History buff recalls “Pitchfork” Ben Tillman

When Seneca’s Lowell Ross went to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1970, he took a keen interest in all that preceded him. And that included researching a 19th century governor whose legacy is an issue today. Benjamin Tillman was known for a lot of things—for his term as governor and his part in establishing Clemson University as an agriculture school. But history depicts “Pitchfork” Ben as a white supremacist, and Ross says the reputation was well-deserved. Because Clemson honored Tillman by naming its landmark building in his name that decision is being challenged today by African-American students.