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RECALLED
June 1, 2004
H. 5384
S. Printed 6/1/04--S. [SEC 6/2/04 1:35 PM]
Read the first time May 27, 2004.
TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE PORTION OF UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 76 IN OCONEE COUNTY FROM THE VILLAGE OF LONG CREEK TO THE CHATTOOGA RIVER THE "MATHESON MEMORIAL HIGHWAY" AND INSTALL APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS ALONG THIS PORTION OF HIGHWAY THAT CONTAIN THE WORDS "MATHESON MEMORIAL HIGHWAY".
Whereas, George Matheson came to Long Creek from North Shields, England, prior to 1885. An adventurer, he dared to leave England, the home of his birth, and depart for an area in America which was lovely with its virgin forests, mountains, and streams, but remote, with poor mountain roads, few or no schools, where scratching out a living was difficult; and
Whereas, George and his father, Thomas, who accompanied him on his adventure to the new world purchased 250 acres of the 288 acre Jeremiah Roach land grant property in Long Creek in 1885 for three hundred dollars. Thomas returned to England where he died in 1901, leaving the land to George; and
Whereas, this land is the center of Long Creek today, around which the community is formed. Most of the acreage remains in the Matheson family of descendants up to the great, great, great descendants of the Oconee County pioneer; and
Whereas, the Long Creek fire station and community building rest on five acres that the Matheson children sold to Oconee County for the erection of the Long Creek Elementary School. When school consolidation made the building obsolete, it was converted to its present use; and
Whereas, George built Matheson's Store in the heart of Long Creek in the late 1890's or early 1900's. He was a gentleman whose appearance one never forgot. With his full-face beard, English accent, English plaid cap and unpressed pants, he spoke in a gentle manner, always with grace and integrity. With a cigar held firmly between his teeth, he spread his influence near and far; and
Whereas, his store was the only general store-gasoline station between Westminster and Clayton, Georgia, for many years. It enabled residents to purchase essential goods and gasoline without the time and expense of travel; and
Whereas, George was named Long Creek postmaster in 1920 and served for 17 years, until 1937, when he suffered a stroke and was forced to retire. The position of postmaster stayed in the Matheson family, when son, Charles, was named to the post. When Charles retired, his brother, Nelson Matheson, was named postmaster. He served until 1964. For 44 years, a Matheson was postmaster; and
Whereas, the first telephone in the Long Creek area was in Matheson's Store and served as the community phone; and
Whereas, George first taught students of all ages in a small school in Long Creek. Educated in England, it was said that he was the most educated man in those mountains; and
Whereas, George was Justice of the Peace, whether he was meting out justice or marring local couples, he gave out advice, filled out legal papers, and gave assistance in a community where many were unable to read or write; and
Whereas, George not only taught in a small Long Creek school, but he was a part of the effort to bring education to mountain children when he joined the Reverend L. H. Raines in founding Long Creek Academy. He was the first secretary of the founding organization according to a story in the archives of the Keowee Courier, a newspaper published in Walhalla since the 1850's. Several of the Matheson siblings graduated from this school before furthering their education at Furman University; and
Whereas, this man of the mountains, and English immigrant, was a pioneer in making Long Creek an apple-growing region in South Carolina. He and his father-in-law, Nathaniel Shedd, whose farm joined the Matheson's on the west, were leaders in this movement and for many years, the Matheson-Shedd apple orchards were the first thing one saw surrounding Matheson's Store on all sides as one drove into Long Creek; and
Whereas, descendants of this remarkable man and his wife, Mary Ann, have enriched Oconee County, the State, and our country. There are doctors, lawyers, educators, business owners, government officials and employees, firemen, police officers, mill workers, farmers, orchardists, career military, and others who claim the Matheson legacy; and
Whereas, given the profound impact the Matheson family has had throughout our state's history, it is fitting and proper to name a portion of United States Highway 76 in Oconee County in their honor. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly of South Carolina, by this resolution, request that the Department of Transportation name the portion of United States Highway 76 in Oconee County from the village of Long Creek to the Chattooga River the "Matheson Memorial Highway" and install appropriate markers or signs along this portion of highway that contain the words "Matheson Memorial Highway".
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation.
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