the late Rev. John G. Eandrum being chosen its first pastor. The First Methodist Church was organized soon afterwards, the Rev. Thomas Hutchings being its first pastor. The Presbyterian Church, in said town was organized 5th Sunday in August, 1843, by the

Rev. S. B. Lewis, but Rev. Z. L. Holmes was installed as the first pastor. The corner-stone of the church of Advent (Episcopal) was laid July 23d, 1850, and the erection of the present substantial rock building soon followed.

From all that can be gathered, it would appear that the town of Spartanburg as far as future progress was concerned, remained in a state of apathy for a long number of years. There were many causes for this, but the principal one, doubtless, was the rapid emigration from the district from time to time, to the countries of the great West. The U. S. census for Spartanburg District for 1840 shows a white population of 17,980 ; the same for 1850 shows 18,358. During this decade there was an increase of only 378 white inhabitants.

At the beginning of the year '50 the population of the town of Spartanburg had not reached more than one thousand, and not until about this time did there appear to be an increased and active energy on the part of the people to advance the business prosperit}^ of the town. As an evidence of this, we quote from an editorial from Spartan files under date of November 20th, 1849, which reads as follows :

"Our town (Spartanburg) is improving more rapidly than formerly ; homes are going up in almost every direction ; building lots are being laid off by purchasers ; and more than usual activity and interest are being manifested by our citizens in the way of private enterprise. During the past week property in real estate in this town has changed hands by way of sale and pur chase to the amount of $7,000 and $10,000, and still there are large transactions in progress of negotiation. The purchasers generally are among our most enterprising citizens."

These facts as stated were significant of a rapidly growing prosperit}' due, no doubt, largely to a prospective railroad connection which was accomplished ten years later.

Hon. Joseph W. Tucker, on assuming editorial control of the Spartan, January, 1851, in a salutatory address, after commenting on the prospective fortunes of his native district and those of the town in which he had the pleasure to reside, stated further as follows :

"We have in our district (county) a white population of about 20,000 persons ; a comparatively large space of territor}', say about 40 by 60 miles ; an abundant and varied supply of unfailing water-power and other facilities for manufacturing purposes ; inexhaustible quantities of iron and lime embedded in our soil ; a climate for health such as is almost unknown in regions less favored by nature ; niimerous fountains of mineral water scattered over the whole territory, having almost every medicinal element in chemical union with nature's beverage ; a population at once sober, industrious and order loving ; a railroad in prospect, which we will never give up until we hear the noisy engine leading off our products to the great marts of commerce."

"Our town is steadily and rapidly increasing ; and is exhibiting the unmistakable evidence of vital energy and prosperity. We shall soon have a college in the suburbs of our pleasant town ; which will have its origin under the most favorable auspices ; the Rev. Benjamin Wof- FORD having bequeathed the sum of $100,000 for its establishment and endowment. This institution will attract to our quiet and healthy neighborhood its due share of wealth, intelligence and refinement of the State ; and must induce the expenditure of large sums of money annually, proportionate to the increase and prosperity of the college. With all the advantages, natural and moral, what can prevent the District of Spartanburg from becoming prosperous, enlightened, independent and influential ? Nothing but want of spirit - her inability to perceive her own vital interests."

We have quoted in part this editorial prophecy to show how true it has come to light with reference to the city of Spartanburg. The final completion of the Spartanburg and Union Railroad during the year 1859, for which much credit is due to Colonel John L.Young as president, and to Colonel Glenn D. Peake and Geo. W. Peake, superintendent and engineers,* proved to be a new era of prosperity that had dawned upon the district and town of Spartanburg, notwithstanding the four years of bloody war which soon followed, causing for a. time a suspension of all business industry.

* A notable event in the town of Spartanburg was the great railroad barbecue which took place near the old S. & U. R. R. depot, on Friday, November 25th, 1859. It was indeed a day of rejoicing in Spartanburg, the day on which the first trains arrived which marked the completion of railroad connection with Union, Columbia, Charleston and other places. For ten years the completion of the road had been an object of cherished hope now realized. The barbecue was attended by countless thousands of women, men and children. By common consent it was a holiday for the colored people, who turned out en masse. The writer was present on that occasion, and cannot express the pride, exultation and enthusiasm manifested on the arrival of the "iron horse." It was nearly one o'clock before the first train arrived from Union. The people waited wearily, but their flagging spiritswere revived when nearly four miles away the piercing notes of the steam whistle were heard reverberating ever the hills. Soon the crowded train and laboring engine approached, shrieking her summons to the living masses lining the road to clear the track. Such a shout of welcome was never before witnessed in Spartanburg, which.

The war being- over and peace again reigning over the country, notwithstanding there were yet many drawbacks, a renewed life and energy was imparted to the rapidly increasing population of the town of Spartanburg, which in a few years gave a sufficient number of inhabitants as to entitle her to become incorporated as a city. Since then so rapid has been the upbuilding, progress and industry of the city in every line of advancement and industry that we are unable to follow further in detail. With the rapid development of the South since the civil wair, the city of Spartanburg has kept pace with a majority of other rival cities with equal advantages and surroundings, and with the foothold already gained it can scarcely be conceived what will be her future importance, greatness and magnitude.

The educational institutions, churches, manufacturing establishments and particularly the cotton mills, within the corporate limits of the city of Spartanburg will receive proper notice in this work under other headings. Suffice it to say that as a city, Spartanburg is scarcely excelled as a distributing point for the Piedmont belt, of South Carolina, having already railroads in five was followed by the enlivening music of the brass band. A rush was made for the stand, where a reception was tendered Colonel Young and other officials of the road, and which was followed by an appropriate response by him. Hon. Bail Edney, of North Carolina, was principal orator of the day. Then followed the devouring of the barbecued beef and loaves of bread which had been provided in sufficient plentifulness to feed the multitude. At night a ball was tendered Colonel Young and other officials of the road at the Palmetto House, which ended the program of the day.

different directions, viz. : Charlotte,* Columbia, Augusta, Atlanta and Asheville, and is the metropolis of the most prosperous county in the state, producing corn, cotton, tobacco, grapes and the grasses, and abounding in the minerals gold, lead, copper, iron and limestone.

Within the limits of Spartanburg city is the largest cotton mill in the South, having 35,000 spindles under one roof, and within the circle of a twelve-mile radius are nine cotton mills (not including the Lolo mill at Valley Falls in course of construction) aggregating over 141,000 spindles and employing nearly 50,000 operators.

*The first telegram message ever received at the office at Spartanburg was on the completion of the line from Charlotte to that place and was as follows : -

"The 'Hornets of old Mecklenburg' congratulate the 'Sons of Cowpens ' upon your first communication over the telegraph wire of the enterprising Southern & Atlantic Telegraph Co. i^i- .-^

The city has gas, electric lights, electric motor cars under way to connect with the adjacent villages and towns, water- works and a complete system of sewerage ; hotels with modern style accommodations ; has an abvmdant supply of excellent water ; graded and macadamized streets ; has some fifteen churches representing the various denominations, and besides the colleges Wofford and Converse, has the ! Wofford fitting school and eight graded schools, thus affording excellent educational advantages. There are also five leading newspapers in Spartanburg. The Spartan^ Herald^ He a dligh /, Free Lance ^ and Evening Telegram^ all doing a good work in advancing the best interests of the country. In addition Spartanburg has three banks with capital of not less than, $300,000 with ecjual amounts of deposits, a free public library, an opera-house and a handsome city hall ; has within her limits every class of progressive enterprise and business industry, including two ice plants and bottling works, grist, flour and planing mills, door, sash and blind factories, etc.

Besides these, both the city and county can boast of a large and handsome court-house, with all modern conveniences and with offices well fitted up for the conve- nience, comfort and accommodation of all the county officials, and further, there is near by a large and commodious jail of recent construction and after the latest and most modern style of improve-ment, thus affording security and safety to criminals and ample protection against assaults from the outside.

The municipal government of Spartanburg is fully alive to the climatic, health and natural advantages of the city, possessing as it does an altitude of 1,020 feet above the level of the sea, which insures at all times a delightful climate and the great blessing of health. Truly it may be said that Spartanburg, founded on the original plantation of Thomas Williamson in 1787, is a growing city, and its immediate future is full of promise. In coming years the city is destined to become one of the chief inland cities of the southeast.