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HISTORY OF BANKING IN SOUTH CAROLINA, 
 
 FROM 1712 TO 1900. 
 BY QEO. W^. WILHAMS. 
 
 Advice to Voung Men. 
 
 SKETCH OF DANIEL HAND, 
 
 BY PROFESSOR Q. S. DICKERMAN. 
 New Haven, Connecticut, June, 1900. 
 
 RELICS OF A FORGOTTEN RACE IN NACOOCHEE, QA., 
 AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. 
 
 Sketch of the Life of Geo. W. WiUiams, 
 
 IN THE CYCLOPEDIA OF THE REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF 
 THE CAROLINAS. 
 
 DECEMBER 1Q03. 
 
 PRESS or 
 
 Walker, Evans & Cogswell Co. 
 
 Charleston, S. C. 
 
 1903. 
 
Tm 
 
 HE folio-wing; 
 
 ADVICE TO YOIJNQ MEN 
 
 embraces in part the business experience of an old Mer- 
 chant and Banker, who deemed it a fit occasion on the 
 sixtieth anniversary of 
 
 GEO. W. WILLIAMS & CO., 
 
 and the tiffi-enty-ninth anniversary of the 
 
 CAROLINA SAVINGS BANK, 
 
 and on his eighty-second birthday, to revise and re-pub- 
 lish the advice, hoping; that its publication for g;ratuitous 
 distribution may be useful to the young- men for -arhom 
 he has al-srays felt a deep interest. To them it is 
 respectfully dedicated. 
 
 A series of letters from 
 
 NACOOCHEE AND ITS SURROUNDINGS 
 
 is also added in remembrance of old Georgia friends 
 Charleston, S.C, December''I9, 1902. 
 
 GEO. ffi. WILLIAMS. 
 
 
HISTORY OF BANKING IN SOUTH CAROLINA, 
 
 FROM 1712 TO 1900. 
 
 BV GEO. W. WILLIAMS. 
 
 Advice to Voung Men, 
 
 SKETCH OF DANIEL HAND, 
 
 BY PROFESSOR Q. S. DICKERMAN. 
 New Haven, Connecticut, June, 1900. 
 
 •RELICS OF A FORGOTTEN RACE IN NACOOCHEE, QA., 
 AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. 
 
 Sketch of the Life of Geo. W. Williams, 
 
 IN THE CYCLOPEDIA OF THE REPRESENTATIYE MEN OF 
 THE CAROLINAS. 
 
 DECEIVIBER 1Q03. 
 
 PRESS OF 
 
 Walker, Evans & Cogswell Co. 
 Chableston, S. C. 
 
 ESTON, b. C. 1'-^ 
 
History of Banking in South Carolina, 
 
 BY GEO. W. WILLIAMS. 
 
 The early colonists of Carolina were from Great Britain, 
 rnany of them of the better class but in moderate circum- 
 stances. The inducements to emigrate were so strong, that 
 each brought new adventurers from every portion of 
 Europe J and even from far-ofi China. To some of the emi- 
 grants it was an easy mode of getting rid of home debts, and 
 often of criminal prosecutions. The revocation of the Edict 
 of TS'antes contributed considerably to the population by fur- 
 Ijishing some of the best families to the new colony. Caro- 
 lina became a general rendezvous of French Protestants. 
 About the same time quite a colony came over from Ger- 
 many. The Swiss also flocked to Carolina, consequently the 
 population of the new colony was of a heterogeneous charac- 
 ter. The early colonists found themselves surrounded by 
 thousands of enraged Indians, who had been inhumanly 
 treated by Spaniards who had come over from Cuba, and 
 had turned loose Ihe Cuban bh^od hounds upon them, tearing 
 to pieces women and children. In retaliation, the Indians 
 mardered and scalped the colonists. The pirates from Cuba 
 and the West Indies also committed great outrages upon the 
 colonists. With such surroundings, an almost bankrupt peo- 
 ple were not in condition to establish a bank. The irrespon- 
 sible State Government flooded the country with an immense 
 amount of almost worthless currency and bills of credit to 
 carry on the Indian and Spanish Wars, and to meet the 
 other exigencies of the colony. 
 
 For more than half a century the colonists straggled along 
 without a chartered bank. Great Britain had, from time to 
 
time, sent to the colony several cargoes of negroes from 
 Africa, which were sold into slavery. These were employed 
 mainly on the coast and sea islands in the cultivation of rice, 
 indigo and vegetables. As there was scarcely any silver or 
 gold coin, the purchase of the negroes had to be paid for 
 mainly with rice, indigo, furs, skins and the like. A con- 
 siderable amount of coin went to pay fur the imported slaves. 
 A few years of peace enabled the planters to successfully cul- 
 tivate rice, indigo, hemp and other products, with a profit- 
 able business in skins, furs and Ush. 
 
 The merchants and inhabitants greatly prospered. There 
 was a large advance in the price of real estate in Charleston 
 and on the islands around the city; also in the valae of 
 slaves, which had become an article of merchandise saddled 
 upon the colony by the mother country and the New Eng- 
 land States. 
 
 t 
 
 LAND AND LOAN BANK OF THE CAEOLINAS ESTABLISHED. 
 
 It was believed that the establishment of a bank would 
 stimulate trade and other industries, and would also be an 
 easy mode of obtaining money and supporting the wants of 
 the State Government, as but a small income was derived 
 from the people by direct taxation. The improved condition 
 of things in the Carolinas suggested the feasibility of estab- 
 lishing a bank. The first and only bank organized under 
 the Proprietary Government was in 1712, located in Charles- 
 ton, and known as the Land and Loan Bank of the Carolinas, 
 with a perpetual charter granted by the State Legislature, 
 with the privilege of issuing bills to be forever legal money 
 of the country. Five hundred thousand dollars of currency 
 was issued as fast as it could be printed and loaned out at 
 ten per cent, to such of the inhabitants as could give land or 
 other satisfactory security. This large emission of bank bills 
 doubled the actual value of land, slaves and agricultural 
 products. Bank bills became the circulating medium 
 
of the Carolinas. There w^'S a wide difference between the 
 current bank bills and gold and silver coins. The latter 
 never entered into circulation. The bank, however, with all 
 of its abuses and defects, was a great convenience and power 
 in the new, crude colony, furnishing for a period of sixty 
 years current money receivable for all dues^ State and per- 
 sonal. The bank lasted from 1712 to the end of the Eoyal 
 Government in 1775, a period of sixty-three years. It was 
 a great help to the people in building up the colony, but was 
 destroyed by the Revolutionary War. 
 
 In 1804 by the Act of the United States, the port of 
 Charleston was opened for the importation of slaves. In 
 fonr years 200 vessels entered Charleston with 40,000 
 slaves. Old England and New England contributed the 
 largest number of vessels and the largest number of slaves. 
 
 At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, Charleston 
 was one of the most important ports on the American 
 Continent. 
 
 The eight years' war of the Revolution left South Carolina 
 in a demoralized condition. Political anarchy prevailed. 
 The herculean effort to throw oft' the British yoke led her 
 people to endure untold sacrifices. Society was disorganized, 
 and unusual distress prevailed all over the State. The large 
 amount of State and private debts and bank currency was 
 nearly all lost. The law prohibited suits for recovery of 
 debts. When the war was over. South Carolina was left 
 witli her rich lands, good climate, a hardy race of men, with 
 the profitable staples of cotton and rice to restore their wasted 
 fortiines. So great was the political disturbance, it required 
 nearly ten years to establish a stable State Government. 
 Good crops stimulated tr^de, and the peo])le in a few years 
 felt the necessity of banking facilities. l<Vom the beginning 
 of the State Government only State Banks were chartered. 
 The paper money consisted exclusively of the notes of banks 
 organized under State Laws. 
 
beginjstijstg of the state banking system. 
 
 The first era of banking in the new State of South 
 Carohna was in 1Y92, when the Bank of South Carolina was 
 chartered by the State Legislature. In the same year a 
 branch of the Bank of the United States was established at 
 Charleston. Five banks were chartered, viz: 
 
 Years. Title of Bank. Capital. 
 
 1792 Bank of South Carolina $1,000,000 
 
 1803 State Bank 1,000,000 
 
 1809 Union Bank 1,000,000 
 
 1810 Planters' and Mechanics' Bank 1,000,000 
 
 1812 Bank of the State 1,000,0(10 
 
 Total $.5,000,000 
 
 These banks were located in Charleston, which was at that 
 time the capital of South Carolina. The banks were ably 
 and honestly managed by the best merchants and bankers of 
 Charleston. Of the large amount of money deposited in 
 those banks, and the vast issues of currdncy, not a dollar 
 was lost until the Civil War of isti]. 
 
 THE STATE BASK OF SOUTH CAROLINA. 
 
 About ISOi the Legislature subscribed !j^300,000 to the 
 bank called tlie State Bank of South Carolina, but subse- 
 quently, in 1S12. to relieve the financial distress then prevail- 
 ing, tlic Legislature chartered the Bank of tlie State of South 
 Carolina. Tliis bank was to receive on deposit all stocks and 
 bonds, and unexpended cash, and all taxes collebted in future. 
 The title was vested in the President and Directors, and the 
 faith of the State was pledged to styjport the bank and make- 
 good all losses. The institution had power to make loans on ° 
 both real and personal security at seven per cent, interest, 
 payable in advance, the loans to i)e renewal )le for periods up 
 to ten years. The bank was to pay the interest on the State 
 debt, and its charter was to run until 1S36. The hank 
 
realized upon the assets turned over by the State, and its 
 effective capital was in 1S19, 11,372,500. In 1830 the 
 charter was renewed until 1856. In ],830 its available assets 
 vrere 13,768,292, and at this time it had paid |215,000 of 
 the principal of the State debt; which, however, had been 
 largely increased by means advanced by the State for internal 
 improvements. 
 
 In 1 834 , by the apparently brilliant prospects opened by 
 the completion of railroads and the rise in the price of cotton, 
 the Legislature was induced to charter the Charleston, Louis- 
 ville and Cincinnati Kailroad Company, with a capital limited 
 to 136,000,000. The State took *800,000 in stock, and 
 advanced $200,000 in cash, and endorsed the bonds (.f the 
 Company for $2,000,000. In 1838 a great part of the City 
 of Charleston was destroyed by fire, and an extra session of 
 the Legislature was called, which authorized the Bank of the 
 State to negotiate a loan of two millions of dollars for the 
 benefit of the sufferers, and the Bank obtained the money in 
 England. lu 1852 the charter was extended until 1871. 
 The Civil War did not destroy the Bank, and in 1867 it still 
 held a large amount of assets, some of which had been ren- 
 dered of doubtful value, belonging to the State. In 1868 
 the first llepublican (or negro) Legislature passed an Act to 
 close the Bank, and in 1870 it was placed in the hands of 
 lieceivers. 
 
 In 1820 there were five Banks in the State: The Bank of 
 Soutii Carolina, chartered in 1792, with capital of §1,000,000; 
 the State Bank of South Carolina, chartered in 1802, with 
 capital of $l,000,0u0; the Union Bank and the Planters' 
 Bank, both chartered in ISiO, and each having a capital of 
 $1,000,000; and finally, the Bank of the State of South 
 Carolina, having at that time a capital of $1,123,157. This 
 last Bank was the fiscal agent of the State. It received all 
 taxes, paid all demands, negotiated all loans, and received all 
 ihe assets of the State. There were in South Carolina, as in 
 other States, two opinions about the expediency of conduct- 
 
8 
 
 ing all the financial operations of the Siate through an insti- 
 tution of this kind. No objection, however, seems to have 
 been made to its copstitutionality before the Courts. The 
 views of the opponents of thits institution are indicated in 
 tho following quotation from Governor Seabrook's message, 
 1849: 
 
 " The Bank of the State of South Carolina is a dangerous institu- 
 tion, anti-Republican in its character and tendency, and the evils 
 inevitably arising from the connection of a moneyed corporation 
 and the t^tate, increase and ramify the longer the rights and privi- 
 leges of the former are extended. The political history of South Car- 
 olina has so long presented the anomalous spectacle of its constituted 
 authorities pertinaciously upholding a State corporation, while it 
 denounced any union between a bank and the Federal Government, 
 I also desire in this place to express my settled conviction that the 
 Bank of the State was founded on a false and pernicious principle; 
 that to grant to the members of a community almost exclusively 
 devoted to rural pursuits, unusual facilities for commanding money, 
 is to inflict on them and their posterity an unmitigated evil." 
 
 On the other liand, we find in a work on South Carolina 
 recently published by the State Board of Agriculture, the 
 following summing np of the liistory of the Bank. Speak- 
 ing of the closing of the Bank in 1870, the authors of the 
 work remark: 
 
 " Thus passed away a powerful institution, which fnr more than 
 half a century had exercised e.sclusive control of the fiscal affairs of 
 the State. Its friends claimed that it had saved, consolidated and 
 made profitable the funds of the state, that it had furnished relief to 
 many citizeus, and added to the general revenues of the State, im- 
 proving and developing the towns of the interior. Its profits were 
 employed in paying the interest and in reducingthe principal of the 
 public debt. It preserved its capital entire, and its funds safe, main-* 
 taining the character and the credit of the State in Europe and at 
 home without blot or suspense. Its most violent opponents admitted 
 the ability and integrity displayed in its management, and declared 
 that the abiding confidence of the people in it was a high liut dan- 
 gerous compliment to the purity of the public characters of the 
 State." « 
 
The constitutionality of the paper issues of the Bank of 
 the State of South Carolina cannot be questioned after the 
 decision of the United States Supreme Court in the case of 
 Briseoe vs. The Bank of the Commonwealth of -Kentucky; 
 but this question does not appear to have been raised in 
 South Carolina. 
 
 NOTABLE BANKS AND BANKERS OF THE STATE. 
 
 Among the public men of South Carolina as Itegislator and 
 banker^ none was better known than Langdon Cheves^ Judge 
 of the South Carolina Supreme Court^ Member of Congress, 
 Speaker of the House ^ and President of the United States 
 Bank. During his Presidency of the United States Bank, a 
 branch bank was in successf nl operation in Charleston, which 
 did a profitable business in sterling and domestic exchange. 
 Mr. Cheves' father lost everything by the war of the devo- 
 lution. He apprenticed his son, Langdon, when only ten 
 years of age, to a shipping merchant in Charleston, 
 
 The large and wealthy private banking house of James 
 Adger & Co., correspondents of Brown Bros. & Co., of 
 Liverpool and London, did an extensive and successful busi- 
 ness in sterling and domestic exchange. It was for half a 
 century the leading private banking house in South Carolina. 
 James Adger the senior partner of the firm, was one of the 
 most successful business men that Charleston ever had. 
 From a small beginning he amassed a large fortune. His 
 three sons were his partners. 
 
 At the close of the Branch Bank of tlie United States, 
 there arose the necessity of a bank with a large capital to 
 take its place. The old banks in Charleston had not accus- 
 tomed themselves to handling, to any extent, foreign ex- 
 change ; they were very conservative in their business. The 
 great staples for Carolina of cotton ^ tobacco and rice were 
 chieily sold for foreign exchange. 
 
10 
 
 THE BANK OF OHABLESTON CHAETEBED. 
 
 About this tiiJie Henry Gourdin was one of the leading 
 merchants and bankers in Charleston. It was mainly 
 through his influence that the Bank of Charleston was estab- 
 lished. He was a Director in the Union Bank, of which 
 Henry Eaveno.i was President. In 1834 Mr. Gourdin was 
 elected a Member of the State Legislature. 
 
 It was not known generally that a charter for a bank was 
 to be applied for. There was great opposition to creating a 
 new bank. Judge Colcock, then President of the Bank of 
 the State, was violently opposed to chartering a i)ank with 
 the proposed large capital. He contended that it would 
 destroy the old banks, and have a monopoly of the banking 
 i)usiness of Charleston and ol the State ; he propose! to 
 increase the capital of the Bank of the State. An that bank 
 was fast falling into the hands oi ring politicians, tiie propo- 
 sition was rejected, and the Bank of Charleston was char- 
 tered, with a capital of S3, 000, 000. The petitioners for its 
 charter were Ker Boyce, L. M, Wiley, H. W Conner, 
 Robt. Y. Hayne and Henry Gourdin, all leading merchants 
 and bankers of Charleston. They bought the United States 
 Bank building on Broad Street, and began business in 1835, 
 with Gen. James Hamilton as President, and Arthur Pose 
 as Cashier. With such ofRcers and a strono; Board (if 
 Directors, the Bank of Charleston revolutionized the banking 
 business in South Carolina. A close alliance was made with 
 the Bank oi Liverpool, the relations of the two banks becom- 
 ing most intimate and confidential. In a few years the Bank 
 i)f Charleston ranked irj commercial circles of Europe among 
 the foremost institutions of its kind in the United States. 
 Samuel Smith was Manager of the Bank of Liverpool at that 
 time. The Bank of Charleston succeeded to the large busi- 
 ness of the Branch Bank of the United States, and with its 
 lai-ge capital and good management, the bank enabled the 
 merchants to build up the jobbing trade of Charleston, which 
 
11 
 
 sooti extended to nearly all of the Southern States. The 
 shipping business also greatly iuereased. 
 
 When the war began in 1861, the Bank of Charleston 
 was on the high road of success. Its bills passed currently 
 in every State in the Union. Alas ! War leaves nothing 
 but ruin in its ravages The Bank of Charleston paid all 
 of its depositors and bill holders in full, and was one of the 
 few banks in the South that survived the war. Only meagre 
 and unsatisfactory bank reports were published in the State 
 until after the panic of 1837. 
 
 In 1813 there were five State banks, with an aggregate 
 capital of $5,000,000, which was increased to 18,800,000 in 
 1835, by the organization of (lie Bank of Charleston, with 
 $3,000,000 capital, and the Southwestern Kailroad Bank, 
 with i?800,000 capital. All these banks were located in 
 Charleston. In 1839 there were twelve banks, with 
 $11,600,000 capital, $5,000,000 in circulation, and 
 $2,500,000 deposits, and by 1S59 the capital had increased 
 to $15,000,000, the circulation to $12,000,000, and the 
 deposits to $5,250,000. 
 
 At tlie beginning of the War in 186], there were t\venty- 
 two State banks in South Carolina, with an aggregate capital 
 of $18,000,000 ; circulation, $10,000,000 ; deposits. 
 i^l2,000,000. The banks were so carefully and successfully 
 , managed, tliat there has not been a failure of a bank in South 
 Carolina since the close of the Revolutionary War, in 1783. 
 
 Enrly in the War of 1861, C. G. Memmingei', Secretary 
 of the Confederate Treasury, a Charleston banker, called 
 upon the banks for $10,000,000 of their bills, which were 
 to be returned as soon as the Confederate notes could be 
 printed. The writer of this sketch was a director iu the 
 Bank of South Carolina, the first bank tliat was chartered 
 after the War of the Revolution by the State Legislature. 
 
 He had bought $100,000 of the stock of the Bank of 
 South Carolina, with a eiew of taking the Presidency^ as 
 Mr. William Birnie was nearly eighty years old, and was 
 
12 
 
 desirous of retiring as President. The bank had a circulation 
 of less than $100,000. Mr. Williams told the Board of 
 Directors that instead of issuing one million in bank notes, 
 to invest $500,000 of the assets of the bank in sterling 
 exchange at about par, and issue no more bank notes; that 
 the bills of the bank, which were considered better than 
 Confederate notes, -.yould be hoarded. A majority of the 
 Directors, however, voted for the issue, which resulted in 
 the destruction of the hank. 
 
 SOUNDNESS OF THE STATE BANKS. 
 
 The State tiaiik system in the Southern States before the 
 war was popular, and as perfect as anything could be outside 
 of National Banks. The laws regulating banks in South 
 Carolina gave satisfaction throughout the country affording, 
 MS they did, a sound currency and ample accommodation to 
 the people. A bank of Charleston note was current from 
 Maine to Texas, and even circulated in England and on the 
 Continent of Europe. Bank capital in South Carolina was 
 exempt from taxation by State or municipal authorities. 
 This enabled them to declare satisfactory dividends, and make 
 loans at lo^v rates of interest. The majority of the banks in 
 South Carolina were located in Charleston. They were banks 
 of issue, and all specie-paying. 
 
 DESTRUCTION WKOUGHT BY THE CIVIL WAR. 
 
 The disastrous War of 1861-65 was a political earthquake 
 tiiat shook the Southern States from centre to circumference, 
 resulting in loss of lives and property beyond computation. 
 
 The slaves alone of the South represented a money value 
 of three thotisand millions of dollars. As many more millions 
 in currency, bank capital, bonds and miscellaneous debts 
 were destroyed by the surrender of Lee. In 1861 a terrible 
 fire swept over Charleston, from Ashley to Cooper Rivers, 
 and destroyed six million dollars worth of property. 
 
13 
 
 Columbia,, the State capital, was literally destroyed hj tire in 
 1865, when Sherman's army visited that city. 
 
 As the war began in Charleston, her trade and commerce 
 were the first to sufEer its effects, from which it has never 
 fully recovered. When the Confederate authorities evacuated 
 Charleston in 1865, a small force of mounted men was left to 
 burn the cotton, gunboats, provisions, and other Confederate 
 property. The burning of the cotton at the Northeastern 
 Depot resulted in a terrible calamity. A large quantity of 
 powder was stored there, which ignited and blew up the 
 depot, burying in the ruins two hundred men, women and 
 children, who were at the depot to get the provisions stored 
 there. The fire spread across the city, destroying millions of 
 dollars worth of property. The shelling from the Federal 
 gunboats prevented any one living below Calhoun street. In 
 this crisis the Mayor appointed Alderman George "W. "Wil- 
 liams and W. H . Gilliland to be the bearers to Morris Island 
 of the following communication: 
 
 "To the General Commanding the Army of the United States at 
 Morris Island : 
 
 Sir — The military authorities of the Confederate States have evacu- 
 ated this city. I have remained to enforce law and preserve order 
 until you take such steps as you may think best. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 CHARLES MACBETH, Mayor. 
 Charleston, S. C, February 17, 1865." 
 
 The Aldermen met General Bennett and delivered the 
 Mayor's letter. The services of the Federal troops were 
 secured in extinguishing the fires in various parts of the city. 
 Provisions enough were saved from the flames to feed 20, 000 
 people, whites and blacks, for four months. 
 
 As soon as the war was over, the firm of George W. Wil- 
 liams & Co resumed business, and without delay erected 
 fifteen large brick warehouses in ihe burnt districts for the 
 storage of cotton, merchandise and fertilizers, at a cost of 
 $100,000. They rebuilt the Charleston Iron "Works, that 
 
14 
 
 gave employment to 200 men and a large cotton press, 
 which has compressed millions of bales of cotton. They also 
 re-established the banking house which at once made arrange- 
 ments with Drexel, Morgan & Co. , New York; Brown Bros. 
 & Co., of London; Bank cf Liverpool; and Drexel, Harjes 
 & Co., Paris, to handle their sterling exchange, which 
 amouQted to five million dollars per annum. They also did 
 a large business in domestic exchange. So carefully was 
 business done in Charleston, that of the large amount of 
 sterling exchange bought, there was not a dollar lost. 
 
 Soon after the war cotton, which \^as the great Southern 
 staple, was shipped to Charleston and sold at fifty cents per 
 pound. This stimulated trade and created a heavy demand 
 for currency. This was needed to move the cotton. Only 
 National Banks could furnish currency. Geo. W. Williams 
 & Co. decided to establish a National Bank, with a capital 
 of $500,000. They had bought sterling exchange in 1861 
 with Confederate money at 103, and sold it in 1865 at 225. 
 Their New York bankers sold six hundred thousand sterling 
 exchange for ihem, and invested in Government seven per 
 cent, bonds at less than par. 
 
 As there was not a Bank in South Carolina, Geo. "VV. Wil- 
 liams & Co. arranged at Washington to establish the J^irst 
 National Bank of Charleston, with a capital of $500,000; 
 their senior partner was to be President. There was, how- 
 ever, such a demand tor his time and services in the mercan- 
 tik business, that he could not accept the office, but became 
 Vice-President. Mr. Andrew Simonds was elected Presi- 
 dent. It has been a most successful institution. 
 
 In December, 1865, the People's National Bank was 
 chartered, with a capital of $500,000, afterwards increased 
 to $1,000,000. 
 
 In 1872 the Bank of Charleston was reorganized as the 
 Bank of Charleston National Banking Association, with a 
 capital of $600,000. The capital has been reduced to 
 $300,000, but the Bank still has the largest capital and busi- 
 
15 
 
 ness of any Bank in the State. The three National Banks 
 in Charleston have all heen successful. 
 
 In 1875, ten years after the war, there were three National 
 Banks in Charleston, with combined capital of $2,100,000, 
 and a few old State banks winding np, not having capital 
 enough to continue business. The capital of new State banks 
 chartered from 1865 to 1876 was less than one million dollars. 
 
 In 1874 Geo. W. Wilhams & Co. established the Carolina 
 Savings Bank at Charleston, with an authorized capital of 
 $500,000. 
 
 The low rate of interest on Government bonds is causing a 
 reduction of National banks. After the premium paid, they 
 will not yield more than 2^ per cent, interest. The constantly 
 increasing number of trust companies are also serious rivals 
 of the banks. ' 
 
 South Carolina has for the past 100 years been distin- 
 guished for sound banking. As has been stated, from 1783 
 to 1861 there was not the failure of a bank chartered by the 
 State. From 1865 to 1898 there have been comparatively 
 few bank failures. Perhaps no State bank in the Union has a 
 better record for sound banking. 
 
 In 1898 the sixteen National institutions had an aggregate 
 capital of $1,943,000, and the eighty-seven State banks 
 (including Savings banks) a capital of $3,501,000. The 
 surplus of these banks was $2,668,000, and the deposits 
 $26,335,150. Fonrteen of the State banks and three of the 
 National banks were located in Charleston. 
 
 The writer of this sketch has bad an experience in banking 
 embracing a period of more than half a century, and has 
 passed through numerous wars and panics. He lias never 
 found it more difficult to use money pruiital.ly than at this 
 time. The Savings banks have found it necessary to reduce 
 the rate of interest paid depositors in consequence of the 
 difficulty in making satisfactory investments and loans. Rates 
 of interest on approved securities generally approximate to 
 those charged by the New York banks. 
 
 December 19th, 1900. GEO. W. WILLIAMS. 
 
GEOEGE W. WILLIAMS. 
 
 SENIOE MEMBER OF THE BANKING HOUSE OF 
 
 GEO. W. WILLIAMS * CO., 
 
 AND 
 
 president of the carolina savings bank. 
 Ohaeleston, S. 0., December 19th, 1903. 
 
ADVICE TO YOUNG MEN 
 
 AND A SKETCH OF 
 
 NACOOCHEE, QEORQIA, AND ITS SURROUNDINGS, 
 
 BY 
 GEO. W. WILrLrlAMS, 
 
 OF CHARLESTON. S. C. 
 
 8UC0E8S DESIRED BY ALL, 
 
 I desire to give to the young men of the South, in a sseries 
 of short talks, some of nay hard-earned business experience. 
 I say hard-earned^ for 1 began business in Augusta, Ga. , in 
 1842, in a financial crisis, and have since that day passed 
 through many commercial storms and frightful panics, which 
 not only tried men's pockets, but their honesty and integrity 
 too. 
 
 To the young, just beginning life, there is no question of 
 greater importance to them than 
 
 HOW TO SUCCEED. 
 
 Success is an object of almost universal desire, and can only 
 be attained by the exercise of good judgment and well-di- 
 rected energy, combined with habits of industry, economy, 
 skill accuracy and perseverance. Determine to succeed, 
 and let nothing discourage you, but use your best efforts. 
 There is no glory like the glory of success. 
 2 
 
18 
 
 The problem of "success" has been to me a life-time study 
 I have read the biographies and studied the characters of 
 many of the most successful men of the Old and JSTew World , 
 and have gone to the wisest man of ancient times to receive 
 his testimony. 
 
 It has been my custom in life to use my eyes and my ears, 
 and to observe closely the conduct of those with whom I have 
 transactions, and I have watched with no small degree of 
 interest, the causes which led to failures of so many, hoping 
 thereby to avoid the rocks on which they were wrecked. 
 Strive by a prudent and well regulated life to preserve your 
 health, for health gives you strength to meet the ills and 
 disappointments of life, and is one of the greatest earthly 
 blessings, and is essential to success. A correct life is con- 
 ducive of health. Life without health is scarcely worth the 
 living. By a wise attention to the laws of nature there is no 
 reason wliy you should not live in the enjoyment of health 
 and activiry until you have reached your three score and ten. 
 Bat the belles and the beaux, in this fast age, starl out on 
 their nightly dissipations at eleven o'clock, and frequently 
 dance in crowded and close heated rooms all night. Is it any 
 wonder that many young women are nervous and hysterical 
 at twenty ? or that young men are feeble dyspeptics ? This 
 reversing the order of things ruins many a constitution. But 
 what will not the fair sex endure to be in the fashion ? The 
 men, of course, are but their slaves. "A sound mind in a 
 sound body" is of inestimable value in the way to success. 
 Dr. Hall says: Health, wealth and religion are the three 
 grand duties of life. 
 
 Apart from an attack of yellow fever, in 1852, I have not 
 lost by sickness one month from business since I left my Na- 
 coochee home in 1838. 
 
 During that long time of eighty-two years my life has 
 been one of activity, work, toil and struggle. My friends 
 insist that I am killing myself by "overwork." Work sel- 
 dom kills people ; it is worry and idleness that do the mis- 
 
19 
 
 chief. It is infinitely better to wear out than rust out. Let 
 me say to the boys by way of encouragement, who desire 
 health, happiness and independence, that the writer never 
 spent an idle day, never took a chew of tobacco, never smoked 
 a cigar, never danced, or played a game of cards or billiards, 
 he joined the Washington Temperance Society, and the 
 Methodist Church in his fourteenth year. 
 
 When urged to ''retire from business," his reply is, that 
 an ''idle brain is the workshop of tlie devil." 1 am sure we 
 are all happier for having a pursuit that will actively employ 
 both mind and body ; many a young man owes his success to 
 his conflicts with difficulties. An easy, luxurious life does 
 not elevate a man morally, mentally, or physically. 
 
 No man will succeed unless he possesses resolution and an 
 earnest desire to excel, whether he be in pursuit of wealth, 
 knowledge or lame. Never rely upon chance to give you 
 wealth or position ; rather be the architect of your own for- 
 tune. 
 
 A writer has compared the way to fortune to the milky 
 way in the sky, which is a meeting of myriads of small stars, 
 not seen asunder, but giving light together; so are there a 
 number of little and scarcely visible virtues, or traits and 
 habits, which make the successful man. It is common for 
 the world to ascribe good or bad luck tO' Providence. I ad- 
 mit that the heavens and earth are governed by an overruling 
 and all-wise Providence, but the young man who habitually 
 neglects his duty and relies upon Providence to do for him 
 what he should do for himself, will not succeed. Life is full 
 of troubles, trials, disappointments and JifBculties; you must 
 learn to fight its battles bravely, energetically and manfully — 
 from the cradle to the grave. 
 
 SUCCESS THE EBSULT OF WOEK AND SAVING. 
 
 In speaking of success, I do not wish it to be understood 
 as advancing the idea that the only success in life to be 
 
20 
 
 coveted, is to make money and get gain. Many of the most 
 successful lawyers, divines, statesmen, physicians, authors and 
 warriors, in ancient and modern times lived and died poor. 
 But I do say, very few men- succeed in any pursuit or pro- 
 fession who do not work, toil and struggle for success. You 
 should noi be satisfied with being a mere anima*!, but strive 
 to be a man among men. Yon are made in the image of 
 God, with brains and intellect; if you have but one talent 
 use it to the best of your ability; be not like the slothful 
 servant who dug a hole in the ground and buried his talent 
 because he was not blessed with two or more. 
 
 While upon the subject of saving and making I wish to say 
 to young men that there is no royal road to success. Success 
 is attaired through a multitude of difficulties. Those who 
 make a daily saving, however small, can rarely come to want. 
 All should learn to save when young, that they may have 
 money to spend when they are old. Be a willing worker. 
 If a young man looks upon every service that de-volves upon 
 him as a biiior to be submitted to rather than a duty to be 
 cheerfully performed, he will drag in his work and will hot 
 be advanced in the estimation of his employer. Let all the 
 interests and duties entrusted to you be as sacredly performed 
 as if they were wholly your own. The father of the lichest 
 man in America began life without money or family influence, 
 but by making and saving he accumulated a fortune of fifty 
 millions of dollars, besides making liberal gifts to colleges 
 and churches. Let an honorable ambition stimulate you to 
 use the talents God has given you to the fullest extent. It is 
 true all men are not equally qualified for getting and saving 
 money, but I think if the young men will examine carefully 
 the little sums they spend unnecessarily, they will see wasted 
 in tobacco, cigars and the like, an amount sufiicieTit to make 
 a respectable deposit in a savings bank, or to aid an aged 
 father or sick mother, who may be struggling in poverty, or 
 a sister who is striving for an education. 
 
 Saving at first may be irksome, but by practice it becomes 
 
a 
 
 21 
 
 a pleasure. An important lesson of life is to learn to mve ; 
 begin by small savings, rather than not begin at all; and 
 begin at once. You will not be likely to make your way 
 from poverty to riches unless you learn to economize in small 
 things. One of the happiest days of my life was when I had 
 saved my first dollar, and when hj perseverence, industry 
 and economy I had accumulated ten dollars, I felt I was on 
 the road to success. Let me urge you to keep an account of 
 your receipts and expenditures, however small, and at the 
 close of each day, see wliat you have spent that could have 
 been avoided. Acquire the habit of making and saving and 
 it will be a wonderful help in the journey of life. It is as 
 important for parents of wealth to teach their children habits 
 of economy as it is for those of moderate moans, for if the 
 young do not learn the value and use of money when they 
 get it either by work or inheritance, it will slip through 
 their lingers liki^ water through a sieve. Obey the advice of 
 the great founde'- of Methodism: " Make all you can, save 
 all you can, and give all you can." 
 
 The human family is ever in search of happiness. Idleness 
 is not happiness. [Neither is it perfect rest. 
 
 Success when accompauied by wealth brings with it cares 
 and responsibilities that few can realize. It is more difficult 
 to use money wisely than it is to make it. Too frequently 
 it is the custom of men of wealth to hide away their gold, as 
 it were, with the delusive hope of making benevolent uses of 
 it when about to enter the cold stream of Jordan, forgetting 
 that it is more difficult for a man "who trusts in riches" to 
 enter the kingdom of Heaven "than for a camel to pass 
 through the eye of a needle." 
 
 Money, however, possesses a magnetic power, and stirs 
 tlie world from centre to circumference, influencing as it does 
 the destinies of nations as well as that of individuals. 
 
 It is the object which has engrossed the mind and affections 
 of all ages, and has and ever will give an impulse to trade, 
 commerce and manufactures. 
 
23 
 
 You should cultivate habits of attention, and be on the 
 alert for opportunities. Do not fold your hands like 
 Micawber, and always be waiting for something to turn up. 
 If you have no business, make it. Idleness is the parent of 
 poverty, want and sin. Work is an essential element in 
 happiness and success. If you accomplish anything, it will 
 be by industry and patient thought. Help thyself and 
 Heaven will help thee is a promise worthy to be cherished 
 and remembered. 
 
 Those who work with their hands or brains are far happier 
 than the idle, for sweet is the bread earned by the sweat of 
 the brow. Industry and enterprise are more important to 
 success than brilliant talents. 
 
 It is surprising how much one of comparatively moderate 
 talents can accomplish by persistent efforts, and patient, 
 perseveriag energy. Honest success is salutary not only to 
 individuals, but to tb.e whole country. If you possess energy 
 of character, it will often excite and encourage energy in 
 others. 
 
 I have long since learned, that anything worth having is 
 worth working for. Spurgeon says: He that has work to do 
 has, less temptation to doubt, that the man tliat is idle and 
 has nothing else to do but to doubt. Idleness is just as 
 injurious to women as it is to the men. 
 
 Work that brings honest accumulation is honorable. 
 
 We should all work while we live and make a diligent use 
 of life while any power remains. How distressing it is to 
 see in an age of progress, and in a land that yields so readily 
 to the hand of the industrious, so much poverty, distress, and 
 want. Even the anf "which hath no guide, overseer, or 
 ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her 
 food in the harvest." To be a successful merchant, banker 
 or farmer you must be industrious and economical in 
 beginning life. 
 
 A great many troubles and wants of life arise from a 
 careless discharge of your duties, and a wasteful expenditure 
 of money. 
 
23 
 
 It is indeed bad for a man who has a large family to be 
 poor and not understand the value of time and money. A 
 good fellow they call him, but alas he does not know how to 
 provide for his wife and children, poverty is a depressing 
 thing. 
 
 We must begin our work with the morning sun; the day 
 was made for work and the night for rest and sleep. One of 
 the first things that drew my attention to Charleston, as a 
 business place, was the late hours at which the merchants 
 began their day's work. I concluded if they could make a 
 living beginning the day's work at 9 o'clock, I could make 
 more than a living by starting some hours earlier. 
 
 As important as a college education may be to young men, 
 and I admit the importance of parents besi owing the best 
 possible education upon their children, yet it may not be 
 a misfortune in the present condition of the country that the 
 counting-house should be the boys' college, and the domestic 
 duties of home the girls' seminary, for there they are taught 
 the useful, if not the ornamental branches of education. 
 All brain work does nor pay; the physical must be cultivated 
 as well as the mental. In the school of toil and industry 
 they learn a knowledge of the world, the value of time, of 
 money and character. 
 
 The young man whose salary is one thousand dollars per 
 annum, and saves one-tenth of that sum, is on the road to 
 wealth, while be who receives double that amount and spends 
 twenty-one hundred dollars, is sure to fail. An important 
 lesson of life is to learn to save ; begin by small savings, 
 rather than not begin at all, put your weekly net earnings in 
 a savings bank, where it will draw interest and be ready for 
 a rainy day. Never have an idle hour or an idle dollar. 
 Let the young of both sexes lay up the amount they are in 
 the habit of spending in superfluities, and they will be happier 
 and more independent for so doing. If you cannot grow 
 rich, there is no reason why you should not make yourself at 
 least comfortable. 
 
2i 
 
 OHAEACTEE THE COENEE-STONE OF SUCCESS. 
 
 la a country like ours, where the road to wealth is open 
 to all, it is not titrange that the love of money, and money 
 making should be predominating traits. But money, with 
 all of its uses, power, and influence, is as naught when com- 
 pared to Character. 
 
 A sure means of building up character is to practice the 
 virtues of honesty, temperance and frugality. Wealth is a 
 blessing or curse as it is used for good or evil. Yoii should 
 combine with uprightness of character a determination, to 
 succeed, and a disposition to do right under all circumstances. 
 Character is not an inheritance, it is not an estate to which 
 one is born heir to, but requires almost superhuman efforts to 
 fully establish it, and to keep it. Character forms the 
 groundwork of a happy, useful and successful life. 
 
 Let me impress upon you the priceless value of character. 
 It is one of the noblest possessions a maa can have. Build 
 upon it, for it carries with it a power and influence that al- 
 ways tells. No money can measure its value, and no man 
 can rob you of it without your own consent. Success, in its 
 general acceptation, is almost valueless without character. I 
 esteem the spotless character bequeathed to me by my hon- 
 ored parents more than if they had left me great wealth; 
 houses and lands may be lost, but character lives after mar- 
 ble monuments crumble with time. A good name is one of 
 the heritages of character ^ and is more to be desired than 
 riches. Then strive to make for yourself a name free from 
 reproach ; if you value a good name and the respect of the 
 virtuous, avoid bad company. "Enter not into the path of 
 the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men." Character 
 tells in all relations of life. A man of bad character has a 
 debasing influence upon his companions. ''That which is 
 born of evil begets evil;" so shun the bad and vicious as you 
 would a serpent. 
 
 Young men should see to it that they sow good seed. 
 
25 
 
 "tVLatsoever a man soweth, that also shall he reap."' If 
 you sow tares you will reap tares. If the young would but 
 consider how much their parents and friends are interested 
 in their welfare and happiness, they would be stimulated to 
 live correct lives, and to make for themselves Character 
 above reproach. 
 
 The humblest person in the land has father, mother, sister, 
 or some one who feels an interest in his or her welfare. 
 Have an ambition to do right, and you will be respected and 
 honored by the good and virtuous. 
 
 Remember, young man, that in all of your wanderings, 
 the eye of God is constantly upon you; remember, also, that 
 your actions, whether good or l)ad, are scrutinized by those 
 from whom you seek employment. A youth who is seen 
 with the idle and dissolute of either sex, will not find favor 
 with business men of correct principles. Remember men are 
 known and estimated by the company they keep. A sober 
 youth can not associate with the intemperate and dissolute 
 without becoming contaminated. I have known some noble 
 boys who were ruined by wicked, intemperate associates. 
 Alas! our cities and towns are filled with such characters; 
 few young men can withstand the temptations of city life. 
 Intemperance has long been the curse of the land. No man 
 who habitually gets drunk cau be trusted with important in- 
 terests, for in the time of greatest need he will utterly fail; 
 his intentions may be good, and he may strive to do right, 
 but if he drinks to intoxication he loses self-control, and is 
 on the broad road to ruin. There is little or no hope of re- 
 forming him. The habit of drinking, when formed in youth, 
 is one that is almost incurable. Then, ''look not upon the 
 wine when it is red ; at the last it biteth like a serpent and 
 stinsreth like an adder." Remember that the hand of the 
 diligeut maketh rich, but the glutton and drunkard shall 
 come to poverty. 
 
 "We scarcely take up a newspaper without being shocked 
 with accounts of deadly conflicts, often between friends, 
 originating in drinking and gambling saloons. 
 
26 
 
 A writer in speaking of the effects of intemperance, pays: 
 "It shall visit your limbs with palsy; it shall extinguish the 
 pride of man; it shall make the husband hateful to the wife; 
 and the wife loathsome to the husband; it shall annihilate 
 the love of offspring. It shall disgrace the Judge upon the 
 bench, the minister in his sacred desk, and the senator in his 
 exalted seat. It shall make your food tasteless, your mouth 
 to burn as with a fever, and your stomach to tremble as if 
 with disease. It shall cause the besotted mother to overlay 
 her new-born, unconscious that it dies beneath the pressure 
 of her weight. The son shall hide his face, that he may not 
 behold his father's depravity; and the father shall see the 
 object of his fondest hopes turn to a foul and bloated car- 
 cass, that hurries to the grave. It shall turn the children of 
 men into raving maniacs; and the broken ties of blood and 
 affection shall find no relief but in the friendly coming of 
 Death. 
 
 Of all the evils in tlie world whiskey drinking is probably 
 the greatest. 
 
 We read of men crazed by liquor, who return to their 
 homes and brutally murder their wives and innocent children. 
 Young men do not require stimulants, but it is not difficult 
 for them to imagine that the addition of brandy to water 
 improves its quality. In this way, habits of intemperance 
 are imperceptibly formed, and the youth becomes a confirmed 
 drunkard before ho is aware of it. _brom a bright young 
 man, once the pride of his family, he becomes a drvmken sot, 
 and a nuisance in society. Temptations to dissipation are 
 always increased by idleness; no brain can stand total stag- 
 nation; the body and mind must he employed to be healthy 
 and happy. Too frequently the idle resort to tobacco, 
 opium, or whiskey. Thus fearful, pernicious habits are 
 formed. 1 have long been of the opinion that the use of 
 tobacco, considered by many so harmless, is the first step to 
 dissipation. It is said that the dryness of the mouth caused 
 by smoking, excites an artificial thirst which requires frequent 
 
27 
 
 draughts of liquid. Water becomes insipid, and brandy is 
 added. In this way dissipation often begins, which ends in 
 ruin both to soul and body. This warning is intended as 
 much for the minister of the Gospel who smokes and chews, 
 as for the youth just beginning life. I do not consider any 
 man innocent who makes himself a slave to tobacco or 
 whiskey. , 
 
 ECONOMY . 
 
 Economy, which is so important to the human family, 
 seems a hard lesson for our people to learn. 
 
 I do aot mean that economy which only looks to a saving 
 of money, but economy which includes a prudent manage- 
 ment of all the means bv which property is saved or accumu- 
 lated and more especially to a saving of time. Remember 
 that economy is the parent of honesty, of independence, and 
 of contentment. 
 
 In my visits to the Old World , I made careful observations 
 of the manners, customs and habits of the people, both in 
 Groat Britain and on the Continent. I was impressed with 
 the economy, order and system practiced, not only in the 
 commercial and banking houses, but by the people in all 
 pursuits of life. 
 
 With our young men the temptation to sjicnd is unfortu- 
 nately greater than the inclination to save; this is one of the 
 reasons why we see so much misery and poverty. It requires 
 more force oi character to save money than it does to 
 make it. 
 
 In the public houses of Europe you order and pay for 
 what you want, while at our live dollar hotels you pay more 
 for what you waste than for what you eat. As an evidence 
 of the economy with which business is conducted in Europe, 
 I would state, that our firm kept a large account with a 
 banking house in Liverpool. By an oversight a three cent 
 instead of a six cent postage stamp was placed on a letter. 
 
2S 
 
 The omission was called to our attention, and the three cents 
 postage was charged to our account. These same bankers had 
 a messenger at Queenstown to look after our baggage, and 
 pass it through the custom liouse^ making no charge for the 
 services renaered. That was civility, while the postage 
 stamp was strictly business, such as is practiced by Ihe best 
 bankers in Europe. On the strength of this experience — 
 whichj to the prodigal American^ looked like a srnall trans- 
 action — I had a postage account opened, and we were all 
 surprised to see how soon items of one, two aud three cents 
 swelled into dollars by the thousands. 
 
 The inhabitants of the Old World do not forget that if 
 you take care of the shillings the pounds will take care of 
 themselves. It is the petty items wasted that often consume 
 the profits of the store, the farm, and the income of the 
 professional man. He who wantonly wastes his own fortune, 
 will not be careful of the fortune of others. 
 
 The frugal Germans and French will live comfortably on 
 what we prodigal Americans waste. 
 
 Avoid extravagance, or living beyond your means for the 
 sake of show. If you do not your life will be a perpetaal 
 struggle, and you will find a short road to disgrace and 
 ruin . 
 
 Making money is one thing, but the secret of saving when 
 made is what you must learn. Perhaps the strangest problem 
 in my business experience is to see some men exhibit extra- 
 ordinary talents in making money but somehow, they 
 utterly fail in keeping the fortunes made. 
 
 A young man's business habits and chances of success are 
 improved by marrying young, provided he makes a judicious 
 selection of a wife; a good wife and health are a man's true 
 wealth. Very much of your success in life depends upon 
 the kind of a wife you get; a pritdent wife considers the 
 comfort of her husband and cliildren. Do not take the 
 responsibility of a family until you have reasonable prospects 
 of making an adequate support. When you do marry, let 
 
29 
 
 me beseech, you to have the moral courage to iuform your 
 family that you can not live in the same style that some of 
 your neighbors do, without incurring debt or being dishonest. 
 Far better never marry, than to bring disgrace upon your 
 wife and children by extravagant living, which often leads 
 to spending money that does not belong to you. 
 
 I am sure that the majority of our self-sacriticiiig women 
 will do their part faithfully in supporting a family. The 
 spirit of industry and economy which we have seen practiced 
 by them since the war^ is worthy of the emuialion of the 
 most resolute men. 1 have seen delicate ladies of education 
 and refinement, who in other days were accustomed to ease 
 and luxury, teaching negro schools, nnd cheerfully perform- 
 ing the most menial duties rather than eat the bread of de- 
 pendence. There is, indeed, hope of a country that furnishes 
 such women as are to be found all over these Southern lands. 
 God bless them! They will truly be helpmates. I have a 
 tender spot in my heai-t'for women who are struggling to earn 
 their living. I have been pained to see delicate women try- 
 ing to support lazj^, vagabond husbands. 
 
 PUNCTUALITY. 
 
 Young men who are desirous of establishing correct busi- 
 ness habits should be punctual. Nothing begets confidence in 
 a young man sooner than habits of punctuality, sobriety and 
 accuracy. No one who is habitually dilatory and inaccurate 
 will be tolerated in a well regulated counting-house. Accu- 
 racy is a mark of good training. Let me urge the young to 
 concentrate their efforts and not waste their time by engaging 
 in a varietv of pursuits, mnking themselves as it were "Jack 
 of all trades and good at none. " Find out what you are 
 fitted for and having chosen a business, however humble it 
 may be, stick to it, and go to work with a will and deter- 
 mination to succeed. Some people are always resolving, but 
 fail to put. their resolutions into execntiun. I will do it to- 
 
30 
 
 morrow, never accomplishes much. Decision of character is 
 of the utmost importance; to be constantly changing your 
 plans is evidence of a weak, vaseillating mind. Learn to 
 iiuish well and promptly whatever you undertake. 
 
 Punctuality is an important business habit; a punctual man 
 always regards the time of others. Punctuality should be 
 made a point of conscience, as well as duty. 
 
 Some good men have their names associated with various 
 boards, but give very little attention to the trusts assumed. 
 
 Diligence is said to be the mother of good luck, and is an 
 important business trait; it is the active employment of mind 
 and body, and often brings to the possessor knowledge, wealth 
 and fame. 
 
 When a thing is to be done the puactual man does not 
 hesitate, but goes to work and accomplishes it. The Spartan 
 youth that told his mother his sword was too short, was 
 ordered to add a step to it. If we feel that our talents are 
 insufficient we must add to them by industry and diligence. 
 You should not only be punctual, accurate and industrious, 
 but you must also be prudent. "A prudent man looketh 
 well to his going;" he wil^ not involve himself in debt until 
 he has carefully considered the means of discharging the 
 same. 
 
 Speaking of punctuality ^ my friends will pardon me in this 
 connection for saying, that in varied business transactions, 
 amounting to more than two hundred million dollars, our 
 house has never failed to meet, to the hour, every pecuniary 
 obligation, whether written or verbal, except fur a short 
 period during the war, when their remittances were inter- 
 cepted, but were paid in full when the war was over. 
 
 Do not be allured from your legitimate work and engage 
 in business enterprises in which you have had no previous 
 experience. Better let well enough alone. Never leave tor 
 to-morrow what should be done to-day; nor for another to do 
 what might be done by yourself. 
 
31 
 
 POLITENESS. 
 
 1 feel that I cannot too earnestly impress upon the young 
 the importance of cultivating habits of politeness. Good 
 address and courteous manners are liigh recommendations to 
 the young man seeking employment or starting in business. 
 They are almost as important as the possession of capital. 
 Americans are not distinguished for politeness and reverence. 
 
 The young should always be attentive and respectful to the 
 aged. 
 
 When some of us old boys were lads, if we were permitted 
 to sit at the table with our seniors, we did not, as many of 
 the youth of the present day, monopolize the conversation. 
 
 If we vrt3re satisfied in unr own minds that we knew much 
 more than oar parents, for prudential reasons, we took good 
 care to keep the information to ourselves. I will not deny 
 that this generation is wiser than that which preceded it, but 
 we have been taught that modesty is a virtue, and that good 
 manners should be carried to tlie festive board, house of 
 divine worship, and into the domestic cirtle. The indecent 
 practice that many thoughtless young men have fallen into, 
 of placing themselves in lines and groups on the walks lead- 
 ing to and from churches and public promenades, making 
 jesting remarks, and gazing at the ladies as they pass, cannot 
 be too much condemned. While upon the subject of polite- 
 ness I have a word to say to the young girls, who crowd 
 gray-haired men out of their seats, and see them stand for 
 hours, without offering in return the slightest thanks. These 
 same young ladies too frequently conduct themselves in pub- 
 lic places in a manner to elicit unfavorable remarks. The 
 young should conduct themselves, at all times and in all 
 places, whether at home or abroad, with modesty and pro- 
 priety, if the humblest person does you a favor, it is your 
 duty in some way to acknowledge it. Washington, when 
 questioned about returning the salute of a colored man, re- 
 plied that he could afford to be as polite as a servant. 
 
32 
 
 Pleasing manners and good address have laid the founda- 
 tion of many a young man's success in life. The art of 
 pleasing is certainly a gift-to be prized. Politeness is said 
 to be benevolence in small things, is sunshine, in darkness, 
 and is an embodiment of the golden rule, do unto others as 
 they would be done by. Politeness and civility are essential 
 to success. The toils and struggles of many a youth have 
 been made the lighter by encouraging words and little atten- 
 tions from his employer. Business men should always mani- 
 fest an interest in their clerks; and, in return, clerks should 
 study their own interest, not merely doing what they are 
 obliged to do, but they should also be watchful in promoting 
 the interest of their employers. From the day that I began 
 business in Augusta, Ga. , in 1842, it has been my pleasure 
 to reward the clerks with the best possible salaries, and to 
 advance them to positions of trust and partnerships whenever 
 opportunity oEEered. Politeness has helped scores of young 
 men in my emploj' to lucrative positions. In large estab- 
 lishments, numerous clerks are required, all differing as 
 much in character^ address and disposition, as in their like- 
 ness to each other. 1 have often been pained to see exhib- 
 ited, even in well regulated establishments, petty jealousies 
 and dislikes among the clerks, frequently without any real 
 cause; also an indisposition to lend a helping hand when it 
 could be done without interfering with their own work. I 
 know there are trying and irritating circumstances arising 
 almost daily in all pursuits, and that east winds will blow 
 upon feeble and dyspeptic constitutions, but there is such a 
 thing as yielding to ill temper, sour looks, and an unaccom- 
 modating disposition, until nearly all the sweets are taken out 
 of life, and until we are no comfort to ourselves or others. 
 A polite, kind, accommodating disposition, coupled with pa- 
 tient and serene manner and temper, are virtues which go a 
 long way in smoothing the rugged pathway through life. 1 
 am sorry to say that llie counting house and workshops 
 are not the only places where you do not find perpetual sun- 
 
33 
 
 shine. In the domestic circle, around tho family fireside, 
 ah! even among brothers and sisters, and, shall I add, be- 
 tween husbands and wives, are sometimes to be found bick- 
 erings, jealousies, contentions, ill-temper, misundertanding 
 and strife. 
 
 Alas! that such things should be. There is, however, a 
 great deal of the Adamic nature left in man even in this 
 advanced period of the Christian era. Eemembcr that bind 
 words. and kind acts live after one is dead. 
 
 Some men are as polite, smiling and courteous as Chester- 
 field in company, but are real porcupines in their own homes. 
 
 ''Home, Sweet Home," is the place of all places in the 
 world where the courtesies of life should be practiced. 
 
 HONESTY. 
 
 My advice to the young is to let all of their transactions 
 be fair, just and honorable. If you would succeed in life 
 adhere scrupulously to the truth; cultivate truth and honesty, 
 and always be upright in your dealings. ''Lying lips are an 
 abomination to the Lord; but they that deal truly are His 
 delight." Dare to do right, for it is said fortune favors the 
 brave. It pays to be honest, truthful and upright. 
 
 I am convinced from long and careful observation, of the 
 truth of the old maxim, that ''Jionesty is the best policy," 
 even it your aims are no higher than to make money and get 
 gain.. Should your accouutability not extend beyond the 
 grave, still you should be honest and faithful in all accepted 
 trusts. Defraud not the orphan or the widow. An honest 
 man is truthful and reliable. A writer has said that of the 
 qualities that combine to form a good character, there is not 
 one of more importance than reliability. The word itself 
 embraces both truth and honesty. The reliable man must be 
 truthful and honest; he is a man of good judgment, not 
 frivolous, but is careful, prudent and thoughtful. What he 
 says may be relied on. You feel safe with your property or 
 ■ 3 ■ 
 
34r 
 
 the administration of your a£Eairs in his hands. When quit- 
 ting this world your last hours are made more peaceful at the 
 thought of leaving wife, children and money to the care of 
 an honest, reliable man. Pope says : "An honest man is 
 the noblest work of God." It is not honest to take the 
 advantage of another, or to be careless or negligent in 
 matters of trust. Strive as near as poor human nature will 
 allow "to do unto others as jou would have them do unto 
 you. ' ' 
 
 Establish a reputation for uprightness, promptness and fair 
 dealing, and you are in the road to success. Strive to bo 
 true and honest in all the relations of life. Let all of your 
 transactions be based on integrity, and make your word as 
 jfood as your bond. "He that is faithful in that which is 
 least, is faithful also in much." It is better to be honest 
 than rich. 
 
 The young man who leaves his home, and goes out into 
 the world in search of a fortune, encounters many trials, 
 temptations and difGculties. Remember there is much in 
 making a right beginning. One false step often mars the 
 prospects of many a young man for life. Whatsoever duty 
 may be assigned you, if it be sweeping the office, let the 
 work be well done. Yonr salary is a small part of your 
 compensation. In well conducted houses in Europe, parents 
 often pay for situations furnished their sons. Let your aim 
 be to inspire confidence; confidence is a plant of slow growth ; 
 to make it grow, it requires toil and sunshine. A single 
 adverse breath may destroy it forever. Many persons do not 
 succeed in life because they lack honesty, pluck and energy. 
 
 If you wish to succeed, you must be honest, and do your 
 duty faithfully to God and man. 
 
 ALL MUST WORK WHITE AND BLACK. 
 
 If we do not succeed in the South, it will be our own 
 fault. Of course the disorganization of our entire labor 
 system has, and will for many years, retard our prosperity 
 
35 
 
 but I have felt sure that not only tne ireedman will worK, 
 but the whites also. Immediately after the late war, 1 began 
 to build warehouses for the storage of cotton and merchan- 
 dise. My friends thought I was doing a very unwise thing. 
 They predicted that cotton could not be produce by white 
 labor, and that the negroes would not work. I did not 
 believe any such doctrine. I have found that a dozen ware- 
 hou«es would not accommodate the cotton receipts of one 
 Charleston firm. Another source of considerable wealth to 
 the South has arisen from the discovery of immense beds of 
 phosphate rock and fossil bone in South Carolina. These 
 remarkable deposits, both on land and in the navigable 
 streams, attracted the attention of geologists more than a 
 century ago; but strange to say, their commercial value was 
 not known until after the close of the war. These immense 
 deposits, which will last for ages, have added greatly to the 
 commerce of South Carolina. Thousand of cargoes are 
 annually shipped from Charleston and Beaufort to foreign 
 and domestic ports. The manufacture of fertilizers from 
 these rocks and fossils has added much to the wealth and 
 trade oi Charleston. The capital now employed in mining 
 phosphate rock and manufacturing fertilizers exceeds the 
 whole banking capital of the State. Land which was con- 
 sidered almost worthless, has been brought to the highest 
 state of productiveness by the use of chemical fertilizers. Is 
 it possible that these rocks and fossil remains which have 
 been found so important to the fertility and fruitfulness of 
 the earth, were deposited on the banks and in the streams of 
 the Ashley and Cooper Elvers many centuries ago by chance? 
 Let us rather believe that they were placed there by our 
 Heavenly Father, who&e love and providential care is ever 
 over His children in their time of greatest need. 
 
 CAUSE OF FAILUEES AND THEIE REMEDIES. 
 
 Failures often arise from a want of tact, application, enter- 
 prise and business talent. Not one man in a thousand is 
 
36 
 
 what you call a "born merchant." Overtrading, endorsing 
 and running in debt are fruitful sources of failures; the 
 practice of endorsing is liable to great abuse, and too fre- 
 quently leads to ruin. Want of system, neglect of business, 
 and trusting too much to others, often lead to failures. 
 Many do not succeed for the want of health, and a want of 
 health is often caused by our own imprudences, and over- 
 indulgence in eating and drinking. 
 
 Those who generally succeed make themselves merchants 
 or business men by unceasing application and toil. "What- 
 soever their hands find to do, they do it with all their might. " 
 It is a lamentable fact that not ten per cent, of tliose who 
 engage in commerce succeed. 
 
 The wonder is, when wo see so many shipwrecked in 
 mercantile pursuits, that there are any so bold as to venture 
 . in trade* The new methods of business are not improvements 
 upoQ tbe old ways; trickery and adulteration is the curse of 
 the land; nearly every article of merchandise is adulterated, 
 and nearly every business is run into colossal trusts. 
 
 Most of the beginners are unwilling to follow in the slow 
 road of toil and struggle which leads to fortiine. 
 
 By some fortunate speculation they hope to step from the 
 bottom round to the top of the ladder. 
 
 I have a directory of Augusta, Ga. , published about the 
 time I began business in that city. In the long list of firms, 
 , banks and insurance companies that were in existence in 
 ] 842, I do not believe one survived the war. 
 
 Yery few of the merchants retired with fortunes, and only 
 a limited number with even a competence. 
 
 As distasteful as it is to the majority of our people, it 
 may be necessary, as well as advantageous, for our young 
 men to go back to first principles, and devote themselves to 
 agriculture. 
 
 When our first parent was driven from the Garden of 
 Eden, he was commanded to till the ground, and earn his 
 bread by the sweat of his brow. Now, when we consider 
 
37 
 
 that tlie fruits of the eartli have been, and ever will be, the 
 source of all v^ealth, then why do not more of our young 
 men cultivate the soil instead of flocking to towns and over- 
 crowded cities to engage in pursuits which scarcely give them 
 an humble subsistence ? 
 
 God made the earth to be cultivated, and not to be choked 
 with thistles, for want of laborers. 
 
 There is no life so independent as that of a farmer; and it 
 is astonishing to see how soon an industrious young man, 
 blessed with a thrifty wife, can, on a small farm, surround 
 himself with the comforts of life; for, after all, our wants 
 are more imaginary than real. Many vainly think that to be 
 happy, we must have great wealth; it is true that money, 
 wisely used, is a good thing, and brings with it comforts and 
 independence; but the farmer, who has his green pastures, 
 flocks and herds of sheep, cattle and horses, and nis barns* 
 filled with the product of the land, such a man is truly one of 
 the lords of the soil. But, should he bo lazy, and have an 
 extravagant, gad-about wife, the home will soon be in the 
 hands of the sheriff, and his children in rags. 
 
 The Greeks and Romans placed agriculture among the 
 divinities of their religion. I do not ask so much for it, but 
 I do ask that it be considered as one of the respectable occu- 
 pations of life, to be a farmer. While I regard the pursuit 
 of agriculture as the safest and surest road to success, yet I 
 consider the merchant, banker, and the artisan as active 
 co-laborers, and almost indispensable to the tillers of tlie 
 soil; for without the aid of the merchant, much of the 
 surplus products of the farm would go to waste in the hand- 
 ling of them. 
 
 The feverish excitement of a commercial life makes me 
 enjoy all the more the few months 1 spend each summer 
 amidst the green pastures and fertile fields of my quiet 
 Nacoochee home. 
 
38 
 
 ENVY. 
 
 ' If you would succeed and be happy, crush out the s jirit 
 of envy. There is scarcely a trait in the human heart more 
 to he detested than that of envy. It is the parent of malice, 
 revenge and hatred. "We are told that "a sound heart is the 
 life of the flesh, but envy is the rottenness of the bonss." 
 The eye of envy never sleeps, but gazes with demoniacal 
 malignity upon a rival. An envious man has a tongue as 
 poisonous as a serpent; he takes yoa into his coniidence only 
 to sting you like an adder. He is never happy so long as a 
 Mordecai sits at the king's gate. Envy magnifies your fail- 
 ings, depreciates your virtues, and seeks every opportunity of 
 slandering and defaming your good name. Such a character 
 receives, indeed, small dividends for the wrongs he inflicts. 
 
 It wa^ through envy that sin and death entered the world, 
 and it was the same satauic spirit that caused Cain to slay his 
 innocent, but more favored brother. An envious man is in 
 pain on occasions which should give him pleasure. He is 
 not only incapable of being happy in another's success, but 
 exults over his misfortunes. This pernicious passion, if long 
 indulged in, becomes an incurable disease. Unhappily it has 
 an abiding place in too many hearts, and too many h^mes. 
 ™ Then how important it is that parents should carefully 
 guard against this odious and sinful disposition in their 
 children. Youth is the period for cultivating humane and 
 benevolent affections. The young should let a sense of right 
 and justice guide them io all their intercourse with men, and 
 never regard with envy the honestly attained success or 
 advancement of another. If you or I succeed by honest 
 efforts, the whole community will share in our prosperity. 
 It is evidence of a contracted mind that looks with envy upon 
 the honest success of a neighbor or competitor. The best 
 thing in the world is a tongue that speaks no evil, and the 
 worst thing in the world is a slanderous, tattling, envious 
 tongue. It is full of a deadly poison. 
 
39 
 
 Eovy tends to make men hard-hearted, selfish and cruel; 
 to destroy even natural affections, and to awaken the most 
 malignant passions. 
 
 HEAR WHAT SAM JONES SAYS ABOUT A SLANDEEOUS TONGUE : 
 
 "Many a woman will stand by the side of her husband 
 when he is dead, and with a bleeding heart ask the Lord to 
 forgive evei-y unkind word she had ever spoken to him. I 
 have myself spoken unkindly to my wife, and I am sorry for 
 it. She said it was my dyspepsia but it was my own down- 
 right meanness. 
 
 Never say a thing, unless you know it is true. Nevei- saj 
 anything unkindly of any one. Never say anything behind 
 any one's back you would not say to their face. If you do, 
 you are a slanderer. The man that steals my m^ney is a 
 gentleman and a Christian beside the one who, with a slan- 
 derous tongue, smirches the character of some one. Let us 
 watch this tongue business. We talk too much. I wish we 
 could get our tongues like that of Christ. He had a word of 
 comfort for every one. Wl'ong no man with your tongue. 
 The best way to keep from wronging any one is to keep 
 your mouth shut. Husband, when you see your wife's 
 dander is rising, just keep your mouth shut. It'll nearly 
 kill her, but it is the best thing you can do. The worst 
 gossipers in the city are not women, by any means. They 
 are men. Say amen, sisters. [A loud and hearty amen 
 shook the tent.] Sisters, never say a word on earth, that 
 yon can't say in heaven. There are a dozen ladies in a 
 parlor, and when they go home their cheeks are burning. 
 They have said something they are sorry for. They wish 
 'now they had not said it. Sister, let's never do anything 
 that you would not have your children do. I'll tell you the 
 kind of a mother that's a fine example. The mother that 
 goes to the theater; and another who loves the yellow back 
 novels better than she loves her husband; and another who 
 
40 
 
 is on the street all^ the time. They are pretty examples for 
 mothers. ' ' 
 
 I commend to you the sentiments contained in the follow- 
 ing beautiful lines -: 
 
 "Nay, speak no ill: a kindly word 
 
 Can never leave a sting behind ; 
 And oh. to breathe each tale we've heard, 
 
 Is far beneath a noble mind ; 
 For oft a bettei seed is sown, 
 
 Sy choosing thus a kinder plan; 
 For if but little good we know, 
 
 Let's speak of all the good we can." 
 
 Let the above lines be indelibly impressed upon your 
 hearts, and make it a rule of your life to speak of all the 
 best you can. 
 
 I feel that I cannot too earnestly impress upon the young 
 the value of time, and the folly of misspending it. Tour 
 success in life will very much depend upon a proper use of 
 time. It is one of the first lessons a young man starting in 
 life has to learn. Gather up the fragments of time, so that 
 nothing can be lost. Time, patience and industry will con- 
 quer the world. There is literally not a single moment in 
 life that we can afford to lose. Youth is the period for un- 
 wearied application. As fortunes are wasted in numerous 
 small expenses, even so is precious time, by failing to econo- 
 mize minutes and hours. The inclination is so great to, post- 
 pone from day to day, and week to week, waiting for a more 
 convenient season to do what should be done at once. Time 
 must be usefully employed if we hope to succeed, and tliereby 
 reap the fruits of our labor. The value we set on time is 
 shown by the use we make of it. It should be employed not 
 only for our own good, but also for the good of others. True 
 happiness consists in doing our duty to God aud to man. Life 
 is a struggle with most men, and fortunate are they who. sue- 
 
41 
 
 ceed in procnring, from year to year, food and raiment for 
 their households. I am conTinced from careful observation that 
 the majority of the human family make but a bare support) 
 even if they toil early and late. A portion of each day should 
 be employed in the improvement of the mind with useful 
 knowledge. Read the most useful books, not overlooking the 
 Bible. It is the best book ever published, aside from its 
 Divine teachings. Ignorance and idleness are the parents of 
 much of the vice and immorality which abound in the world. 
 Men engaged in commerce, agriculture, or the arts, must not 
 forget that knowledge is power. By devoting an hour each 
 day to careful reading, study and self-culture, you will im- 
 prove the mind, and thereby become well informed on most 
 important subjects. Make good use of the minutes and the 
 days will take care of themselves. 
 
 . Young men should waste neither time nor money. Remem- 
 ber that "time and tide wait for no man." Time is your 
 estate; an estate, however of little value without cultivation 
 and improvement. 
 
 Many young men waste valuable time at billiard saloons, 
 clubs, and at the gaming table; time that should be devoted 
 to work or the improvement of their minds. It is as impor- 
 tant to learn the lesson of economizing time as it is to save 
 money; for if you lose your money, you may regain it by 
 industry, but golden hours lost arc gone forever. 
 
 Thirty minutes to-day, an hour to-morrow, and two hours 
 next week saved, will enable the studious and industrious 
 youth to lay the foundation of a good education. 
 
 LABOK. 
 
 Labor, either with the hands or the brains, the application 
 of our gifts to some beneficial result, is the basis of improve- 
 ment and happiness, and the means of subsistence. "If a 
 man will not work, neither shall he eat," is one of the im- 
 mutable "laws. Labor is both honorable and helpful; the 
 
42 
 
 man who by his labor makes two blades of grass grow where 
 only one grew before, is a benefactor. Talents are of little 
 use if we have aot the energy and ambition to put them into 
 practice. Many persons seem willing enough to work^ but 
 are lamentably deficient in method and system. Nothing is 
 done at the proper time or in the proper way. Perseverance 
 and energy, combined with moderate ability will show better 
 results than great talents combined with laziness and indiffer- 
 ence. Indolence is often taken for pa+ienee. It is better to 
 have a wife that will scold fret and work, than one who does 
 nothing but hold her idle hands. If you would gather fame, 
 riches and honor, you must labor, toil and work; "for the 
 diligent hand waxeth strong and mighty," In youth habits 
 of industry are most easily acquired. Man, if he would be 
 happy, must have some useful object to look forward to 
 something to aspire after. I have been convinced that there 
 is no resting place this side of eternity, and that it is our duty 
 to be actively employed as long as we are blessed with health 
 and strength to labor. One of the great benefits of employ- 
 ment is that it acts as a cheek upon the temptations which 
 beset on every side an unoccupied man or woman. Work 
 purifies our fallen nature. If cleanliness is next to godli- 
 ness, industry is closely allied to religion. Carlyle says:* 
 "Show me a people energetically busy, heaving, struggling, 
 all shoulders to the wheel, and I will show you a people to 
 whom all manner of good is certain, if their energy endure.'" 
 
 LOSSES BY THE LATE WAR. 
 
 It does seem as if our people will never fully recover from 
 the effects of the late war, which Avas a political earthquake 
 that shook the Southern States from centre to circumference. 
 It is seldom a people experience such a reverse of fortune as 
 befell the Southern States. The slaves alone of the South 
 represented a money value of three thousand millions of 
 dollars, and as many milhons of dollars in currency, banking 
 
43 
 
 capital, bonds and the like were swept out of existence at the 
 surrender of Lee. . In 1860 the banks all suspended specie 
 payments. Their bills, however, were regarded better than 
 Confederate notes, and were consequently hoarded, but not 
 to much profit. The merchants and others who had their 
 lifetime earnings in gold obligations were compelled to receive 
 in payment Confederate money, or to be regarded as disloyal 
 to the Confederacy. This currency, from year to year, 
 became from bad to worse, until it was of no more value tlian 
 cart loads of waste paper. 
 
 Let me advise those starting out in life to put forth their 
 very best efforts. If a young man's talents are good, indus- 
 try will improve them. If only moderate, then he must 
 work the harder, and be content with le?s of this world's 
 goods. We must all be prepared to meet with difficulties 
 and losses, and disappointments. Never grieve oxer what 
 can not be helped. It is the common lot of man to fall 
 short of his desires and expectations; but whatever troubles 
 we encounter, must be met with unflinching fortitude. My 
 experience is that the school of adversity turns out the most 
 successful men. I have known many clever boys injured by 
 too much indulgence, too much money, and by too many 
 advantages. Many men are poor all their lives because they 
 do not begin to save when they are young. Avoid specula- 
 tion, and do not be impatient to be rich. Yon are not swre 
 whether you would be a happier or better man if you had the 
 wealth of an Astor. The richest man in the land receives 
 only his clothes and board for the toils, anxieties and worry 
 of mind. You hear of Stewart, Vanderbilt, Astor, and 
 other rich men leaving almost countless millions, but you do 
 not hear of their taking when they die, one dollar with them. 
 Many of them, I fear, do not save their own souls, which is 
 to them of more importance than all the money in the world. 
 Then do not complain because you have not riches and 
 prosperity. If misfortunes did not now and then befall us, 
 we would be exposed to evils that we little dream of. Instead 
 
u 
 
 of repining, we should all be thankful for the manifold 
 blessings God has bestowed upon us fror« childhood to the 
 present hour. 
 
 Immediatelj after the war the South was flooded with 
 adventurers from all sections, known as ' ' carpet baggers. ' ' 
 Many of these men had but little more character or reputa- 
 tion in their own homes than the " tramps" of the present 
 dav. They were mere political adventurers, and took as 
 partners in their profession, the most corrupt and ignorant 
 class of the freedmen. These men came into our homes and 
 told our former servants that they would not be "loyal" if 
 tliey remained with their old masters, even if they were com- 
 pensated for so doing. Thus it was that the life-time rela- 
 tion between the white and colored races became hostile and 
 unsatisfactory. These political emissaries taught the freed- 
 men that all those who in any way favored the rebellion, had 
 forfeited their homes and their fortunes, and to take from 
 the "rebels" was not stealing; but, as loyal citizens, it was 
 their duty to do so. These Jacobin teachers managed not 
 only to rob the Municipal and State Governments, but also 
 to rob the too credulous colored people. The Freedmen's 
 Bank, established apparently under the protection of the^ 
 United States Government, was a huge machine for robbing 
 the poor negroes of their hard-earned savings. These de- 
 luded people should be reimbursed by the United States Gov- 
 ernment. 1 am happy to say that the relation between the 
 whites and their former slaves have greatlj^ improved ; the 
 colored people are learning that their old masters are their 
 best friends. They are also learning to save money, and to 
 provide homes for their families. Several of the freedmen 
 are making handsome deposits in Savings Banks, and are so- 
 licitous for the education of their children. The public 
 schools for the colored people in Charleston are regarded the 
 best in tlie South. We owe the freedmen a de'jt of grati- 
 tude for their humane consideration of the wives and children 
 of our soldiers diiring the late war, who were left mainly to 
 
45 
 
 their mercy. Their subsequent conduct has been equally 
 creditable, especially when you consider their sudden eleva- 
 tion from ignorant slaves to enfranchised citizens. For our 
 cotton, rice and sugar estates, there is no labor equal to that 
 of the freedman. I do not think that we shall get a more 
 quiet and law-abiding labor for domestic service than the 
 negro. I am pleased to know that the ill feeling which was 
 at one time so bitter between the Worth and South no longer 
 exists. Their unbounded^liberality to the cities afflicted with 
 the yellow fever scourge and distressing earthquakes can 
 never be forgotten. 
 
 Immediately after the war there was such an overturning 
 of society, that I was not sure the South would be a desirable 
 place in which to live. The welfare of my children was, of 
 course, paramount to every other consideration. As you are 
 aware, I travelled extensively in the Old and New World, 
 making the tour of Europe twice, and extending my travels 
 North, and in the far West to the Rocky Mountains. After 
 a careful survey of the different portions of the country that 
 I have visited, my convictions are that the section embraced 
 in the "Confederate States" is tbe most desirable portion of 
 the habitable globe! and that the most abused State in the 
 Union, in spite of bad legislation and disorganized society, is, 
 in many respects the '■'■Eden'^ of the South; and were ray 
 life-time earnings in gold dollars, I would unhesitatingly 
 convert them into just such securities, real and personal, as 
 we now possess, and cast my lot with her people. I am con- 
 vinced that there is more in the man than in the place. If 
 I had a dozen sons, it would be my desire that they should 
 always make the South their home. 
 
 The Southern States have a future that is beyond computa- 
 tion, embracing as they do an area of nearly one million 
 square miles, or more than six hundred millions of acres of 
 land, with a population greater than that of the United States 
 when I was a boy. The natural resources of the South are 
 equal to those of any other portion of the globe, while the 
 
4:6 
 
 climate is unsurpassed. Just oue product of the soil, the 
 past j-ear, will yield nearly three hundred%iillions of dollars; 
 and the day is not far distant when the production of cotton 
 in the Southern States will amount to ten million bales, worth 
 Hve hundred millions of dollars, and our sons will live to see 
 more of this great staple manufactured into yarns and cloth in 
 the Southern States than is now consumed in North America. 
 
 The South possesses all the natural resources for her true 
 independence. Alas! onr people ^have ranch to learn and 
 endure before they will break the shackles which have bound 
 them so long to the North and West. If we keep our corn 
 cribs in Ohio, our smoke houses in Illinois, our hay stacks in 
 Maine, and our machine shops in Lowell, we may dream of 
 freedom, but will never realize it. 
 
 God has given us rich lands on which we should raise 
 everything we eat, whether it be of animal or vegetable origin. 
 
 The lemon, orange, sugar cane, rice, and the famous sea 
 island cotton, flourish. Our forests are almost exhaiistless — 
 valuable not only for timber, but also for tar, pitch and tur- 
 pentine. We have also a broad extent of territory valuable 
 for upland cotton, grain, grasses and cereals, while our min- 
 eral resources, especially in coal and iron ore, startle the, 
 imagination. Then why should we despoud ? "There is 
 life in the old lana yet." Indeed there is. 
 
 My heart is in the cause of immigration — and no one will 
 welcome more heartily than I a steady influx of the right 
 kind of immigrants — either from our own or foreign lands. 
 We want brains as well as muscle — capital as well as mechan- 
 ical skill. We want a cessation of political agitation, peace 
 at home, and peace abroad. My closing advice to the young 
 men is to stand by their native South. 
 
 EFFECTS OF THE WAK. 
 
 The late war left the South in an impoverished condition. 
 Wealth and capital perished in the desolating track of our 
 terrible domestic strife. 
 
47 
 
 The business interests of onr entire country have been, for 
 many jears, passilig through a transformation; new rules, 
 new laws and customs are forcing themselves upon our peo- 
 ple, old channels of trade are broken up by new railroads. 
 Cities are fighting with each other for the monopoly and 
 control of trade. The South, however, has her rich soil left, 
 and inexhaustless mines of iron, coal, and her seven millions 
 of emancipated slaves are working far better than we had a 
 right to expect. Now, ,that the system of labor is changed 
 in the late slave States, the people should adapt themselves 
 to the new state of things. The large landed estates should 
 be divided into small farms, as in many, parts of Europe, and 
 immigration from all quarters invited. I am convinced that 
 ill the strictly cotton, sugar and rice sections of the South, 
 there is no labor equal to that of the descendants of Ham. 
 The negroes' habits are simple, economical and cheap; they 
 are adapted to our climate, and should be encouraged to 
 remain with us. It is for their interest, and for our interest, 
 that they should abandon the idea of emigrating to Liberia, 
 or to any other country. Kind treatment, with proper care 
 and oversight, is what tbey require, and what they should 
 receive at our hands, as well for past as for future services. 
 Their education must not be neglected; give them a chance to 
 show what they can do for themselves, morally, mentally 
 and physically. I have faith in their future, and of their 
 great value to the South. I cannot believe, as many do, 
 that education will hurt the negro, any more than it does tlie 
 laboring white man, but will elevate him, and make him 
 more useful to the country, even as laborers. Let them 
 substitute labor for political agitation, and find their better 
 pleasure and profit in making potatoes that Presidents. This 
 done, and wo shall once more become a more prosperous 
 Nation. Politics, as now administered, are too degrading, 
 even for the negroes to indulge in. The South has ever 
 been, and ever will be, a power behind the throne; her soil 
 and climate furnish the choicest productions known to man. 
 
48 
 
 In addition to her rich and cheap lands, she has splendid 
 harbors, not only to receive and export her own products, 
 but also for the agricultural staples of the great West, which 
 must iind the shortest outlets to Europe through Southern 
 ports, by means of railroads and steamships. It cannot bo 
 disguised that the South has suffered greatly in her com- 
 merce, in consequence of railroad discriminations in favor of 
 the North. Water must find its level. If we do our duty, 
 trade will, sooner or later, be restored to the Southern States 
 and Southern cities. The South must control more railroads. 
 The war destroyed nearly all of our banks. For a number 
 of years there was a demand for money at 12 and 15 per 
 cent. J!^o business could long stand such high rates as were 
 charged, mainly in consequence of the hazard in loaning, 
 and uncertainty of repayments. 
 
 Soon after the war cotton, which is the great Southern 
 staple, sold at fifty cents per pound. People from all sec- 
 tions saw a golden harvest in its production. Capital and 
 labor which had been otherwise employed, were applied to 
 the cultivation of cotton, resulting in over production. The. 
 returns of the farmer are only annual. There must, there- 
 fore, be heavy outlays before anything is realized from the 
 crops; and as many of the planters were stripped of their 
 property by the war, they had to begin life without means, 
 and were compelled to contract debts. Poorly cultivated 
 crops, unfavorable seasons and low prices have, in too many 
 instances, embarrassed both planter and merchant. If our 
 people are ever to succeed, they must learn to economize, 
 both in farm and household expenses. 
 
 It was told me in London that the distingnished philan- 
 thropist, Greorge Peabody, would walk two squares to save a 
 penny. If Peabody had not learned to save and economizg 
 to such a degree as to be called by some "'mean" and 
 "stingy," he never would have been able to make the 
 munificent donation of two and a half million dollars to the 
 poor of London, or to give for education in the South twc 
 
49 
 
 million dollars. "Would that we had more economical men 
 like George Peabody to help the struggling poor. 
 
 HARD TIMES. 
 
 Commercial despondency seems to liave taken possession of 
 our people, and the cry of Hard Times has become a stereo- 
 typed lament. It is on the lips of nearly every man. woman 
 and child. Let us look into this important subject, in which 
 the welfare of so many is involved, and see if we can ascer- 
 tain the causes which have produced the hard times so much 
 complained of. 
 
 Our people have been reading — perhaps not without cause 
 — the Book of Lamentations, and crying wolf! wolf! until 
 the hungry animal has appeared, alas! at too many doors. 
 That there are scores of individuals and families in all the 
 towns and cities who are witliout employment, cannot be 
 denied, and that the competition for places in commercial, 
 mechanical and professional pursuits is so great as to leave 
 but a scant remuneration even to those who are so fortunate 
 as to tind work. Wages must still decline, as few concerns 
 are more than makmg expenses. Some writers are of the 
 opinion that in consequence of the great improvement in 
 macinery, that the production of goods far exceeds the wants 
 of the world, thereby reducing the prices of manufactured 
 commodities, and also the price of labor, hence the suffering 
 and hard times among the working classes. Men and women 
 are worked to the verge ot endurance, and far beyond it, so 
 far as health is concerned, in order to keep soul and body 
 together. 
 
 The question may reasonably be asked, why, then, do so 
 many flock to the cities ;ind towns, almost to perish, when 
 tliere is to he had so mucti cheap and uncultivated land ? 
 
 Perhaps when our people fully understand chat all human 
 
 wants are supplied from the soil, then, and not till then, will 
 
 they turn their attention to agriculture, the first and best 
 
 employment of man. Before the late Civil War, the planters 
 
 4 
 
50 
 
 of the Southern States, as a class, were both prosperous and 
 happy. Alas! how many homes have been made desolate, 
 and families reduced to poverty, by that cruel war. In the 
 footprints of war are scattered the seeds of famine, pestilence 
 and death. War in all ages has not only been a source of 
 misery, but also of crime. The very ground seems cursed 
 by war, and ''brings forth thorns and thistles." Man's 
 brief life on earth is at best a sorrowful one; often beset 
 with'troubles from the cradle to the grave, and these troubles 
 are intensified by war. One way to overcome troubles and 
 "hard times" is to meet them with a resolute will and un- 
 tiring perseverance. 
 
 1 was in Europe in 1866, during the terrible conflict 
 between the Prussians and Austrians, and passed through the 
 lines of the two armies during the armistice, numbering a 
 million and a half of men. In a few months two hundred 
 thousand Austrians and Prussians were killed in battle, or 
 died from disease. As I rode in ambulances through the 
 battle-field of Konigratz, the roadside was strewn with the 
 dead, and the houses were filled with the sick and the 
 wounded of both armies. Forty thousand brave soldiers fell 
 on the battle-field of Konigratz. Long trenches were dug, 
 into which were thrown, indiscriminately, men and horses. 
 I saw hundreds of women working in the fields, and repair- 
 ing the railroads which had just been torn up by the con- 
 tending armies. 
 
 Thus it is that war not only drives the women into the 
 fields to cultivate the soil, but also into the workshops to fill 
 the places of the men who are engaged as soldiers in the 
 armies. 
 
 If any one has a doubt of the depravity of fallen nature, 
 let him visit a battle-field, where myriads of his fellowr 
 creatures have been slain by their neighbors and relatives. 
 Xo wonder the Crown Prince of Germany exclaimed : 
 "What an awful sight! How dreadful war is, after all! " 
 when he saw the poor wounded soldiers by the thousand crawl- 
 ing to the brook to drink water and die. 
 
51 
 
 Five years later I witnessed the disastrous defeat of the 
 French by the Prussians. King William was crowned 
 Emperor of G-ermany in the great capital of the French 
 nation. We had to get permission from the German com- 
 mander to enter the sacked city of Paris. The Royal Palace 
 and other public buildings were still smouldering from the 
 destructive fires kindled by the infuriated Communists. 
 
 Oh, the horrors of war! Who can measure its baneful 
 effects ? It robs nations of their wealth, and parents of their 
 sons. I am convinced that most of the troubles of life, and 
 the hard times we endure, are caused by wars and intemper- 
 ance. Then, if we would have success, let us cultivate 
 peace, temperance and unity. 
 
 WHBEE THEEE IS A WILL, THERE IS A WAT. 
 
 Most of my young friends have seen or heard of Charles- 
 ton, the "City by the Sea;" but few have looked upon 
 Venice, the "City in the Sea." Let me tull them of an 
 adventurous friend of mine who, in his eighteenth year, 
 became restless in his pent-up Nacoochee Valley home, and 
 resolved in his own mind to visit Venice, Florence and 
 Rome. But how was this long and expensive journey to be 
 performed by a mountain boy, with only ten dollars in his 
 pocket ? The lad firmly believed that ' ' where there is a 
 will, there is a way," and that almost anything can be 
 accomplished by perseverance and well directed energy. He 
 knew that Italy was far, far away, but he did not slop to 
 count the cost, or to grow weary before he had encountered 
 the fatigues of the journey; neither did the lions on the 
 highway frighten him. His rule in life was not to cross a 
 bridge until he came to it; his father possessed horses, bug- 
 gies, money, and a beautiful farm, but as his adventurous 
 son was leaving home in his teens, he concluded not to offer 
 him any facilities, imagining that he would return the sooner 
 to the paternal roof. 
 
52 
 
 When he started out on this long and perilous journey, 
 there was only ten miles of railroad iu the State of Georgia, 
 and but a few hundred in the whole South, Had there been 
 thousands, they would have been of no avail to him. He, 
 however, adopted the best plan for one with a capital of ten 
 dollars, who has resolved on sueing Italy. He began his 
 journey on his two sta'ong feet, propelled by a resolute will 
 and untiring perseverance. To lessen his expenses, he made 
 a bargain 'with a kind-hearted man, who was going with his 
 wagon one hundred and fifty miles, to A.ugusta, Ga., on the 
 road to Italy. The boy was to assist the old man in cooking 
 and scotching, for his board. The fare, of course, was 
 rpugh, and the lodgings at night on the ground; but this 
 out-door life developed the muscles, if not the brains of the 
 youth, and was an important training to one who had to 
 cross the Atlantic and climb the Alps before he could look 
 upon f:Lir Italy., 
 
 One liniidred and fifty miles of the journey was performed 
 at an expense of only one dollar! It will b* seen that our 
 friend's original capital was uearly whole when he had 
 accomplished that much of his journey. He was now among 
 strangers, and could not proceed further until his means 
 were increased; but Italy he was determined to see. He 
 herefore went to work witli Mr. Hand, at a salarv of liftv 
 dollars per annum. This was, indeed, a microscopic view 
 of the Italian skies and lakes. But his efforts were in the 
 right direction. Years rolled on, and our friend continued 
 to cherish the desires of his childhood. 
 
 After long years of toil and struggle, he took a portion of 
 his family and resumed his journey, crossing the boisterous 
 Atlantic Ocean, and climbing the snow-clad Alps. This 
 time he did not cease to travel until he was safely landed on 
 the banks of the Grand Canal in beautifQl Venice. We saw 
 him as he triumphantly stepped into a gondola. A few 
 moments more and he was sailing up the Grand Canal, amid 
 splendid palaces and towering old churches, and now he is 
 
53 
 
 safely landed at the Royal Hotel Daneili. Hei-e we will let 
 him, after his long and fatiguing jouTney, rest. 
 
 IN VENICE. 
 
 We left our friend at the Royal Hotel, but he is not yet at 
 the end of his journey, and it is not his habit to tarry long, 
 even at first-class hotels. We next see him in the historic 
 halls of the Palace of the Doges ; he ' peeps into the deep, 
 dark dungeons, and then at the Bridge of Sighs, and now he 
 enters the renowoed Cathedral of St. Mark, which is one of 
 the richest churches in the world. As it is his custom to 
 investigate the numerous objects of interest thoroughly, he 
 stops and looks with wonder and admiration upon historic 
 illustrations, the work of many centuries ago. Here we will 
 leave our friend, for we think after so long a journey, and so 
 many years of toil and struggle, he is richly entitled to 
 remain amidst these blissful scenes, and realize the dream of 
 his childhood. 
 
 I have giveti this sketch of the mountain boy to encourage 
 the young, and to teach them that where there is a will, there 
 is a way, they must learn that to succeed in anything of 
 importance, perseverance and self-denial are necessary. If 
 they are poor, and desire to travel and gain information, 
 they must work hard, and begin early to add a little each 
 year to their means. It is not important, or even expected 
 that all should look upon Italy, but there are beautiful scenes 
 in our own sunny land to be visited, and domestic homes to 
 be made comfortable, wliich requires both money and per- 
 sonal effort. 
 
 Life is a journey and pilgrimage. Very few starting out 
 realize the trials and temptations that lie in their pathway. 
 Much of the success of life depends upon one's own exertions. 
 Young man, whatever may be your position, your purposes 
 or pursuit, aim to act well your part, for "therein the honor 
 lies." Make up your mind promptly what should be done, 
 
54 
 
 and what yoa are titted for, and then do your part faithfully, 
 to God and man. Vacillating and hesitating men rarely 
 succeed. 
 
 EEOEOSSING IHE ALPS. 
 
 Our adventurous youth recrossed the Alps, and visited 
 Berlin, Brussels, Paris, Glasgow, London, and Liver- 
 pool, before returning to his Charleston home. He is now 
 82 years old, in perfect health, living in his advanced ago an 
 active, happy, useful and contented life, surrounded by his 
 children, and eighteen grand-children. 
 
 As he still feels a deep interest in the young, he revises 
 and republishes "Letters to Young Mea" — hoping that the 
 publication at this time for gratuitous distribution may be 
 helpful, both to the young men and young women. During 
 his long life lie has always felt an interest in the young, 
 knowing from experience how hard the most of them are' 
 compelled to struggle for a living. 
 
DANIEL HAND. 
 OLD PAETNEE OF GEORGE W. WILLIAMS. 
 
SKETCH OF DANIEL HAND, 
 
 Founder of the Daniel Hand Educational Fund ($1,500,000) for Colored People 
 Old Partner of Geo. W. Williams. 
 
 THE DAOTEL HAND EDUCATIONAL FUND AND 
 ITS OEIGIN. 
 
 By Professor G. S. Diokerman, New Haven, Conn., June, 1900. 
 
 It is nearly twelve years since an October day in 1888 
 when the friends of education were made glad by the news 
 that a gentleman of wealth had given a million dollars for a 
 fund to maintain common schools among the colored people 
 of the South ; and it is over eight years since the further 
 announcement was made that this gentleman had added half 
 a million more to this fund by bequests of his will. The 
 gratification caused by these announcements was enhanced, 
 as many will remember, by an account of the way in which 
 the estate had been accumulated and secured to the donor of 
 the fund; and here the name of another gentleman was 
 heard, whose fine sense of commercial honor in the care of a 
 business trust called forth expressions of universal admiration. 
 
 In view of the fresh and widely extending interest now 
 shown -in the practical education of the colored people, it 
 seems an opportune time to review the story of the Haad 
 Fund, and observe how the proceeds of this great charity are 
 applied to the people for vyhom it was established. The 
 story is of a property made in the South, by Southern busi- 
 ness men, in the exercise of business sagacity, and finally 
 devised to go back to the South in such a way as it was hoped 
 would best promote the interests of the whole Southern 
 people. 
 
56 
 
 "'" Daniel Hand was the son of a New England farmer. He 
 was born in Madison, Connecticut, July 16, 1801, and grew 
 up on the farm till he was sixteen years of age. He then 
 went to Augusta, Georgia, in the year 1818, and became a 
 clerk in the store of his uncle, Daniel Meigs, who was an old 
 merchant of that place, and of Savannah". Augusta was then 
 a small place of about 1,500 inhabitants, but afEording the 
 special business advantages of a thriving center in a new and 
 fast developing region. The young man made the most of 
 his position, and in due time succeeded to his uncle's busi- 
 ness. For a number of years he was in partnership with 
 Erastus C. Scranton who also came from Madison^ and 
 afterward returned to CJonnecticut where he was the Mayor 
 of New Haven in 1865. 
 
 It was during tiiis partnership, and in the fall of 1838, 
 that a boy of seventeen made his appearance at the store in 
 Augusta, Ga. , and asked for employment. He had come on 
 foot a hundred and tlfty miles, from his Naeoochee home in 
 the mountains of Northern Georgia, had been seven days on 
 the road, and had spent less than one dollar of the ten with 
 which he had started. Such boys usually get the place they 
 are after, and he did. This was George SiV^alton Williams who 
 was henceforth to be associated with Mr. Hand in a personal 
 intimacy that was to continue for over fifty years. 
 
 Mr. Williams was born in Burke County, North Carolina, 
 December 19th, 1820. His father. Major Edward Williams, 
 was a native of Easton, Massachusetts, where he grew up to 
 the business of a farmer, but, "becoming tired of the cold cli- 
 mate," went in 1799, at the age of twenty, to Charleston, 
 South Carolina. Two years later he removed to the mountains 
 of Western North Carolina, and went into business there with 
 Mr. Daniel. Brown, a Pennsylvania Quaker, whose wife was 
 a Virginian. Soon afterwards he married Mary Brown, his 
 partner's daughter, and of their children, George W. was 
 the fourth and youngest son. In 1822 the family removed 
 to Georgia, where Major Williams purchased an extensive 
 
fertile farm in the beautiful valley of Nachoochee, Georgia, 
 and this was the home from which the son went to Augusta. 
 
 Mr. Williams was a clerk for four years, till he reached 
 the age of twenty-one, when he bought Mr. Scranton's inter- 
 est, and the firm became Hand & Williams. At this junc- 
 ture the young partner became convinced that the sale of 
 intoxicating liquors, a lucrative part of the business, was 
 wrong, and ought to be given up. Mr. Hand thought that 
 such a step would be very hazardous, but after considerable 
 discussion assented to it, and the sale was abandoned. So 
 far from losing by this cliange, the profits steadily increased, 
 and continued to do so for ten years. Then, witli the sur- 
 plus of capital at their disposal, it was decided, in 1852, to 
 open a house in Charleston, under the name of George W. 
 Williams & Co. This was the first wholesale grocery busi 
 ness established in Charleston upon temperance principles. 
 
 Mr. Hand now lived in the North, and attended to those 
 transactions which needed to be carried on in New* York, 
 while Mr. Williams remained in the South, and had the 
 direct management of the Cliarleston business. 
 
 This was the situation in the years immediately preceding 
 the War between the States. As that event drew on, Mr. 
 Hand, being opposed to secession, and sfraid of the results 
 of the war, decided to remain in New York, and in 1861 
 withdrew from the firm. His life-time earnings, however, 
 were in Charleston, and had to take the chances of the war. 
 
 With the progress of hostilities, gold debts due the firm 
 by the million went into Confederate money. The Seques" 
 tration Act was passed, and, as Mr. Hand was no longer a 
 citizen of the Sonth, measures were taken by the authorities 
 in power to sequestrate his interest in the firm of George W. 
 Williams & Co. It was Mr. Williams' problem to guard 
 the fortune of his old partner, which had been left in his 
 care. With cliaracteristic sagacity and promptness he put 
 Mr. Hand back into the firm, and proceeded with the busi- 
 ness on the old basis ; then he despatched a messenger to the 
 North, urging Mr. Hand to come to the South without delay. 
 The summons was obeyed. Failing to get through the lines 
 
58 
 
 at Baltimore, Mr. Hand took the "Western route, and suc- 
 ceeded in reaching New Orleans. 
 
 There he was arrested and imprisoned as a "Lincoln spy." 
 Mr. Williams telegraphed the Louisiana Governor as follows : 
 
 Chaelbston, November 14, 1861. 
 Governor Moore, New Orlecms, La. : 
 
 Deae Sie — Mr. Trenholm's dispatch was based on a conver- 
 sation Mr. Hand had with another party ; he has not seen him 
 for years. I feel sure that T can satisfy you that Mr. Hand 
 is not a Lincoln spy or black Republican. See that he has 
 every comfort and protection. I am a native Southerner. 
 
 Geo. "W. Williams. 
 
 Mr. Hand was allowed to go, under promises to report at 
 the headquarters of the Confederacy in Richmond. On the 
 way there he stopped at Augusta to spend a night, when a 
 mob was raised about the hotel, and the Mayor, who was his 
 friend, took him to jail for safety. This brought Mr. Wil- 
 liams up from Charleston to share the jail with him till a re- 
 lease could be effected. Arriving at Richmond he was con- 
 fined in Libby Prison for nearly a month to await his trial as 
 a spy, and finally having received a fair hearing, he was set 
 free, with the one only condition that he would not go beyond 
 the lines of the Confederacy. 
 
 Meanwhile a suit was entered upon in Charleston to seques- 
 trate Mr. Hand's interest in the firm of George W. "Williams & 
 Co. The best counsel was employed by Mr. Williams for 
 the defence, and after a sharp contest, which lasted several 
 days, the case was decided in Mr. Hand's favor, thus saving 
 his property from confiscation. 
 
 A.S South Carolina at that time did not afford a congenial 
 atmosphere for a man of Union sentiments, it was thought 
 best for Mr. Hand to go to the mountains of Western North 
 Carolina to await the movement of events. Mr. Williams 
 divided with him what gold he had, and Mr. Hand gave over 
 to Mr. Williams all his personal property, as well as his real 
 estate, to be held, managed and considered as if it were his 
 
59 
 
 own. The senior partner tlieri went to Asheville, and lived 
 there in seclusion till the end of the war. 
 
 With this retirement of Mr. Hand to the mountains, the 
 whole responsibility for the business passed to Mr. Williams, 
 and this for that long war period of trying exigencies. 
 During the early stages of the war, JSTorthern and Western 
 houses sent to the firm large quantities of goods, with full 
 knowledge that the laws of the Confederacy were against 
 collecting such debts. They relied entirely upon tlie honor 
 of the firm. Two cargoes of coffee were imported from 
 South America by the firm, one of which succeeded in 
 ruuniug the blockade, though chased by Federal gunboats to 
 the gates of the city. Mr. Williams drew one check on the 
 Bank of Liverpool for fifty thousand dollars in gold, to buy 
 clothing for the soldiers of the South, and was paid in 
 Confederate currency. He also distributed provisions to the 
 soldiers furnished for a period of five years. 
 
 Upon the surrender of Charleston to the Federal Troops, 
 Mr. Hand immediately went down from Asheville to confer 
 with Mr. Williams, and then, leaving everything to his care, 
 departed for the North, where he passed the remainder of 
 his life. He never returned to the South again, even for a 
 visit, but his thoughts wete there constantly, and he watched 
 the movement of events with untiring interest in the welfare 
 of the Southern people. As an effort was made to break 
 his will, his correspondence with Mr. Williams from 1866 to 
 1889 was sent to Gov. Morris, Mr. Hand's attorney. 
 
 Mr. Hand's surrender of his business interests to Mr. 
 Williams was most complete. In a letter to Mr. Williams, 
 of December 10, 1866, he writes: "I am entirely content to 
 place my interests in your individual charge and protection; 
 do for me as you do for yourself, and as if I were your 
 brother." 
 
 Again, in the January following, he says: "You are so 
 much better acquainted with our affairs, and all that pertains 
 to them, than I am or ever can be, it would be folly for me 
 
60 
 
 to pretend to advise. I know jo\i will use your best 
 judgment. ' ' 
 
 Similar expressions occur often in a correspondence of 
 twentj-five years, which bears on every page the proof of 
 mutual confidence and unvarying personal esteem. When- 
 ever 'Ar. Hand wished for f nnds, either for his own use, or 
 for the many generous expenditures tie continually made in 
 behalf of others, he wrote for Ihe sums required, and they 
 were at once sent, but the bulk of what he had originally left 
 in Charleston remained absorbed in the business, and in 
 investments of uncertain value. 
 
 The close bond of friendship between these two business 
 men may be explained perhaps in part by the fact that Mr. 
 Haad was bereft of his wife and only surviving child at very 
 near the time when young Williams entered his employ. It 
 was quite natural in his loneliness that he shonld have turned 
 to the attractive young man for companionship, and that this 
 attachment should have ripened with the vicissitudes of 
 later years. 
 
 A letter of March 29, 1881, intimates the desirability of 
 a division of their property, as follows : "In rtigard to the 
 business suggestions in my last letter^ they were chiefly made 
 on your account, rather than my own. As I view it, the 
 whole matter is practically with you alone. No one else can 
 form any adequate or just estimate or opinion in the case, 
 not excepting myself. Were all the statements and items in 
 your books before me, I could make no use of them, to any 
 good purpose. So I wish you to continue to do at present 
 and in future as in the past; act for me as you do for vour- 
 self, and as you deem best in all cases, that I may receive 
 in due time what you regard as fairly coming to me from 
 our joint assets. At your convenience will you give me 
 your own irresponsible estimate of the probable outcome 
 in the future ? This need not embrace any catalogue of the 
 ityms. as I cannot judge of those. I shall be happy to wel- 
 come you here at any and all times, as may consist with your 
 
61 
 
 business leisure and convenience. As regards iny health I 
 do not realize any dangerous disease, but my powers are 
 lowered, weakened, and in a large measure have left me; 
 especially my legs and feet, my head, ears and ej es ; my 
 deafness separates me from society almost entirely." 
 
 A few weeks after receiving this letter, Mr. Williams was 
 in Guilford to show his account. It was nearly forty years 
 after the partnership was formed in Augusta^ when the 
 eortibined fortunes of the two merchants were less than 
 $5,000. It was twenty years since the breaking out of the 
 war, the resumption of the divided partnership, the suit in 
 Court, and ^'he committal of the senior partner's affairs to 
 the younger partner. And now this merchant of the South 
 stood before his old employer to make a settlement. He 
 showed between a million and a half and two million dollars 
 in solid securities standing to Mr. Hand's account. 
 
 'Mr. Hand was amazed. An eye witness describes the 
 sceae. The call of Mr. Williams happened to be at the time 
 of a family gathering. The two friends greeted one another 
 at the porch, and conversed together for a while, and then 
 the old gentleman came in to tell the family circle what he 
 had heard. Reverting to the war times, he exclaimed : ''I 
 never expected to receive a cent. I always knew Mr. Wil- 
 liams would do the best he could, but this is the most extra- 
 ordinary thing I ever heard of." 
 
 Previous to this interview, Mr. Hand knew of course that 
 he would receive a considerable estate from his investment, 
 'but he had no idea of the amount. He had made a will in 
 1872, bequeathing sums amounting in the aggregate to some 
 $600,000, of which $100,000 was uncertain. This indicates 
 his estimate of the estate at that time. Probably this esti- 
 mate was not greatly changed till the interview with Mr. 
 WUliams. The reinstating Mr. Hand in the firm of Geo. 
 W. Williams & Co., showiag in the profits, made a difference 
 in Mr: Hand's estate of more than a quarter million dollars, 
 besides saving his entire fortune from conliscatiou. 
 
62* ^ 
 
 The original will was altered from time to time by the 
 addition of codicils to the number of fourteen, the last of 
 which was written January 12, 1899. The document, there- 
 fore, covers a period of over sixteen years, and enables us to 
 trace the development of Mr. Hand's purpose as finally 
 embodied in his philanthropic bequest. 
 
 His habit of mind was that of a political student, and his 
 daily companion to the close of his life was the New York 
 Tribune. His letters show as already intimated, that he 
 was intensely interested in the progress of the South. He 
 writes, December 23, 1883 : "The great common interest 
 of the South is a vast and engrossing subject, and also the 
 reasonable probabilities of the colored people there for the 
 future. I do not see that either party has any plan or policy 
 on the subject. Yet there is no subject of more importance 
 before the American people. The Government, having 
 made them citizens, will protect and guide them as such. 
 The late decision of the United States Court, limiting their 
 supposed rights, is of the utmost importance to both sides, 
 and especially to them. They are wholly dependent upon 
 the white people of the States where they are, and must 
 continue su for a long time to come ; and there is no real 
 conflict of interests. They are to remain the peasantry of 
 the South, and are invaluable as such. A few will rise above 
 that, but not many." 
 
 Again he writes in 1889, the year following his gift of the 
 Fund : '"My interests in the South, and my attachment to 
 the Southern people, are inseparable from my life I was 
 there in trying times, but not an unkind or injurious word 
 was spoken to me in all those dreadful years, I see it stated 
 that Georgia has recently doubled its common school term 
 from three to six months, and that it applies to all whicli is 
 above all praise and all price. The color question will solve 
 itself slowly, but surely, and to the advantage of all. Its 
 security is in the Christian religion and the humanity of the 
 people to all, for all." 
 
» 63 
 
 This is the language of Mr. Hand's last letter to Mr. 
 Williams. 
 
 The will as first drawn contained charitable bequests to the 
 amount of $450,000 or more, to fonnd six scholarships, to 
 be called after his name; one assigned to the Presbyterian 
 Church, to educate young men for the Ministry, three to as 
 many New England Colleges for a like purpose, and the 
 others to two institutions in the South, to train colored pupils 
 to become "Public Teachers." Two years later these be- 
 quests were greatly modified, and the new feature was intro- 
 duced of a fund in support of primary or common school 
 education for the colored people of the Southern States. 
 Finally, all of the whole property, excepting certain incon- 
 siderable legacies to members of his family, passed to the 
 fund last named. 
 
 The original intention was for the North to share in the 
 beneficence more than the South, and white students more 
 than colored, while the aid was specifically for students in 
 advanced courses. But in the end, the whole was given for 
 the colored race, and was defined as for elementary educa- 
 tion. We can easily believe that Mr. Hand was led to these 
 changes by the feeling that a property secured to him in such 
 a way should be returned to the South, and that it would do 
 the most good there, if employed in the manner proposed. 
 An endowment like this is of value in more ways than one. 
 Its pecuniary value to the cause of education is manifest, 
 but it has a moral value reaching to all phases of human life. 
 It tells of what wealth can do, but it tells of a manhood that 
 is above wealth, that uses wealth as a tool, and casts it aside 
 in a moment rather than suffer a shadow to fall upon the 
 glistening raiment of personal integrity. In a country like 
 ours, and in a period of engrossing material pursuits, no 
 lesson is more needed than this, and it is beyond all price 
 that this fund, in its perpetual ministry of instruction, is to 
 stand as a memorial of the relations for half a century of these 
 two business men, Daniel Hand and George W\ Williams. 
 
64 , 
 
 The administration of the Hand Fund is by the Execntive 
 Officers of the American Missionary Association, a Board 
 elected by Congregational Christians, who meet each October 
 in an annual meeting. It is a suggestive fact that while Mr. 
 Hand was a member of a church belonging to the Southern 
 Presbyterian Body in Augusta, Ga., and Mr. Williams was, and 
 is still, a member of a Southern Methodist Church in Charles- 
 ton, the custody of this fund is given prautically to a body 
 of churches whose m(imbership is almost wholly in the North. 
 
 Under such circumstances there is no little danger that 
 appropriations- may be made in ways which are not the wisest 
 or most effective for the accomplishment of the ends in view. 
 
 People whose whole life has been passed in the .North, 
 cannot be the best judges of how to promote general edu- 
 cation in the South, especially among the negroes. The 
 knowledge which comes from having lived in the South is 
 indispensable; and in every Southern community there are 
 high-minded men and women who are quite as deeply inter- 
 ested in the welfare of their colored neighbors as the best 
 people of the North. Their interest is deeper, because it is 
 personal, not theoretic and far away. They have been facing 
 the facts in the case all their life, and they have been doing 
 their best to deal with them in a common sense way, and in 
 a Christian way. Northern people who wish to do the best 
 possible service for the negroes, cannot wisely proceed with- 
 out the counsel and. participation of such companions as these 
 in their work. 
 
 This is especially true in the employment of such a trust 
 as the Hand Fund involves. If it is possible to conceive of 
 conditions inhering in a trust which should carry the pro- 
 foundest moral obligations of absolute confidence in the 
 integrity and sound judgment of Southern Christian men, 
 those conditions all meet in this case. It was by a re-estab- 
 Ushment of formal partnership that Mr. Hand's estate in 
 Charleston was saved to him by the Southern merchant ; and 
 can this fund, proceeding directly from such a source, be 
 
•65 
 
 returned in the wisest beneficences to the Southern people 
 with no intimations ever being received from George W. 
 Williams and men like him as to, how it may be most jadi- 
 cioasly applied ? 
 
 The language of Mr. Hand's letters to Mr. Williams may 
 be wisely recalled as offering a suggestion of perpetual signifi- 
 cance to the holders of this trust. "I am entirely content 
 to place my interests in your individual charge and protec- 
 tion; do for me as you do for yourself, and as if I were your 
 brother. " " You are so much better acquainted with all our 
 affairs, and all that pertaiup to them than I am', or ever can 
 be, it would bo folly for me to pretend to advise. I know 
 you will use your best Judgment. ' ' 
 
 The event shows that Mr. Hand's confidence in Mr. Wil- 
 liams was not misplaced. Can the executors of his bequest 
 do better than to heed his example ? There are some who 
 believe that such a partnership in beneficent work for the 
 colored people would increase its effectiveness a hundred fold. 
 
THE VALE OF NACOOCHEE. 
 
 Some of the Chaems oe Georgia's Happy Valley. 
 
 MENT — OONVEETING AND COUETING THE HEATHEN. 
 
 Naooochee, Ga-.-, August. 
 
 Some sixtj years ago tlie Hon. Henry R. Jaekson Minis-, 
 ter to Mexico, visited Nacoochee with his beautiful bride. 
 It was their first visit to these mountain wilds. Oh that 
 occasion he wrote the following poem: 
 
 *THE VALE OF NACOOCHEE. 
 
 Wh^re Yonah lifts his bald and reverend head. 
 
 The humbler Alleghany peaks above ■ 
 Beneath its shadows, pleasantly is spread 
 
 Nacoochee's Vale — sweet as a dream of love. 
 Cradle of peace! mild, gentle as the dove, 
 
 Whose tender accents from yon woodlands swell. 
 Must she have been who thus has interwove 
 
 Her name with thee, and thy soft, holy spell, 
 And all of peace which on this troubled globe may dwell. 
 
 Naooochee— in tradition, thy sweet queen — 
 
 Has vanished with her maidens; not again 
 Along thy meadows shall their forms be seen; 
 
 The mountain echoes catch no more the strain 
 Of their wild Indian lays at evening's wane; 
 
 No more where rustling branches intertwine. 
 They pluck the jasmine flowers, or break the cane 
 
 Beside the marshy stream, or from the vine 
 Shade down, in purple showers, the luscious muscadine. 
 
 Yet round thee hangs the same sweet spirit still ! 
 
 Thou art among these hills a sacred spot. 
 As if shut out from all the clouds of ill 
 
 That gloom so darkly o'er the human lot 
 On thy green breast the world I quite forgot^ ^ 
 
 ♦Nacoochee signifies, in the expressive Jangaage of tlie fndlan, "The Evening 
 Star." 
 
67' 
 
 Its stern contentions— its dark grief and care— 
 And I breathed freer, deeper, and blushed not 
 
 At old emotions long, long stifled there, 
 Which sfjrang once more to life in thy calm, loving air. 
 
 I saw the last bright gleam' of sunset play- 
 On Yonah's lofty head ; all quiet grew 
 
 Thy bosom which beneath the shadows lay 
 Of the surrounding mountains; deeper blue 
 
 Fell on their miehty summits; evening threw 
 Her veil o'er all, and on her azure brow 
 
 A bright star shone; a trusting form I drew 
 Yet closer to my side ; above, below, 
 
 Within were peace and hope, life may not often know. 
 
 Thou loveliest of earth's valleys! fare thee well! 
 
 Nor is this parting pangless to my soul. 
 Youth, hope and happiness with thee shall dwell. 
 
 Unsullied nature hold o'er thee control, 
 And years still leave thee beauteous as they roll. 
 
 Oh! could I linger with thee! yet this spell 
 Must break e'en as upon my heart it stole. 
 
 And found a weakness there I may not tell — 
 And anxious life, a troubled future claim me! 
 Fare thee well! 
 
 Heney R. Jackson. 
 
 Yonah is one of the grand natural curiosities of Georgia, 
 and is made famous by legend and traditional associations. 
 Amid this world of mountains old YonaU maintains its isolated 
 grandeur — this stupendous pile of granite, many times larger 
 than Stone Mountain, and equal to the famous Winnsboro 
 granite for buildings and monuments. 
 
 Under the shadows of old Yonah, which is the centre of 
 the gold belt, De Soto, the Spanish General, established the 
 headquarters of his array. There he enjoyed the finest climate 
 and most beautiful scenery in the world. The much coveted 
 gold fields being discovered, active preparations for working 
 them on a large scale was begun. In the meantime the strict- 
 est discipline was kept up. To impress the natives with the 
 superiority of the white man, a sham battle was fought. The 
 roar of the cannon echoed from mountain to mountain, and 
 the charge of the c'avalry, mounted as they were on their 
 
68 
 
 spirited Cuban horses, filled the natives with awe and wonder. 
 The news of the arrival of the marvellous people spread far 
 and wide. Thousands and thousands of the natives flocked 
 here to see them. De Soto and Wahoo were on the most 
 friendly terms. The army was bountifully supplied by the 
 Indian Chief with provisions and game. 
 
 There were in De Soto's army a number of self-denying 
 Christians, who had volunteered as missionaries to labor 
 among the heathen. Prayers and thanksgiving were offered 
 for their deliverance and great success in finding a land of 
 health and plenty. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, in 
 accordance with the custom of the Roman Catholic Church, 
 was participated in by the soldiers, and by a number of 
 natives who had received baptism, and become converts to the 
 Christian religion. Echoee being one of the most enthusiastic 
 and devoted of the number, gave much of her time and means 
 to religion which promised so much. She also had her four 
 children baptized, and they were faithfully instructed by the 
 priests in their Christian duties. Wahoo, while he did not 
 object to Echoee's new religion, and while he had the utmost 
 confidence in her virtue and faithfulness to him, yet he did 
 not approve of the marked attention of the Spanish ofBcers to 
 his wife. He had it whispered to him that these white men 
 were a very unreliable and treacherous people. As polygamy 
 was practiced among the natives, they readily consented to the 
 selection of fifty of their handsomest women — whether mar- 
 ried or unmarried — to be the wives of the Spaniards. The 
 officers highest in rank, having the first choice, presents were, 
 given to the husbands or parents for the women thus obtained. 
 The Indian Queen, being of remarkable beauty, of high char- 
 acter, and having by hereditary usage' the custody of the 
 treasures of the nation, it was not surprising that she should 
 be the particular attraction of Lorenzo, a brave officer but a 
 man who had deserted a wife in Spain, two in Cuba, and 
 robbed a chief of his wife in Tallahassee. Lorenzo fell desper- 
 ately in love with this young Indian Queen, and was not spar- 
 i"_g of his, presents and of his attentions to Echoee. 
 
[To the Charleston News and Courier.] 
 RELICS OF A FORGOTTEN RACE. 
 
 THE SPANISH GENERAL DE SOTO ARRIVES AT NACOOOHEE "oLD 
 
 town" with his AEMT ME. GEORGE W. WILLIAMS 
 
 TOUCHES UPON THE TRADITIONS OF THE PAST THE 
 
 MOUND BUILDERS IN NORTHERN GEORGIA 
 
 A BURIED TOWN AND A WALLED SEPUL- 
 CHRE, WITH A FLOOR OF POLISHED 
 
 STONES THE ADVENTURES OF 
 
 DE SOTO AND HIS WIDE 
 DOMINION. 
 
 Nacoochee has a history as thrilling in interest as the tales 
 of, the Arabian Nights. This valley, which was walled in by 
 the Blue Ridge, Yonah, Sail's and Lynch's Mountain, was 
 doubtless for ages one vast lake. The fretful waters of the 
 Chattahoochee, Duke's Creek and Sautee finally cut a channel 
 through the rocks at the east end of the valley, and the great 
 lake was drained, leaving a beautiful and fertile valley some 
 seven miles in length, and in width, including Sautee, three 
 miles ; with the Chattahoochee River winding through its 
 green meadows. The valley is irregular ; a portion of it is 
 shut in by precipitous mountains to a few yards in width, 
 giving it. great natural advantages against the invasion of an 
 enemy. The red man, who have been mercilessly treated by 
 the white man was, for many ages, monarch of these fertile 
 valleys and lofty mountains. The Cherokees, one of the most 
 powerful and warlike of the aboriginal tribes, selected this 
 quiet and safe retreat for the capital of a populous nation. 
 ''Nacoochee Old Town," as it was originally called, became 
 the chief and largest town in the Cherokees nation, being sit- 
 uated in the best hunting grounds of the New World, and in 
 the richest gold fields in the South. 
 
 At one time it must have been the centre of ancient civili- 
 
70 
 
 zatioD. Here the, Cherokees or some other warlike race, 
 surrounded themselves with long lines of fortifications, ex- 
 tending through ISTacoochee Yalley, froni mountain to moun- 
 tain, with here and there huge mounds thrown up, and the 
 tops of the high hills levelled so as to strengthen their military 
 lines of defence. On the summit of those hills, which afforded 
 much more space than the mounds, the chiefs securely resided, 
 surrounded by as brave knights as ever cast a lance. Many 
 relics have been for the past seventy-five years found in this 
 valley, and there are evidences of hard fought battles, where 
 shot and shell were used. When the writer was a bo}', his 
 father, who was one of the original settlers here about the 
 time the Indians were driven away, owned a large portion of 
 Nacoochee Valley, taught his sons the science of farming ; 
 they ploughed up gunlocks, swords, broken shells, bullets, 
 tomahawks, arrows, human bones and the like. 
 
 In 183i, when the miners were digging a canal for the 
 purpose of washing the beds of the streams for gold, a sub- 
 terranean village was discovered, containing some forty houses 
 in number. These were buried ten feet in depth. The logs 
 were hewn and notched as in the present day. This village 
 was covered by a heavy growth of timber, denoting its great 
 antiquity and a powerful flood which submerged it. There 
 was also found near this buried village under a tree fifteen 
 feet in circumference, which must have been five hundred 
 years old, a double mortar, ten inches in diameter, perfectly 
 polished. It was made of quartz, partly transparent. Some 
 of the mounds contain human bones and implements of war. 
 This subterranean village was doubtless built by De Soto in 
 1539. More recently a discovery was made in Nacoochee 
 Valley that interested me very much. A ploughshare, near 
 an Indian mound, struck a hard substance. On examination 
 it proved to be a portion of regularly walled sepulchre ; the 
 bottom was paved with polished stones ; the tomb contained 
 many skeletons, one of immense size, also conch shells, pipes, 
 and many curious pieces of workmanship, also a piece of 
 inwrought copper. As the natives were ignorant of the art of 
 working in copper, and never buried in walled sepulchres the 
 
n 
 
 question naturally arises when these huge men lived. A 
 learned historian of Copenhagen says that America was dis- 
 covered in the year 985 by Biaske Horjuefsen. It is also said 
 a colony from Wales settled in this country in the tenth cen- 
 tury. It is more than probable that those early European 
 adventurers were exterminated by the vast tribes of Indians. 
 I'heir history comes to us mainly by tradition. The walled 
 sepulchre was probably built by the Welsh colony from Wales 
 in the tenth century. 
 
 Perhaps "Nacoochee Old Town" was in its primitive glory 
 when the adventurous Spaniards, Ponce de Leon and De 
 Soto, were planning their adventures to Florida. De Soto 
 was of royal blood, in the prime of manhood, just wedded to 
 the beautiful Donna Isabel, the petted daughter of an earl, 
 whose father made her husband for life Captain General of 
 Cuba, the fairest land on earth. A time for quitting home 
 and native land was fixed, a bright spring day in April, 1538. 
 Amid the sound of trumpets and the roar of cannon, and the 
 shouts of the multitude, De Soto, with his young bride, and 
 a thousand gay knights, with seven ships, set sail for Cuba. 
 Less than a month later they arrived in the Queen of the 
 Antilles. De Soto spent a year in Cuba organizing the gov- 
 ernment, and preparing'for further and more hazardous ad- 
 ventures. 
 
 But when did the lust for fame, power and gold satisfy 
 man? Even the possession fails to do so. Being the Governor 
 of Cuba, rt'as almost enough to gratify any man's ambition. 
 But for more glory De Soto was ready to give up his lovely 
 Isabel. Making her Queen and Governess of Cuba, the dar- 
 ing De Soto bid a last and final farewell to the young bride ; 
 with his braves he sailed for Florida. In May, 1539, he 
 landed at Tampa Bay. It will be remembered that Florida 
 at that time extended west to Mexico, and north to New 
 foundland. It embraced the whole of the present United 
 States and Canada. De Soto was now Governor of Cuba and 
 Florida. What vast possessions ! There were landed at 
 Tampa Bay 1.200 knights and soldiers, 24 priests and monks, 
 many workers in wood, iron miners and assayers, 400 thor- 
 
72 
 
 oughbred Cuban horses, 500 hogs, droves of cattle, and a 
 score of bloodhounds to hunt the natives. This was the mot- 
 ley crew who were to teach the poor Indians the Christian 
 religion. 
 
 As will be seen, De Soto did not find Florida a bed of roses. 
 No sooner had he landed, than he encountered five thousand 
 enraged Indians. He did not find a day's peaceful rest until 
 he reached the rich gold fields of "Nacoochee Old Town." 
 
THE STORY OF NACOOCHEE. 
 
 De Soto's Discovert of the Garden Spot of Georgia. 
 
 ME. GEORGE W. WILLIAMS TELLS OE THE CHARACTER AND CON- 
 QUESTS OF DE SOTO THE FATE OF PONCE DE LEON — FIGHT- 
 ING IN FLORIDA FOUR HUNDRED TEARS AGO THE FIRST 
 
 MARCH TH: 
 SOANDAL- 
 
 The excitement that prevailed in Europe upon the discovery 
 of America by Columbus nearly four hundred years ago, can 
 at this day scarcely be realized. New life, energy and enter- 
 prise were infused into the life of the Spanish race. Avarice, 
 ambition, religious zeal, and a love of adventure and conquest, 
 took possession of the Spanish nation. So restless was the 
 spirit .of adventure, it is said, that it was difficult to restrain 
 the more ignorant from jumping into the sea that they might 
 swim to the New World. The Spanish nation was literally 
 Florida mad. De Soto, a man of great wealth and worth, 
 before appearing at the Court of (Charles the Fifth, had 
 attained distinction and success by his conquests in Peru. 
 Two hundred thousand golden crowns was his share of the 
 plundered treasures. Tall, commanding in appearance, hand- 
 some, and brave as a lion, he looked as if he were born to 
 command ; he was full of missionary zeal. 
 
 What a queer compound is poor human nature. There was 
 De Soto, a favorite at Court, rich in' treasures and olive plan- 
 tations, with a lovely bride to preside at his palace at Seville. 
 One would think with all these he should have been content 
 to reign at a Spanish Court. Not so. He had gained glory 
 and renown in the army of Pizarro. His ambition was fired, 
 and a troop of gallant knights, who had fought under his ban- 
 iier in Peru and shared in the rich spoils of that country, were 
 
u 
 
 ready to follow him to success or death. All were animated 
 by the enthusiasm which glowed in the bosom of their brave 
 leader and ready to iight under the banner of the Cross. 
 
 in my last letter I spoke of Ponce de Leon, who preceded 
 De Soto to Florida. It was this brave old warrior who gave 
 the name — Florida, Land of Flowers— to this new' country. 
 Ponce de Leon, bowed down with age, covered with scars and 
 wounds received ou many a hard fought battlefield, left Cuba 
 in search of the crystal waters which he vainly hoped would 
 give him renewed youth, riches and life eternal. Poor Ponce 
 de Leon was shot by an Indian with a poisoned arrow. The 
 old man returned to Cuba after great suffering and died of his 
 wounds. His career in Florida was short and inglorious, fully 
 realizing in his checkered life " that a man born of woman 
 hath but a short time to live and is full of misery." Strange 
 to say, the finest hotel in America has been built at St. Augns- 
 tine, and will perpetuate the name of the old Spanish hero. 
 
 De Soto, on landing at Tampa Bay, found himself sur- 
 rounded ,by thousands of enraged Indians. The inhuman 
 Narvaez was, perhaps, the most barbarous of the Spaniards 
 who preceded De Soto. After professing great friendship for 
 the natives he ordered the fierce Cuban bloodhounds to be 
 turned loose upon them, and upon the mother of a chief, and 
 the dogs soon tore her to pieces. He then commanded the 
 nose of the chief to be cut off. N"o wonder the Indians had 
 learned to associate the Spaniards with cruelty and barbarism. 
 Those of them who were not killed in battle, or in cold lalood^ 
 were sent to the West Indies and made slaves. De Soto was 
 a different sort of man; noble, generous and high spirited, 
 and from his standpoint, dealt generously with the Indians. 
 The natives having been so frequently' deceived by the Span- 
 iards were suspicious of the whole Spanish race. De Soto, 
 after months of fighting, his men often in water up to their 
 waists, decided to quit the dismal swamps of Florida, which 
 neither furnished him bread, health nor gold. The army spent 
 the winter in Tallahassee, where a number died of fever. 
 Here he was joined by forty Spaniards of former expeditions, 
 who had wandered into the mountains of the Blue Ridge and 
 
75 
 
 had there intermarried with the natives. These men being 
 well acquainted with the country were gladly received by De 
 Soto as gnides and interpreters. They informed De Soto that 
 twenty days march would bring them to a land of health and 
 plenty, filled with buffaloes, deer and wild game in abund- 
 ance; where there were also pearls, gold, copper and other 
 precious metals. 
 
 The army was now further strengthened by 3,000 friendly 
 Indians who joined it, and 4,000 natives, who had been cap- 
 tured, and forced to carry the forage and baggage. Weary 
 and worn, they stopped a few days on the banks of the 
 Savannah River, near where Augusta now stands. Ten days 
 they marched through a muel* improved country, inhabited 
 by tribes of comparatively friendly Indians, for these had not 
 been slaughtered by the Spaniards, and torn to pieces by 
 fierce bloodhounds as were those who lived further South. 
 The army, enfeebled by the inhospitable climate of Florida, 
 hungry and dispirited, now reached tlfb high lands around 
 "]S"acoochee Old Town," where a goodly land is found. 
 Here De Soto and his wearied soldiers rested, for they greatly 
 needed it. Shut in on three sides by mountain walls, some 
 of them towering 5,000 feet in the air, in quiet and peaceful 
 repose, lies 
 
 NACOOCHEB. 
 
 "Child of the Chattahoochee ! 
 
 Hid in the hills afar ! 
 Beautiful Kacoochee, 
 
 Vale of the Evening Star." 
 
 "Hushed in the mountain shadows, 
 With the May dew on her breast ; 
 
 Her breath Is the breath of meadows, 
 And her very name sighs 'rest !' " 
 
 "The voice of a loved one calling 
 The feet that have wandered far ; 
 
 Come, for the night is falling ! 
 aest ! with the Evening Star." 
 
76 
 
 De Soto now looked with admiration upon the beautiful, 
 plentiful and peaceful N"acoochee. Although the capital of 
 a warlike nation, there were no evidences of anything but 
 peace and quiets As was the custom of the Cherokees, the 
 gates or entrances to their capital were closed. No stranger, 
 however distinguished, was permitted to enter without a 
 permit from the ruling chief. De Soto now caused an im- 
 mense cross to be erected on a hill overlooking the "sweet 
 vale of Naeoochee." Morning and night prayers were offered 
 up to the one invisible God, the Creator and Ruler of the 
 Universe. The showy dresses of the priests, the images of 
 Christ and the Virgin, made a deep impression upon the sav- 
 ages, especially upon the womfe. De Soto was particularly 
 desirous of making friends and Christians of the Cherokees, 
 as they possessed such wealth, power and influence over the 
 neighboring tribes. He enjoined upon his men not only to 
 refrain from acts of hostility, but to win them, if possible, to 
 iiis cause. Unfortunttely, there was in this Garden of Eden 
 an "Eve." Echoee, the beautiful and virtuous wife of Wahoo, 
 King of the Cherokees, became a zealous and an enthusiastic 
 convert to the new religion, as it was taught by the Spaniards. 
 Like Mother Eve, Echoee was sorely tempted. Of this temp- 
 tation and of the Naeoochee gold mines, in my next. 
 
TROUBLE IN THE VALLEY. 
 
 A Spanish Seepent in the Indian Eden. 
 
 *_ 
 
 DE SOTO FINDS GOLD AND FOUNDS A TOWN THE WICKED LOEENZO 
 
 AND HIS CUNNING ADVISEE — A DEEP-LAID PLOT 
 
 AND A LECTUEE ON MAEEIAGE WAHOO 
 
 PUTS ON HI8» WAE PAINT. 
 
 Echoee, the innocent young Nacoochee Princess, was a mere 
 child in the hands of the libertine Lorenzo. But her intuitive 
 powers of right and tlie religious impressions recently made 
 upon her, restrained her from doing wrong. Of course, she 
 would be pleased with a present, as a child would with a toy. 
 Among the presents most prized by Echoee, was a iine Cuban 
 horse and Spanish ponies for her little daughters, Eola and 
 Nacoochee. The Indian Queen gracefully rode on her spirited 
 steed boy-fashion through the Valley, with Eola and Nacoo- 
 chee following on their ponies. It was their habit to make 
 frequent visits to Yonah. They could be seen winding their 
 way to the mountain, stopping at the base of an almost per- 
 pendicular cliff. Dismounting and following a narrow, dan- 
 gerous and almost perpendicular path, Echoee and her daugh- 
 ters are soon lost sight of in a dark cavern in Ifce side of 
 Yonah Mountain, and are now in the very bowels of the 
 earth; going for some distance between rocks just wide 
 enough to admit one person at a time, then opening into a 
 court sufficiently large to accommodate an army. Turning 
 abruptly to the west a stone is removed under an overhanging 
 rock and the sunlight and air streams in upon them. Below 
 is a perpendicular wall of one thousand feet. From this win- 
 dow in the heavens a beautiful scene is spread out before 
 them. Beneath is Ijie peaceful, lovely valley of Nacoochee 
 g,nd the picturesque Sautee Valley ; there is tlie populous 
 
78 
 
 capital of the Cherokee nation, with its myriads of inhabitants; 
 beyond are mountains piled upon mountains until the loftiest 
 are almost hid in the blue sky. In a hidden recess in this 
 mountain cavern Echoee cautiously removes another stone, a 
 hasty look, and Echoee is assurpd that the treasures are all 
 right. Carefully replacing the stone, Echoee and her little 
 daughters retrace their steps, and again mounting their horses, 
 after an hour's gallop they are safely at the guarded palace of 
 Wahoo. Lorenzo again and again makes love and costly 
 presents to Echoee but to little purpose. She remains faith- 
 ful to her marriage vows. 
 
 As rain drops will make an impression upon the hardest 
 granite, the attentions of a handsome Spanish officer will 
 sooner or later gain upon the affections of an untutored Indian 
 Queen, unless sustained by an Omnipotent power. De Soto, 
 finding the mines in ISTacoochee very rich in gold, built houses 
 and began to lay out a town known as De Soto. Several thou- 
 sand natives and Spaniards were employed in mining. As his 
 health improved and now being prosperous his thoughts very 
 naturally returned to his Queen in Cuba; his love for Isabel 
 was as fresh as the day he sailed for Florida. De Soto, unlike 
 Cortez and other Spanish officers, refused to take an Indian 
 wife ; he submitted reluctantly to his officers and men who 
 had wives in Spain marrying the natives. De Soto now began 
 to make arrangements for bringing to this part of the New 
 World his faithful wife and son, born a few months after he, 
 sailed from Cuba. 
 
 Wlio to#rust with this important matter was a serious ques- 
 tioa. One-half of his array would gladly have volunteered- 
 for this service. One hundred tried soldiers and two thousand 
 friendly Indians were to form the expedition, among them 
 Lorenzo. A man who will rob even a savage of his wife is- 
 not to be trusted. Lorenzo had a boon companion, a subtle, 
 cunning, deceitful man, who had deserted his wife in Spain 
 and married a native in Nacoochee. He had lived here many 
 years before the arrival of De Soto, and was well acquainted 
 with the habits and customs of the natiffes. He had all the 
 cunning of the Indians and knavery of a depraved Spaniard. 
 
79 
 
 This fellow secretly informed Lorenzo that there was hid away 
 in the deep caverns of Yonah Mountain vast quantities of 
 pearls, diamonds, copper, gold and other precious metals, the 
 spoils of wars and accumulations for ages of the wealth of the 
 Cherokees, and that these vast treasures were, in accordance 
 with hereditary custom, in charge of the wife of the reigning 
 chief. To possess Echoee would give Lorenzo this vast wealth. 
 This corhpanion in crime was to share in the spoils. Echoee 
 was to be won by fair means if possible but was to be possessed 
 at all hazards. Garillo, for that was the assumed name of 
 Lorenzo's friend, informed Echoee that her refusal to become 
 the wife of Lorenzo had greatly disti-essed him and had dis- 
 pleased the Great Spirit. He further told her that Lorenzo 
 was so much grieved that lie had determined to quit ISacoo- 
 chee never to return. Echoee now began to realize how much 
 of her life and happiness depended on having Lorenzo remain 
 here; she could not bear the thought of losing one who had 
 lavished upon her both his affections and gifts. Garillo, the 
 serpent in the garden, further told Echoee that if she would 
 cro with Lorenzo and take with her all of the treasures that she 
 would be made a great queen in a most beautiful country and 
 that her daughters, Eola and Nacoochee, would be educated 
 and when grown up would marry kings and be made queens. 
 Of course this fine story quite turned the head of Echoee but 
 before eating" the forbidden fruit she had an interview with 
 her spiritual advisers. Echoee was told by them of Adam and 
 Eve, who" were placed in the Garden of Eden, more beautiful 
 even than her home in Nacoochee Yalley; and of Bre's temp- 
 tations, just such as she, Echoee, was exposed to» at this time, 
 and of Eve's fall, and of the sin and misery broiiight upon her 
 and upon mankind by the disobedience of our iirst parents; 
 and of the wickedness of man since that daj ; and that we are 
 all tempted and prone.to do evil, and that continually, even 
 when we know that it will prove our destruction, if we do not 
 repent of our sins. Echoee innocently asked if Lorenzo was 
 in the Garden of Eden! She did not comprehend time or dis- 
 tance; her heart was»touched with the story of the cross. It 
 was. impressed. upon. .Echoee that marriage is a union for life 
 
80 
 
 between one man and witli one wonaan. This was a new 
 revelation to the Indian Princess, who had been accustomed 
 to the idea of a plurality of wives. Echoee lost no time in 
 telling her husband of Adam and Eve; of their disobedience 
 and fall; of Christ, who was born of a Virgin, suffered on 
 the cross, was crucified, and died for our sins. Wahoo 
 listened patiently, answering only with a savage, guttural 
 grunt; but when Echoee told him of Garillo's proposition, 
 for Lorenzo to take her and their beautiful children to a 
 beautiful country, <£lled with great cities, whose streets were 
 paved with pure gold, with gates of pearl, and that she, and 
 Eola. and JSTacoochee were to be made queens, Wahoo imme- 
 diately put on his war cap, summoned one hundred of his 
 brave chiefs, and retired with his cabinet into a deep cavern 
 under Yonah Mountain. 
 
 HOW THE SPANIAEDS ATTEMPTED TO STEAL THE CHBEOKEE 
 
 TREASUEES AND THE QUEEN EOHOEE THE FIEECE 
 
 CLASH BETWEEN THE INDIANS AND 
 THE SPANIARDS. 
 
 Wahoo's council of war resulted in a powerful alliance 
 with the various tribes of Indians from the seacoast to the 
 Mississippi Eiver. The harsh and cruel treatment of the 
 natives by the Spaniards, who preceded De Soto, embittered 
 them against the white man. They were glad of an oppor- 
 tunity of iiniting with so powerful a nation as the Oherokees, 
 to exterminate the hated Spaniards. They regarded the 
 Spaniards as robbers, murderers, and despoilers of their 
 families and homes. When this alliance was consummated, 
 one hundred thousand brave men were ready to fight at 
 the tap of Wahoo's war drum. Wahoo was not only the 
 ruling chigf of the Cherokees, but was complete master of 
 numerous tribes of Indians. In his day the Cherokee nation 
 covered a vast and populous territory. Wahoo was a war- 
 rior, patriot and hero. He and his wife, Echoee, sprang 
 from a race of kings and queens. When De Soto reached 
 
8t 
 
 Nacoochee, ."Wahoo was in the prime of manhood, tall and 
 commanding in appearance, and looted ae if he was born to 
 rule. He possessed almost magic power over his people, 
 and was known, respected and feared from the seacoast to 
 the mountains. No other chief possessed such a beautiful 
 capital, or one so fortified by Nature, as was "Nacoochee 
 Old Town." 
 
 nature's grand castles. 
 
 • There still stands the great Appalachian chain of moun- 
 tains, rising three to five thousand feet, forming an amphi- 
 theatre some twenty miles in circumference, capable of hold- 
 ing an army of half a million of soldiers, with only here and 
 there openings, which were easily fortified and defended. 
 In the centre of this chain of mountains is the Valley of 
 Nacoochee, of irregular proportions, from a mile in width to 
 seven in length, with foot hills rising above the valleys from 
 one hundred to five hundred feet, a£Eordiiig beantiful sites for 
 homes, being sheltered from the cold northern winds by the 
 lofty mountains that surround them. It was the custom of 
 the Indians to level many of these hill tops to make secure 
 and pleasant homes for their chiefs. Wahoo's soil was pro- 
 ductive, a7id his hnnting grounds, almost boundless, teemed 
 with the buffalo, deer, elk, bears, panthers, and with game 
 of nearly every description; wilh a climate unsurpassed for 
 health and comfort, and cold springs of water gushing from 
 nearly every hill and raountaiu^^side. No wonder Wahoo 
 felt proud of his home, of his unconquered warriors, and of 
 his beautiful Queen and lovely children. His valleys and 
 plains, all beautifal with flowers, fruits and maize, and a 
 territory embracing many of the present States, rich in mines 
 of gold, copper, iron and coal. All these he and his mighty 
 hosts were ready to defend to the last extremity. , 
 
 THE INDIAN QUEEN. 
 
 ™' Echoes looked like a Spanish Queen. She was tall and 
 well proportioned; her long, waving hair falling to her feet; 
 6 . 
 
82 
 
 her complexion was bright, and somewhat of the olive cast; 
 her eyes sparkled, and were of -Italian blackness. The homes 
 of the Cherokees were mainly in the Appalachian Mountains, 
 extending from Yirginia to the Mississippi Eiver. Their 
 whole country was the most beautiful and romantic in the 
 world. The men were brave, tall and robust, and much 
 larger than the Indians further south. Their complexion 
 was also brighter, and the women fair and handsome. The 
 Oherokees, in their dispositions and manners, were grave and 
 steady, dignified in their deportment, and tenacious of their 
 liberties. When De Soto reached Nacooehee with his small 
 
 * 
 
 army, they were looked upon as objects of curiosity, and not 
 of fear. In valor, the Cherokees were equal to any people, 
 but they did not know of the fearful and destructive weapons 
 of the Spaniards, and of their great skill in war. The day 
 was fixed for Lorenzo and his comrades to depart for Cuba. 
 Some of the best men and fleetest horses were selected for the 
 expedition. Echoee rejected all overtures made by Lorenzo. 
 She was grieved, however, beyond expression, to part with 
 her Spanish lover, but neither bribes, threats nor persuasion 
 could induce Echoee to prove unfaithful to Wahoo, or to her 
 people. Garillo knew her every mov^ement, and to this 
 serpent in the garden was assigned the duty of gaining her 
 consent, or planning her destmction. He was as familiar 
 with the cJherokee language as with the Spanish. 
 
 THE SERI*ENT AT WOEK. 
 
 Garillo, who was skilled in all sorts of mischief, informed 
 Lorenzo that at a certain hour Echoee and her daughters 
 would visit the cavern in Yonah Mountain. This was the 
 custodian of the vast treasures of the Cherokees. It was a 
 week before the time fixed for the departure of the Cuban 
 expedition. It was agreed, when they accomplished their 
 fiendish work, they would leave immediately, without the 
 consent or knowledge of De Soto, and before they could be 
 attacked by the natives. It is about as diificult to reach the 
 
83 
 
 end of a rainbow, as it is to catch an Indian napping. 
 Wahoo, the chief, was thorcfaghly aroused, and informed of 
 all the uiovoments of the Spaniards. He had his faithful 
 warriors stationed on every hilltop, and at a preconcerted 
 signal, they kindled fires on the mountain tops to summon 
 the warriors. In this way they could communicate with the 
 neighboring tribes with almost telegraphic swiftness. Lorenzo, 
 Garillo, and party in dark deeds, stealthily followed Echoee, 
 Eola and Ifacochee to Yonah Mountain. Just as they were 
 entering the cavern, they were stopped by this robber band. 
 Lorenzo made his last appeal to Echoee to accompany him 
 to Spain, and be his wife and queea. He did not only covet 
 her treasures, but he was passionately in love with the beauti- 
 ful Indian Queen. Echoee indignantly refused to accept his 
 proposition. She was seized by Garillo. In an instant he 
 fell dead at her feet; a sharp dagger, which she drew from 
 her bosom, and which had been presented her by a Spaniard, 
 found its way to the treacherous Garillo's heart. She had 
 been warned of her danger, and was prepared for him. 
 Echoee could have dispatched Lorenzo, but she hesitated. 
 She and her daughters were taken prisoners. Lorenzo told 
 Echoee that she was a murderess, and that farther resistance 
 was useless; that her only safety was in fleeing with him; 
 that unless she did so, and deliver him the treasures, she 
 would be thrown from a high precipice and killed. Echoee's 
 eyes flashed defiance. She preferred death rather than 
 betray her trust. 
 
 PLAYING ON A MOTHEe's LOVE. 
 
 Lorenzo knew Echoee's love for her children. He ordered 
 them to be bound with strong cords; he further directed 
 that, unless Echoee instantly yielded to his requeSt, to cast 
 the children down a deep precipice. Echoee would readily 
 have sacrificed her own life, but when she saw that her 
 pi-ecious children were to be destroyed, she was overcome by 
 
M 
 
 a mother's love, and promised if Eola and Nacoochee were 
 spared, she would give up the hidden treasures. The liber- 
 tine Lorenzo was not satisfied with the vast treasures, but 
 forced Echoee, notwithstanding her sci-eams and entreaties, 
 to spend several hours with him in the cavern of Tonah 
 Mountain. 
 
 WAE ON THE TEEACHEEOUS SPANIAEDS. 
 
 When the news reached Wahoo that Echoee and his 
 daughters had been captured by the Spaniards, and the 
 treasures stolen, Wahoo was kindled with rage. War was 
 immediately begun. The yells and war cries were heard 
 from valley to valley, the bright fires flashed on a thousand 
 hills and mountain tops, signals for the warriors to assemble. 
 A furious a.ttack was made on the Spaniards at every point. 
 De Soto, with a strong guard, was some miles away, at the 
 new town of De Soto, which he had built for those working 
 in the mines. He little suspected Lorenzo's treacherous 
 schemes. The hideons yells and war songs of the savages 
 were the first intimation De Soto had of the deadly conflict. 
 The Indians, now by the tens of thousands, poured into 
 Nacoochee with tomahawks, clubs, rude arms and poisoned 
 arrows. War was begun with frightful havoc. It now 
 became a hand to hand fight. Wahoo, the war chief of the 
 Cherokees, at the head of his brave army, fought desperately. 
 
 THE OPPOSING WAEEIOKS. 
 
 De Soto, the hero of many hard fought battles in Mexico 
 and Peru, concentrated his little army in the centre of 
 "Nacoochee Old Town."' His men had great advantage 
 over the natives, as they were provided with helmets, breast- 
 plates, shields, and coats of steel to repel the arrows of the 
 Indians, while the natives only had furs, bear skins, with 
 shields of hide, to protect them. They seized whatever 
 implements they could find for weapons. They even grasped 
 
85 
 
 the pots from the fire, emptyiag their contents on the head 
 of the enemy; besides tables and billets of wood became 
 instruments of war. The Spaniards made death charges 
 of artillery. The roar of the cannon only maddened the 
 natives. They were mowed down by the thousands with 
 grape shot. The mailed cavaliers rode through the streets, 
 cutting to pieces men, women and children. The Cherokee 
 warriors, and their allies from afar, constantly increased in 
 numbers, filling the air with yells of defiance and rage. 
 
 THE FATE OF LORENZO. 
 
 Lorenzo, after securing the vast treasures, amounting to 
 many millions of dollars in value," attempted, with his com- 
 rades in crime, to escape to Cuba, with Echoee and her 
 daughters as prisoners. Just before reaching the Chattahoo- 
 chee River, demoniac yells and war cries fell upon their ears, 
 as the Indians came like an avalanche down the mountains. 
 They sprang like tigers upon the treacherous Spaniards. 
 Lorenzo was the fii'st victim of their vengeance. He fell, 
 pie^rced by a thousand swift arrows, and was immediately 
 tomahawked and scalped. The stolen treasure, the accumu- 
 lation of ages upon ages, were all regained, and the queen 
 and her daughters set at liberty. Poor Echoee was crazed 
 with drugs, administered by Lorenzo in the mountain cavern, 
 and although innocent of intentional wrong, she realized that 
 an ignominious death awaited her for surrendering the treas- 
 ures. Clasping her daugliters to her bosom, whom she loved 
 better than life itself, imparting a mother's fond and farewell 
 kiss, in deep shame and desperation, she carried them in the 
 dashing waters of the Chattahoochee. They were instantly 
 washed over the rapids of the swift mountain stream. The 
 warriors ceased their fight to save their queen and her beauti- 
 ful little daughters from a watery grave. A boy of sixteen, 
 the son of a (Jhoctaw chief, reached Nacoochee as she was 
 sinking. Echoee and Eola were drowned. Thus perished 
 
86 
 
 the beautiful Christian Indian Queen, Echoee — the Morning 
 Star. 
 
 The tragic death of Eehoee, Wahoo's Nacoochee Queen, 
 was the signal for renewed hostilities. The Indians, almost 
 numberless, rushed down from the mountains upon the 
 Spaniards. The enraged Indians seized the slain Spaniards' 
 swords and sharp lances. A terrific havoc ensued. De Soto 
 was in the thickest of the fight. The sword which made 
 him illustrious in Peru, was now crimsoned with the blood of 
 the Cherokee Indians and their allies. 
 
 The Spaniards were finally overpowered by numbers, and 
 made a hasty retreat, followed by the infuriated savages. 
 A horrible carnage ensued. Nacoochee Valley was strewn 
 with the dead and dying. The wounded Spaniards crawled 
 to the banks of the Chattahoochee River to slake their 
 intense thirst; many were thrown into the swift mountain 
 stream and were drowned. Darkness put a stop to the 
 horrible massacre. 
 
 When the morning sun arose, the Spaniards were many 
 miles beyond Tonah Mountain, on the unmarked road to the 
 great Mississippi River. De Soto's army was hounded from 
 day to day by the infuriated Indians. A year was consumed 
 in marching to the Father of Waters. De Soto, the hero of 
 a thousand battles, from the day he landed in the swamps of 
 Florida, met with disasters and disappointments. His home 
 in Naeoochee Valley was the onlj' bright sp()t in his three 
 years march through a wilderness country inhabited by 
 millions of ferocious savages. But for the treachery of his 
 officers, he would have amassed great wealth in Naeoochee 
 and its surroundings. The quantity of gold and other min- 
 erals hid away in the valleys and mountains of the Cherokee 
 nation is past computation. 
 
 Harassed and disappointed, that great? man's spirit forsook 
 him, and in 1542 he sickened and died on the banks of the 
 great Mississippi. Thus ended the life of Hernando De 
 Soto, one of the greatest generals of any age. To conceal 
 
sr. 
 
 De Soto's death, his body was placed in a rough box, and 
 sunk in the ruddy waters of the Mississippi Eiver. He was 
 the first white m-^n to find a grave in that deep and turbid 
 river. 
 
 De Soto's devoted wife. Donna Isabel, spared no pains or 
 expense in searching for her long absent husband. When 
 the sad intelligence was reached in Havana of his death, 
 disheartened by long anxiety, she died of a broken heart. 
 
 ISTacoochee, Ga. Geoeoe W. Williams. 
 
 NAOOOCHEE, THE DAUGHTER OF WAHOO, THE INDIAN CHIEF OF 
 
 THE CHEROKEE NATION, ELOPED WITH SAUTEE, SON 
 
 OF THE CHOCTAW CHIEF. 
 
 It will be remenibered that Lorenzo was an officer in the 
 Spanish Army, who betrayed Echoes, the Indian Queen. 
 De Soto knew nothing of Lorenzo's treacherous schemes. 
 After securing the vast treasures, amounting to many millions 
 of dollars in value, Lorenzo attempted to escape to Cuba 
 with the Indian Queen and her two lit*le daughters as 
 prisoners. Just before reaching the Chattahoochee River, 
 one mile from Touah Mountain, the Indians sprang like 
 tigers upon the treacherous Spaniards. Lorenzo fell, pierced 
 by a thousand swift arrows. The treasures were regained. 
 Echoee was crazed with drugs administered by Lorenzo in 
 the mountain cavern. Clasping her daughters to her bosom, 
 she dragged them into the Chattahoochee, and they were 
 instantly washed down the swift mountain stream. An 
 Indian youth of sixteen, the son of a Choctaw chief, reached 
 the little girl, ISTacoochee, as she was sinking The mother 
 and sister were drowned. 
 
 ISTacoochee, the only daughter of Wahoo, was saved from 
 drowning by a boy of the Choctaw Nation, grew up to be a 
 girl of remarkable ^auty and grace of manners. She was 
 wooed by many a gallant Cherokee youth, but was won by 
 the brave young warrior, Sautee, of the Choctaw Nation, 
 who rescued her from drowning in the Chattahoochee. 
 
One dark night Nacoochee disappeared from her vine-clad 
 palace; she had eloped ■with Sautee, son of a Choctaw chief. 
 The father of Naeoochee summoned a hundred stout warriors 
 to go in pursuit of his erring daughter. The valleys and 
 mountains echoed the terrific war-whoop, as they were 
 searching every hill and dale. 
 
 Days and nights passed, but Sautee and the black-eyed 
 Indian girl could nowhere be found. • 
 
 The enraged father refused to eat or sleep. He believed 
 that the lovers had sought refuge in the caverns of Yonah 
 Mountain. Renewed and more diligent search was made. 
 
 Sautee had selected a bridal chamber for his young prin- 
 cess (which was amply supplied with venison and wild turkey) 
 amid the rocky fastnesses of Mount Yonah. lie regarded 
 the rugged cliffs rising in their native grandeur around him 
 as secure from the intrusion of friend or foe. Nacoochee's 
 new home must have been a second Eden. Before her stood 
 out a world of mountains, rising one above another, until 
 their lofty peaks were lost in the clear blue sky, while at her 
 feet nestled the lovely valleys of Nacoochee and Sautee, 
 covered with fragrant forest flowering trees, and brilliant 
 rhododendrons and azaleas. I'Vom the crevices in her granite 
 palace gushed forth pure, perennial streams, which are joined 
 by a thousand mountain springs that constitute the head 
 waters of the picturesque Chattahoochee River, and which, 
 like the rivers that run out of the Garden of Eden, abound 
 in gold. 
 
 The cies of the wolf and night-hawk disturbed not the 
 slumbers of the youthful lovers. 
 
 But Nacoochee and Sautee could no more successfully 
 conceal themselves from the revengeful warriors, than could 
 Adam and Eve hide from the presence of the Father of the 
 great human family, after having listeilted to the beguiling 
 serpent, and eaten of the forbidden fruit. 
 
 A savage shout of dctory announced the capture of the 
 foe who had dared to rob the old chief of his daughter. 
 
89 
 
 Hasty judgment was prouounced — Saiitee was to be thrown, 
 iu the presence of Nacoochee, from the highest precipice of 
 Mount Yon ah. 
 
 Before the sentence was executed, the warriors engaged in 
 a death song and v/ar dance around the strongly guarded 
 prisoner. This was kept up until the setting sun had dropped 
 behind the western mountains, and the evening star was 
 looking down upon the tragic scene. 
 
 At a signal from the old chief, four strong warriors seized 
 Saiitee, and with one terrific yell, hurled him headlong into 
 the deep chasm beneatli. Quick as thought Naeoochee 
 sprang from the strong embrace of her father, and shouting, 
 "Sautee! Sautee! " threw herself from the overhanging 
 precipice. Their mangled remains were found side by side 
 in the valley. 
 
 The terrific shock well nigh broke the heart of the aged 
 father. He directed that Nacooehec and Sautee should be 
 buried on the banks of the Chattahoochee, in one grave, and 
 a mound raised over them to mark the spot. This has been 
 planted in vines and blue grass. The cypress, ivy and 
 rhododendron cover the grave of Nacoochee and Sautee. 
 
 The valleys of Nacoochee and Sautee, which unite just 
 below my Nacoochee home, were named to perpetuate the 
 memories of the Cherokee girl and her Choctaw lover. 
 
 George W. Williams. 
 
DISCOVERY OF QOLD IN " NACOOCHEE, GEORGIA, 
 AND ITS SURROUNDINGS." 
 
 De Soto and the Indians did not take all the gold out of 
 JSTaeoochee and its surroundings. After De Soto was driven 
 out of Nacoochee by the Indians the gold remained in its 
 snug deposits for a period of three hundred years. In 1828 
 an old woman was doing her washing on a small branch that 
 empties into the Chattahoochee Eiver, which runs through 
 Nacoochee Valley, she stumbled over a lump of gold worth 
 $5,000. Those who owned "forty-acre lots" dreamed of 
 fortunes, very few of which were realized. The excitement 
 was greatly increased by the discovery of another lump of 
 gold worth $20,000. This was the largest nugget of gold 
 that was ever found at the South. It is not an uncommon 
 occurrence to find nuggets here weighing from one to three 
 pounds. 
 
 People flocked to this new El Dorado from all sections of 
 the country. Even the great Calhoun did not escape the pre- 
 vailing epidemic. Your correspondent, then a small boy, 
 knew every by path through the mountains of Georgia; and 
 to him was assigned the honor of piloting the Carolina states- 
 man and others to Yonah, the mines and other places of 
 interest. It was the year the "abominable" Tariff Act was 
 passed and about the time Mr. Calhoun resigned his position 
 as Vice-President under the hero of ISTew Orleans. Ee left 
 his home in Pendleton, some sixty miles from ISTaeoochee, for 
 rest and recreation. i 
 
 I shall never forget how much Mr. Calhoun was excited. 
 He would walk the floor for hours in the deepest meditation, 
 frequently passing his long fingers nervously through his hair, 
 which stood almost erect on his head. The great mind of 
 Calhoun penetrated the future; he saw that political events 
 which were then transpiring North and South would result 
 
91 
 
 either in a dissolution of the Federal Union or a desolating 
 civil war. Mr. Calhoun seemed to dread the one as much as 
 the other. While he regarded many acts of Congress odious, 
 unjust and oppressive to the South, yet he was not at that 
 time in favor of a dissolution of the Union ; he stood firmly 
 upon the Constitution handed down to us by our forefathers. 
 
 The political fever, however, had not taken so entire pos-* 
 session of the great Carolina statesman as that he should escape 
 the gold mania ; he had studied political economy enough to 
 know that gold was the only true representative of all values 
 and the great leveller of social distinctions. 
 
 It was the custom of miners and speculators who had 
 "deposits or veins" for sale to prepare them for "testing." 
 My father warned Mr. Calhoun against sleight of hand which 
 was practiced by many of these Wall street adventurers; but 
 the"" man who was wondrously wise in politics and books 
 heeded not the advice, and was a child in the clutches of the 
 rude miners. I accompanied Mr. Calhoun to the mines said 
 to be worth millions. 
 
 To be certain that there was no deception, Mr. Calhoun 
 would select a piece of ground untouched by the spade, stand 
 by and see the small trees removed, then the earth, until the 
 gravel and slate were reached, which was washed before our 
 eyes. If unluckily, they did not succeed in finding gold, not 
 a few were unscrupulous enough to have it concealed about 
 their persons, which was by the sleight of hand transferred 
 into the pan. This was what was called "sp,lting/' and 
 there were many victims to this mode of "cornering." Mr. 
 Calhoun paid ten thousand dollars for a mine not worth as 
 many hundred; he, however, purchased a vein of ore which 
 proved to be of immense value. The gold was embedded in 
 a stratum of rocks; there could be no deception practiced in 
 such mines. Since that day thtsre have been great improve- 
 ments in working the mines. The old boxes and long troughs 
 have given place to the hydraulic process and all the latest 
 improvements in machinery have been introduced. 
 
92 
 
 The Wacoochee Hydraulic Mining Company was estab- 
 lished just before the late war, mainly by enterprising l^ew 
 Englanders. 
 
 The water is carried in a canal twelve miles in length, 
 which cost some forty thousand dollars. 
 
 The canal has its source in the Blue E-idge, and is carried 
 
 ' on the side of the mountain. With its branches, which 
 
 spread out on the ridges, thousands of acres of land cau be 
 
 irrigated and washed. Deposits and veins of gold extend 
 
 the entire length of the canal and its branches. 
 
 The Nacoochee Company own, and have under lease ^ eight 
 thousand acres of the best mining ground in Georgia. 
 
 It is surprising to see with what force the water passes 
 through the pipes, washing down the hills almost as easily as 
 if they were so many banks of snow. 
 
 . When and how the rich deposits and gold-bearing rocks 
 were formed, is a mooted question between learned geologists 
 who have given much attention to this interesting branch of 
 science. 
 
 When the Tonah Mountain and Blue _ Ridge, for nine 
 hundred miles, were elevated by volcanic action, the true 
 veins were formed which made the placei'S or deposits of the 
 rich mines that have produced millions of dollars in and 
 around Nacoochee, Ga. 
 
 A million or more years ago, when this world was created 
 by a Divine Power, it was as level as the Atlantic Ocean, 
 but volcanic eruptions, which threw up the Alps and the 
 great chain of mountains from the ISTorth to the South pole, 
 distributed millions and billions of gold in the long range of 
 mountains and valleys. 
 
 It is thought there is more gold in JSTacoochee, Ga., and 
 its surroundings than there is in the vaults of all the banks 
 in the United S'Lates. How much it will cost to remove it 
 from the present snug deposits remains to be seen. The 
 mines have been worked without cessation since 1828. I 
 was then a boy of eight years old. 
 
93 
 
 Gold is fhe most precious metal in lie -world. Tr tbe 
 second chapter of Genesis ^ we are told that a river went out 
 of the Garden of Eden where there was gold. And the gold 
 of that land was pronounced good. Gold exercises a greater 
 influence over the human family than all the Kings and 
 Queens. In peace or in war it represents the true value of 
 all the commodities of the earth. Gold from youth to old 
 age is coveted. 
 
 A large number of miners were engaged in digging for 
 gold which they brought to my brother's store in Nacoochee 
 and exchanged for merchandise, gold or silver coin. At 
 that time in the mountains of Georgia eight ten cent pieces 
 of silver passed currently for one dollar. 
 
 Although a mere lad, I knew enough of arithmetic to see 
 that a profit of twenty per cent, could be made by buying 
 the gold dust and carrying it to the mint near by and have 
 it coined and exchanged for new silver dimes. It was in 
 these mountain wilds, that 1 got some of my first experience 
 in the "exchange business." I slept on my brother's counter 
 to guard it from robbers, and received 6^ cents each night! 
 
 Seeing the miners pick up nuggets of gold' worth two and 
 three hundred dollars each, it is not surprising that I should 
 get the "gold fever" up to one hundred degrees Fahrenheit — 
 I prevailed on my father to embark in mining. To my great 
 delight he promised to begin operations the next morning. 
 That night visions of gold dazzled my wakeful eyes. 1 was 
 inipatient for the coming of morning. At the break of day 
 I was with my father in the barnyard ; he told me to put the 
 plow harness upon "old Dick," a favorite horse he brought 
 from ITorth Carolina. In a short time Dick was harnessed, 
 and I was directed to hitch him to the plough. I thought 
 this a new mode of digging gold, but as my father's orders 
 were never questioned, I silently obeyed- 
 
 My fattier selected a broad corn field on which to initiate 
 me in the mysteries of mining. Carrying me to the field, 
 he said ''now George, you see this corn ; plow four furrows 
 
94 
 
 carefully between each row. This field is a sure gold miue — 
 one that has never failed me. We will make corn to sell to 
 those men who spend all their time hunting for gold." At 
 one dollar per bushel. I followed "old Dick" and my 
 father's orders to the letter. When the hard day's work 
 was over, I took for supper corn bread, rye mush and milk. 
 That night I was too tired and too little fanciful to dream ; 
 by morning the gold fever was cured, I have never had a 
 return of it. But I have had an inkling for gold! 
 
 GEO. W. WILLIAMS. . 
 ISTacoochee, Georgia. 
 
Sketch of the Life of George W. Williams, " 
 
 [In the Cyclopaedia of Representative Men of the Carolinas.] 
 
 Senior member of the Banking House of George W. Wil- 
 liams & Co., and President of the Carolina Savings Bank, 
 of Charleston, S. C, is an eminent business man who, from 
 the smallest of beginnings, and by virtue alone of indomita- 
 ble strength of v?ill has fought his way against powerful con- 
 tending influences, to the front ranks of his calling. George 
 Walton Williams was born in Bnrke County, N. C, Decem- 
 ber 19, 1820. The Williams family are of Welsh descent, 
 having emigrated to America on account of religious perse- 
 cution. In 1T99, Edward Williams, an enterprising member 
 of the family from Easton, Mass., came South and located in 
 Charleston, S. C. A few years later he removed to the moun- 
 tains of North Carolina and formed a partnership with Daniel 
 Brown, a successful farmer and merchant. He soon after- 
 ward married Mary Brown, daughter of his partner, and, of 
 their eight children born, George W. Williams is the fourth 
 and youngest son. When three years old his father, Major 
 Edward Williams, removed from North Carolina to the more 
 general and fertile regions of Nacoochee Valley, Ga., where 
 he purchased a large and valuable tract of land, and here, on 
 the very border of civilization, inhabited principally by Chero- 
 kee Indians, Mr. Williams's childhood and early youth were 
 passed. His father was a man of great energy, and through 
 his untiring exertions the fertile valky was brought into a 
 high state of cultivation. Major Williams first introduced 
 herd's grass, timothy and clover, and established cheese dai- 
 ries, shoe factories and like improvements, and in this way 
 did much to advance the agricultural and industrial interests 
 of Northeast Georgia. 
 
 Major Williams appreciated the value of character, and 
 trained his sons to habits of temperance, industry and self- 
 reliance, setting before them in his own life a worthy example. 
 
96 
 
 as did his most excellent wife, a woman of great energy, 
 piety and benevolence. The subject of this sketch, in his 
 fourteenth year, lost his good mother — a severe loss to one 
 who was so much indebted to her for his earlj' training, and 
 consequently home lost much of its attractions to him. Hav- 
 ing a penchant for trading, his natural instincts led him to 
 regard the commercial world as his proper sphere of action ; 
 he determined to try a wider field to develop his pent-up en- 
 ergies. Major WilHams possessed horses, buggies and money, 
 but as his son insisted on leaving home in his teens, the father 
 declined to offer him any facilities, imagining that the inex- 
 perienced youth would return the sooner to the paternal roof. 
 Nothing daunted, the boy set forth on his journey of 150 
 miles to Augusta, Ga., in October, 1838. 
 
 The young adventurer believed that "where there is a 
 will, there is a way." He started on his*two strong ^feet, 
 propelled by a resolute will and untiring perseverance. At 
 that time there were but ten miles of railroad in the great 
 State of Georgia, and hut a few hundred in the whole South. 
 Had there been thousands they would not have availed a boy 
 with only ten dollars in his pocket. To lessen his expenses, 
 he made a bargain with a kind neighbor, who was going with 
 his wagon loaded with the mountain products to Augusta, 
 Ga. He assisted in cooking and scotching for his board. 
 The board, of course, was rough, and the lodging at night on 
 the ground, but this out-door life developed tlie muscles, and 
 was an important training for a boy starting out in life with 
 a determination to succeed. The journey of one hundred 
 and fifty miles was made in seven days, at an expense of 
 less than a dollar. He was now among strangers, in a 
 strange land. Fortunately, he secured a situation with Mr. 
 Daniel Hand, in a wholesale grocery establishment, at the 
 nominal salary for the first year of $50 and board. He was 
 prompt, active and industrious, did whatever he undertook 
 to do well, and was ever watchful to promote the interest of 
 his employers. Mr. Williams's genius for business rapidly 
 developed. At the age of twenty-one he purchased the in- 
 terest of Mr. Scran ton, and became a partner, the name of 
 
97 
 
 the firm being changed to Hand & Williams. One of the 
 first acts of the young merchant, on becoming a member of 
 the firm, ■was characteristic of the man. He had been tanght 
 by his good father that it was wrong to traffic in spirituous 
 liquors. One- half of their stock in trade consisted of such 
 goods. He persuaded his partner to abandon that branch of 
 their business. It was predicted that they would lose the 
 most profitable part of their trade by this course. Mr. Wil- 
 liams would not allow pecuniary gains to turn him from a 
 course that he believed to be right. With a firm trust in 
 Providence he continued to prosecute his biisiness with his 
 accustomed energy and forethought. So far from losing by 
 his bold step, there was, from year to year, a handsome in 
 crease in the profits. 
 
 Our young moralist was encouraged in this honorable 
 Christian course by his old friends, George F. Pierce, Bishop 
 Andrew, James E. Evans and William M. Wightman, gen- 
 tlemen high in the Church. Mr. Williams is a zealous, 
 though not a bigoted member of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church. There is nothing narrow in his religious opinions 
 and feelings ; he has accepted various official duties in religion 
 and education. He is a Steward and Trustee of Trinity 
 Church, Charleston ; a member of the Joint Board of Finance 
 in the South Carolina Conference, and Trustee of WofEord 
 College, to which, as well as to Emory C'oUege in Georgia, 
 he has made liberal eontributious. 
 
 Mr. Williams has been twice married; first to Louisa A. 
 Wightman, in 1843, sister of Bishop William M. Wightman, 
 a lady of deep piety, possessing many of the characteristics 
 of her brother and of her sainted mother. His second wife 
 was Martha E. Porter, a daughter of John W . Porter, of 
 Madison, Ga., a lady of rare qualities of heart, mind and 
 person. This marriage took place in November, 1856. They 
 have four promising children, two sons and two daughters, 
 and eighteen grand-children. 
 
 Mr. Williams's domestic tastes are paramount; his little 
 7 
 
98 
 
 ■world of home is Ms earthly paradise. Here he finds time 
 to devote himself to books, the studies of which he quietly 
 pursues without pretension or ostentation.. He has procured 
 from time to time a library of several thousand volumes, and 
 his picture gallery is filled with choice paintings. 
 
 We have reached a painful period in our country's history, 
 that which found two powerful sections on the eve of civil 
 war. 
 
 The United States Government was concentrating all its 
 vast military and naval power against the States of the South, 
 which had united in the formation of an independent Con- 
 federacy. South Carolina having, as it were, struck the first 
 blow, the strong arm of the United States was directed against 
 her metropolis. The effect of this action was immediately 
 felt by the business houses of Mr. Williams, the wheels of 
 which could not be stopped in a day or in a month, as it was 
 largely engaged in foreign and domestic trade. To build up 
 the foreign trade of Charleston the house had arranged for 
 the importation of sugar and molasses from the West Indies, 
 coffee from South America, and bagging from India. They 
 had chartered two ships, which were loading with i-ice and 
 lumber for the Kio market during the bombardment of Fort 
 Sumter. These vessels were to bring return cargoes of coffee. 
 As it required six months to make the round voyage, Mr. 
 Williams ordered, in the event of the blockade of Charleston, 
 the H. P. Kussel to proceed to New York with her cargo of 
 6,000 bags of coffee, marked G. W. W. & Co. The vessel 
 was sailing as fast as wind and tide would carry her into the 
 very jaws of the enemy. In the meantime the United States 
 Government had passed the "Confiscation Act." On arrival 
 in jSTew York both vessel and cargo were attached. Mr. 
 Williams had previously taken the precaution of drawing the 
 exchange with bills lading attached, on Brown, Shipley & 
 Co., of London, thus saving the cargo of 6,000 bags of 
 coffee, which was sold at a profit of |30,000. The brig 
 "West India" was to run the gauntlet and enter Charleston 
 
99 
 
 if possible; this she did successfully in October, 1861. 
 Under a raking lire of the blockading fleet the Confederate 
 soldiers were thus furnished with 3, 000 bags of the best Eio 
 coffee. 
 
 At this time the great game of war was desolating the 
 South. Five of Mr. Williams's partners were in the Confed- 
 erate Army, and all of his clerks in service. Food of every 
 description became scarce, and prices became higher from 
 day to day. In this condition Mr. Williams no longer had a 
 heart for trade. As Mr. Williams was an Alderman of the 
 City of Charleston, and Chairman of the Committee on Ways 
 and Means, Mayor Macbeth needed his services in Charleston 
 to aid in managing the finances. 
 
 The State Legislature had appointed Mr. Williams commis 
 sary to procure provisions for the soldiers' families, and he was 
 appointed by the City Council of Charleston manager of the 
 subsistence stores to procure supplies for the poor of Charles- 
 ton. Mr. Williams, having correspondents in all of the South- 
 ern States, at once adopted measures to procure the needed 
 supplies, which were issued under his personal supervision, 
 without charging one cent for his services, or for rent on the 
 buildings that were occupied. 
 
 Mr. Williams, with his usual skill, promptness and energy, 
 threw himself into this labor of usefulness, and through his 
 exertions thousands of the destitute and suffering were sup- 
 plied with food daily to the end of the war. The friends of 
 Mr. Williams regarded this beneficent enterprise and lal)or 
 as the crowning achievement of his life. 
 
 The gigantic undertaking, under the most trying circum- 
 stances, shutout by land and sea with its endless details of 
 duty, its cares, trials, difliculties and responsibilities was of 
 an exhausting character, and proved almost beyond his power 
 of mental and physical endurance. Nevertheless he held his 
 ground, and stood steadfast at his post to the last. 
 
 The very day that the city fell, he issued rations to some 
 ten thousand people, all grades and colors, from his private 
 residence located near Hampstead, in the northeastern part of 
 
100 
 
 the city ; he had lemoved from George Street, in consequence 
 of the bombardment. 
 
 So great was the pressure the daj of the evacuation, that 
 it was necessary to barricade the doors of the dwelling, and 
 distribute the provisions through the windows, for everything 
 in Charleston was in the wildest state of confusion. At one 
 moment, when the crush was greatest, a terrible explosion 
 toot place at the Northeastern Depot, by which it was said 
 several hundred persons had lost their lives, and it was be- 
 lieved that the immense powder magazine in the Half Moon 
 Battery, near his dwelling, had been blown up. The panic 
 occasioned by this dreadful catastrophe beggars all description. 
 
 It will be seen from these details that Mr. Williams was 
 in Charleston when the city was evacuated by the Confederate 
 forces. 
 
 Through his appeal to the retiring Confederate General 
 the day before the surrender, he obtained an order written by 
 K. C. Gilchrist, the General's Private Secretary, for all re- 
 maining supplies and stores of the Confederate Government. 
 These were destined to the flames, but were thus saved by his 
 prompt action. 
 
 The fires caused by the burning of cotton, the gun boatsj 
 and in part by incendiaries, were then raging fiercely, and 
 threatened to lay the city in ashes. In this crisis Mr. Williams 
 called on the Mayor to urge upon him the necessity of surren- 
 dering the city, especially as the fire department was disor- 
 ganized, in consequence of its members being arrested by the 
 small squads of Confederate soldiers, who had been left in 
 Charleston for that purpose. 
 
 Mayor Macbeth appointed Aldermen. W. H. Gilliland and 
 George W. Williams to be the bearers to Morris Island of 
 the following communication : 
 
 To the General Commanding the Army of the United States, 
 at Morris Island : 
 
 Sir : The military authorities of the Confederate States 
 have evacuated this city. I have remained to enforce law, 
 and preserve order, until you take such steps as you may 
 think best. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 (Signed) Oeaeles Macbeth, Mayor. 
 
101 
 
 In the meantime Mr. Williams, learning that the Uniteu 
 States troops, under Colonel A. G-. Bennet, were landing 
 on Atlantic Wharf, in the rear of the old Exchange, he 
 proceeded to that place, and had an interview with Colonel 
 Bennett. Mr. Williams informed him of the disorganized 
 condition of things in Charleston, and asked for assistance 
 to aid in extinguishing the fires. This assistance was fur- 
 nished by Colonel Bennett. 
 
 After the interview the subjoined reply was sent to the 
 Mayor's note : 
 
 Headquarters United States Forces, 
 Charleston Harbor, 
 North Atllntic Wharf, February 18,1865. 
 
 Matoe Chaeles Maobeth : 
 
 I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your com- 
 munication of this date. I have, in reply thereto, to state 
 that the troops under my command will render every possible 
 assistance to your well-disposed citizens in extinguishing the 
 fires now burning. I have the honor to be, Mayor, very 
 respectfully. Your obedient servant, 
 
 (Signed) A. G. Bennett, 
 
 Lieut-Col. Commanding U. S. Forces, Charleston. 
 
 The navy took possession of Fort Moultrie and Castle 
 Pinckney, and a volunteer party of ten men from Mnrris 
 Island planted the United States flag on Sumter. The 
 soldiers took possession of the Citadel and Arsenal. Mr. 
 'VP'illiams procured from the Federal military authorities 
 a guard to protect the several mills and warehouses in which 
 the provisions had been stored, and thus saved from the 
 devouring flames food enough to sustain twenty thousand 
 people for three months, which he issued to the citizens 
 after the fall of Charleston, when they had neither money 
 nor the means of procuring a support. White and black were 
 thus rescued from great want and suffering. 
 
 Twenty-three years had come and gone since Mr. Williams 
 left his Nacoochee home. He had, by his superior business 
 talents, accumulated a larger capital than could be used to 
 advantage, even in their extensive Augusta house . . 
 
102 
 
 Having been for some years favorably impressed with 
 Charleston, he visited that city in 1852, and established the 
 wholesale grocery house of George W. Williams & Co., on 
 strictly temperance principles. The sales in the Augusta 
 and Charleston houses were soon increased to two million 
 dollars per annum, and- the profits from one hundred thousand 
 to two hundred thousand dollars per annum. Mr. Williams 
 was elected a Director in the State Bank of Georgia, at 
 Augusta, at the early age of twenty-three. It was in this 
 well-managed institution that he gained his first knowledge in 
 banking. Just in the prime of vigorous manhood, at the 
 breaking out of the War between the States we find Mr. 
 Williams at the head 'of two of the largest commercial houses 
 of the South, an Alderman of the City of Charleston, Chair- 
 man of the Committee of Ways and Means, which position 
 he held during the entire war ; director of the Bank of South 
 Carolina , also of two railroad companies ; the financial coun- 
 sellor of a host of friends ever ready to engage in all public 
 works and enterprises which looked to the prosperity of his 
 adopted City and State. During the war, through his untir- 
 ing exertions, thousands of the destitute poor were supplied 
 daily with food. On the landing of the Federal troops, Mr. 
 Williams secured their services in extinguishing tiie fires then 
 raging in various parts of the city. He thus saved from the 
 flames, and distributed, food enough to feed 20,000 people four 
 months. It was not Mr. Williams's intention, at the close of 
 the war, to engage again in the mercantile business, but to 
 establish a bank. Mr. Williams went to Washington in 1865 
 and procured the charter for the First National Bank of Char- 
 leston, capital $500,000, intending to be President, but his old 
 friends and customers desired him to return to his old busi- 
 ness, and his was the first house to resume business in Charles- 
 ton after the war. He at once commenced the erection of 
 large warehouses in the burnt district for the storage of cotton 
 and fertilizers and his extensive stores on Hayne street were 
 filled with merchandise. He also opened a banking house and 
 in a short time was fully immersed in business. His firm re- 
 ceived as much as 75,000 bales of cotton in one season, in cash - 
 
103 
 
 value about |5,000,0'00, besides doing a grocery and fertilizing 
 business of many millions. Some fifty partners have been 
 associated with him in his long business career, many of them 
 having been brought up from the humblest office grade and 
 many have retired with fortunes. Mr. Williams has divided, 
 including interest, profits arising from his various firms since 
 he began business in Augusta, Ga., in 1842 to the present time, 
 more than twenty-five million of dollars. This will show what 
 ten dollars will do when handled by one of Mr. Williams's 
 push, thrift and energy, and is a valuable lesson for the youth 
 just starting in life. The banking department of George W. 
 Williams & Go's business increased to such an extent that they 
 found it necessary to sScure larger accommodations for that 
 branch, and in 18Y5 Mr. Williams purchased the fine brown 
 stone building, 1 Broad street, which had been erected by the 
 State Bank of South Carolina, at a cost of $100,000. *To this 
 eligible location he removed the Carolina Savings Bank and 
 the Banking Department of George W. Williams & Co. 
 Since then Mr. Williams has devoted himself almost exclu- 
 sively to banking and in winding up his old mercantile and- 
 fertilizing firm. His object in establishing the Carolina Sav- 
 ings Bank, in conjunction with 'the banking business of Geo. 
 W. Williams & Co., was to afford persons of moderate means 
 an opportunity of husbanding their resources. He felt that a 
 Savings Bank, properly conducted, would tend to encourage 
 frugality, industry and thrift among the laboring classes, white 
 and black, and also teach the young the habits of saving and 
 economy. It also gave him an opportunity of training his sons 
 to strictly business habits. 
 
 Before closing this sketch, we desire to record one of the 
 noblest acts of Mr. Williams's life — pure conduct of a typical 
 Southerner. I refer to his steadfast ^and unfiinching friend- 
 ship for his old partner, Mr. Daniel Hand, in the trying and 
 perilous times of the late war. When it was announced at the 
 [North that a large sum of money, the accumulations of a war 
 trust, had been paid to Mr. Daniel Hand by a Southerner, it 
 was flashed over the wires, headed, " Komance of Finance.' 
 The marvel was that a Southern man could be found who 
 
104 
 
 would turn over a million and a half of dollars without being 
 asked to do so. Telegrams were sent to Charleston inquiring 
 into the particulars of the transaction ; for it was understood 
 that Mr. George W. Williams was -the Southerner alluded to. 
 As has already been stated, Mr. Williams went from his home 
 in JSTccoochee, Ga., to Augusta, and in his eighteenth year 
 procured a situation as clerk with Mr. Daniel Hand. So 
 energetic and faithful was the mountain boy, that he was made 
 a full partner at the age of twenty-one. It was then and there 
 that the foundation of Mr. Hand's fortune of two or more 
 millions of dollars was laid. At that time Mr. Hand was not 
 worth $5,000. Mr. Williams was the chief manager in Charles- 
 ton. Mr. Hand being opposed to secession, and afraid of the 
 results of the war, withdrew from the firm in 1861, and de- 
 cided not to corae South, but to remain in New York. His 
 lifetiine.earnings, however, were nearly all in Charleston and 
 had to take the chances of the war. In the meantime the war 
 between the North and South raged, gold debts due the firm 
 by the million went into Confederate money. Each section , 
 passed the Sequestration Act. 
 
 As Mr. Hand was no longer a citizen of the South, and 
 was known to he a Union man, the Confederate authorities 
 took measures to sequestrate his interest in the firm of 
 George W. Williams & Co. Mr. Williams finding that his 
 old friend's interest would be confiscated, if he remained at 
 the North, sent a messenger to Louisville, Ky., requesting his 
 immediate return. This was fearlessly done, notwithstanding 
 Mr. Williams was informed that if he brought Mr. Hand to 
 Charleston, his house would be destroyed by a mob. He also 
 reinstated Mr. Hand as partner in his firm, at a cost of 'more 
 than a quarter of million of dollars to himself. Mr. Hknd 
 failing to get through the lines at Baltimore, took the West- 
 ern route. On arriving in New Orleans he was arrested and 
 imprisoned as a "Lincoln spy." Mr. Williams telegraphed to 
 Governor Moore of Louisiana, vouching for Mr. Hand's in- 
 tegrity. He finally succeeded in getting Mr. Hand out of 
 prison, but he was sent under guard to Richmond, then the 
 seat of the Confederate Government. While passing through 
 
105 
 
 Augusta, Ga., his old home, the Mayor found it necessary to 
 send Mr. Hand to jail to protect him from a mob ; the Mayor 
 was his old friend, and accompanied him to the jail. Mr. 
 Williams went to Augusta at once, and shared Mr. Hand's 
 quarters in the cold walls of the jail until his release was 
 secured. After much vexation , trouble and expense, Mr. 
 Hand was sent to Richmond and confined in the Libby 
 Prison nearly a month awaiting his trial as a spy. In the 
 meantime a vigorous suit was commenced in Charleston to 
 sequestrate Mr. Hand's interest in the Charleston firm. Mr. 
 Williams employed the best of counsel, and after an exciting 
 contest, which lasted for several days, the suit was decided in 
 Mr. Hand's favor, and his interest in the firm of George W. 
 Williams & Go. was saved from confiscation. The Court and 
 jury decided that Mr. Daniel Hand had not forfeited his 
 estate by change of residence, or by any "treasonable act 
 against the State or Confederate Government." 
 
 As South Carolina at that time was not a comfortable home 
 for one suspected of Union sentiments, Mr. Williams divided 
 his last gold dollar with his friend, and advised him to go to 
 the mountains of North Carolina to await the issues of the 
 war. Before leaving Charleston, Mr. Hand confided all of 
 his personal property to the man who had stood by him under 
 suctf trying circumstances, to be held, managed and consid- 
 ered as his own. The real estate was already in Mr. Wil- 
 liams's name, and needed no transfer. Having been so se- 
 verely dealt with by the Confederate authorities, he decided 
 to go ISTortli the first opportunity, never to return, which 
 resolution he carried out to the letter. 
 
 During the early part of the war. Northern and Western 
 houses furnished Mr. Williams's firm with large quantities of 
 goods, with a full knowledge that thelaws of the Confederacy 
 were against collecting such debts ; they relied entirely upon 
 the honor of the firm for their pay. 
 
 All debts of honor Mr. Williams felt his duty to pay. He 
 started money North via. Atlanta and Louisville, Ky., but it 
 was intercepted by the vigilance committee forbidding money 
 paid to the enemy, threatening criminal prosecution if it was 
 
106 
 
 done. Mr. Williams being determined to provide for the 
 payment of these debts, remitted $400,000 sterling exchange 
 to Liverpool and London. When the war was over, the debts 
 were paid in full, with interest. 
 
 As the war progressed, Mr. Williams's fortune, and that 
 of his partner, was fast going into Confederate money and 
 Confederate securities, with a prospect of almost total loss. 
 In this emergency, Mr. Williams naturally looked around for 
 other investments, hoping to save something out of the 
 general wreck. He learned that cotton could be bought in 
 Greorgia and Alabama at 7 to 10 cents per pound. Prompt 
 measures were taken to secure 25,000 bales, storing the 
 cotton in the most secure places he could find ; he also saw 
 that there was a panic at the North in Southern State and 
 city securities ; they were being forced in the market at. 33 
 cents on the dollar ; believing that those secuiities would be 
 worth nearly par when the war was over, he invested in them 
 $500,000. Confederate money continued to decline in value, 
 while the price of cotton rapidly advanced. Heal estate 
 could still be bought with Confederate money ; thinking there 
 would be less risk in holding real estate than cotton, he sold 
 cotton at 20 to 40 cents per pound, and invested in farm 
 lands in Georgia, and 100,000 acres of well timbered lands, 
 at $1 per acre. He also purchased in Charleston and iiiftlie 
 interior of the State $500,000 worth of real estate. It was 
 in such investments, including the purchase of sterling ex- 
 change, with a very large volume of Confederate money that 
 had been collected in for gold debts due, the firm were in a 
 measure saved from total loss. And it was in that way that 
 Mr. Hand's fortune, of which he recently gave one and a half 
 million dollars for the education of the "freed slaves" of the 
 South, was saved. Mr. Williams still keeps up a correspond- 
 ence with his old friend, Mr. Daniel Hand, who, is now ninety 
 years old, quite feeble, but sound in mind. 
 
 Mr. Daniel Hand, who gave one and a half million dollars 
 for the education of the colored people of the South, was an 
 earnest member of the Presbyterian Church, and was Super- 
 intendent of the Sabbath School of the First Presbyterian 
 Church in Augusta for thirty years. 
 
107 
 
 The gift which will principally illustrate Mr. Hand's phil- 
 anthropy is known as the "Daniel Hand Educational Fund for 
 Colored People," amouuting to more than a million and a half 
 dollars in interest bearing securities, to be held in trust by 
 the American Missionary Association. 
 
 Mr. Hand died in Guilford, Connecticut, in 1891. His old 
 partner, Mr. George W. Williams, is still actively engaged 
 in business in Charleston, S. C, now in his eighty-second year. 
 Mr. Hand did not live long enough to see the practical work- 
 ing of his munificent gift, but generation after generation of 
 the people of the South, both white and black, will rise up 
 and call him blessed. 
 
 Mr. Williams is endowed with strong will-power, great 
 tenacity of purpose, is quick in perception, fertile in resources, 
 is active and energetic, with a tough, wiry, rather than a ro- 
 bust frame, enjoying uniformly excellent health. His life 
 has been one of devoted industry, and earnestly practical 
 results. Inured from youth up to close application to some 
 useful occupation, Mr. Williams is as actively engaged as at 
 any former period of his life. He rises at 6 o'clock, and is af 
 his Bank promptly at 8.30 A. M. In his business transactions he 
 does not waste time or words, but acts, as it were, by intuition, 
 rarely stopping to reason, but reaching his conclusions by his 
 firSt impulse. ("Instinct," he says, "is honest, while reason 
 is subject to a thousand influences, and is often unreliable.") 
 
 Mr. Williams has allowed himself few seasons of repose or 
 recreation, but has found time to visit Cuba, Canada, various 
 portions of the United States, and has made the tour of 
 Europe twice. An example of the wonderful versatility of 
 Mr. Williams is found in his literary works. Amid the tur-^ 
 moil of a commercial career, and during the busy years 
 through which he has passed to the honorable position he now 
 holds, he has found leisure to present to the world in literary 
 form, some of the results of his vast experience. From time 
 to time he has written, modestly, without effort or pretension, 
 yet with an ability which would do credit to some of the 
 practiced pens of literature, a series of letters upon topics of 
 high interest. His "Letters to Young Men," (twenty thousand 
 
108 
 
 letters to young men have been gratuitously distributed in 
 the past twenty years) "Success and Failure," '-Making and 
 Saving," may be perused with profit by all who wish to emu- 
 late the worthy example of a worthy man. He has also pub- 
 lished a volume of 500 pages, "Sketches of Travel in the Old 
 and New World." 
 
 There is no citizen in the South, who, by his teaching and 
 example, and by the introduction of wise and beneficent 
 measures, and by the foundation of a financial institution for 
 the encouragenfent of the young, by building and founding 
 commercial houses, has been of more benefit to the city and 
 State of his adoption, than George W. Williams. 
 
IFrom the Charleston News and Courier. 'i 
 
 QEORQE W^. WIUUIAMS «& CO. 
 
 THE THIRTY-SECOND ANNIVERSARY, MAY, 1874. 
 
 A EEMAEKABLE AND INTEEESTING CELEBRATION — INADGDEATION 
 
 OF THE OAEOLINA SAVINGS BANK A GEAND OOMMEE- 
 
 CIAL BANQUET THE EEMAEKS OF MESSES. WIL- 
 LIAMS, BUIST, ANDEBWS, T. T. SIMONS, THE 
 EEV. J. T. WIGHTMAN AND 0THEE8. 
 
 Seldom has Charleston known a more pleasant and inter- 
 esting gathering around the festive board, than that which 
 met on Saturday afternoon, to celebrate at once the 32d anni- 
 versary of the great mercantile and banking house of George 
 "W". Williams & Co., and the inauguration of "The Carolina 
 Savings Bank," an addition to our banking facilities, which 
 is the offspring of the energy of the distinguished head of 
 the firm, and for which it is safe to predict a career as won- 
 derfully prosperous as that of every other business enterprise 
 launched under his auspices. The name of George W. Wil- 
 liams & Co. , long before the war, had become as familiar as 
 household words to the commercial community of Charleston, 
 The history of the house is a record of spotless probity, in- 
 domitable energy, remarkable tact, and success that has been 
 as unvarying as it has been brilliant. Even more remarkable 
 has been the individual career of Mr. Williams. He is em- 
 phatically a self-made man. For more than the third of a 
 century that he has guided the fortunes of the firm, he has 
 had no less than twenty-five partners, many of whom have 
 retired with fortunes, while all have acquired a competency. 
 
110 
 
 The hoiise to--day occupies a proud position among the great 
 business iirms North and South. It is worthy of note, tliat 
 all of Mr. Williams's partners began as clerks in his house. 
 The main establishment is on Hayne street, but the immense 
 business of the lirm requires the use of over a dozen large 
 wai chouses, many of which have been built since the -war in 
 difierent sections of the city. Such a business, of course, 
 gives employment to a large clerical force, besides twenty 
 drays, and about one huadred colored laborers 
 
 The Carolina Savings Bank, the inauguration of which was 
 celebrated May 2d, 1874, was chartered at the last session of 
 the General Assembly. Tlie Bank is situated in the rear of 
 the Hayne street establishment and has a new and handsome 
 front on Church street. 
 
 At 2 o'clock, Saturday, a company of several hundred, 
 including some of the most prominent citizens of Charleston, 
 the clerks in the firm of George W. 'Williams & Co., and a 
 number of invited guests, assembled in and near the private 
 office of the senior partner. Among the guests were lawyers, 
 doctors, merchants, bankers, brokers, factors, architects, and 
 representatives from the ministry the army, the Bench, the 
 press and the field of letters. The young men of the estab- 
 lishment assembled in the same room, and to them and to his 
 guests, Mr. Williams delivered the following address: 
 
 REMARKS OF MR. WILLIAMS. 
 
 Friends and Fellow-Citizens : This being tlie thirty-second- 
 anniversary of a long business career, and the time fixed for 
 the opening of the Carolina Savings Bank of Charleston, I 
 have deemed it a fit occasion to invite you to unite with the 
 partners and employees of our firm in celebrating the day. 
 
 You must not imagine, because your speaker has been for 
 more than the third of a century engaged in commerce, that 
 he is an old man. Far from it. The truth is, he began 
 business in his teens, and it is difficult for him to realize, up 
 to. this day, that he is anything but a boy! Young or old. 
 
Ill 
 
 he bas made up his mind that his work is nearly accomplished; 
 and that in a few brief years the young men around him must 
 take his place in the busy marts of trade. It is his earnest 
 desire to see them, not only successful merchants, but making 
 for themselves names honored in society. 
 
 It is a happy provision of Providence that we are permit- 
 ted to take only a retrospective view of life. If I had known 
 thirty -six years ago what toils are necessary to secure even a 
 moderate degree of success, perhaps I should not now be 
 striving to do the work of a dozen men, but would be pur- 
 suing the occupation of a farmer in the peaceful and fertile 
 Valley of Nacoochee, Ga. 
 
 I have not, my young iriends, as you may well imagine, 
 found life a bed of roses, neither will you; there is, however, 
 much of real pleasure in the daily discharge of one's duties, 
 especially when we can see that our efforts are being crowned 
 with success. 
 
 As each of you, doubtless, desires to learn something of 
 the secret of success, perhaps I shall not have a better oppor- 
 tunity than the present of giving you my hard-earned busi- 
 ness experience — beginning, as I did, in a financial crisis, 
 and passing through many periods of commercial storms, 
 which not only tried men's pockets, but their honesty and 
 integrity too. 
 
 The problem of success has been to me a life-time study. 
 I have read the biographies and studied the characters of 
 imany of the most successful men of the Old and New World, 
 and have gone to the wisest man of ancient times to receive 
 his testimony. I have also been a close observer of the con- 
 duct of those witli whom I have had business transactions, 
 and have watched with no small degree of interest the causes 
 which lead to the failure of so many. By this precaution, 
 I have avoided the rocks on which they were wrecked. 
 
 I say, with health and the blessings of Heaven upon your 
 labors, there is no reason why eYerj young man present 
 should not succeed. 
 
112 
 
 Honest success is salutary, not only to individuals, but the 
 State. A firm composed of twenty partners acts as much 
 upon the principle of competition as if there were but two. 
 One of the advantages of a copartnership embracing many 
 partners is, that the head of the firm selects from his clerks 
 and acquaintances men who can fill certain departments of 
 the business better than he could himself; when, perhaps, if 
 the same men were left to manage for themselves, ten out of 
 twelve would fail. 
 
 To aid you in this good work before us, we have invited our 
 friends to meet to-day not only to celebrate the anniversary 
 of an old commercial house, but to witness the christening 
 of one of its children. The Caeolina Savings Bank of 
 Chaeleston. 
 
 Having been for many years the financial adviser of numer- 
 ous friends, 1 have long felt the necessity of establishing a 
 Savings Bank in which my friends could, with safety, deposit 
 their money, receiving for the same a fixed semi-annual 
 interest. Such an institution we to-day inaugurate. Your 
 speaker reluctantly stands Godfather to this new-born — he 
 feels the responsibility — he is used to responsibilities, an d hav- 
 ing assumed this, his best efforts will be exerted to make this 
 daughter of Carolina a success and useful to the whole com- 
 munity. His character, and the character of those associated 
 with him, are pledged that the money deposited in the 
 
 -V CAEOLINA SAVmOS BANK '7> 
 
 shall be as secure as if invested in United States Bonds or 
 English Consols. • 
 
 My friends will pardon me, in this connection, for saying 
 that in varied business transactions, amounting in the aggre- 
 gate to more than one hundred million of dollars, our house 
 has never failed to meet, to the hour, every pecuniary obli- 
 gation, whether written or verbal, except for a short period 
 during the war, when their remittances were intercepted. 
 
113 
 
 It should be the aim of those of small means to seek safety 
 rather than high rates of interest; it is seldom that the two 
 go together. A Savings Bank, properly conducted, tends to 
 encourage frugality, industry and thrift among the young 
 and laboring classes, affording them the opportunity of hus- 
 banding their resources. Many of you remember the great 
 benefits derived from the old '"Charleston Savings Institu- 
 tion," which was destroyed by the war. 
 
 We need more banking capital to build up the waste places 
 of Charleston; the high rates of interest have been a hind- 
 rance to the Commercial, Manufacturing and Agricultural 
 interests of the City and State. The late war was a political 
 earthquake that shook the Southern States from centre to 
 circumference, laying waste the finest portion of creation. 
 Three thousand millions value in slaves, and as many millions 
 of dollars in currency^ banking capital, bonds and the like, 
 were swept out of existence at the surrender of Lee. While 
 these misfortunes were overwhelming to the old men, their 
 sons must not succumb, but struggle manfully to restore the 
 country to its former prosperity. The old and middle aged 
 have not, as a general thing been able to adapt themselves 
 to the changed state of affairs; despondency has laid its frigid 
 hand on them, paralyzing their energies. Some young men 
 are averse to slow accumulations, their heads are filled with 
 scheming speculations. "Hundreds and thousands" are in- 
 significant in their eyes; they look for a few lucky turns of 
 the wheel of fortune to make them millionaires ; they hope to 
 cope successfully with Stewart, Astor and Yanderbilt. 
 
 A few words more and I have done. A crusty old bache- 
 lor friend of mine felt it his Christian duty to warn young 
 men to beware of widows, my word of caution to you is to 
 beware of lawyers. Lawyers, yoii know, must live,; that fact 
 I discovered in my youthful verdancy. My friend intormed 
 me that there was nothing like the Charleston Bar in talent, 
 integrity and virtue, this side of Boston. Said he, there is 
 my attorney, Petigru, you can trust him" not only with your 
 
114 
 
 SOUL, but with your MONEY too. Indeed, jou cannot go 
 amiss in selecting from the old members of the Charleston 
 Bar. But, Mr. Williams, selecting an attornej- is a very 
 serious thing — very. And remembering my Augusta expe- 
 rience, I groaned a responsive amen. It is, Mr. Williams, 
 almost as important as choosing a wife; and you know, Mr. 
 Williams,' if you were in search of a wife, you would not be 
 likely to select from among the old ladies, however clever 
 they might be. Another amen from me gaye my friend to 
 understand I appreciated fully his touching words of counsel. 
 I summed him up thus: In choosing a wife, I must select 
 from among the youthful, and the same rule must govern in 
 the selection of a legal adviser. I followed his advice to the 
 letter; and from among the large number of the then promi- 
 nent young men at the Charleston Bar 1 chose one in whom I 
 have ever since confided, and of him I will say to-day, that 
 he Las been faithful as a friend as he has been able and suc- 
 cessful as an advocate. He is with us now. Gentlemen, 
 permit mo to introduce the Hon. Henry Buist. 
 
 LETTER FROM DANIEL HAND, MR. WILLIAMS' 
 EAELY FRIEND. 
 
 New Haven, May 20th, 1874. 
 
 Mr. Geo. W. Williams, Charleston: 
 
 Deak Sie: I regret that I could not be with you on the 
 happy occasion of the thirty-second anniversary of your house 
 and the inauguration of the Carolina Savings Bank. You know 
 I have had a long, diligent, and laborious life. Yet I feel 
 that I am in a great degree, if not mainly, indebted to you 
 for the favorable results finally attained so unexpectedly, and 
 so gratifying and so fortunate to me. How little did I antici- 
 pate any such results when you first became a, party to our 
 
115 
 
 then laborous and moderate business. 1 have known some- 
 thing of the business of Augusta for more than half a cen- 
 tury, and I am confident in all that rime there has been no 
 other instance of success in any department at all compared 
 to yours. Yon are yet in the prime of life, and may reason- 
 ably hope for many years of health, vigor and eminent use- 
 fulness to yourself and others. I hope your family may long 
 be spared to you, and you to tliem; and that the divine 
 blessing may be upon you and abide with all during all your 
 lives. Ever your friend, 
 
 DANIEL HAND.