In March 1909, a Clarendon County resident, whose initials were I.M.L. stopped off in Kingstree on his way to Charleston. He was much impressed by the improvements he saw in the town. He wrote about his visit, and that story was printed in The Columbia Record on March 30.
"This writer who hails from the banner county of South Carolina, Clarendon, still in duty bound must tell the truth regarding one of the most progressive towns in the State, Kingstree, an original English settlement as its name will indicate. Seven years ago, the writer visited this town and the less said the better. Now, what does he see and learn? And now, as briefly as possible, he will give a slight resumé of the town, the people etc.
"The first thing that attracted his attention was the the splendid commodious brick depot of the Atlantic Coast Line.
"The Kellahan hotel is splendidly equipped, well-managed, and perfectly constructed. It receives and deserves the patronage of the public.
"The court house is about 75 or 80 years old, but is a magnificent structure and requires only kalsomining to make it a very attractive public building. (NOTE: The courthouse was actually 86 years old in 1909, and it is worth also noting that next year, 2023, the Williamsburg County Courthouse will celebrate its bicentennial.)
"A tobacco warehouse is now in course of construction.
"The Kingstree High School is a model building and well-equipped for the comfort and convenience of teachers and pupils.
"Kingstree enjoys four churches: Methodist, W.A. Fairy, pastor; Baptist, Rev. Mr. Hurt; Episcopal, missionary services; Presbyterian, E.E. Ervin, pastor. All the churches have large attendance.
"Black River is spanned by a steel bridge. The town has 24 blocks of concrete pavement (Note: the pavement would have sidewalks, not streets). The streets are oval, clayed with sand, and are perfectly dry after a heavy rain in ten minutes.
"A very commodious opera house graces the town–the Thomas. Louis Stackley and Philip H. Stoll, managers. They have two banks with large surpluses–Bank of Williamsburg, President C.W. Stoll; cashier, E.C. Epps; Bank of Kingstree, F.W. Fairey cashier; D.C. Scott, president. A model post office under the efficient care of that gentleman and Republican, Mr. Louis Jacobs. They have a long distance connection Bell telephone. Local telephone service connecting all over the county and adjoining counties. Kingstree Telephone Company, B.E. Clarkson, manager; Western Union Telegraph Company, Miss Mabel Lifrage, operator.
"A Civic League that accomplishes things; a look around the court house grounds will indicate that. Mrs. LeRoy Lee and others in charge.
"This is the home of the young, but aggressive solicitor, the Hon. Philip H. Stoll.
"A splendidly conducted county paper, The County Record, C.W. Wolfe, Esq., editor, adds materially to the growth and development of the town. It is certainly a splendid newspaper.
"Among the handsome residences I may mention. those of Messrs. J.A. Kelly, Louis Jacobs, Hugh McCutchen, and Mrs. T.A. Blakeley. (NOTE: The Blakeley house is the only one still standing in Kingstree.)
"This correspondent can only give a partial list of the business houses: Farmers Supply Co.; S.L. Courtney & Co.: Kennedy-Montgomery Co.; Kingstree Dry Goods Co.; W.J. Nexsen; People's Mercantile; M.J. Porter; W.V. Strong; Louis Stackley; Williamsburg Live Stock Company; W.T. Wilkins Livery Stables; Mrs. W.P. Hawkins & Company; M.F. Heller, and P.B. Thorne, lumber and sawmill.
"Elegantly equipped drug stores are a feature of this town. M.L. Allen; D.C. Scott; Gamble & Jacobs; W.V. Brockinton; Wallace & Kelley.
"The municipal government is under the care of Hon. L.W. Gilland, mayor, and Mr. J.D. Gilland, clerk and treasurer. The legal end is represented by Messers. Gilland and Gilland; Lee & Askins; J.A. Kelley; A.C. Hinds, and E.L. Hirsch.
"Health is looked after by the following physicians: Drs. D.C. Scott, W.V. Brockinton, W.G. Gamble, E.T. Kelley, W.L. Wallace, C.L. Jacobs.
"The railroad depot is under the able management of Mr. C.W. Boswell.
"Kingstree has an aggressive board of trade, Eugene Montgomery, president; A.C. Hinds, secretary. Chief of Police S.C. Anderson informed your correspondent that Kingstree is an orderly and peace-loving town.
"Messrs, Watts & Watts have a superb establishment in which they display a splendid line of diamonds and watches and are jewelers of repute.
"Cotton buyers: Mr. Hugh McCutchen representing Alexander Sprunt & Sons, Wilmington, NC, and Jr. J.C. Kinder, Inman & Co., Atlanta, GA.
"The future holds out sewerage and electric lights.
"Kingstree can well be proud of the progress she has made in seven years and in conclusion, like a beneficent fairy, Mr. R. H. Kellahan, a captain of industry, has opened his coffers and the golden flood of his hard-earned gold had made the Kingstree of today possible.
"May other towns in the seacoast counties take Kingstree as a guiding star."
1 comment:
Great article. Thanks for posting.
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