Darlington Bizarre

Caroline Elizabeth Rugg Hymes (1841-1889) operated the Darlington Bizarre throughout the late nineteenth century. Born and raised in Darlington by parents Hiram (1798-1860) and Keziah Packer Rugg (1815-1862), Caroline married 24-year-old English immigrant, Hyam Hymes (1833-1907) at age 16. Hyam had moved to Darlington approximately three years earlier and operated Hymes & Nachman with German immigrant, A. Nachman until 1856. After the partnership dissolved, Hyam refocused his energy on building his business empire and married Caroline in 1857. Less than two years later, Caroline and Hyam welcomed their eldest daughter, Theresa (1859-1933), and later celebrated the arrival of Minnie Caroline (1861-1936) and Hamilton Andrew (1865-1939).

Even as Caroline raised her young family, she took a vested interest in her husband’s business dealings and according to her obituary, began running the Darlington Hotel on her husband’s behalf during the Civil War. Around the time Hyam was elected intendant—or mayor—of Darlington in 1872, Caroline opened Darlington Bizarre, a “fancy store” otherwise known as “Mrs. C. E. Hymes’ Emporium of Fashion.”¹ Buying from wholesalers in New York, Baltimore, and Charleston, Caroline stocked hats, gloves, belts, buttons, jewelry, undergarments, scarves, parasols, and fans. Ranging in styles and purposes, her selection included straw walking hats, mourning bonnets, and bridal caps. For her younger customers, Caroline also offered toys and dolls to peruse as their mothers shopped.

When Caroline passed in 1889, her obituary noted that she had “an unusually kind heart” and that “she was always found in the homes of those who were suffering from sickness and poverty.”² Though she married a Jewish merchant, Caroline was ultimately interred at the Methodist Cemetery of Darlington. Like their parents, Caroline and Hyam’s children followed their own paths. Minnie was later buried near her husband and father in the Jewish section at Grove Hill Cemetery, while Hamilton went on to become a Presbyterian minister.

¹ “Received Fresh this Day,” Darlington News, September 3, 1875, n.p.

² “Death of Mrs. C. E. Hymes,” Darlington News, September 26, 1889, n.p.