T&D Region Democratic Primary Races

Orangeburg COunty sheriff T&D REGION DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY RACES Sheriff Leroy Kenneth ‘Mac’ Darnell ‘Bubba’ Ravenell McCaster Johnson

s.C. hOuse 95 s.C. hOuse 90 bamberg COunCiL Dist. 4

Rep. Jerry Govan Kevin Ray Rep. Justin Evert Comer Jr. Joe Guess Jr. Rufus Jamison Jr. Bamberg CaLhOun COunCiL Dist. 2 CaLhOun PrObate JuDge CaLhOun auDitOr

Pamela Claxton Ken Westbury Gary Porth Kathy Strickland April Wise Melissa Smoak- Brown Wannamker E2 — SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015 THE TIMES AND DEMOCRAT | WWW.THETANDD.COM u FACES & PLACES u Day 2 Dantzler House, St. Matthews The Dantzler House was built in 1850 in St. Mat- thews as the summer home of Jacob M. Dantzler and his family. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its architectural, political and military signiicance. In 1852, Olin Miller Dantzler, son of the elder Dantzler, married and moved into the summer house as his permanent residence.

Day 1 Day 3 Feb. 14, 1908: Harry S. Dent: Southern Strategy to Christian ministry Whether he was acting as a political adviser to President Richard Nixon or saving souls in eastern Calhoun County is born Europe, St. Matthews native Harry Shuler Dent, Sr. went into the job with the same focus. Follow- ing his graduation from Presbyterian College, Dent began working for U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond. St. Matthews residents F.J. Buyck and M. Jarecky donated The senator switched to the Republican Party at Dent’s urging. It was through his political work that the land for the iconic Calhoun County Courthouse, which was Dent became known as the developer of the Republican “Southern strategy.” The Southern strategy dedicated in May 1914. Citizens tried three times to establish helped Nixon win the presidency in 1968 and move the South into the GOP column. In 1981, Dent Calhoun County, with the third time in 1907-08 proving to be closed his law practice to begin full-time service as a Christian lay leader. He served as director of the charm. the Billy Graham Lay Center and chairman of the 1987 South Carolina Billy Graham Crusade.

Day 5 Col. Thomson earned nickname during Revolutionary War A Pennsylvania nat- Col. William Thomson, who settled in Amelia Township which is today Calhoun County, served an active role in the British colonial Day 4 government and later in the government of Day 6 South Carolina. Thom- Greek Revival-style Rast House son was a politician, soldier and patriot. Sandy Run’s Red Store former stagecoach stop He was called “Dan- ger” by the men who built in 1820 The Edward Monts Rast House in Calhoun County is con- fought with him during sidered a testament to classic Greek Revival architecture. The the Revolutionary War. A landmark in Calhoun County, the Red Store has been residence, constructed about 1850, was a stagecoach stop when Born of Scottish par- vacant for nearly 20 years. The structure is being considered Charleston was still the capital of South Carolina. In the 1950s, ents in 1726, Thomson for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. the Rasts moved the house, at that time mostly dilapidated, a and his family moved Built by Herman Geiger about 1819-1820, the store was situ- quarter of a mile and built underneath the structure a irst loor to the northern section ated on a main stagecoach road from Charleston to Colum- fashioned from old brick that featured a large family room. The of Amelia Township, a bia. The building was used as a residence and as a store. Its residence has double windows and high ceilings. Today, the few miles east of what long wing was built in 1821 and used as a place to store heavy home is located near the Calhoun County Country Club be- is now Fort Motte. groceries and other staples. Later, the front rooms of the tween the towns of Cameron and St. Matthews. structure accommodated dry goods and a grocery store. Day 7 Day 8 Rast designed William R. Thomson, owner of Cave Hall, prominent in late 1700s Cave Hall, also called Wright’s Bluf, is located on the Santee Tricentennial tables River, Halfway Swamp and Bull Bluf Creek. It is named for a series of caves in the Southeast Basin of South Carolina referred to as As South Carolina’s Tricentennial was cel- the Lower Pine Belt, or Savannah Region. It was on this tract that ebrated in 1970, Calhoun County resident Ed- Moses Thomson established Cave Hall Plantation. His grandson, ward Monts Rast had something in store for William Russell Thomson, either inherited or bought the place. the celebration. Rast designed two Tricenten- William Russell Thomson was an oicer of the American Revolu- nial tables. One was given to the Governor’s tion. Later, he was justice of the peace for Orangeburgh District, Mansion in Columbia as a gift in honor of the 1785; manager of election for St. Matthews Parish, 1786; elected anniversary. The other was presented to Pres- to South Carolina House of Representatives, St. Matthews Parish, ident Richard Nixon through his adviser and 1790; appointed ordinary of Orangeburgh District by the Legis- Calhoun County native Harry Shuler Dent. lature, October 1791, and elected sherif of Orangeburgh District The table was presented during the county’s by the Legislature, December, 1794. Tricentennial Week festivities in June 1970.

Day 9 Day 11 Calhoun’s Peterkin won Wannamaker sought to grow Pulitzer in 1929 a better soybean A resident of Calhoun County was awarded the Pulitzer In the early 1940s, the soybean was relatively unknown in Prize for American Literature in 1929. Julia Mood Peterkin Calhoun County. At that time about 3,800 acres of the crop was the recipient of the coveted honor for her book “Scar- were planted in the county. John E. Wannamaker, Jr. of St. let Sister Mary,” a novel about the lives of blacks in the rural Matthews was one of the South’s pioneers in the use of soy- South. Peterkin’s novel was chosen for the Pulitzer Prize beans. His number one goal was to ind a soybean with the over notable works such as William Faulkner’s “The Sound highest yield that was the most shatter and weather-resis- and the Fury” and Thomas Wolfe’s classic, “Look Home- tant with heavy pod distribution, high oil content and a good ward, Angel.” maturity date. Day 10 Day 12 St. Matthews rolled out Marion Gressette, powerful state senator When Calhoun County was formed in 1908, the future president pro tem- welcome mat for purple martins pore of the South Carolina Senate was a lad of 6. Lawrence Marion Gressette was born in the Sunny Plain section of what was to become Calhoun County The purple martin’s diet consists entirely of insects, including on Feb. 11, 1902. Gressette strove to relect the principles instilled by his par- mosquitoes. A town in southwestern Illinois that was experi- ents, the late John Thomas and Rosa Wannamaker Gressette. He graduated encing an onslaught of mosquitoes during summers was able to from the University of South Carolina Law School in 1924 and was elected reduce the number of the pests by attracting purple martins. St. to the House a year later. He served in the Senate from 1937-1984. Gressette Matthews Rotarians adopted the idea in 1970 and began placing found himself serving on many Senate committees and became admired in purple martin houses in the county. the body. He became the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee in 1953 and was one of the state’s most powerful lawmakers for decades. Day 13 Day 14 Lone Star Dr. Clemmie Webber Like many small towns in 1893 the Atlantic Coast Line built a railroad in the present day led life of service area of Low Falls. The original name for what Dr. Clemmie Webber raises her hands in cele- became Lone Star was Auburn. The irst store bration at the ceremony announcing the naming of was built by Bull & Taylor. It was because of this Boulevard Street in Orangeburg from its intersec- lone light shining from the store at night that an tion with U.S. Highway 21 to its intersection with engineer working for the railroad name this stop S.C. Highway 33 as Webber Boulevard. She was a ‘Lone Star.’ scientist, educator, author, mentor, pioneer, community leader, wife and mother. St. Matthews native Dr. Clemmie Embly Webber grew up on Orangeburg’s Treadwell Day 15 Street with her four younger siblings.

Golden Kernel Carolinas’ irst pecan-shelling plant Day 16 Before the turn of the century, Dr. S.J. Sum- mers, a family physician in the Cameron com- Wannamakers munity, brought from Mississippi the irst pecan seedlings to be planted in South Carolina on a commercial scale. In 1924, Golden Kernel Pecan pioneers in seed, Co. Inc. opened as a pecan-shelling operation. The Summers family grew pecans and raised hogs. soybean business The nuts were cracked by hand, and Golden Ker- nel not only sold what it grew but bought nuts The Wannamaker brothers, from left, from Holly Hill, Aiken and Orangeburg to crack, Treutin, Whit and Banks, are shown at ship and sell. The company became the irst pe- their St. Matthews farm in the 1920s. The can-shelling plant in the Carolinas. Today the op- Calhoun County Wannamaker family’s eration buys and sells nuts grown in South Caro- roots go all the way back to the year 1732. lina, North Carolina and Georgia. The business is The family was farming then, and nearly operated by Summers’ two sons, David and Bill. 300 years later it continues to do so. THE TIMES AND DEMOCRAT | WWW.THETANDD.COM SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015 — E3 u FACES & PLACES u Day 17 Day 19 Horace Ott, Sandy Run’s composer of Baker House jazz and pop dates to the 1820s The catchy rhythms of The Village People’s 1978 hit song The Baker family settled in the “Y.M.C.A.” were the work of Sandy Run area of Saxe-Gotha St. Matthews native Horace Township about 1738 after 150 Ott, who started taking piano acres were surveyed for William lessons in his hometown at age Baker I. The survey was done 10. “My brother complained at the conluence of Sandy Run about the noise” he made while and the Congaree River. In 1744, practicing, Ott said. He said he Baker I, an “elder of the German Congregation of Dissenting Protestants at the Congarees” could not pass the piano with- purchased a nearby 350-acre tract from Richard Myrick where the William Baker House stands out sitting down and playing, today, according to records at the South Carolina Department of Archives & History State His- no matter the time of day or toric Preservation Oice. The present house, which dates to the late 1820s or early 1830s, was night. Some of Ott’s other ar- built by either William Baker II or his son, William Baker III. Some records indicate Union Gen. rangements and recordings William T. Sherman slept at the site in February 1865. range from “You Don’t Have to Be a Star,” which he created for Marilyn McCoo and Billy Day 20 Davis, to “Lush Life” for Joe Williams. Trader made home Day 18 along Lyon’s Creek George Sterling, explorer and Rebecca B. Motte sacriiced Indian trader, received a 570-acre land grant in March 1704 along Ox home to drive out British Creek (today called Lyon’s Creek). Sterling became one of the area’s The Battle of Fort Motte took place in 1781. This battle was irst settlers in what was to be- signiicant as the principal depot of British convoys between come Calhoun County. He died Charleston and Camden during the American Revolution. in 1706. Day 21 Day 22 Banks House was home Buyck’s Bluf Archaeology experts describe the Buyck’s of state legislator, businessman Bluf Archaeological Site in Calhoun County as “signiicant for the questions it can answer Built about 1893 and remodeled in 1909-1910, the about the archaeology of South Carolina.” The original Banks house was one story with a gable roof, two site, which is at a “restricted address,” accord- interior chimneys and a porch spanning the breadth of ing to the South Carolina Department of Ar- the façade. With the 1909-1910 remodeling, the house chives and History contains a complete se- took its present form. Col. J.A. Banks, who served in quence of human occupation beginning with the South Carolina House of Representatives and Sen- Paleo-Indian, continuing through the Archaic ate, was born in 1859 and became a prominent mer- and Woodland periods and terminating with chant, farmer, banker and civic leader in the town of St. the Mississippian Period, thus spanning some Matthews. 10,000 years. Day 23 Day 24 Clark House Zante Plantation dates once housed the library back to late 1770s The Clark House was built in 1877 and is consid- The Zante Plantation was listed in the National ered to be one of St. Matthews’ oldest structures. Register of Historic Places in 1976. The Zante Plan- It served as a county library from 1954 until June 1, tation, located in the Fort Motte community of U.S. 2010. Constructed in classic Greek Revival style, 601, has been the home of several prominent South Carolina families. The dwelling’s history the structure was in use as a residence until it was converted for the library’s use. dates back to the late 18th century when Peter Manigault acquired the property.

Day 28 Puritan farm The Rev. Jacob Wannamaker built the home between 1820 and 1825 for Dr. and Mrs. George Keitt. The house combines several features of Day 25 the Greek Revival style, particularly in the inte- Day 26 rior detail. Its large white, two-story clapboard frame structure features a second-loor porch Ulmer-Summers Day 27 addition and two connecting rear wings, all set Museum owns piece upon a raised basement. A porch extends across house reminder the entire irst-story front and rests upon the of Turkey Track Haigler House has ties raised basement. of 18th-century Known once as Arant’s Field, this site was home to an Indian village probably around to early immigrants architecture 500 AD. The Calhoun County Museum and Cultural Center owns a piece of history as the The Haigler House is a single-family dwelling that The Ulmer-Summers house located museum was given 5 acres of the 205 acres. was built circa 1893 by Thomas Shadrack Haigler. on S.C. Highway 33 in Cameron is one of The land is now part of the Congaree Blufs The simple Queen Anne farmhouse features folk the few examples remaining of late-18th Heritage Trust Preserve, Turkey Track. The Victorian decorative details. The porches incor- century domestic architecture in the property was given to the museum by Frances porate decorative spindle work, including turned Calhoun County region. The house was Crutchield Kellers and is listed on the National supports, delicate gingerbread and carved brack- originally constructed on land granted Historical Register. It is surrounded and man- ets. The house is surrounded by several outbuild- to John Jacob Ulmer in 1757. The house aged by The Congaree Blufs Heritage Trust ings which include an ice house, spring house, and was inherited by his son George Jacob. Preserve. Consisting of about 200 acres, the a chicken coop. At one time a separate kitchen was It has been in the Summers family for property is about an hour’s drive from Colum- probably connected to the house with a breezeway. generations. The earliest section of the bia in the Fort Motte community and 15 min- The home is listed on the National Register of His- Ulmer-Summers house was built be- utes from St. Matthews. torical Places. fore the turn of the 18th century at the edge of a millpond. In 1852, it was decided that the site near the millpond was Day 29 dangerous to the health of the house’s inhabitants. The pond’s dam was de- stroyed. The house was moved to an- Houser residence served as tavern, horse-changing station other tract of land about a mile away. St. Matthews businessman David Houser built his home in 1829 on his plantation called Oak Grove. Day 30 The house is a two-story wood frame residence, rectangular in plan, and has a one-story front porch and rear addition. The dwelling is a typical Upcountry farmhouse with some Federal style features in the interior. The two-story beaded weatherboard core of the house has a gable roof, with a stuc- Holman Farm coed brick exterior chimney, the SCDAH states. Houser was a planter who also operated a saw and grist mill. The land had been bequeathed to him by his father Andrew Houser Jr., who was a soldier spans 278 years in the American Revolution. Found on the centuries-old Holman farm is the old Holman Cemetery, which includes more than 50 graves of family Day 31 Day 32 members. As you travel through St. Mat- thews east down Old Number Six High- way, you pass through the Holman farm, St. Matthews’ Congressman, which is one of only a few that still oper- ate under the same name as their ancestors some 278 years after the original land Caleb Glover secession grant. Over the course of the 278 years of operation, the farm has produced crops awarded Southern delegate died such as asparagus, corn, small grains and soybeans. The farm also engaged in commercial egg production. Today, it Cross of Honor from battle wound relies on cotton and peanut production. Seventh- and eighth-generation farm- Caleb Glover, an African-Ameri- The Calhoun County Museum ers Capers and Bill Holman use farming can who was awarded the South- and Cultural Center is home to practices far diferent from what their ern Cross of Honor by the Paul McMichael Chapter of the United the Laurence Keitt Collection, ancestors used all those years ago. Daughters of the Confederacy, played a pivotal role in the history which features clothing worn of St. Matthews. Glover was born around 1827 and died in 1920. He by Keitt, including the smok- was a camp follower of Col. Olin Dantzler, a St. Matthews native who ing jacket he wore during his sufered a fatal battle wound on June 2, 1864, in Bermuda Hundred, European honeymoon in 1859. Virginia, during the Civil War. Glover accompanied Dantzler to the Laurence Massillon Keitt, a pro- battleield during the Civil War and returned Dantzler’s body to St. slavery politician who died from Matthews for burial. Glover also recovered and returned home the a mortal wound at the Battle of body of Col. Laurence Keitt of St. Matthews, who sufered a mor- Cold Harbor, near Richmond, tal wound during the Battle of Cold Harbor on June 1 and died near Virginia, was born and reared in Richmond, Virginia, on June 2, 1864. St. Matthews. E4 — SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015 THE TIMES AND DEMOCRAT | WWW.THETANDD.COM u FACES & PLACES u Day 33 Day 35 Revolutionary War Good Hope Picnic oicer built Midway nears century mark A historical marker is located at the Good Hope Picnic grounds on S.C. Plantation Highway 267 between Lone Star and Elloree in Calhoun County. The Good Little remains of the original Midway Planta- Hope Picnic was founded in 1915 to tion, which was built in 1785 by Col. William Rus- mark the completion of the cotton sell Thomson (1761-1807). The present facade was Day 34 harvest and is held every year on the second weekend of August. Its founders wanted added in about 1859. The Thomson family was to provide local black farmers with a marketing outlet for their crops. prominent in the community, playing a role in the military, political and social history of South Oakland Plantation once Carolina and both Calhoun and Orangeburg coun- Day 36 ties for more than 170 years. home to state senator William Sabb Thomson was the irst known oc- Lang Syne signiicant cupant of Oakland Plantation, which according to local tradition was built prior to the Revolutionary for agriculture, architecture War between 1750 and 1770. The Oakland Planta- tion house features a medium gable roof extending Calhoun County’s Lang Syne Plantation has the dis- over the front porch and is supported by six square tinction of recognition on the National Register of His- columns. It also features a wooden balustrade toric Places for its contributions to agriculture, literature with latticework, added in the 1880s. The front and architecture. The home and accompanying 65 acres entrance is lanked on either side by full-length were added to the National Register of Historic Places French windows, lengthened from multi-paned last year. The main house was built in 1915 and designed windows. The rear portico has been enclosed and by George Eugene Lafaye, one of the state’s most promi- is used as a sun porch. A wide central hall runs the nent and proliic architects of the early 1900s. The origi- length of the house and is divided by a spindle work nal home at Lang Syne burned in 1912 and a new one was screen, added in the late 19th century. built in 1915.

Day 37 Day 38 Day 39 Cotton price slumped Totness was St. Matthews in Calhoun County during WWI a cool spot man survived Ernest Whetstone and John McLaughlin Jr., both of St. Mat- Bataan, POW thews, were among hundreds in the area to answer America’s call The former town of Tot- to arms in 1917 to join the battle as allies of England and France ness, which is lost to all but against Germany in World War I. The presence of German subma- time, was incorporated in camp in WWII rines nearly closed the ports of Europe to cotton imports from the 1850 and was a summer vil- U.S. and as a consequence, the market price for cotton dropped to lage for plantation owners. It Capt. William P. Cain of St. about 6 cents per pound. Calhoun County was predominantly an was located about three miles Matthews is shown in a photo published in The State agricultural area, and cotton was its principal money crop. The low from the Congaree River and newspaper. The caption reads: “For 26 months after the prices caused major concern and pessimism was rampant, accord- about 200 feet above the riv- ighting on Bataan, (Cain) … was a prisoner of the Jap- ing to St. Matthews resident J.A. Merritt in June 1933. er’s elevation. The origins of anese in a concentration camp on Luzon Island in the Totness as a village date to the Philippines. Just before the invasion of the Philippines, late 1700s. It was formally in- as several hundred of the prisoners were being moved Day 40 Day 41 corporated as a town in 1850 aboard a “Japanese” transport to a secret hiding place, by the General Assembly. an American sub torpedoed the … ship, and Capt. Cain Derby, Preakness St. Matthews street name was one of the 83 survivors . . .” winner spent time honors longtime physician Day 42 Dr. Harry C. Raysor listens as St. Matthews Mayor Cameron Lumber Co. at Webb Carroll W. Gladden Smoak reads the announcement of the name change of Railroad Avenue to Harry C. Raysor Training Center Drive in April 1976. Calhoun County residents illed founded over 60 years ago the streets of downtown St. Matthews one Saturday William Calhoun County resident Heber Rast owned a in April 1976. The Purple Martin Festival Parade had planing mill, and county resident Jesse Shirer had Webb Car- barely gotten underway when it came to a halt on Dant- roll Jr. is no a portable mill. Shirer grew up in the lumber busi- zler Street at the intersection with Railroad Avenue. As ness and in the late 1930s began running his own stranger to the Essex antique car bearing Dr. Harry C. Raysor, hon- horses, hav- sawmills. Shirer and Rast both continued to use orary parade marshal, stopped in front of the judges’ portable mills until 1948 when they built a sta- ing grown up stand, St. Matthews Mayor W. Gladden Smoak spoke on a farm with tionary mill in Cameron. The two men had both a few words in honor of the 87-year-old local physi- been in the lumber business since the mid 1940s broodmares cian. He then announced, to the cheers of the crowd, and babies. and had forged a friendship. The two later formed that Railroad Avenue was being renamed “Harry C. a partnership and started Cameron Lumber Com- After his fa- Raysor Drive” in honor of the doctor. ther died un- pany at its current location. expectedly in 1972, he tried his hand at diferent enterprises, from Day 43 farming to running his own trucking company to managing a farm in Calhoun County. Failing to ind contentment, he Fort Motte named for established Webb Carroll Training Cen- ter in the early 1980s. Through the years, Revolutionary heroine the center has had an alumni association of horses that have reached fame and The town of Fort Motte was estab- fortune, including the likes of Kentucky lished in 1875. In 1925 the town voted Derby-Preakness winner War Emblem to surrender its charter. Once a thriv- and other winners like Olee Wild, Tale ing community, today all that remain is of the Cat and Old Fashioned. dear hearts and quiet streets. Day 45 Day 46 First Cameron settlers Family business lourishes were immigrants in St. Matthews At the base of the rolling clay hills of The family-owned business known as Hutto’s Trans- Calhoun County, where the Lowcoun- mission Inc., with its famous signature “sign,” is cele- try of South Carolina begins, is the town brating 60 years in operation. The transmission service Day 44 of Cameron. Through the years, Cam- company has gone from hydramatic transmissions to eron has gained the reputation of “being four- and ive-speed overdrive to computer-controlled transmissions. Through the years, the business has that pretty, little town halfway between expanded with the addition of several stall garages, vehicle lifts and oice space expansion. Founder Paul Sandy Run Charleston and Columbia on Highway Hutto died two years ago, but Hutto’s Transmission Inc. continues to be a family afair. 176.” The Manchester and Augusta Rail- Lutheran Church road completed its irst line in 1894, and the town of Cameron was named for the Day 47 incorporated in 1788 conductor who brought the irst train through the community. W.W. McMil- Jericho UMC The Sandy Run Lutheran Church is lan was the irst railroad agent. Before it one of the oldest Lutheran congrega- was incorporated on July 10, 1896, Cam- tions in the state. It is believed to have eron was considered a part of the Four founded over been organized in 1765. Jacob Geiger set- Holes community. There are families tled in the Sandy Run area of Calhoun in Cameron today whose descendants 200 years ago County about 1737. He brought with him lived in the area long before that. These his Lutheran heritage and both Lutheran early families came to America as Ger- Jericho United Meth- and Reformed (Calvinistic) Congrega- man immigrants seeking freedom of re- odist Church has strong, Day 48 tions were worshiping in the region prior ligion. In the early 18th century, the irst deep Methodist roots. The to 1751. The irst house of worship was settlers arrived in Cameron from Ger- church is located at 11 Houcks Gin Road just outside of Cameron. built about three miles north of the pres- many via Zurich, Switzerland. English-born Bishop Francis Asbury, often referred to as the “fa- Peanut-buying ent location of the Sandy Run Church ther of Methodism” in America, frequented the eastern areas of the on the west bank of the Congaree River, newly formed nation in the late 1700s and early 1800s. According stations emerge near the mouth of Sandy Run Creek. to church history, Asbury visited “Jericho campground,” which no The settlers soon found that they could longer exists, and stood on a stump and preached the Gospel. Ac- in goober ‘gold rush’ not live so near the river and moved in- cording to a brief written history of Jericho, Asbury continued his land. The church was incorporated in ministry, “determined to plant a permanent seed for the United Cameron is home to two peanut- 1788 under the name German Lutheran Methodist Church” in the Jericho community. In 1811, a congrega- buying stations, Carolina Peanut and Church of Salem on Sandy Run, but it tion formed and began constructing a church building. Four years Palmetto Peanut. Both were started by later came to be known as Sandy Run later, Jericho Meeting House was completed on four acres of land local farmers. These companies serve Lutheran Church deeded to the church’s trustees for $3. Construction of the pres- as collection centers where peanuts are ent-day church building began about 1850 on that original tract dried, cleaned, warehoused and then Day 49 of land. shipped and sold. Calhoun County home to 3 ginning companies Day 50 Calhoun County was the leader in cotton production at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries. The County seat named in honor cotton gin (short for cotton engine) is a machine that quickly and easily separates the cotton ibers from of old St. Matthews Parish the seeds, a job previously performed by hand. The ibers are processed into cotton goods, and the seeds The town of St. Matthews was originally known as Lewisville. Later can be used to grow more cotton or to produce cot- the name changed to St. Matthews in honor of the old St. Matthew’s tonseed oil. Today there are three cotton gins in Cal- Parish, by an Act of the General Assembly, approved March 24, 1876. houn County. Farmers Gin Co. LLC and Middling Robert Welch, attorney for the county, left the apostrophe in “St. Cotton Company in St. Matthews and Cameron Matthew’s” out of the bill. Thus, the town name was oicially “St. Cotton and Seed Company. Matthews,” without the apostrophe. THE TIMES AND DEMOCRAT | WWW.THETANDD.COM SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015 — E5 u FACES & PLACES u Day 52 Day 53 Music teacher molded singers, piano players WPA project created Beloved piano teacher Julia Helen Garris taught piano and voice instruction to countless stu- Lake Inspiration dents in Calhoun County and throughout the Midlands for decades, in the process earning national acclaim through the success of her students. The daughter of Julia Crider Garris and Howard What was once a marshy stagnant Day 51 Franklin Garris, she lived in St. Matthews and was a lifelong piano teacher and voice instructor. In swamp eventually became part of a recre- 1985, the National Guild of Piano Teachers inducted her into the organization’s Hall of Fame. ation park to serve as an inspiration in St. Matthews. Lake Inspiration, located of Grubbs Furniture Day 55 Raysor Road, was a project of the former federal Works Progress Administration, has long history which was formed in 1935 and renamed the Calhoun County Veterans WPA in 1939. The former Calhoun County Adam Arant, pictured, is co- Memorial dedicated in 2010 Emergency Relief Administration worked owner of Grubbs Furniture in St. to properly drain the swamp and turn it into Matthews. He started out work- War memorials are an example of the type of a spot of beauty. The work was helped along ing in the warehouse of the fam- monument or memorial that a nation erects to with the use of WPA laborers and was com- ily business at the age of 11. Willie remember and pleted among other projects, including the Grubbs started selling furniture Day 54 honor those construction of approximately 500 miles in the 1950s and decided in 1967 who have of community roads and the repair and re- to start his own business: Grubbs fought and modeling of many school buildings. Furniture and Appliances at 113 Camp Summers and Manget ofers made the ul- F.R. Huf Drive. For the past 48 timate sacri- years, the Grubbs family has children’s ministry, retreat ice. Planning opened its hearts and pocket- for Calhoun books, and ofered equipment for Camp Summers and Manget is situated in a pecan grove on County’s Vet- many community projects such Church Camp Road of Highway 33 near Cameron. In 1944, erans Memo- as the Calhoun County Museum David Keene Summers and his wife donated 75 acres of land to rial began in April 2007 and ground-break- and Cultural Center, the Cham- the Eastern Conference of the Southern Methodist Church for ing ceremonies were held in May 2008 at the ber of Commerce, Calhoun the purpose of creating a camp ministry. The Summerses felt Calhoun County Courthouse Complex. The Academy and Calhoun County the need for a place for a children’s ministry, where the pres- memorial opened and was dedicated in No- youth baseball. sures of an ever-changing world could be relieved. vember 2010. Day 56 Day 57 Day 58 Oldest African- Fillin’ station: Thornton’s John Ford American church is trip back in time continues to give in Fort Motte Richard Thornton’s Officials and stakeholders Mount Pleasant Baptist Texaco sta- cut the ribbon for the John Ford Church was established on tion has been Community Center on Nov. 20, Aug, 17, 1867. Mount Pleasant Baptist Church founding fathers were around since the 2014, in St. Matthews. The old Harry Stuart, Anderson Keitt, Cudjo Cunningham, William McCrae, late 1950s. The John Ford Middle School was sit- Isreal Cheeseboro and Caleb Bartley. These freed slaves were for- signs may have ting vacant for a number of years and there was a desire among Cal- mer residents of neighboring Goshen, Oakland, Belleville and Lang changed; a new houn County leaders to see it illed once again. In 2011, the Calhoun Syne plantations. Many church members came from the Buckhead coat of paint is County School District Board of Trustees gave the former school to Church in the Fort Motte Community. Tradition tells us it is the old- brushed on ev- Calhoun County. The county had expressed interest in restoring the est African-American church in the Fort Motte area. Mount Pleas- ery now and then. The structure itself looks rather facility as the John Ford Community Center. In November 2014, after ant Baptist Church keeps growing and is committed to doing good up to date. But stepping inside is to step back to a a nearly $1 million overhaul, the irst phase of renovating and updating works, community ministries, and to remembering those who have time when service actually meant service - some- a portion of the school reached its completion. The center, located at gone before them who dared to make a diference. Always and most one pumps the gas for you, your windows are 404 Agnes St. in St. Matthews, is touted as the largest of the county’s importantly, they are grateful to God for their many blessings. wiped, oil and water checked. community centers. Day 59 Day 60 Day 61 Inabinet won state crowns, Georgia Antley Springs In the early 1900s, about one 2nd runner-up for Mrs. America Gov. John mile south of St. Matthews, an Pam Inabinet was born in Columbia in May 1950 to area of springs was used to fur- Mr. and Mrs. Jack Inabinet. She graduated from St. Mat- Adam Treutlen nish water for Antley Springs Bot- tling Works. thews High School in 1968. First, she was crowned Miss The marker at Metts South Carolina Teenager in 1965. Next she became Miss The bottling Crossroads remembers works’ bro- Calhoun County in 1968, then Miss Columbia, which John Adam Treutlen, who led to her 1971 title of Miss South Carolina. After becoming a “Mrs.,” Inabinet, chure states, was a member of the irst “Nest- of Calhoun County’s Sandy Run community, was crowned Mrs. South Carolina Provincial Congress and in 1978 and went on to become second runner-up for Mrs. America. ling among was elected the irst governor of Georgia in 1777. He was a fervent believer steep hills, in the ight for American independence. A price was put on his head by shadowed Day 62 the British government. While he was still living in Georgia, the Tories by magnii- took over his property and burned his home. Because of all of the threats cent trees, Stabler makes history to himself and his family, he was persuaded by his friends to move to St. the Springs Matthews Parish, South Carolina. In April 1782, in the present-day area are located in a nook that is at of Metts Cross Road, which is near the intersection of Belleville Road and once a thing of beauty and joy for- as S.C. chief justice Highway 176 in Calhoun County, the Tories caught up with him and he was ever.” The water was reported to hanged, drawn and quartered. “burst through a solid bed of rock, John G. Stabler was born in October 1871 on his fa- and bubbling health boils forth in ther’s farm in Calhoun County. From 1920 to 1926, he wild abundance, as if in pure joy at served in the state Senate until being elected to the being free again.” The water from South Carolina Supreme Court in 1926. Stabler was el- the springs was said to help with evated to chief justice in 1935 upon the resignation of stomach troubles and disorders of Eugene S. Blease of Newberry. He was the irst Woford graduate at the time to the liver and kidneys. become state chief justice. Day 63 Day 68 VFW post name honors soldier Ulmer gave killed in Vietnam students ‘gift Staf Sgt. William J. Caldwell had a family history of leadership and service. On June 11, 1966, at the age of 28, of conidence’ Caldwell was killed by small arms ire. He was the irst Day 64 St. Matthews soldier to die in the Vietnam War. Today, Frederic Ulmer was born in VFW Post 10729 on the Moore Road in St. Matthews is Cameron in 1913. He was educated named in his honor. Congaree bridge’s history in the Cameron schools, graduated from Furman University, and dates back to Bates Ferry earned his master’s degree in mu- Day 65 sic from The South Carolina Department of Transportation completed the re- Columbia placement of the Bates Bridge in spring 2013. During the early 1900s, John University Company M. Bates led several highway location projects. He personally inanced, in New built and managed Bates Ferry across the Congaree River between 1910 York. He brings forgotten and 1922. Bates organized the Richland-Calhoun Bridge Commission was well in 1921 and arranged inancing, secured the permit to span the river and respected architecture, supervised construction of Bates Ferry Toll Bridge connecting Richland in the mu- and Calhoun counties. The bridge was completed in 1923 and served as a sic world forerunner of the present span carrying U.S. Highway 601 traic over the and as a wood back to life Congaree River. commu- Encore Architectural Sal- nity leader vage Company works with and role model for young people. custom furniture, doors, tubs and sinks, mantles and reclaimed wood. In ad- Day 67 He had a gift of inding talent in dition, the company provides professional salvage of older homes, commercial people that they never knew ex- buildings, farms and barns. The salvaged pieces are used to supply contractors Fairey family, isted. He would encourage every- and individuals with a large variety of unique antique lumber and architecture. one to give their best; to use the The trained crew carefully deconstructs structures by hand in order to salvage talent that was given to them. Not as much of the reusable materials as possible. This process diverts many items cars together so they could be the best, but to from being dumped into local landills. give their best. C.F. Ulmer is well for a century remembered for his productions of wonderful Broadway shows he For more than 100 directed as a teacher at Orange- years, the Fairey family burg High School. The Calhoun and cars just seem to all County Museum has a memorial roll together, generation after generation. Fast forward to 2015 and Fairey fund in his memory. The fund Chevrolet Cadillac is still going strong. Four generations in the automobile provides scholarships and sup- business and the vision of the irst Fairey dealership is still remembered. A ports arts opportunities for Or- handshake and honesty is still given to each customer. angeburg and Calhoun counties. Day 69 Calhoun Country Market’s décor relects past It is not uncommon to walk into the Calhoun Coun- Day 66 try Market, 1304 Bridge Street, St. Matthews, and ind people with smiles on their faces reminiscing of child- hood memories made in the old building. The market is Calhoun County home to two lake landings surrounded with old pictures, receipts, advertisements, coupons, bills and antiques from days long ago. Many The railroad trestle is a landmark visible from the landing at Low Falls. Cal- of these were items found in the attic and under loor houn County is home to two boat landings: Low Falls and Stump Hole. Low boards when the current owners, newlyweds Jonathan Falls Landing, at 958 Low Falls Road, Cameron, is near the upper end of Lake and Era Zeigler, began renovations in 2012. The market, Marion along the Santee River. Stump Hole Landing, at 18 Halter Court, fea- which has had several owners in its lifetime, started out tures a free boat ramp along with boat slips. as a Texaco Station in the early 1940s. E6 — SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015 THE TIMES AND DEMOCRAT | WWW.THETANDD.COM u FACES & PLACES u Day 71 Day 72 St. Matthews’ ‘Jewel of the Congaree’ Willie ‘Big Joe’ Holman was noted poet Nestled in Beulah, the United Methodist played in NFL Church cemetery in Sandy Run, lies Calhoun Willie Joseph “Big Joe” Holman, football County’s “Jewel of the Congaree,” Miss Inez legend, was born in St. Matthews on Feb. 27, E. Franck. This title came from the Palmetto 1945. He began playing at the old John Ford poetry lovers who read her newspaper column, “Singing in the Capi- Day 70 High School and spent his college years as tol.” Franck attended Columbia Commercial College in Columbia a Bulldog standout at then-South Carolina and American University in Washington, D.C. Franck was born in Emily’s ride: Young woman State College. In 1968, Holman was drafted 1916. She wrote her irst poem at the age of 8. Archibald Rutledge, in the NFL by the Chicago Bears. poet laureate of South Carolina, taught and encouraged her. delivered message to Day 73 Revolutionary War general Going ‘green’: The asparagus years The Calhoun County Museum and Cultural Center houses a miniature of Emily Geiger that Asparagus is no longer planted as a commercial crop in is painted on ivory. Let’s go back in time. It is Calhoun County. However, for a few years, those green crops during the Revolutionary War. The location helped to produce green cash. In the 1920s, Calhoun County would be called the backcountry of present-day needed something new to grow. “Plant something else; you South Carolina. Women of South Carolina took grow too much cotton” were words that were spoken during sides and were often active during the Revolu- this time by Mike Watson. The irst asparagus was brought tion. Emily Geiger was one of those women. She into Calhoun County by Watson’s father-in-law, James M. agreed to carry a message from Gen. Nathanael Moss, who had watched asparagus grow successfully in the Day 74 Greene to Gen. Thomas Sumter. Ridge Spring area of the state. Stump Hole Landing Day 75 ish camp, restaurant St. Matthews Furniture Company Dee Cowden and husband David have owned Stump Hole Landing ish camp and restaurant for built on relationships nearly 12 years. Dee says the friendly atmosphere and hospitality keep folks happy and customers returning. St. Matthews Furniture Co. Inc. started in 1977 as a She and David bought the ish camp in 2003. On the weekend business for the Thornton brothers. Built on a site there are 25 campsites and a private boat ramp. reputation of honesty and integrity, St. Matthews Fur- The main building features an all-in-one bait shop, niture Co. has been a family-owned and operated busi- restaurant and pool-playing area, all on the banks of ness with small-town customer service since its doors Lake Marion. They are famous for their red catish opened. stew and a variety of sandwiches. Day 76 Day 77 Prickett is Baxter’s ‘Little Red Automobile played role in birth of county Although not a photo of “The Little Red Car,” this automobile a jack-of-all-trades, was typical of the time period. In 1905, George Author Baxter purchased a “Little Red Automobile” (later to be called “Red”). and a master of many He thought it would be a grand time to induce the community to get rid of the horse and buggy and use a gas buggy. It did not Success seems to follow Mackie on seem like it would be much diferent to drive an automobile. and of the race track. Mackie Prickett What Baxter had not counted on was that St. Matthews was was a natural. Whatever came his way he managed with pride not quite ready for this big change. and success, whether in the academic arena, on horseback or on the ball ield. Mackie grew up around horses. In 1944 at the age of 10, his debut as a jockey was at the Orangeburg County Fair Day 80 riding “Mad Kiss,” which was owned by his father, McIver Prick- ett. Mackie is an alumnus of the University of South Carolina. An all-Atlantic Coast Conference quarterback at USC in the Museum mid-1950s, his outstanding play was later remembered when he was voted into the university’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Today displays show Mackie Prickett works daily as a pharmacist at Horse Necessi- ties, Inc. in St. Matthews, or can be found at home on his farm with his wife, Shan. range of wedding Day 78 dress styles The selection of the dress Teresa Guinyard Hair has always been a major part of weddings. However, the dress of yesteryear was not passionate in mission what is expected today. A new dress was made if one could af- to preserve history Day 79 ford the cost. The dress could be plain and simple and often Bethel AME Church is located one Calhoun museum ofers was not made of white cloth. block from the Calhoun County Court- It was common to have a dress house. The church has a rich history, and Teresa Guinyard Hair is made in order that it could be reused. Like everything, it was very passionate in her mission to preserve that history. Her ind- chance to see real ‘weasel’ time and money. The Calhoun County Museum and Cultural ings tell not only about Bethel AME, but early African-American The yarn weasel is a wooden piece of equipment used in Center has a wide range of wedding dresses from the early to churches, schools and teachers. She has made a large graph with days gone by to wind and measure a skein of yarn. While mid-20th century as part of its collection. the names of early African-American schools in Calhoun County mothers were busy cooking, cleaning and tending to their where she has placed the names of teachers and schools. youngest child, an older child of 5 to 7 was able to easily op- erate the weasel, thereby saving the mother time and efort. Day 81 The Calhoun County Museum and Cultural Center is pleased to have a weasel and large spinning wheel on display in St. Fort Motte Oyster Roast drew Matthews. visitors from near and far The Fort Motte Oys- ter Roast attracted more than 2,000 visitors at its height and was called South Carolina’s biggest event after the Caro- lina-Clemson game and the Carolina Cup. The Day 83 church women started with $200 from a ba- zaar and plans for a big Sandy Run’s business district oyster roast soon began. Expanding on the Hane The 1500 block of Old State Road in the Sandy Run Com- family tradition and us- Day 82 munity ofers a variety of lavors and services for locals and ing the Hane Cannery, passersby. Becky Rucker owns and operates Sandy Run Florist they were of and running. The Hane families were wonderful and Katie’s Sandwich Shop at 1576 Old State Road. Both the members of the St. Matthews Parish Episcopal Church. The BP Mini Mart ofers lorist and deli are under one roof. Just a few yards away at oyster roast attracted statewide attention. TV and newspa- 1584 Old State Road, Jigesh Patel owns and operates the Sandy pers added publicity, and in a short time after that irst church good taste Run Grill and Stop and Go Gas Station. The establishment was oyster roast in 1953, their $200 turned into $4,000. The inspi- known for years as “Pete Tucker’s Store,” but it changed from ration from these women on a mission, and 11 men, was un- Walk into the BP Mini Mart and you’ll nearly always see that about six years ago. believable. The cost of a ticket the irst year was $1.25. The re- Willette Cheeseboro hard at work in The Deli. If you’re hun- quirements and hands for hosting such an event grew, and soon gry, this is the place to go most any time of day between 6 in other churches, family and friends throughout the county came the morning and 8 in the evening. Willette says she delights forth. In honor of the St. Matthews Parish Episcopal Church’s in seeing the same loyal customers each and every day, deter- 250-year celebration, the Hane Family will host an Oyster Roast mined not to miss their daily dose of chicken livers, gizzards, in November in the Cannery. special onion sausage rolls and hand-cut fried potatoes. Day 84 Day 85 Brown served Building housing Short Stop in WWII, once served as cannery Rhett Taber purchased Korea and the property for the St. Matthews Short Stop in Day 86 Vietnam 1988 from the school system. Built in the 1940s by If it were possible to look Cecil Smoak, the building George and Johnnie Tilley: up the name “Charlie Brown” was once owed by the Cal- in the dictionary, you would houn County Public School Calhoun County’s find the following words to System and was used as a describe this great man: God cannery. At that time, the own Romeo and Juliet and country, love and honor, school district allowed the Southern, tall in statue, physi- public to come in and use George Tilley was born Jan. 25, 1897; Johnnie Fogle was born cally strong, impeccable manners, kind heart, beautiful eyes, the facilities for their per- Jan. 9, 1907. The quiet little town of Cameron is where George well connected and honest. “When he smiles, the whole world sonal canning. The cannery and Johnnie met and fell in love. The world had Romeo and smiles,” it has been said of Charles Brown of St. Matthews. The has been transformed into Juliet; Calhoun County had George and Johnnie. On Jan. 7, U.S. Army slogan, “Be All That You Can Be,” well describes a convenience store with 1941, George was sworn in as Calhoun County’s fourth sher- Brown, retired MSG, U.S. Army. Without question, when he a food counter that now if. Tilley would hold this position until he was shot on April speaks everyone listens. serves breakfast and lunch. 30, 1947, while transporting a prisoner. THE TIMES AND DEMOCRAT | WWW.THETANDD.COM SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015 — E7 u FACES & PLACES u Day 88 Potter shared unique skills in Calhoun County One of the best known Catawba Indian potters, Sara Ayers’ signed art is among the most sought after by collectors. Born in 1919 on the reservation near Rock Hill, Sara later moved to West Columbia where she became a proliic producer of traditional and neo-traditional Catawba Indian pieces. Assisted by Day 87 husband and fellow potter Foxx, Sara dug Day 89 Cameron Filling Station Catawba River clay, which she continues old ways turned into ine Two generations have dished up pottery, firing Located in Cameron at the crossroads of highways it in a pit in her good cooking in same spot 33 and 176 is a block building that holds lots of stories backyard. Sara of days gone by. First built as Bull’s Esso Station in received con- Tucked away of the main streets of St. Matthews is a cute little 1957, farmers, locals, children on bikes and travelers siderable rec- place called Shuler’s Seafood Restaurant. When you step inside would stop by to buy gas, a cold Coke, a pack of nabs ognition in her you know you are going to be greeted with a smile. When you or catch up on the news. Over the years, the build- lifetime includ- leave you know you will have had something good to eat. Shrimp, ing has increased in size, new signs have been added ing the South Carolina Folk Heritage Award. She is quoted as saying, crab, lounder, Virginia perch, an assortment of bone-ish, croaker and ownership has changed hands. No longer will “Pottery is my life. It has helped me through some of life’s rocky and spots are on the menu. Herman says he learned everything he you ind full service on the outside, but you will still times.” Two of her works are displayed at the Calhoun County Mu- knows about cooking from his parents. Open Thursday-Saturday. ind full service on the inside. The station has a new seum and many can be found in museums and private collections It’s not fancy, but Shuler’s Seafood Restaurant sure is darling. name: Cameron Filling Station. throughout the country. Day 90 Day 91 Jewish families contributed Pearlstine made a to Calhoun County’s history diference in many lives St. Matthews, originally called Lewisville, attracted Jewish families. Six years after Sheppard “Shep” Pearlstine was extremely the town was incorporated, 19 Jewish residents lived in the area. M. Jarecky, Loryea, well read and determined. He was wise be- Rich, Moritz of Germany settled in Charleston before coming to St. Matthews. Other yond his years, loved by all, and a fair person in names including Lewisohn, Wetherhorn, Jacobson, Elosser, Pearlstine, Cohen, Yelmon business and in his personal life. “So glad you and Savitz were all prominent in Calhoun County. They all owned a business in St. Mat- came to see me” thews. Each family ofered much to the community, and the community had much to or “Your secret ofer to them. Nineteen Jewish families came to the Calhoun County area, and of those is safe with me” families, all are gone with the exception of one. Each brought a special spirit of giving, were words he working and community. Each is remembered as a person of honor and integrity. often spoke when someone came to talk to him in Day 92 private. “Early Morning Riders” are well remem- Decades of dining in St. Matthews bered in Calhoun County as groups A St. Matthews dining tradition is heading toward two decades in business. Mo- of men who rode hamed Hloubi opened Town & Country Restaurant in 1998 in a former downtown to Columbia and department store. “Whoever comes in here, they sort of know us,” Hloubi said, de- worked hard to scribing Town & Country as a “family business” for him, his family and the people create the legislature needed to form a new of St. Matthews. A short ride from downtown is Calhoun Country Club, which is county. Shep is remembered as “The Shep- not only a popular spot for golfers; it is a morning gathering place for senior citi- herd of St. Matthews.” zens who partake in a Southern breakfast and good conversation. Day 94 Day 95 ‘One cent delivers Larrymore ofered wisdom a tasty chew’ to community after Korea Clarence Larrymore was wounded twice and honored for On display at the Calhoun his heroism in Korea. He donated his medals to the Calhoun County Museum, you will ind a County Museum. Just ask anyone in town about Clarence unique Pulver chewing gum ma- Larrymore and in their minds they will quickly see a smil- chine. This large, wall-mounted ing face. “Binkey” is his nickname, and this writer remem- gum dispenser is in its original bers him well: a community leader, town building inspec- Day 93 condition; the Pulver gum ma- tor, an American hero. Korea and the men who faithfully chine is a beautiful early piece of served are often forgotten. Larrymore was one of many who proudly served during that time. Popular Fort Motte Americana. A.O. Rickenbacker Store in Cameron was the home stops have new names to this special machine for many years. Our Store, pictured, is located at 525 Colonel TOur Store, pictured, is located at 525 Colonel Thomson Highway in Fort Motte. The establishment was for- Day 96 merly known as Lucy’s. Randy and Sharon Kornegay started remodeling the convenience store and dinette in 2013. “It’s a work in progress,” Randy Kornegay said. Story explains He said the business is called “Our Store” because, “we want people to feel like it’s their store, too.” Mean- origins of the while, another popular business today is also operat- ing under a new name. The service station and restaurant formerly known as Brakeield’s was once the Devil’s Track sole spot on Interstate 26 in Calhoun County where The Devil’s Track is located on travelers could get a home-cooked meal. Today, it’s private property and is not open to the Exxon No. 5 and it’s owned by North American the public. Legend has it that the Petroleum. Its in-store restaurant has the lavor of track was cut by the Devil himself. the past while ofering a taste of the new. Day 97 Day 99 Morris family Cameron’s Spiers played for spreads Clemson, Brewers, Mets, Astros Bill Spiers of Cameron began his professional baseball career news for three with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1987. He was drafted in the irst round, the 13th pick. From 1989-1994, he played inield with generations the Brewers before going to the New York Mets. In 1996, Bill joined the Houston Astros and remained in the inield for the Some things in Calhoun Astros until his retirement in 2001. In 1998, Bill was inducted County have not changed into the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame, and in 2007, into the since 1929. Those who live in South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame. Calhoun County, surrounding areas and even out of state rely on getting our newspaper weekly. It is personal, and they do business the old-fashion way, one paper at a time. For the past 86 years, three generations of the Morris family have devoted their lives to publishing. Day 98 St. Matthews natives make the big time Academy Award and Tony Award-nominated actress Viola Davis was born at home on a farm in St. Matthews. Another St. Matthews native, Alshon Jefery, was a standout football player for the University of South Carolina and was drafted in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft and signed a four- year contract with the Chicago Bears.

Day 100 After 100 days, museum still has history to share The Calhoun County Historical Commission/Museum started out in 1952 behind the old library with two rooms and big dreams. Life was simple then. In 1976 the museum moved into a 5,000-square-foot, broken-down “Nut House.” Today the museum has 20,000 square feet and is still growing. E8 — SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015 THE TIMES AND DEMOCRAT | WWW.THETANDD.COM u FACES & PLACES u