Julian Augustus Selby's Memories of Algernon Sidney Johnston and Columbia, South Carolina

Detail: Bird's eye view of the city of Columbia, South Carolina, 1872  (Library of Congress)

[Julian A. Selby, Memorabilia and Anecdotal Reminiscences of Columbia, S.C., and Incidents Connected Therewith. Columbia, S.C.: The R. L. Bryan Company, 1905. 

Julian Augustus Selby (1833-1907) was an editor (The South Carolinian, The Columbia Phoenix), music and lithography publisher (George Dunn & Company), and printer. This book is filled with details about Columbia. It also illustrates beyond any doubt Selby’s racism (prolific examples of which I have not included here). A section on the burning of Columbia in 1865 was written by William Gilmore Simms (1806-1807).] 

Page 52: 

Fishing First, Work Afterwards. 

"Shove" [Henry Shivernell] was a great fisherman, as was his employer, Mr. [Algernon] Sidney Johnston, for whom our former park was named. Employed and employer would take a notion to go fishing, when hurried work was on hand, and even take the colored pressman, Peter, along — to get bait, prepare the tackle and look after lunch. The foreman would be horrified, but Mr. J. was boss. Mr. Johnston's sole reply would be: "Monsieur, work can wait, but Shivernell can not; and I require a little recreation." 

Wonderful Pumpkins in Virginia. 

My first recollection of Mr. Johnston was the wonderful stories he would tell about Virginia. "Lightwood Knot Springs" was a sort of resort for Columbians. It was run by Mr. Stephen Smith and his wife. The springs are still there — a few miles from town, on the now Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta Railroad — but the cottages have disappeared. 

Mr. Johnston was a young man at the time and newly arrived from Virginia; ran a printing office, and in connection with Mr. DuBose, of Fairfield, published The Telescope. One of his stories impressed me as something truly wonderful. It was to this effect : 

His father [Peter Johnston, Jr.] had a brood sow of fine stock, which suddenly disappeared. Search was made for her, and finally they found an immense pumpkin vine growing on the banks of a creek running through his farm. The vine was of unusual size and extended across the creek aforesaid — so large, in fact, that Mr. Johnston, Sr., had no trouble in using it as a bridge. He crossed and after a walk of several hundred yards, came to an immense pumpkin; hearing grunting and similar noises, he walked around the monster vegetable, and there, comfortably ensconsed within its shell, was his lost hog and thirteen pigs. The animal had eaten the inside and left the shell only. 

Page 53: 

Doctors No Good, Mr. Lindfors Thought. 

Mr. C. J. Lindfors and his clerk, Diedrick, occupied rooms adjacent to Mr. Johnston, on Stanley's alley, on the site of the Bryan Printing Co.  

Mr. L. had an ugly wound on the leg, caused by a "snag," and Dr. Fair had given him directions as to a peculiar poultice to be applied to the wound when he was ready for bed. Died rick and Mr. L. were celebrating some German festival, and evidently got a little mixed when putting on the medicament. In the morning, Mr. Lindfors "raised Cain" and aroused the neighboring sleepers — declared doctors were no good, and that instead of the poultice helping his wounded leg, it had made the other sore. 

Mr. Johnston, attracted by the unusual noise, dressed and visited his neighbor's room, and made the discovery that the preparation intended to relieve the bad leg had been put on the good one. Mr. Johnston, as was his inevitable custom, put his hands under his coat-tails and stalked out. Mr. Lindfors calmed down. 

 Page 135:

First Newspaper[s] in Columbia. 

 The Times & Gazette, I have reason to believe, was the first news paper issued in Columbia, and, I think, published by John and Daniel Faust, near the southwest corner of Richardson and Washington streets. Mr. Landrum, who afterwards carried on the pottery a few miles to the northeast of the town, published The Hive for a time. The Telescope was published in 1820. The South Carolinian, by A. H. & W. F. Pemberton, followed in 1832. The Palmetto State Banner, by I. C. Morgan; Temperance Advocate, by John G. Bow man; Southern Chronicle, by Samuel Weir; Illustrated Family Friend, by Stuart A. Godman; Carolina Times, by E. H. Britton, Gyles & LaMotte and C. P. Pelham, and several others ; The Telescope resumed by A. S. Johnston; The Daily Telegraph, by Sill & De Leon, and then De Leon & Carlisle; The Daily South Carolinian, by Cavis & Johnston, which swamped The Telegraph very soon. The Courant, a literary publication, by the poet, Howard H. Caldwell. There were others, but their names I can't remember, as their existence was so brief. A. G. Summer, Esq., and B. R. Carroll, Esq., were connected with the South Carolinian for a time ; also Dr. R. W. Gibbes and F. G. DeFontaine & Co. Then followed The Daily Phoenix. Then came The Register and a number of others, but as their careers were brief, it is unnecessary to mention them. The State and The Record are the sole survivors.