Preserving history

Bradley man striving to conserve S.C. properties

May 16, 2005

By ST. CLAIRE DONAGHY
Index-Journal staff writer

Take a drive along South Carolina’s back roads and you’re likely to come across “many old places falling into ruin,” according to Frank Wideman III, incoming president of the Palmetto Trust for Historic Preservation.
“The trust is very worthwhile,” Wideman said. “It’s really the only organization that is working to preserve historic structures in rural areas across the state. That’s the trust’s main focus. Many smaller communities may have preservation societies, but they don’t have the resources the trust does.”
Wideman will assume the presidency of the trust’s governing board July 1. His term is for two years.
Wideman began working with the trust three years ago, and his father, Frank Wideman Jr., helped get the trust started.
“The two most important tools the trust has are a revolving loan fund that can be used to purchase endangered properties, and reselling the properties with preservation easements attached, to protect properties for future generations,” Wideman said.
According to a statement on its Web site, The Palmetto Trust for Historic Preservation “is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the architectural heritage, historical places and communities of South Carolina.”
Palmetto Trust is South Carolina’s partner for the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The trust offers advocacy of historic preservation and education about the state’s history and culture, and it provides funding to communities, organizations, and individuals dedicated to the preservation of the state’s diverse past.
As president of the trust, Wideman said one of his goals is to increase the size of the trust’s membership. Another is to increase annual giving, and a third is to work toward obtaining a full-time director for the trust.
Wideman has long been involved with philanthropic causes through his work with the Self Family Foundation and other organizations.
He is currently the president of the Self Family Foundation.
Since 1942, the Self Family Foundation has distributed more than $40 million in grants to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Greenwood and South Carolina.
“I view my job as not only supporting charitable organizations here in Greenwood, but also to help those organizations that are working to preserve and protect the environment and historic structures across the state for future South Carolinians,” he said.
Wideman said the Self Foundation does not fund the Palmetto Trust, which allows him to work with the trust without a conflict of interest.
There are examples of the trust’s preservation efforts right here in Greenwood and the Lakelands.
“The trust connected with preservation buyers to preserve Scotch Cross in Greenwood County and Shillito House in Abbeville County,” Wideman said. “Both structures were endangered by commercial development.”
Scotch Cross is considered to be one of the earliest examples of a plantation house in Upstate South Carolina. It’s a two-story white clapboard house on high brick supports. The house dates to 1815 and is in the process of being restored.
The Shillito House dates to at least the 1830s and is believed to be among the oldest homes in Abbeville. It was designed in the early Colonial style. It is restored and is now home to an antiques store.
Wideman said the trust was also involved in early preservation efforts of the Benjamin E. Mays house in Greenwood County, along with the Palmetto Conservation Foundation.
The Mays home has been relocated from Epworth to the current location of the GLEAMNS Human Resource Commission.
Mays was a Baptist minister and an influential leader in education and civil rights in this country.
He was president of Morehouse College in Atlanta when the late Martin Luther King was a student there.
“I would drive by places such as these and wonder what was going to happen to them,” Wideman said. “Now, I’m part of an organization to help preserve them and that’s very satisfying.” The trust has a 16-member board.
Another Lakeland’s area board member is John Blythe of Abbeville.
The trust’s main offices are located with offices for the South Carolina Department of Archives and History.
“One of the biggest challenges of historic preservation is early identification of properties that may be in danger, before a commercial developer comes in and purchases the property,” Wideman said, noting it’s also important for the state to have an inventory of historic properties across the state.
“To some degree, the National Register of Historic Places is a vehicle to help in that, but it’s very important that folks around the state with an interest in preservation be on the lookout for historic structures that may be endangered,” Wideman said. “Get the trust and the department of archives and history involved early in the process.
“Once buildings are gone, they’re gone forever. With each property we’re unable to save, that’s a piece of South Carolina history that’s gone forever.”
Historic preservation and restoration have been a part of Wideman’s life for many years.
His family is the fifth generation of Widemans to inhabit Sylvania, a 180-year-old Federal style house in Bradley that was sold to Frank’s great-great grandfather, James Henry Wideman, in 1847. Sylvania was built by a Col. John Hearst in 1825.
Frank’s father began restoring the home after retiring from a Washington law practice, and Frank took over after his father’s death in 1993.
The house is of frame construction and has heart pine flooring, hand-carved mantels and other woodwork, along with hand-painted wainscoting including “marbelized” baseboards and a frieze of stylized grapevines.
Original outbuildings, including servants quarters, a carriage house, smokehouse and a well house, have been restored on the property, too.
Sylvania’s architectural features set it apart from a majority of homes built in Upstate South Carolina during the 1820s and it has been featured in volumes of the “Architecture of the Old South” book series.
“The challenge, when you have a 180-year-old house in which you want to live, is how to modernize it without destroying the integrity of the house,” Wideman said. “These houses generally have no closets, no bathrooms and no central heating and air.
“When you solve one remodeling problem, you often have another one. How do you put in heating and air without tearing a house apart to put in ductwork? How do you do this and make the house affordable to live in?”
Despite the challenges, Wideman says preserving a part of his family’s past is well worth it.
“It’s very special and gives us a sense of being rooted.”

Whitt gets another title

Golfer captures second championship in less than a year

May 16, 2005

By BRIAN HOWARD
Assistant sports editor

NINETY SIX — Chip Whitt is better known around Greenwood County and inside the golf community as the Festival of Flowers champion.
But on Sunday afternoon at The Fort@96, Whitt picked up another title and added to his golf resume by capturing the Greenwood County Amateur Golf Championship.
He shot a final round 1-over-par 73 and finished with a two-day total of 145.
The title was Whitt’s second tournament victory in less than a calendar year.
“I know I am on a pretty good streak right now,” Whitt said. “I had no expectations coming into the weekend and I had played very little golf in the last month and a half. I just wanted to come out here and take some steps toward playing good over the next few weeks.
“I still didn’t putt very well, but I hit it good when I had to. The Festival is coming up in just over a month, so we’ll see if I can keep it up.”
Richard Gardner won the Seniors Division crown. Gardner shot an opening-round 1-under 71 and cruised to the win Sunday by firing a 4-over 76.
“We’ll I started out hooking the ball, but I got it straightened out,” Gardner said.
“The big part of this win today has got to be credited to Greg Chappell, who was my swing coach and helped me out of the hard spots.”
Chappell is a former playing pro at The Fort@96.
Whitt’s foursome Sunday included Matt Wiley, Michael Meredith and Lewis Rollins.
Wiley, who played golf at Voldosta State, led after the first round Saturday.
He shot a 1-under 71 during the opening round, but struggled to get his game going during the second day.
“I just couldn’t make any putts,” Wiley said. “I didn’t feel any pressure. I had been playing college golf for four years. I just got done with the regional tournament. I was three over after four holes and I just couldn’t get it back.”
Rollins, who had won the first county amateur tournament in 1987, shot 1-over 73 on the first day and finished with a 146 after firing a 73 on the second day
“I really hit it poorly,” Rollins said. “That was an ugly 73.”
Meredith was even on the front nine and had a chance to take the tournament, but stumbled a bit during the final four holes.
Meredith pared No. 10 and birdied No. 11 and 12.
“I was up by one going to fifteen,” Meredith said. “I hit on fifteen on two. I three-putted coming up the hill and then I hit too much club on the par-3 (number 16) that got me in trouble.”
Meredith three-putted on No. 17, knocking him out of contention.
Whitt played par golf for the two days. During the opening round, he shot even and finished with a two-day total of 145.
“It was very difficult to get anything going,” Whitt said. “Michael was playing real well until the middle of the back nine. He had a couple of stumbles and I just happened to take advantage of it.”

Opinion

DUI has negative effect where it counts ... trust

May 16, 2005

Holding the public’s trust is incumbent upon every public servant, whether elected or appointed. When that trust is compromised in any way, it’s time to take a serious look at the consequences.
That’s the situation now with the office responsible for prosecuting court cases in the 11th Judicial Circuit. Holding that office now is longtime Solicitor Donnie Myers. Myers has had his troubles in that job in the past but managed to survive them. Recently he was stopped by a highway patrolman in North Carolina and charged with being under the influence while driving an official car owned by Lexington County.
Since then, Myers has been the subject of critical commentary from many of his constituents. And that’s not all.

THERE HAVE BEEN CRITICAL letters in newspapers in and out of the 11th Circuit, which includes Lexington, Saluda, Edgefield and McCormick Counties. Almost all of them urge Myers to resign.
There’s no question that the situation directly affects the trust of the people in the 11th District, if not elsewhere. The man responsible for prosecuting crimes has been caught in violation of the law. That, without question, takes a toll. What happens when a serious DUI case must be prosecuted? What standing will a solicitor with a DUI record have in the court? If anyone should be the paragon of propriety, it should be the man behind the law. Whether judge, law enforcement officer or solicitor, the reputation should be squeaky clean.

WHEN AN OFFENSE LIKE driving under the influence of alcohol besmirches that reputation, it’s sure to have a negative effect on the public trust. When that happens, respect for the law diminishes. In a nation ruled by law instead of men, that’s a serious situation.
John C. Calhoun, one of South Carolina’s famous sons, made clear the importance of public trust. “The very essence of a free government,” Calhoun said, “consists in considering offices as a public trust, bestowed for the good of the country, and not for the benefit of an individual or party.”
Solicitor is a public office. It should be a public trust. As far as the public is concerned, case closed.

Editorial expression in this feature represents our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.

Obituaries

Mary Bledsoe

NINETY SIX — Mary Gault Bledsoe, 82, died May 14, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood.
Born in Newberry County, June 11, 1922, she was a daughter of the late Rev. William F. and Addie Colson Gault. Mrs. Bledsoe was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Henry Graham Bledsoe. She is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, John P. and Marilyn Bledsoe Wood of Ninety Six, Roger D. and Jane Bledsoe Burnett of Belton and John D. and Laurie Bledsoe Morris of Ninety Six; one sister, Marjorie G. Halford of Anderson; grandchildren include Gray Wood, Beth Burnett Wallace (and husband Keith), Patti Wood Hester (and husband Bryan), Brian Wood (and wife Gina), David Burnett , Fran Wood, Kelly Graham Morris and Kirby Morris; great grandchildren include Jessica Wood, Curtis Wallace, Kathryn Wallace, Ashley Hester, Alex Hester, Ryan Skidmore, Madelyn Wood and Patrick Wood. Mrs. Bledsoe is also survived by her caregivers, Faye Hawkins Williams, Georgette Ward, Grace Adams and Ruth Wilkinson.
After graduating from Greenwood High School and attending Lander College, she was a private music teacher for many years and formerly served as church organist at St. Paul United Methodist Church for more than 30 years. A member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, she was also a member of the Wesleyan Sunday School Class and the United Methodist Women of the church. Mrs. Bledsoe was an active member of the Ninety Six Music Lovers Club for many years.
Funeral services will be conducted at St. Paul United Methodist Church at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday with Rev. Ben Herlong and Rev. Kirk Hendricks officiating.
Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons and grandsons-in-law.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Wesleyan Sunday School Class along with Mike Thigpen, Jim Buchanan, Ernest Montgomery and Tom Anderson.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home in Greenwood and will be placed in the church at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday.
The family is at 115 Cape Charles Court in Harbor Heights and will receive friends in the church Social Hall from 2 to 3:30 Tuesday afternoon.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 301 Cambridge Street, Ninety Six, SC 29666 or to the Faith Home, PO Box 30, Greenwood, SC 29648.
For additional information please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
BLYTH FUNERAL HOME IS ASSISTING THE BLEDSOE FAMILY.
PAID OBITUARY

James Lane Coley

ANDERSON — James Lane Coley, 84, of 214 Hartview Circle, husband of Jean Sherer Coley, died Saturday, May 14, 2005 at his home.
Born in Macon, Ga., he was a son of the late James Alacainon and Elizabeth Neely Coley. He graduated from Winthrop Training School participating in football and basketball, and attended Erskine College on an athletic scholarship. He was a Tech Sgt. in the 39th Combat Engineer Regiment during WWII, serving in North Africa, Sicily and Italy, for four years. He retired from Husky Construction Co. in 1982 and was a member of Central Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include his wife of the home; a son, James Lane Coley II of Anderson; two daughters, Mrs. Franklin “Rusty” (Nancy) Wilson of Ninety Six and Katherine Elizabeth Coley of Spartanburg; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Services are 10 a.m. Tuesday at Central Presbyterian Church, conducted by Dr. David Bailey and Dr. Martin L. Harkey.
Graveside services are 4 p.m. Tuesday at Laurelwoods Cemetery in Rock Hill.
Visitation is 6-8 tonight at Sullivan-King Mortuary, Downtown Chapel, 401 N. Main St.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to Central Presbyterian Church, 1404 North Boulevard, Anderson, S.C. 29621 or Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 285, Anderson, S.C. 29622.
Sullivan-King Mortuary, Downtown Chapel, is in charge.

Mabel Morse

BLUFFTON — Mabel Plampin Morse, 88, of 32 Tillinghast Circle, wife of Earl Morse, died Sunday, May 15, 2005 at Hilton Head Hospital.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home.

William Berry Thomason

BELTON — William Berry Thomason, 86, husband of Maguriete Cantrell Thomason of 122 Cantrell Road, Belton, died May 14, 2005 at his residence.
Born in Greenville County, he was the son of the late Ernest E. Thomason and Jenny Berry Thomason. He was a member of Oak Hill United Methodist Church and was retired from Union Bleachery Finishing Plant. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy where he served in World War II and a lifetime member of Oran Masonic Lodge in Fork Shoals.
Surviving are: Children, Sam and Carol Thomason of Greenwood, Sandra and Jim Burgin of Greenville, Cathy and Ronnie Bell of Pelzer, Becky and Grady Henderson of Fountain Inn, and Wendy and Russell Burch of Spartanburg; 21 Grandchildren; 14 Great-Grandchildren; 4 Step-Grandchildren; 5 Step-Great Grandchildren.
Graveside Service will be Monday at 3:00 pm at Greenville Memorial Gardens with Rev. Sam Thomason and Rev. Bill Thomason officiating.
The family will receive friends 1 hour following the service.
Memorials may be made to Oak Hill United Methodist Church, Oak Hill Road, Belton, SC 29627 or St. Francis Hospice, 414 Pettigrew Street, Greenville, SC 29601.
The family is at the residence.
Cox Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY

Mary Trautman

Mary Sowell Trautman, 73, of 209 Pinehurst Drive, wife of Richard Trautman, died Sunday, May 15, 2005 at National Health Care of Greenwood.
Born in Lancaster, SC; a daughter of the late Troy and Daisy Mae Scott Sowell. She was a homemaker and was pre-deceased by a son, Richard Trautman Jr.
Surviving in addition to her husband of the home are a daughter, Gail Reynolds of Mountville, OH; a son, Michael Trautman of Greenwood; two sisters, Margie Sanders of Aden, NC and Shirley Steir of Coon Rapids, MN; two brothers, Bill and Troy Sowell, both of Greenwood; ten grandchildren.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with the Father Richard Harris officiating.
Entombment will be held at Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
The body is at Harley Funeral Home where the family will receive friends Tuesday night from 7:00 until 9:00 pm.
The family is at the home.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY