Originally published July 11, 1878
There is something fascinating about holding an old newspaper. Unlike history books that focus on major events and famous people, newspapers capture everyday life exactly as it happens. They tell us what people worried about, what they celebrated, what they argued over, and even what they bought at the local store.
The July 11, 1878, edition of The Pickens Sentinel is a perfect example. At first glance, it looks much like a modern newspaper, complete with local news, editorials, advertisements, political announcements, legal notices, and community events. But the stories inside reveal a Pickens County that was still recovering from the Civil War, wrestling with federal authority, investing in education, and building the communities we know today.
Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting stories from this remarkable edition.
Revenue Officers and Growing Tensions in the Mountains
The story dominating the front page wasn’t about farming or politics—it was about federal revenue officers operating throughout the mountains of Pickens County.
Following the Civil War, illegal whiskey production became common in many remote mountain communities. Federal revenue officers were tasked with enforcing tax laws on distilled spirits, but their methods often created conflict with local residents.
The Sentinel devoted nearly an entire page to sworn testimony collected by a grand jury. Residents described officers entering homes without presenting warrants, conducting searches, making arrests, and frightening families. One account described officers searching the home of a woman who had given birth only four days earlier. Another described midnight searches and arrests that were later dismissed for lack of evidence. One witness claimed officers damaged firearms while searching his property, while another described being detained without ever being shown legal authority.
Whether every allegation was accurate cannot be determined today, but the newspaper clearly reflects the deep mistrust that existed between many mountain residents and federal officials during this period.
Judge Kershaw Faces One of the County’s Biggest Questions
Closely connected to those events was an article discussing Judge Kershaw and the legal proceedings surrounding the revenue raids.
The newspaper described a courthouse filled with anticipation as residents waited to see whether the courts would hold federal officers accountable for their actions. According to the Sentinel, many citizens believed the outcome would determine whether the law could protect ordinary people from abuses of authority.
Reading the article today reminds us how seriously local communities viewed the courts. The legal system was seen not only as a place to resolve disputes but as a safeguard for individual rights and public confidence.
Education Was a Community Celebration
Not every story focused on conflict.
One of the most enjoyable articles covers the commencement exercises at Central High School. Rather than simply announcing the graduates, the newspaper paints a vivid picture of the entire event.
Visitors traveled to Central to attend examinations, speeches, music, dramatic performances, and student exhibitions. The author praised Principal R. L. Lewis and his faculty while describing classrooms filled with eager students and proud families.
One especially memorable scene depicts more than fifty students standing together on stage, each representing a different level of the school. The writer admired their confidence, their speaking abilities, and the excitement shared by parents and neighbors alike.
Graduation wasn’t simply a school function—it was one of the biggest social gatherings of the summer.
Politics Looked Very Different in 1878
The July 11 edition also gives us a fascinating look at local politics.
The Democratic Executive Committee published detailed rules governing the upcoming primary election. Readers learned where elections would be held, how votes would be counted, and where candidates would speak throughout Pickens County.
Instead of television commercials or social media campaigns, candidates traveled from community to community, addressing voters in places like Central, Liberty, Easley Station, Cross Plains, Dacusville, and Pickens Courthouse.
Politics in 1878 was personal. If you wanted to hear a candidate speak, you attended a community meeting and listened in person.
Everyday News That Brings History to Life
Some of the newspaper’s most enjoyable reading isn’t found in the major headlines.
Scattered throughout the edition are small notes that capture ordinary life in Pickens County.
Readers learned that the oat crop looked promising. There were reports of hog cholera affecting local livestock. One writer commented that it had been one of the coolest summers anyone could remember. Another mentioned an unusually rare white muskrat that had recently been caught. Local graduates were recognized, visitors from neighboring communities were welcomed, and church schedules were published.
None of these stories would make history books, but together they create a vivid picture of daily life during the summer of 1878.
What Things Cost in 1878
Old newspapers also offer fascinating glimpses into the economy.
According to this edition:
- A one-year subscription to the Pickens Sentinel costs $1.50.
- Six months cost 75 cents.
- Tuition at Central High School ranged from $1 to $2 per month, depending on the level of instruction.
- Students could find room and board for approximately $5 to $6 per month.
While those numbers seem incredibly low today, they represented meaningful expenses for many families living in rural South Carolina during the late nineteenth century.
The Advertisements Tell Their Own Story
One of the easiest sections to overlook is also one of the most entertaining.
The pages are filled with advertisements promoting patent medicines, sewing machines, schools, organs, newspapers, and household products. Many promised miraculous cures or life-changing inventions.
Some ads promoted remedies for malaria and fever. Others claimed to restore health, improve strength, or cure nearly every ailment imaginable. Reading them today provides an amusing reminder that advertising has always relied on bold promises and persuasive language.
In many ways, the advertisements reveal just as much about everyday life as the news articles themselves. They show what people wanted, what businesses sold, and how companies tried to capture attention nearly 150 years ago.
Familiar Names Still Found Across Pickens County
Another fascinating aspect of this edition is the number of familiar surnames that appear throughout its pages.
Teachers, politicians, merchants, attorneys, witnesses, military officers, and community leaders are mentioned by name. Many of those family names are still recognized throughout Pickens County today.
For local historians and genealogists, newspapers like this are invaluable. They preserve names, occupations, accomplishments, and community involvement that might otherwise have been forgotten.
Looking Back Nearly 150 Years
Reading the July 11, 1878, edition of The Pickens Sentinel reminds us that history isn’t made up only of famous battles or important political speeches. It’s also found in school graduations, church announcements, community meetings, local advertisements, and the concerns of ordinary families trying to build better lives.
Some things have changed dramatically since 1878. Horseback has given way to highways, handwritten letters have become text messages, and today’s news reaches us instantly instead of once a week.
Yet many things remain surprisingly familiar. We still debate politics, celebrate student achievements, support local businesses, gather for community events, and rely on local journalism to tell the stories that matter close to home.
That is what makes newspapers like this so special. They are more than old pages filled with fading ink—they are time capsules, preserving the voices, hopes, struggles, and everyday experiences of the people who helped shape Pickens County into the community we know today.
Editor’s Note: This article is part of our new From the Pickens Sentinel Archives series, where we explore newspapers published more than 100 years ago to discover the stories, people, and events that shaped the Upstate. Join us next time as we open another historic edition and continue uncovering the rich history of Pickens County.
