University of South Carolina Libraries
LIFE AND TIMES OF FRANCIS W. DAW SON. The Editor, the Soldier and tho Putriul [The followh K r ketch of the life find times of Capt. Francis W. Daw ion ol Ilm Charleston News and Courier was toad on the 4th inst. at the annual n cetii of thj Stute I'ress Association, which v as hold tit Ciena Bprlugd ^ ? 1 ? ? > ?h wan prepared by Col James A. tloyt, editor of The Greenville Mountai 111 1 t was highly commended by the mombers of the Association.j I. It is not always easy to realize that wo spend our days and years, be tin y few or many, a:i a talo Unit is told, but the Psalmist was right iu this picture ot Ifo, and bo knew and felt tbo lloctiug cbaraotor of human oxistonco Men Spring into the arena and for a time their actions absorb the attention of their fellows, wdio admire and extol their brilliancy or ipize with a critic's eye upon their performances, great or Small, and an they ascend the ladder of fame it is to meet the stern, Inflexible judgment of their peers. The journalist Is peculiarly environed iu thin respect, for ho is constantly under the search light, and his failings are prone to he seen and appreciated, Unlike the mau of speech, the orator, the lawyer or even the preacher, he comes more often before the public view and always with out the sympathetic sound of the /nice. / or the glamour of Intonation and de livery, to deopen the impress Of his ut terances and give potency to his ideas. The columns of a newspaper are neces sarily ephemeral iu character, and what ever genius is scintillating there it is only for Hit; passing momont, with merely a glance from the world's tower of observation and then it glides out of sight torovi r. This applies to the work of even the foremost of journalists, whoso names may perchance bo per petuatod, but whose writings aro literally Unknown to succeeding generations, and tiio>e who come aft.r are altogether strange: s to their skdl and ability in making a great newspaper. Hoi ace Oreo ley is more widely remembered as a Presidential candidate than as a jour nalist by the majority of Americans to day, ami the pathos of his political de feat, as the representative of a party with which lie was never utUlialOu, has complete1 y hidden from sight the early struggles and trials of the ycuthful journalist, who was to forge his way to the front by the wolght of his own genius, and who was to go out into ttlO great boy md with a heart broken by disappointment which he would ha.v. once dospiscd. The older Bonnott is chiclly kno*vc as a man who amassed money in the. publi cation of the liisl great newspaper in this country, laying the emphasis on the first syllable. He was great in this re spect only, and made friends of the mammon ol unrighteousness, His memoir is terse and unsatisfactory, und yet ho held a cone iouous place as the journalistic rival of Urcoicy. Then there was Thomas Rickey, the pioneer of that class who deal largely with the politicians, but he is forgotten long ago! The Richmond Enquirer and the National Intelligencer arc truly "hack numbers"' in journalism, and yet they wore once a p >wor in the land. " VW spend euar years as a tale that is told." II. This Association has Dover exerted itself as it ought to preserve the history of journalists in Bouth Carolina Plana have been carved out, hut the fruition is not abundant. We are too much con cerned with the things of the present or too anxious about the possibilities of the future, and a retrospect of the past is lightly esteemed in many quarters. It is wise if uot encouraging to keep plodding in thie direction, for we owe it to our comrades of ?' the (prill ami scissors " that their names and achieve ments shall not perish out of the view of mankaid. In complying with the re quest of the executive committee to pre pare a paper for this occasion, I have chosen for my theme the life and times of ono who came here as a stranger from across the water, hut whose pass port to the citizens of Bouth Carolina was an honorable record as a Con fed erato soltlier, who had voluntarily borne his full share of hardships and dangers in behalf of a people with whom he was not allied In fortune or person The brave young Englishman who came in the ardor of his youth to espouse a cause that commended itself to him on the foore, of patriotism is surely worthy, after the passing of these years, to have his name recalled in an organisation which he aided in forming and placing upon a foundation that was stremg and durable. Francis Warrington Dawson was no ordinary man. Gr if tod, brilliant, mag netic, he was entitled to the place he won among his fellow-men. Living the years of his manhood in association with those Whom he had j ined in a desperate and unequal struggle, and actuated by a sincere sympathy for the cause they alone represented in the wide world, it is not strange or mysterious that his comrades in arms introduced him to the inner circles of the homes he had helped te> defend with the price of Ids blood and at the risk of his life. He came to this country for the express purpose of aid lag the Southern people in their struggle for independence, to use his own language with reference to this decisive hour of his eventful career. Ho was not seeking fame, for he came a most humble capacity, and with no expecta tion that the service he proposed to ronder was likely to ho protractod. He " expected no reward and wanted none, and had no Intention whatever of re maining permanently in the Southern BtatOB." Thero is a halo of romance about the young Englishman as ho Munch! an oonortunitv for outline into execution the purpose- which had been formed across the soas, bni which was difficult and seemingly unattainable Tho world was regarding with wonder tho mighty struggle which had already onsuod DOtWCOU the North and tho Bouth, tho former strengthening itself ovory day for an ultimate victory and the latter barred out from intercourse with other nations. Tho Masou and Blidcll controversy had arincn, and Bog land was considered neutral ground at loast by the Confederates Tho sudden arrival of Cant Poi/ram, the commander of tho steamer Nashville, in tho dock at Southampton, was tho signal of hope to tho youth who was waiting a chance t i oxecute his project. He wont to South ampton, ami there for tho first time far in tho distance ho saw a flag "which was entire,! y now and strange," but which no was dostinod to follow through buccosm and dofct until it wan furled forever at Appomatiox. Tho amiability and dignity of Capt. Pegram impressed the advon tnrous youth, who was doomed to moot with disappointment on tho threshold o his anxious purpose, howovor. as the valiant old naval offlcor was obligod to refuse him as a passenger, butuiited ttat he would accept him as a Bailor bo fore the mast, if he woro a mind to on ,.at fan the service, which opened the way for his coming. !l wasjusl twenty one years of ago, which was ah ul the averago of the Mira then iti ho Con Ted? rat?; ranks, ami lie was going to cast his fortunes with them, without auy kith or kin in tin) fur t II Bunuy South. It wns natural ami inevitable Hi it the il ?wer of ottrown land should make this saciiliee, for .\ c lia>l been taiK-lit to i x peel the contest now beb wagt I, and for a generation the bio d had bun heat lug on both n!< s n bh h w is onlj np puasod by therudu Bhockof war Hut to this youth, who had said :r 10 l-bye t>> hie people at home, am! w.io had unlisted to do battle under as yet au unite 'g::i/. ud Hag, there was none of thu Btiuiulu lion that comes with tho conviction of right and the ardor of patriotism which Ufled thu bosoms of the men who were already we .ring tho gray and bearing bunions that were, unparalleled. Tho voyngo across thu ocoau was not without its dangers and exciting, incidents, and when tho Nashvilk'lran the blockade In'o the harbor at Bcaiitoit, N. C , on tllO-iSlh of February, |s?;2, tho loneliness ami isolation of the youth who was beset ?villi doubt and uncertainty, noud not be described. Otbeis were going to meet with friends and rola'.ivcs, but ho was ovorpowcred with tho nogntivo side of his oxlateuco at that nionionl, which only lime, faith, energy ami ac tivity would reverse lu tho Hl Irring .lays so soon a'.L-ivl ol him III. Ii would bo iutorosting to follow tho fortunes of tho young Kiigllshman after he reached llio shorea oi his adopted land, whoro ttio god of war was rain: paut, and whci" ovcry man, woman and child whom ho was destiued to moot was iutensely and exclusively aha ?rbed iu tho progress and result of the slrugg'o Ou the voyage ho had risen from lite placo of a common sailor to the conti dontial relation of master's mate and afterw;.ids was promoted t<> midship man, in which capacity lie was glveu an assignment to the receiving Ship, " ( 'on federate Stales,'' then in the Oltlug at Norfolk, Va rids rapid proiuotiou was mainly duo t<> tho InUuonco of (Japt Pegrnm, basod upon his recognitl hi ami Worth of Mr. DnwRou, and which stood Hie latter in good atiaul alter he left the navy. Capt. Pcgraiu was ordered in April, 1802, to lake command of the iron (dad " Louisiana," which was build ing at New Orleans, and UaWSOli was ordered to accompany him. which en abled the midshipman to travel by rail from Petersburg, Va., to Jackson, Mi h , where the information was rccoivi il til i the United Slates tied had attacked the forts below Ne? Orleans, causing I .. oily to be evacuated Ou the return ti i:> the news was given thorn that Norfolk had been abandoned by the (Jonfodi r ile forces and that the "Virginia" had been destroyed to prevent bor from falling into tho hands of the enemy, U was apparent that the Confederate Stales navy would become permanently dismantled, so far as local dofonco was concerned, as ii.c.'o was not an open port at this time ami the blockade was heing made more perfect every day. Young Dawson hail been sent to an a! leged lloatlng battery, which was lying in the./anus Kiver, and wblchhctook to be a dredge when he went to report for duly. She was without Cllginos or sails, with oily one port hole manned by a heavy gun. anil not much prospect of ever leaving the wharf at tho Kockclt's Tho enthusiastic midshipmau did uot faucy the Idle outlook, when thorc was o.Miiinotion und intense anxiety as to coming battlcson the land. McCleli m's magulticonl army was In a few miles on Richmond, and troops were hastening to the defonco of the capltol of the Con fudoracy The battle of Seven Pines was being fought and obtaiuing lc ivc of absenco, armed with a r ivy sword, the midshipman hastened to tho Held, and joined himself to tho Kighth Georgia regiment, where ho was given a mus cl and the privilege of entering the light Which was expected to bo rene w I, ll which did not take place the next mom log. He trudged hack to Richmond and sent his resignation to thti Secretary of the Navy, giving as a reason that he wished to eider the annv as a private soldier. Ho joined the Purcoll battery and reported for duty a lew days before the Seven Days iJaltlo around Rich mond. Tho commander of this famous battery was Willie Peg ram, a nephew of the distinguisncd naval olllcor already mentioned, an 1 the camp was on the turnpike leading to Mochanicsvillo where in a day or two was to bo initiated that series ol OUgagoniOUtS which have been the study of military critics ever since. The daring movement of Mo Olollan to think the Confederates and force his way into Richmond, only ft fi v mi es distant, was moro than equalled by the matchless defence of Itobort K Lee, who had just taken coniinaud of the Confederate forces, and who pressed the foe backward every day until he took refuge under the gUllboutS Oil the James, far south of Richmond. Dawson, Just prior to the Oght at Ucchanlcsvillo, saw tho distribution to the Army of Northern Virginia for the lirat timo of Confederate battle flags, "a square of coareo cloth with i blue Hold and a red crot-s doited with stars " which was thenceforth the em blem of the Oonf doracy, tho inspira tion of its soldiers, the hope of its entire pooplo, and the only symbol now re maiuing Of a cause which was d< foated in the end, yet was cvor kept without"' stain Pogram's battery was attached to Field's brigade of A I' ll IPs division, ami it was Hill's division t oit lud the way across tho Ohlckahominy ami initiated tho fight at Mockaulcsvlllo. Ii was Dawson's first glimpse of tho Con federates marching to meet the onoirfy, winch hoc one a familiar Bight to him afterwards. Tho gloaming bayonots,' the steady tramp of the men, the waving tlags and the rumbling of the artillery on the turnplkQ were to him exhilarat ing and imposing, as he testified in after years. His battery was in the advance, and it was not long until "a puff Of smoko and the sharp crack of aiille" told tho mon Unit Uiuy had reached the enemy's line, und unit Iho engagement had begun. The buttery mh unlimb irod in an open field, In full view of the enemy, and in a short t mo ho tell the liereo excitement of '> uilo, roe* i. iig his baptism of lire with men Sil i i o cs being shot down all around hi n ball in tho afternoon he was Struck 'vith > piece of shell, which so u ped out live >r six inches of tho flesh below tho knee Inflicting an ugly wound, which was] bandaged with his handkerchief, and I then lie went hack to Ids post, Where b< remained until the battery" ro* I rod from tho Held after sunset. Ho was taken to his old quarters In Richmond, vbor< ho roceivod tho attention of tho n blfl i nd gracious women who wore assiduous in looking aftor the woundod Confederates, and his gallant conduct was gazetted in the Richmond UO .vsp.ioci>. Ho went to Potetoburg when able lo travel, and tlioncu to ii hospitable homo lu thu country, where hu recuperated foi several weeks. IV. Mr. I)aw6uu rooialncd lu Sussex until he bad completely recovered from his sovi re won id, aud his friend, Uapt. H borl 15. Pugrum, was only two mites dtstaut, lie was on thu way lo pay i Uapt Pogram a visit when thty met iu I the road, aud Pugrum gave him u note from Mrs tj. W. Randolph tho wife of the Secretary of War, announcing that her husbaud uad ordered a commissiou | lo Issuu as First Lieutenant of Artillery for his frlvud, Mr. Dawsou. This news j c ?ine uucxpectodly and unsollelted, an ! j hu learned afterwards that Willie Pegrnm rue mtnoudud tho aj poiutmuut >n accouut of his bohavior at M< chatties vlllc It was made under an ncl of the Ooufoderatu Oougrvss, providing for the appointment of forty First LieulouautH "f Artillery for assignment to duty as orduauco oftlcors Ho asked to bo us dgnod to Qonorul Longstroot's corps, with which ho was connected for the next two years, und he joined the corps on tho nuirch to Maryland. <>n there turn from liagerstowu he was ordorod hy Uouoral Longstroot to tako charge of the ordnance trains of his corps and move to VViiliamsport, ami in the oxcci ? lion of this order he fell into the hands of the enemy and was taken to Fort Delaware. He was exchanged in a short time and thenceforward shared the fortunes of Longstroot's corps, in ending the campaign In Bast Tennessee He was pic. .ml al the Wilderness and j ? >a- with Longstroot as ho role down! the plank road at the head of his corr.8, ! when victory was turned hit > disaster by that fatal mistake of the Blxih Vir ginia, which tired tho volley that uior- i i dly wounded tho gallant Vlicah Jeukius i au I gave LougStreet a disabling wound. ! Spottsylvaniaj Cold Harbor, the siege of | Petersburg, quickly followed, and an : i spi litiou to the Valley lu the summer ' was succeeded by a return to Klchmoud, WhCII ail Older e:im<> In Mnmimluin !?.:! i for Dasvson loroport usorduauco olUuur i i General Kit/. Loo, upon whoso stall" ho bi rvod until tho close of tho war March III, 18115, at tho battle of Five Folks, Liout. Dawson was again wounded and hu was scut to Itiohmond, whore frienda cat id for him, and when ho nwoko the next morning the olty had boon evacuated by tho Confederates and ll 0 enemy was in possession. A. week ' >t<-i .'.one the surrender of I.ee, and the bopes of a people were buried forever. Tho military history of Capt. Dawson was full of Interest and adventure, and Ilia experience as a Btaff Olli CO r served him admiral) y in raauy respects, as ii gave him an acquaintance with men from every State, and he had the happy faculty i f making friends whorovei he : '.vent. But ho was veritably ashore ! ,'hen tho collapsocamo in April, 1805, and those who would L'RVO been g'iid to roudor him aid were themselves without moan :. Ho had no occupation or pro fessiou, and thoro was little opportuulty in impoverished Virgiuia for a Btraugor i so tilualodto earn oven the most meagre living. His energy and determination did nol succumb to the surrounding gloom and despondency, and ho sc ught the ? loans for gaining subsistence, not ' wai for it to turn up, He was with friends in Bussox for a lime after re covering from his last wound, and then ivoul to Petersburg in search of employ- ! incut He was ou the polut of scouring k lucrative position as the driver of a j dray, but l-h? owner thereof concluded j i ? employ u stalwart negro, and Capt Daw . w.i son* adrift. It is ludicrous do>v u> look back at this Incident, whon ;albint, courageous olllcer was will Ing i > cngago In menial service, but was lb i d the 'dace and preference given to i common darkey. It is stra u'c that he turned away from tnis disappointment mid began making arrangements for publishing a small weekly newspaper in li timoud, in connection with a Mr. K. u.s, who had intluontial relatives. The Richmond Whig loaned them typo Hid lie press work was to he done in that olllco, but the Whig had oiTonded Iho military authorities, who closed up Lho estab ishmout and strangled tho Btnbryo newspaper in its very birth, . |oh ended for the time being tho journalistic ambitions of one who was Ic : lued to make his mark in this ideuti :al liold of labor. v. I The next effort of Capt. Dawson was in harvesting wheat, l>y which hooarned $10, and thou lie tried book-keeping in Petersburg, f ir which he received $40 per month and pnid $.'J0 for hoard. - ile then decided to make anotbor effort on { tho farm, but went over to Richmond for the purpose of saying good-bye to friends. On arriving there he was in- ! formed that Mr. II. Itives Pollard, who had been the managing editor of tho Examiner during the war, was about to resume its publication and wanted to BOCUro him as local reporter, lie (dosed a trade with Pollard at ^20 a week, and visions of coming wealth were bofore him. Mr II R, Riordan, who had been conucelod with the New Orleans Delta and was afterwards the managing editor of the Pharledon Mercury, was one Of the most conspicuous members of the editorial Staff, and there sprang up be tween him and ('apt. Dawson an inti macy and friendship that ripened into closer business relations in a fe w years under the firm name of Riordan iV. Duw in, Charleston, 9 C. The Examiner had been under the editorial manage ment of Maj. John M. Daniel during the ,v,vr, and was chiefly read for the ability ami caustic style of its editorials, which criticised relentlessly the conduct of the. war by Mr. Davis and his cabinet. Maj. Daniel served on tho ataff of A P. Hill, and was BOrioUSly Wounded at Dailies' Mill. II, Itives Pollard was the assis toil editor at that time, and afterwards became the managing editor Ile was not gifted or brilliant like Daniel hut hu had an Inordinate ambition, and it is not surprising that liu made the- Bx* amlnor after the war the vehicle of abuse and oa'uinny upon others, which brought him into nolo iety ami caused hostile meetings with those from whom he differed Me was arrogant and self conceited, full of bravadu.and extremely CiruleSSitl his statements about other men. The Federal commander at Hich niond Bei/.od possession of the OfllOO and suspended the publication of the Kx aminer on account of malignant art'clos in it ColUmUS, but tin: President issued n peremptory ordor for its release. Cant. Daw8on on Joy od his work upon i e Examiner, and was always in tho thickest of tho tight whon Pollard got Into diflloullios, which was quite fro (Utontly. Dawsnn had boon in a turmoil ? ii f uir yoati, and doubtless was averse o having a dull time. The very day t i.u the Examiner was suspended by the I military authorities, the proprietors of the Dispatch (-out for ("apt Dawson and oftored him a salary of ?2? per week, to which Mr. Pollard mule n > objection, hi i he wont to work at onco on tho Dlrfpatob, whoro ho was legislative and 'oca, reporter, ami soon gained tho con fidence of his employers, who troatod tllm ipiito handsome y, according to his OWn account. When he loft tho I)in palch in Huptombcr, 180(1, ho rocolvo I a warm oppression of their sentiments [frota Mr Jas A.. Gowardln, editor of the Dispatch, from whose letter is quoted I the following: " Die Dispatch will I miss your valuable coatrlbu lous mid j your ; jiligent aud poracvor ug etlorls , to promote its interest* and increase its , attractions. 1 can truly say that I never ; knew a gentle,.-an more etUUCSt aud i energetic, in tho pursuit of journalism. While you have displayed accomplish - | incuts I >r the profession that are rare and invaluable. Socially, WO will all | feel a great loss in parti Ug with you, and the recollections of our lutero lUrBO with you will always he agri-oablo. While your own talents and boariug v ill coin maud respect for you in every COmuiUU ity, and your gallantry in the Southern cause wiii commend you to the hospital , Ity and friendship of every Southern man, I tender you my most earnest and heartfelt good wishes for your pros perlty and happiness in life " Tiiis was "praise from Sir Hubert,'' indeed! The cousorvatistn of the Dia patch audits distinguished editor wua a ; uitimou roa'.uio of its management in : those days, und tliis v duutary tribute to I tliu tulout aud murii, of (Japt, Dawson must h ive made a profound impression upon tue young journalist, svbo bad hosi luted to accept a position us local report er on tbo Examiner because of tin hone d doubt us to bis titness for the work It was while they were both engaged on I the Examiner that Mr. Kiordau had I broached a plan lor starting a cheap and ? popular newspaper in Charleston, wdiere [ he thought there was a tine field for a I newsy, bright and onorgotio journal. He I had not taken auy steps in that din Ction, i for he was .vailing to find the right sort of a man. and he had been convinced that he and Dawson could make a suc cess of such a newspaper in Charleston. How very prophetic were the words of Kiordau, and who that ever knew them when working as partners could fail to realize that they were specially adapted to each other. Kiordau had not fully gauged the capacity of his prospective partner, however, for in discussing the details of their probable venture he was cau lul to admonish him that bo (Daw son) "could not do the editorial writing," and they would have to engage a man for that service ! How litt'e we know of men until we have tested their metal and proven them by experience. Capt. Dawson was ins: rumental, while ' connected with tho Dispatch, in forming ' a (Joufodcrato Memorial Association, one of the oarliest in tho South.' In thu Hollywood and Oak wood cemotorios at Richmond lio saw that tlie graves of , thirty thousand soldiors, who had given 1 their lives for tho defence of the city, wore in danger of being neglected unless there was an organized effort to keep them in orde>- and mark them suitably. He began to agitate the subject in the Dispatch and met with a patriotic re sponse, for when did the women of Itiohmond ever fall to honor their loved defenders? Memorial day brought a suspension of business, when the mill tary organizations went out to Holly wood, Accompanied by hundrods of ladies bearing tlowors, and the custom was fixed lor all time to come. Tho rank growth of weeds was cleared away and the graves were rearranged, ami the plans were inaugurated for building the monument which so well graces beautifui Hollywood. Mrs. Mac.far.and, the president of the Memorial Assoeia lion, sent a letter of thanks to ('apt. Dawson when ho was about to leave Richmond, in recognition of his "valuable and distinguished services in advancing our solemn and sacred pur pose, " and expressing regret at losing Ids counsels, with best wishes for his success and happiness. Accompanying the lOttCT Was a "slight memorial" from the ladies, which was a set of sH'.ds and sleeve buttons of gold, with the Coll* federate battle-Hag in enamel on oaoli of them. VI It la a singular fact that tho nowspa per project for Charleston was kept in view by Kiordau even wlien there were changes that soomccl to bo hearing thoui adrift from auch a purpoao. When D.iw son left the Dispatch he went into the expre-s business with a company that eo.lapsed very soon afterwards, and Kiordau did not long remain with the Kxandr.er, but went to work in Wash ington, I) 0. He then accepted a posi tion on tin; Charleston Courier, and when Col. K Ham well Rhott was about to resume the publication of the Charles ton Mercury, he asked Kiordau to take his old place, but this oiler was declined. Kiordau advised that Dawson he given a place on the Mercury, and Co'. Khelt sent him a telegram, which olVered him an engagement on the paper, requesting his immediate presence in Charleston lie arrived there on the 10th of Novem her, 1800, and the next day went to work in the oiiiCQ <d the Mercury. The Charleston News had been ostab lished by Cathc.art, McMillan & Co., and the. rea: owner was Mi Benjamin Wood, of New York, iliordan had said that " The Charleston newspapers were very slow and old-fashioned," but this remark had no reference to the News, which was conducted in a manner that math, it suc cessful in a certain sense, but the man agement on the whole was extravagant and its waning fortunes induced Kiordau to seek control id the News ito visited New York in the autumn of 1807 and oponed negotiations with Mr. Wood, which resulted in the new linn of Kior dan, Dawson iV, Co., the unknown mem ber being Mr. Wood, who hail a two thirds interest. The liabilities of the , o d firm were asaumcd by their BUCC08 , Bors, und with no indebtedness of ?20, , 000. u couple of old presses und an outfit of old type, the youug inon net oulehoor fully to coiKpur and oveicoine every j difficulty. Only nowBpapor talent, coup* '? led with energy and hard work, could ' \ have met with success under such cir ; CUtnBlancOB. Both were strangers to tho people of Charleston for Kiordan'B pre VloUB residence was at a time when all I the able bodied men were in service, and lit no peri.ul in hit) lifo did ho WRBtu uny | ! time in forming promised >U8 ucquain 1 tanccs His place was on tho tripod, und j j Boldom did he got iiwtvy from it. Tlioy ' understood the value and iniportanoe of 1 news, and they were determined to make their paper livo up to its own name, I which wan the secret of their securing a ?trong foothold in the city and in tho 1 Slulo. It was soon discovered that ttiere w's ?Mi editorial wrltoi of no metin 1 nhility at the helm, mid the cautionary I suggestion of Uiordnn about engaging a n: hi lor Hull work did not need to bo carried out VII. It won d bo profitable to enter into dot nils of thO splendid work which earned for Capt. Daweon a high roputn tion as a Journalist, for it WM merit not I fortune that placed him caBily in the front rank of men who knew how to I : onrich a newspaper with thought and I information, but the limits of this sketch i aro already reached and only a glimpso niay ho given of tho twenty years' work ' which followed his connection with tho Charleston News. The collapso of tho Mercury and tho consolidation of tho Nowsand tho Courier made an important and prolific flold in which to labor, and looking back to thoso days it is easy to boo that Capt. Dawson was roady to take advantage of hi' opportunities, which led to prominence and lnfluonco in the RHEUMATISM and CATARRH CURED ?t -BY Johnston's Sarsaparilla QUART BOTTLB8. IN THE SHADOW OF DEATH. A IVholo Family Oartd. Mrs. C. EL Kingsbury, who keeps a millinery and fauoy goods store at St. Louis, Oratiot Co., Mich., and who is woll known throughout the country, Bays: *' 1 was badly troubled with rheums. ? tism, catarrh and neuralgia. I had liver complaint and was very bilious. I was in a bad condition; every day I bo gan to fear that I should ncvor bo a well woman; that I ?hould havo to settle down into a chronic Invalid, and live in tho shadow of death. I had JOHNSTON'S SARSAPARILLA rec ommended to me. I TOOK FOU.'l BOTTLES AND IT CURED ME, and cured my family both. I am very clad that I heard of it. I :vould cheerfully recommend it to every ono. I have takuu mnnv other kinds of medicine. I prefor JOTlNSTON'S to all of thorn." MICHIGAN UBl'Q CO., Detroit, .Mloh. l<\>r 3alo by th ? Liurena Drug Com puny, LiAUrcrjs, S. (J. councils of the State, us represented by the political party to which he was at I ached In many respects he wus the most active und vigilaut of public ser vauta in his day und generation, and to him may be justly ascribed the exploita tion and development of many laudable enterprises, industrial ami political In the latter field he made some serious mistakes as others viewed it. but us he Bald, in a private letter in the heat of the preliminary tight of '70, he was always ready to yield to the majority of his as sociates, and no man knew heller than he did how to yield with grace and manliness. In the earlier stages of his career as an inlluoutial Citizen, i'. may be regarded that he did his best work as a member of the Tax- Payers' Conventions, in whlcli lie came in close contact with the ablest and strongest men in the Slate, who were intent upon removing the frightful incu bus which was literally eating the vitals of the body politic. As an editor he did a full share in organizing tho movement, and as a delegate from Charleston he aided materially in shaping a policy that aroused the outside world to the degrada tiou and humiliation of the prostrate State. The work then done was tho precursor of the revolution which came in '70, aud tho exposures made in 'Til and '71 paved the way for sympathy and respect when Wade Hampton became tue Liberator of his people. 1 he News and Courier did its full share in both instances, although truth compels tho statement that the " slraightout " policy had its strongest opponent in Capt. Duwson, whose fol lowing was patriotio if it was not saga cious. Of great industrial movements in the State, Capt. Dawson was a pioneer in urging that the manufacture of cotton goods in the South pointed to a needed development of our resources. " Bring the mills to the cotton" was a familiar refrain, aud the present ascendency of South Carolina in tho number of spindles at work justifies the ardent advocacy of this course. The tobacco industry of the Pec Dee section, which has grown to large proportions, had its origin and 6?BHllU6 iu the far-sighted policy of Capt DawsOi: iti'.U his co-workers He knew from observation in his native land what the manufacture of Colt on meant to any people, and he doubtless realized from four years of experience in Virginia what tobacco growing would pay to the producer. I Among the notable, incidents of his newspaper career none will stund out with greater prominence than his re fusal to accept a challenge under the code duello It was a most courageous act when it was done, because it was breaking the record of generations in the city of Charleston. He was chal lenged by a gentleman who had been upon the held of honor before, anil it was confidently expected that Capt. Dawson would not refuse to meet him. but his decision to the contrary startled the community It was based upon loyalty to religious convictions and to his church connection which forbade I duelling. No one impugned Dawson's ' motiVOS or suggested lack of physical courage, for his record as a brave man i was too well attcste.l by those who were i associated with him in the Confederate service, and the wounds upon his per son were a refutation e>f any hint lhat he was impelled by base considerations. It is not wonderful after this ex perience that Iiis pen was employed in advocating the anti duelling law, which > sent the code into banishment. ! Tho most heroic instance of newspaper ; enterprise in this country was the prompt and regular iBsue of the News 1 and Courier when the terrible calamity i of the earthquake wrecked Charleston i and sent a thrill of horror through the land. The one ray of hope and en ', couragenient which came immediately to the affrighted inhabitants was the invincible courage and indomitable I energy shown by dipt. DaWBOD und bis associates, of which a Northern editor Bald : "Along with the most during und thorough enterprise in getting the most terrible local news ever recorded in an American newspaper, not a line of which BhOWB undue excitement or exuggora lion, we And an editorial i age wIiobo quiet and unostentatious pluckincss, strength of hope and solid faith breathe through every paragraph." Four days after the awful stroke bad fallen upon Charleston, when it wub in the midst of i the most appalling conditions, the great hearted Henry W Grady was there, and' he wroto as follows : " Perhaps tho opinion of a great newspaper in its com munity was never shown in a more striking degree. Above the mayor or the city OflloialS, or indeed any other person or clement, the public appeals to Capt, Da*son for advice, suggestion and help." What a tribute to journalism that it not only relumed hr.po In tho ttroasts or ft soroly BtrlOkon people, when gloom and desolation wab nil ftround them, hut it furnished the mnn for the hour ftiul the occftsion, and it was Ids uttorftncoB that brought sunshine amid the gloom and pointed to a brighter future that would como out of tho ashea of desolation But those rominiflccnccB of Capt. I Dawson must have an ending Twtnty slx yen im ago tho mcmbors of tho Btato Prosa Association gathered around the| banqueting hoard in tho Charleston I llotrl ab tho gucbta of tho News and Courior. CApt. Dawsoii presided, and At tho other end of the table, was Mr. Kiordan. This wab tho first banquet givon to tho AasociAtion, And there, are few now living who wore preaont that Ievening. Tho grace, and oaso with which Capt. DAwaon act eel ab toast master, coupled with his wit And lofty sentiment, rendered the occasion al ways a delightful memory, and It was I bo Inauguration of a uow er;', f r tho Journalists of South 1 'amlina, coio il log thereunder bouds which never < IhmmI b;f>rc and which grow moro pi ; "is and valuable as Hie y ars go ? y Tho untimely end of our brothi und fellow-worker med not bo cnl rued upon at this tune Ills worthy ' umi and ncxprossibly Bad that Ins lif was Bumuiarily ended hy L.cans w ti i? ' ?? hail been foretttOSt ill GOIldcinnii l ii> had plead ably Bud forcibly h r r t t and obedience to tho law, sn hlq knightly career was closed by II i u'.h loss hand of another while i? <? 'v I to monstrating against tho di9b ?) > < f a woman under his protection. '? God's ways arc the host ' You have poured out your lile v here i w as needed, And He will take cure of the rest. II? MAY II AVIS SUGGESTED IT McI/ntirin'H Latent Interview Has Cnuned CoiiKiderable Speculation The Washington correspondent of the Atlanta Constitution s;^>: In tlie interview with Sen,it r Mc Laurill, given out while here a day or tWO ?go, there was one heiltCIU'O th.it attiaeted considerable attention hero and is likely to excite Collum 111 in South Carolina. That was a reference lo the Charleston Exposition bill ami its failure t<> pass the House of Ueprc soutnlivos. Tho Senator was nsked ilie question whether it was true Hint ho had used his intluonco witli Speaker Henderson to have the appropriation killed by the llomic, and he entered tin indignant denial. South Carolinians here say there is something hack of that question. Some of thorn hciievo that the Suggestion that it should lm asked emanated from Senator Tillmau, and that Tilhnan has sotuctlnng up his (sleeve against McLaurin with reference to this episode. None of those who ihtow out insinuations -_m so hit i In give particulars, hut they do saj thoy expect this mailer to enter into Mc 1/IU1 ill's light loi ic-eleel ion. Tho appointment or Jell' Itichanlson us postmaster at Cioouvillo does not sit well with th" straight Republican politicians, who tear that McLaurin will yet be. able to get the scalp of Col li ctoY Webster, the loader of the He publican machine McLaurin is after Webster, lor he wants the place for some one. of his adherents. Weil in formed South Carolinians say that it i> UnquOStionalv true that however Ion I ient the pariy authorities may he in I letting Mcl.uuiin into IhO primaries, a line will certainly be drawn again si gentlemen hohiing federal olllcos under the administration whosiiii cluiiii to he Democrats ami who expect to figure in the Democratic primaries, They argue that no party discipline could exist if these men arc allowed in bold oflica under tin; ItepubliciiU ad ministration and at the same timo claim the right of controlling or attempting to control the Democratic primaries. Senator MeLnuriu is undoubtedly seeking to use the machinery of the administration to further his efforts to build up a party representing Ins ideas. While here this week he Win in conflu ence with Senator Iltltinu's private secretary, who came on from t.'icvc land to look niter some political nuil t.-rs. lie has also been in conference with the private dolcclivo of the ite publican national committee, who lias been in South Carolina looking ove the Hold for the ad mi ii ist ration pohti< ciahs vvlicj aro doing all in their powei to help along the Mel. lUrkb'oovcnn 11 . -4?..,H?>- "v A SllOWTN? Will. Kl. Ma dk.? Mayor Smyth, <>f Charleston, is at work on a statement t i lie submitted to the stale hoard of dispensary control on .Inly liith, which is expected to show why tho dispensary law has not been more properly enforced in his city. The boatd has required the mayor and the. chief of police to show cause why the dhpoilSfirj profits accru ing to the city should not bo withheld because of the open violation Ol the law. The situation has become so llagrant in Charleston that the State authorities ate determined to drive out the blind tigers us the city has not been able to do it. There are said to be live hundred ligcis in the cily. At the last term of court the police made out cases against nearly one hundred dealers in liquor, but llio grand jury refused to ICturil true bills. This ag gravated the situation, and now there is a sensational turn expected. Mayor Smyth will not give any inti Illation of what he will have to ay to the State hoard when he goes to an swer the rule. It is staled, however, that he. is gathering much information which may he in the nature of a bomb shell and the chances aic thai he will place the hhltUO where it belongs. The blind tigers bnvo grown m> bold in tbolr operations lint the boiler olc? uiont hero is demanding en improve mcuti The fuel cnntioi bo denied Ibnl the dispontary law is unpopular, and Iboprejudice is so strong Ibat it is im possible to con viel tlie tiger dealers. Still, the bettor eh'inenl wants n change, but in the drawing of ju ics men have been secured who seem to be in Sympathy With tllO blind tigers, or at least they are so prejudiced thai lb' ., refuse to convict. In tho agricultural doparlmonl of Minnesota (hey arc propagating new varieties of wheat by Hclccllng and ar tificial polloni/ntion. Some of the va? rietius produced are far ahead of tho host varieties previously cultivated. It Ii? estimated that they have added $'22,? 000,000 to the value of the Western whonl crop. Ml?. W. II. Iliirnctt,of .Jasper, Tcnn. wife of lllO liciul miller of the Jasper, Tenn., flouring mills, lu\s just given Inn ii to four child roil all of whom are doing well. I'rovlous to llio ndvont of these bullies Mrs. Burnoll gave birth to triplets, and then twins. The couple I has DOOn married live years and ten children now adorn their homo. CASTOR IA The Kind You Have Always Bought For Infants and Children. Boars tho Signature of Absolutely jVube Making Powder Makes the food more delicious and wholesome RO>Al BAKINQ POM M? CO.. NEW YORK. THIS DEATH OF CONGRESSMAN STOKIvS. A Creditable Representative And Faithful Worker lor His Con stituents Chnrlustou News ami Courier. Tim death oi Congressman .1. Wil liam Stokes, ai hi- home in Orange burg, removes from the arena one of the public men who has held a central place since about INIK). There Is a gnat deal thai might be said about Congressman Stokes, of his lite und of Ins polit eal ups and downs, hut over ami above it all must be said that he was a gi <><| citizen nnd exceedingly popular aim re his own people, which, ? i i i all, i> uhoul the best test ol a nan's worth and character. Congressman Stokes was never of a pushing or ostentatious disposition. Ho did nut do much advertising of himst it <>r Ids work, mid that no doubt accounts for tliu sin II credit lie lias re re tved for n groat deal bo really uccoin p I is bod. for instance, it was be who iiipressed the frco uiral delivery id? a and ham no red away at it long be fore Congress ever established the sys tem in this Stale. Congressman Stokes was one of ilif fat hoi 8 of the Stute farmers1 Alliance, and it w as largely through lids agency that be look such a very HCliVQ part in Slate polities, Which led to his election 10 Congress. lie w.i-. a valuable member of the con stitutional COUVeiltioil and did a great deal id' work while in that body, and had charge of the commit'oe on IInances and taxation. Km- Bevern! months past Dr. Stokos has been eonllncil nl his home, about ihrer unit s Crom Ornngoburg, und his friends have hit much coueern ou nc count of his condith u. IJcforc the ad? jourmnent of Cong.oss Dr. "?tokos had to leave Washington because <>f his health and lie lias Rpent his tune since surrounded with every comfort at his elegant leime. Dr. Stokes suffered from some stomach trouhlo, the organs not performing their functions BUtllci cntiy lor his food to assimilate, lie gradually sank to a mere skeleton and while at times he would rally, still t ere Would come a backsot that woul 1 pros Irate mm a :am. ror some tinn n has been desired to take him to some sani tarium for troatmcnthy specialists will tho hope that sonn- go d might be dem for him, but his condition lias not b < n Stich that he could he moved from his home. To hi- H h n Is, who h ir. known los red condition, his d nth did no: come as a surprise. He ha ' a -inking spell ou Friday i.Dcruoon fron which he i.ever rnllli d, lie lilitfch d through the night and .'id Snturdi> morning a lew minutes ii'ti i ?"? o\l i k. Some time ago Dr si kes h msJl gave up ah 'l pe i I ia i oVel v . IlisdeVolid ? iri iiiusid and eared Tor him mo t nil ettonately am! ten deily through id hU sickness, and hla <te: t!i came as a s.\e e shock to her. Kg ;ul al mg -he tenaciously clung to some h,,! Iiis recovery. His moth er, an I his sisters and' hi id'?er, M'- (i Kdw n Stokes, wen also with him Uk' to the last. / It was in I SIM Ili.it Dr. Stokes wa9 llrst elected t > Congress, which was hi a lime when factionalism in the poli tics of tins Stale was at high water mark, but Dr. Stokes wont i<> work in his accustomed quiet, steady way to servo his constituency, always ready to lio of service to whomsoever lie might and apparently hearing malice towards none, so that hi* strength upon the district grew strongei instead of weak er with the passing years. Il is (specially sad thill his death should COI11U lit this time, when he had practically ihe unanimous support of the entire district . Ins most intense opponents at the nine of his lirsi elec tion being his active supporters now. lie. commanded (bo respect of the bus iness men of his home, ami the people Who knew him ami dealt with him tiustcd him. Dr, Stokes vvns a scliolai, being well educated ill curly lifo ; he never gave up n a ling ami study. Politics was a study to him and every move the re sult of mature reflection. He was a broad mail ami became more liberal in his views as h<- llpened in age. It is probable llllll had Dr. Stokes lived he .vould not have continued in Congress many years longer, for his love, of homo with its ipiiulllde would have in I liueiiced bis volunlarilv .curing from public life in ali p>- bability, A feW yen'-, ago while this corres pondent was in Washington and wa hotn^ shown around by Dr. Stokes ho romnrked the Strong fascination that Washington and political lifo seemed 10 havo for mosl public men, and that man) of (hem after being deprived ol their BCttls in Congress would still lin ?_' r around the shadows oi their former political glory. Dr. Stokes remarked at that time th.it be |>: ipoicd (o relinquish bis soul latin i iii.u. torn tin in that lile long nnough for it to secure a hold upon him. and already his moi'o intimate friends knew thai ho was tiring of pub lic lifo. There is another side of Dr. Stokes's I life that is not generally known, w! Ich accounts lor tin: strong hold he h id upon the affections of iho people. Having no children of his ow? ? cat for and educate, il was hi< dci.ttht i others. There i- in my n \ " n man today pursuing h * col lego <on s will miss Um a--i I nice <>i Dr. Stokes. Tin ro uro many young mon a' homo it ml nbr ml who owe moir oil* ucaltoii t i ihn kin I*ho ?r i d u ss (,f Di Sink's. 01 tins I ho I ml e know little, only Ihoso lnt< iv^ied in m I? partlcu lar rase K now ii .? 1 h 1 fnctf? In ihn d a h ? i U -ngr? ?stnnn stoke* ? ) nuart:lm j. U"iiuty has sustained n I ii -in' i lots, mi I hi a timo when the ' Oobdilbua wetv such that ho could I prove himaolf must useful to his people I ui.il community. The Cougressioiiftl Uccord says : "Hcprcscntnlivo J. William Stokes, of I Oraugoburg, was brought opto farm lifo, attending the ordinary schools of his county and town until ho was nine loon years of age ; graduated from Washington and Leo University, Vir ginia, iii 1870, and taught school twelve years, graduating meantime in medicine from Vundorbilt University, Tennessee. In |sn;i lie returned to the farm, assisted in organizing tlie fanners ami was president of the State Farmers' Alliance, two terms ; was ulecied to the. State Senate in 1890 ; was ii delegate at large to the National Democratic Convention at Chicago in 181)2, and was Presidential elector on the Democratic ticket the. same year ; was elected to the .Mill atitl ??tli Con gresses, and re-elected to the 50lh t 'ongress. INDUSTRIAL AND GENERAL. OliCO every year (In- lirilish ship Wye makes a trip to llio Island of As cension and returns with a cargo of turtles, from which royally is supplied with soup. It is estimated that there are 0,000, 000 peach trees in Georgia hearing this year, and that the crop, notwithstand ing drawbacks, will amount to 4,000, 000 crates, worth $1,000,000. This does not include the amount consumed at home. Frank Stolt/.miller, the driver of an express wagon in Denver, began the practice about two years ago of placing mats under the feel of his horses where lin y stood. He was actuated by a feel ing of kindness to tho animals, but it has brought him considerable business, and there is talk of the local express men's union asking all members to adopt the practice. Several methods of preserving the natural color of pressi'd (lowers have been suggested, hut the best, it is said, is that used in the Now York botanical garden. After tho specimens have been under pressure, for a day or two, they are laid in papers heated in the sun, mill this is repeated until the dry in: is complete. This preserves tho colors perfectly. While .John Hegau, of Abilene, Kan., was out giving his hounds exorcise the other day the dogs started a rabbit and gave chase. Bunny ran straight for a tennis court, dodged beneath a wire screen with which the ground is sur lOUndcd and got away. The dogs did n u SCO the screen and crashed into it, one animal worth $.'k>0 being killed and several in jured. Judge Lind ley, of the St. Louis cir cuit court, is fond of a quiet joke. A raw German, summoned for jury duty, desired to be relieved. "Schudgo," ho said, "I can nicht undoistand English gOOl." Looking over the ciowdcd bar, his eye tilled With humor, the judge re plied : "Oh, you can serve ! You won't have to understand good Eng lish, You won't hear any here." The hoard of health of the city of (Jn!VCSton is arranging for a large sup pi^ of oil from the Beaumont wells, to in' iiscii It! lighting mosquitoes. The oil will be itisIfJbUtcd in all the stag nant pools in ihec.i',' sprinkled on the surface of water in the g."l!er< *?d ,lis triblltod free to the owners of Op"5 (>'H" terns for use in destroying mosquitoei? ami the fcvcr-biccding germs which collect in the ponds. There is a prospect, it seems, that Maryland and Virginia may be able, to add oranges to their annual crops. The department of agriculture is making experiments that promise well for these. Stales. Five years ago the lirst exper iments were begun with the Japanese orange, which is extensively used for hedges, Later the sweet orange, was grafted upon this hardier stock, and trees representing the cross are grow ing vigorously in the department grounds in Washington and are now covered with blossom-. Dkatii <>i .\ Git hat Scientist.? l?rof. Joseph Leconlo, of the Univer sity of Culilorni i, died on the Olli inst. in the Vosemito Valley, whore ho had gone for a brief outing. Prof, LocoiilO was one of the oldest instructors in the University, and had a national reputa tion as an instructor in philosophy, his tory and sciences. 1'rof. Lecontd became connected with tho TJallfornia Stale University in istJO, lie was born in Liberty County, Ooor gia, in 1822. Iiis elementary educa tion was roceived ill a neighborhood school und one of Iiis teachers was Alexander II. Stephens, In 1841 ho graduated from Franklin College, Geor gia. 5ic received a medical education at the. College ol Physicians and Bur got ih, in Now York, hiking the degree of doctor of medicine in 1845. lie practiced modicinoat Macon,Ga.,until 18o0, and then wuntlo Cambridge to study under Agassi/.. In I8.")l l'rof, Locol)IC WOnl hack to Georgia and was elected to the chair I .f natural sciences ai Oglothorpo Uni? vorslty. He romalnod there only a year, . nd for the. next four years ho served us professor of goology in tho South Carolina College He was em ployed by the Cot) fedora to government is a chemist during the war, and in 18UU ho wont to California. Dr. Loconlo'a falhor, Louis Loconte, was iv Mirntilio man and particulady dovotcd to chemistry and botany. Ho I hud a magnificent lloral and botantcal garden lu Liberty County, Oa., which was visited by all scientific men and botanists who enmo South from tho North or from abroad. Dr. and Mrs. LccontO wero in Geor gia hull winter visaing their .laughter, Mrs. Fin man, of Scott.sboro, ami their granddaughter, Mrs. J. N. Talloy, of YinoviUe,