Umpire George Barnes is a familiar sight on the WSHS Softball field. Barnes retired in 2013 after umpiring for 36 years. Many WS softball alumni and coaches gathered on the field at Thursday night's game with current players, coaches and umpires and the opponents of the night's game, RSM, as WS Head Coach Veronica Brown presented "Mr. George" with a plaque signed by the alumni and coaches.
On Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, the dedication of the new S.C. Bicentennial Wagon House in Wagener was held. Many made contributions to seeing this project through to completion. We were fortunate to receive a grant from the Aiken County Accommodations Tax Fund acquired with the wonderful help of Emily Ann Turner, our grant writer. Even with this grant the wagon house would not have been possible without the hard work and contributions of our mayor and all the town employees.
In 1977, the town of Wagener received the official S.C. Conestoga wagon that participated in the 1976 Bicentennial Wagon Train Pilgrimage to Pennsylvania. Mrs. Maradelle Ray was among the townspeople who took it upon themselves to ask for the wagon to be given to Wagener. “Wagons to Wagener” was the name of our yearly festival at that time so it became the symbol of the celebration. It was her “gentle nudges and suggestions” that help spur the completion of the new wagon house.
This is not just any wagon. It represented the entire state of SC in the Wagon Train Pilgrimage. Imagine all the states working together for one purpose – to celebrate our country’s 200th birthday. The state of Pennsylvania provided one wagon to each of the fifty states. Starting in 1975, the wagons from the western states started on their trip eastward. The wagons traveled along historic trails and wagon routes and then met on July 4, 1976, in Valley Forge. Stores are told of pieces of wagons taken for souvenirs after the celebrations. Fortunately the S.C. wagon was spared.
"The only thing Mr. Knotts said was 'Boys get the doctor, I am shot through the heart.' Mr Knotts realized he was going to die.” - George C. Miller, witness, 1925
For many years, we've wanted to have a memorial for Wagener Police Chief Mike Knotts who gave his life protecting our town back in 1925. We are very honored to say we now have a Memorial for Mr. Knotts.
Dr. Henry R. Ponder, former President of Benedict College and Fisk University, selected as one of the “One Hundred Most Effective College Presidents in the United States” has generously donated 5-1/2 acres of property in Wagener to be used in conjunction with 5 acres previously donated to the town anonymously for a 10-1/2 acre community park which will be developed behind the fire station on Highway 39. This park will house our new Community Center as well as a walking track, an athletic field, several picnic shelters and a playground.
Born in Wewoka, Oklahoma in 1928, Henry Ponder grew up the eleventh of fourteen children, and excelled in academics and the student council. He received his B.S. degree from Langston University in 1951 and then served two years with the Army during the Korean War. Following the war, Ponder earned his M.A. degree from Oklahoma State and his Ph.D. from Ohio State.
The generous land donation of Dr. Ponder is another example of his life-long commitment to social and humanitarian issues that, coupled with his effective leadership and his vision for the future, has left an impressive trail across the southeast. Many lives have been changed in a large part to his efforts and we are grateful for his donation to our town, a positive impact on our town and its residents for many, many years. The Town of Wagener would like to give a big “Thank You!!” to Dr. Ponder and his family.
The following is a list of some of Ponder's accomplishments:
Courtesy of Wagener Monthly
On Sunday, May 1, Clinton United Methodist Church celebrated its 150th anniversary.
The history of this church began in 1861 when a group of Christians felt the need to worship God and met in homes and later in a "brush arbor" with Rev. Charles Wilson as the first preacher. In 1884, this group planned to build a church. Mrs. Mary Vann, a Baptist friend, gave five dollars to the group to purchase 4 4/10 acres (of the present tract) of land from Miss Betty Ann Starnes. Mr. Wesley Garvin gave the logs for the construction of the building and his son-in-law, Mr. P.J. Whetstone, sawed them.
The men of the community worked together to build the church that was called "Jack Dam Methodist Church." The church began to progress and grow so it was necessary to build again. The first building was sold to the colored people of the community. During the ministry of Rev. W.D. Quick (1911-1914) a second building was established. Mr. C.T. Whetstone donated the timber and Mr. Jasper Rish built the church for $125 with the help of the men of the community. Mr. Henry Poole Sr. furnished the material and built the steps. Mr. Arthur Williamson of Wagener gave the material and made the pulpit. This time the church was named "Clinton," a suggestion by Mrs. P.J. Whetstone. Under the direction of the trustees, Mr. C.T. Whetstone, Mr. M.W. Poole and Mr. J.H. Hydrick, six-tenths of an acre was bought (now making 5 acres). In 1939 the first Women's Missionary Society was organized.
The church expanded and outgrew its facilities, so in 1944, during the Rev. Clyde Hendrix's ministry, a building program was begun for what is now the sanctuary. This church was completed in July 1948 while Dr. A.D. Betts was pastor. Rev. Hendrix returned and preached the first sermon of the new building.