Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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I 1 . . i C p=n rn|||i ITIVTm^IVT TTMFC " 1 tl?j U 111 IU ill 1 I1V1Hii3 ,r~, |:? / L_ YOU. LXV. NO. 8. UNION, S. C., FBXPlJT, FEBRUARY 19, 1915. $1.00 A YEAR. MENDEL LAFA) Holding His First Term of Court in Union. SKETCH Of HIS LIFE JtlHnt* Cmifh Mac Ma/{? an Fun* ? ^lllllll IIIIIMUV an fc.?Lllasting Impression Upon the Citizenship of Union as a Jurist, Public Speaker and a Christian Gentleman. Judge Mendel L. Smith, who is residing over his first term of court, has made a mgst favorable impression om the citizenship of Union, and it is with pleasure that we reproduce a sketch of his life taken from his home paper, The Camden Chronicle, of January 22. Mendel LaFayette Smith "Mendel L. Smith, elected by the general assembly of South Carolina on the 14th day of January, 1915, Judge of the Fifth Judicial. Circuit, was bora at Smithville, then a part of Sumter, now in Lee County, South Carolina, on the 5th day of July, 1870. His parents were LaFayelce M. Smith and Medora (Bradley) Smith. His father was a large and successful merchant and planter, and was a most highly respected, substantial and influential citizen. He died ia January 1888. His mother, who is now living, is a woman of fine intellect, splendid energy and marvelous executive ability. The subject of this sketch was rear ed in the country until the age of thirteen years. Hi's father then moved the family to Camden for the increased educational advantages afforded his children. He atended the Camden Graded School until the fall *? 1884, when he entered Wofford College, at Spartanburg, S. C., and took under Prof. Gambrel, a prepatory course. In the fall of 1885, he entered the South Carolina Military Academy, now known as the Citadel, Charleston, S. C., from which institution he graduated in 1889. He subsequently entered the University of Virginia in 1890 and took the law course at that famous Southern institution of learning. He had the great privilege of hearing the lectures of Prof. Jno. B. Minor, who was one of the. most illustrious law teachers this country has produced. He was admitted to the practice ov the law in the courts of Virginia on IMay 29, 1894, and in South Carolina ou the 11th day of January, 1895. Mr. Smith was married in April, 1895, to Miss Anna Dixon, of Camden and they have four children. He has been active in Sunday School and church work, teaching a Bible class at the Camden Baptist Sunday School, In Demand as a Public Speaker. As a public speaker, probably, no one has ever been called upon to make more speeches in this state. For Iiutwu ycttia, uc iias uucii in cuuaiant demand throughout the state for addresses on memorial, school and college commencements, fraternal, patriotic, banquet, celebrative, political and religious occasions. There are few audiences in this state that he has not addressed. He has devoted lots of time to fraternal matters. He is a member of Pine Creek Council No. 20, Junior Order United American Mechanics; Camden Lodge No. 119, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was elected Grand Master of this order i'n May 1914, and is now serving in this capacity. He is a member and Past Chancellor of DeKalb Lodge No. 41, Knights of Pythias, and Past Grand Chancellor of the Domain of South Carolina, and also a representative to the supreme lodge from this state, being the sixth member of the judiciary committee therein, and chairman of the Committee on Rules, probably one of the highest recognitions ever given a South Carolinian in that body. He was asked to preside over that body the third day of his first session. He is also a member of Kershaw Lodge No. 29, A. F. M., bt. iner now Worshipful Master of the i 'Lodge. He is a member of Rising Star Chapter No. 4, Royal Arch Masons, Columbia Commandery, Knights Templar, and Omar Shrine. His Public Career. His first public position was the chairmanship of the Board of Trustees of the Camden Graded School district, to which position he was appointed by the Board of Education in 1899 and served with the late E. O. McCreight and Charles R. Lewis. His splendid service in this capacity at an early age indicated a peculiar fitness which was soon to develop into a brilliant public service in other phases of public life. He has devoted much time and thought to the consideration of the state's educational interests. Perhaps, in his long career as Speaker of the House of Representatives, with the power of appointing the important committees fETTE SMITH :LECTED JUDG of Ways and Means, Education t Public schools, he has, by a progre ive and conservative constitution these committees, done as much any one man in the state to stimuli &nd develop its educational systt In 1908, he was the author ol resolution which authorized the pr< ernor to appoint a commission to vfve the common school law of 1 state and with distinguished edu tors served on the commission, c while this report was not enacl into law as a whole, its progress recommendations acted as a gn stimulus to educational reforms a activities in our system. In 1907, was appointed by Speaker Whal chairman of the Military Commit of the House, which made him < officio, a member of the Board Visitors of the Citadel, his alma n ter. He was also appointed a me ber of the board of trustees of t South Carolina Medical College 1904, succeeding the late U. S. Circi Judge, Chas. H. Simonton, and serv on the board until the re-organizati of the college as a state institutu He has served several times chairman of the county Democra convention and executive commitb and has continuously served as delegate to the state Democratic cc vention since his entrance into pub life to the last convention which declined on account of his announc candidacy for the office of govern He was president of the state Da; ocratic convention i'n 1908, and w temporary chairman of what known as the Jones' conventi which was held in 1912. Many de cate and important questions w? presented at this convention, gro ing out of contests which were pi sented with much feeling, to whi he applied his ability as a parli mentarian and experience as a pi siding officer with great firmness a satisfaction. was elected to the House Representatives from Kershaw cou ty In 1900 by the largest majori ever given a candidate with oppo tion in the county and thereafti with the exception of one term (19C 1909), has served his county in tl capacity for a period of twolvo never having failed of election in t first primary by overwhelming m jorities. No representative has e\ more highly esteemed by his const uency nor more implicitly trust* nor has he ever failed to jneasu up to any responsibility imposed. After a service of two years the floor of the House, he was elect speaker of that body by a large m jority. He has served the state that capacity for eight years, frc 1903 to 1915. It is here that his peculiar fitne and talents have been displayed mc brilliantly in his public life. Possess of striking physique, commandii presence and voice, an exquisite p tience and firmness, a spirit of abs lute fairness and impartiality, a pi ished courtesy and a wonderful mt tery of the principles of parliame tary law and usage, it is conced by all that he has not a superior this country as a parliamentarian a presiding officer. He is frequently called upon to c termine throughout the state impc tant questions relating to the pi ceedings of boards of directors of bi iness concerns, municipal counc and other deliberative assemblies various kinds, whether presiding ov a body swayed with a bitter factior strife, or moved by a peaceful hi mony, he always won, jointly, by 1 firmness, fairness and i'mpartialii the confidence and esteem of i which have been from time to tii expressed by the most cordial re.? lutions and the happy presentation testimonials and tokens of regard. In 1907 he was urged to make t race for governor, but could not account of protracted illness. t however, did make the race in 191 but was unsuccessful. But for t peculiar turn the campaign took di ing its last few days, he would tod be governor of South Carolina. H with six others in the race, oppos the Blease administration, while fo candidates favored it. A concentr tion of the anti-administration fore was deemed wise, and this result in his failure to get in the seco primary. He made a moi>t vigoro fight against lawlessness and the e rorcement or ine law. in an eun rial of Aug. 28, 1914, the 'Sta newspaper voiced the sentiment thousands in this state when it c clared: "Rarely has any man made a mo attractive campaign for Governor South Carolina than that of Me del L. Smith, of Kershaw. His pit form was broad and progressive a he met the issues fairly and frank dfscussing them with excellent abi ty. "Mr. Smith is stronger in Sou Carolina today than ever he was b fore?and he has for years, speaker of the House and in oth capacities, been a prominent figu in the State. "This was not Mr. Smith's year hp elected Governor, but it was b year to gain greatly in the adn ration and affection of his fell< South Carolinians." DEATH OF A 1 P GOOD WOMkN -s Mrs. S. A. Porter Died at ier I ind Home Last Friday AfterI 88of Brief Illness?Buried ate at New Hope. sm. a Mrs. S. A. Porter died at her nm. ov- in Jonesville, Friday evening an< ft*s re- buried the following day at <4w the Hope church, two miles south ol hat ca- place. She had been in feeble h ifth inJ for some time, but became seri i?y ted ill only two or three days pri< fio ive her death. Her death was a s< wiat shock to her friends and rela sys. . nd Mrs. Porter leaves one sister, [n. he Mary Gilliam, of Union, and iooe ey, brother, Mr. D. B. Fant, of Sat>|p. tee Her husband, Mr. Marian Porter, life ?x- ceded her to the grave about tlirty of five years. Her surviving children 1 la- are: Mrs. R. A. Whitlock, of Joies?n ville; Mrs. David Baker, of Sheby, he N. C.; Mrs. E. M. Penny, of Paccm, 1 in and Mr. H. W. Porter, of Jonesvile. uit Mrs. Porter was a woman of gentle co disposition and was possessed of a on kindly heart. She was slow to judge >*i. harshly and her deeds of kindnesB as were many. She was a faithful tic christian and lived each day in ee, state of preparation for the final sum? mons. >n- Her body was laid to rest beside lie that of her husband and a son, in he New Hope burying ground, ed The community in which this good or. woman lived is poorer by reason of fn- her departure. as . * ' j RECOMMENDED FOR on ? IMPORTANT POSITION ire wia, Mr. John W. Gregory Has Been Named for Appointfej ment as Federal Income Tax Inspector For of South Carolina. mty ??? Mr. John W. Gregory has been ar~ named for appointment as Federal jy_ Income Tax Inspector for South Carolina, the position carrying a salary ? deputy clerk. ia_ of court here for a number of years, rgr and is held in the highest esteem by jt_ all who know him. He is a man of ;(j strict integrity and is courteous and *rg considerate to all. His appointment to the important position he will fill on is a cause of real gratification to his | eij friends. The appointment will bo ia_ made some time in March. in Mrs. Lawson Improving >m Mrs. W. T. Lawson who went to the !SS Columbia hospital several weeks ago >s^ for treatment, is very much improved ec' and will probably be able to return nK home the latter part of this week. >tt- This is very gratifying to her many friends here and throughout the county. is- . ? in- Address by Judge Smith ed in Judge Mendel L. Smith delivered a nd strong address to a large assembly of people at the First Baptist Church le- Sunday afternoon. The Baraca class >r- of that Sunday School and those o- from several other schools attended is- in a body, and the public in general ils turned out to hear the address. The of subject was: "The Life of Samuel/' er and the rpeaker held the undrvided lal attention of the large congregation. ir- ?.? lis Kershaw is proud of these things ^y. for which he stood irr his campaign ill, and for his able race, which was the ne most ably conducted of all. so- After the election he was urged of from every quarter of the state to stand for the office of Circuit Judge he of the Fifth Judicial circuit, there on being a vacancy caused by the death ie, of the late Judge Ernest Gary. To 14. him has come letters and urgent sohe licitations from individual lawyers of ir- the highest standing, whole bars, ay prominent and influential citi/ens ie. from every walk in life. Usually ed this office is filled by the choice of ur the legal profession, causing but little a- concern among laymen, but probably es no more interest of a general nature 0(i was ever taken by laymen in a cann(i didacy for a judicial position than us in this. He yielded to the wish of n" his people, and in so doing has pre O sented a striking example of a rete* spouse to that high sense of duty, of which was the guiding star of that 'e" distinguished jurist whom he succeeds i'n this high office from this re county?Gen. Joseph B. Kershaw. ?f This great honor has come to him n- by the unanimous will of the general *4- assembly of the state. This action rul on rrine tirif Vt if f Un Vi 1 f nvrtKAaa Iv, ion of esteem and confidence. Truly, at the age 44 years, he has accomplished much in this world, th What a splendid field is now open to ,e- him in the prime of life! The office as of circuit judge is truly a great on:-. The administration of justice is great re callin?r and demands the highest type of ability, fearlessness in the disto charge of duty and character. Mendel lis L. Smith will fullv measure up to the li- standard and will make one of the >w greatest judges in the history of the state." 1 | I WILL LECTURE NEXT WEEK Mrs. Amy C. Weech, Organizer . of the W. C. T. U., Will , Make Three Addresses Here Next Week. i * i Mrs. Amey C. Weech, state organizer of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of America, will speak in Union next week as follows: Monday night at the High School auditorium, Tuesday night at the Second Baptist church and Wednesday night at the Baptist church at Monarch. The public is cordially invited to attend these lectures and hear this distinguished woman. No admission will be charged but a free will offering will be taken 1 which is turned into the state treasury and used for the prohibition cause. ' Mrs. Weech has spoken in most of the principal cities of America 1 and has a clear and forceful way of presenting her views and holds the attention of her hearers. She will probably hold an afternoon meeting for ladies only, but this will be decided later and announcements made ' at the opening lecture. Mrs. Joseph Sprott, State pres* dent of the W. C. T. U. is very anxious to have an organization in Union and has on several occasions made attempts to place one of then lecturers here without success. She wishes it understood that men are not only invited to this lecture but urcred to attend. City Bond Issue Carries The city of Union voted upon the question of increasing by $26,000 the bond issue for the water works system. Those in favor of the issue were 251, while the total vote cast in opposition was but 22, giving an overwhelming majority in favor of the increase. Those familiar with the condition knew that the increase was imperative, for on more than one occasion the water has been so low as to cause serious danger to the city, to say nothing as to the health of tne citizens. It is understood that thi work of improvement j?m %> yiliw?ft aua rapidly mb possible so as to 'avoid the danger that might arise from scant water supply the coming summer. Appointed on County Board Education Mr. Davis Jeffries ' as been appointed on the County Board of Education to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. H. C. Little. Mi. Jeffries is one of the most progressive school workers in the state. He has had wide experience and is gifted as an organizer. The board now is: Jas. H. Hope, chairman; Davis Jeffries and M. R. Sams. A Valentine Party > Miss Fannie Lee Sparks entertained about forty of her little friends at a valentine party Friday afternoon. These little people had a jolly time playing games and had a guessing contest to find their partners. The dining-room was decorated with hearts and numerous valentines, and red bells and was softly lighted with red tapers. Delicious jelly, molded heart shape and heart cake and mints were served by the hostess and her mother, Mrs. Bobo Sparks, and her grandmother, Mrs. Gibbs. Fun Lovers' Club Gives Valentine Party. The Fun Lovers' Club entertained at a valentine party last Saturday at the West End school building and every one was in a mood for a good time and had i't. The club is composed of thirty-two members and each member was allowed to invite one guest. The rooms were charmingly decorated in red and white and hearts were in evidence everywhere, each person wearing a tiny red one. Games were entered into with zest and the fortunes which were drawn from the magic fortune pie created a great deal of fun. Mrs. O. F. Bennett, who made this delightful evening possible was ably assisted by Miss Mary Flynn, Mrs. T. P. Kennedy, Misses Cathrine Thomson, and Dorothy Bennett. Music was furnished throughout the evening by Mrs. Oscar Sullivan and Miss Catharine Thomson, and the honor guests were Mrs. C. R. Robertson and Mr. O. F. Bennett. ueiicious ices and pound caKe and home-made candies were served the quests and each one voted this the most delightful party the Fun Lovers have given yet. Entertainment at Tinker Creek There will be an entertainment given at Tinker Creek school house on the 26th of February, at 7:30 o'clock. A small admission fee of five and ten cents will be charged and everybody is invited to come. Miss Sara Quattlebaum is in charge 'of this school. Contribution to Belgians The Adamsburg school sent a contribution of |3.00 to the Belgian Relief Fund. WASHINGTON 1 SITUA CRIMINAL COURT CONVENED MONDAY Several Cases Disposed of This Week?Bills Returned By Grand Jury. Criminal Court convened Monday, Judge Mendel H. Smith, presiding. Solicitor A. E. Hill was on hand to represent the State. The following cases have been tried: The State vs. Furman Fincher, charged with house breaking. Plead guilty. The State vs. George Wiley, charged with murder. Verdict: "Wo find tn*. defendant guilty of manslaughter." "We find the defendant guilty of special count," this latter being tne carrying of concealed weapon. The State vs. Kin Garrett, charged with assault and battery. The case was nol prossed by the Solicitor. The State vs. R. H. Smith and fca Sims, charged with assault tnd battery, etc. Verdict: Guilty of assault and battery, with intent to kill. The State vs. Sam Meador, charged with rape. Verdict: Guilty, with recommendation to mercy of the Court. The State vs. Crawford Thomson and Will Hames, charged with assault and battery, with attempt to kill and carrying concealed weapons. Verdict: (Jury not yet out.) Bills Returned by Grand Jury. The following bills were returned by the grand jury: The State vs. Furman Fincher, charged with house breaking, etc. True bill. The State vs. Ben Mooney, charged with assault and battery, etc. True bill. The State vs. Sam Meador, charged with rape. True bill The State vs. Thomas Lyles, charged with assault and battery, etc. No bill. The State vs. Pluse Hayze, charged wiiii iiuu&cuicaMii^ aiiu laiLcut^. bill. 1 The State vs. Kin Garrett, charged' with assault and battery, etc. True bill. The State vs. James Comer, charged with house breaking and larcency. True bill. The State vs. Wallace Ratchfonv charged with assault and battery. No bill. The State vs. Will Dawkins, charged with murder. True bill. The State vs. Russell Jeter, charged with murder. True bill. The State vs. Arthur Glenn, charged with assault and battery, etc. True bill. The State vs. Lula Smi'th, charged with assault and battery, etc. True bill. Tho State vs. Will Rice, charges with assault and battery, et:\ 'True bill. The State vs. Jordan Smith, charged with violating the dispensary law. True bill. The State vs. Farr Fuller, charged with burglary. No bill. The State vs. Jesse Emmerson, charged with assault and battery, etc. No bill. The State vs. Ed. Johnson, chargeu with assault and battery, etc. True bill. The State vs. Jim Lee, charged with assault and battery, etc. True t.?ii UI11* The State vs. Crawford Thomson, and Will Hames, charged with assault and battery, etc. True bill. The State vs. Sylvester Wilburn, charged with assault and battery, etc. True bilL The State vs. Uobt. Long, chr.igcd with house breaking and larcency. True bill. The State vs. Amos Hughes, charged with assault and battery, etc. True bill. The State vs. W. E. Green, charged with assault and battery, etc. True bill. The State vs. C. B. Gregory and W. T. McGowan, charged with obtaining signature by false pretense. True bill. _ Purchases New Car Tho R?ilnv llnildrlnkinir Cnmnanv has just received and added to their rolling stock a handsome silver gray eight column funeral car, with handsome carved wood draperies, panels and silver mountings. It. has the latest attachments and safety brakes and is said to be one of the few cars of this design and finish in the South. Movies for School Children Mrs. C. E. Storm, manager of the Edisonia theatre has been giving free matinees each afternoon this week to the school children in the different schools and the children have shown their appreciation by coming in larpce numbers. Mr. J. D. High has been quite sick for several ('ays, at the home of Ijjs daughter, Mrs. A. B. Brannon on Church street. His friends will be pleased to know that he is now convalescent. rHINKS TION IS GRAVE Believe Danger Zone Decree Develops Dangers. NO REPLY RECEIVED However, Relations Between Gerard and Berlin Authorities Are Said to be as Cordial as Ever, Despite Crisis in Affairs Now Existing. Washington, Feb. 17.?Secretary Bryan said tonight that no reply had been received from Germany to the American note concerning submarine attacks on the belligerent nier chant vessels in the new sea war zones under the German admiralty's proclamation which goes into effect tomorrow. If a reply to the proclamation cf the United States had been delivered in Berlin to Ambassador Gerard, the state department baa not been apprised of the fact. Publication tonight of the ?ext of Great Britain's complete reply tc the American communication concerning contrabratui ar-d neutral shipping, which contains a warning that if Germany abandons the principles of international law by refusing to verify the character of a merchant .sh:,> before attacking. England may not be bound to the rules hitherto accepted injected into the general situation further uncertainties on which the development of the next few days were generally expected to have an important bearing. While White House and state department officials did not discuss what might be done if any American vessels or lives should be lost in the war zones, it was admitted on all sides that the situation was frought with many grave possibilities. Representatives of the German government are entirely friendly in their ' coiuerences witn Ambassador Gerard, and there is nothing to show that officially there has been any change in the pood relations which have hitherto existed. The manner of carrying out the submarine campaign is awaited here with considerable anxiety. It was hoped that since negotiations with neutral governments were pending the German proclamation would not. actually be carried into effect for a few days. May Go in Place. Many American vessels will be in the war zones in the next few days, and these will be afforded, it is believed, an opportunity to reach their destinations. The recent suggestions from German sources that American merchant men might escape attack if conveyed by an American warship has not met with approval in naval circles here. It was suggested that the threatened British retaliation for the German war zone order may be a blockade of the German coast. In that case not even an American man of war would have the right to pass the blockade lines alone. Formal notice by the British of the blockade and recognition of it by :he United States would at once remove from the field of diplomacy negotiations on all questions relating to the right of neutral nations to send cargoes of food to the civil population of the blockade state. Work of Incendiary. The store of Mr. J. N. Hall, just beyond the northern city limits, came near being destroyed by fire last Friday night. The store was robbed and then set on lire. When Mr. Hall went in Saturday morning he found a fire smouldering in a box of waste paper and the wall blackened. The floor and the paper in the box hao been saturated with kerosene before the match had been applied. The only thing that saved the building was the fact that the paper in the box and the floor around was impregnated with salt, caused by the nearness of the meat box. The burning salt caused the fire to smother after the kerosene had burned. But even so, it was a very narrow escape, for the wall was scorched black to the ceiling. Quite a good deal of groceries had been removed from the building by the burglar. Mrs. J. T. B. Vaughan Dead Mrs. J. T. B Vaughan died at her home near Santuc Sunday night, and her remains were laid to rest in Philippi cemetery Tuesday. Mrs. Vaughan was, before her marriage, Miss Ann Vaughan, and leaves her husband and four sons and one daughter, all grown. Mrs. Vaughan was a sister of Mrs. R. S. Long of the section west of Jonesville. Mrs. Vaughan was an excellent christian woman, and her death is a severe shock to her friends and relatives.