Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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I M THE UNION TIMES M VOIi. LXV. NO. 8. UNION, S. C., FRO>1y, FEBRUARY 11), 1915. $1.00 A year. MENDEL NEWLY t Holding His First Term of Court in Union. SKETCH Of HIS LIFE Judge Smith Has Made an Everlasting 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 am 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 n 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 LaFayetce 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 reared 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 ef 1884, when he entered Wofford College, at Spartanburg, S. C., and took under Prof. Gambrel, a prepatory course. In the fall of 1885, he * i ii-? c...iu wnu.m. tnc ouuvn vmuiiiia lumvai j Academy now known as the Citadei, 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 May 29, 1894, and in South Carolina a 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 fifteen years, he has been in constant 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 in May 1914, and is now serving in this capacity. He is a member and Past Chancellor of DeKalb Lodge No. 4Y, 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 oi Kershaw Lodge No. 29, A. F. M., bt, ing now Worshipful Master of tht '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 th< - 1 LI. - M iL - Iai?iriiiaiiMii|? ui me duoiu ui x i un< tees of the Camden Graded Schoo district, to which position he was ap pointed by the Board of Education ir 1899 and served with the late E. O McCreight and Charles R. Lewis. Hi! splendid service in this capacity ai an early age indicated a peculiar fit ness which was soon to develop int< a brilliant public service in othei , phases of public life. He has devote< much time and thought to the con sideration of the state's educationa interests. Perhaps, in his long ca reer as Speaker of the House of Rep resentatives, with the power of ap pointing the important committee! I I , fETTE SMITH ILECTED JUDGE 1 ?? j of Ways and Means, Education and Public schools, he has, by a progressive and conservative constitution of these committees, done as much as any one man in the state to stimulate ?nd develop its educational system. In 1908, he was the author of a resolution which authorized the governor to appoint a commission to revive the common school law of the state and with distinguished educators served on the commission, anJ while this report was not enacted into law as a whole, its progressive recommendations acted as a great stimulus to educational reforms and activities in our system. In 1907, he was appointed by Speaker Whaley, chairman of the Military Committee of the House, which made him exofficio, a member of the Board of Visitors of the Citadel, his alma mater. He was also appointed a member of the board of trustees of the South Carolina Medical College in 1904, succeeding the late U. S. Circuit Judge, Chas. H. Simonton, and servco on the board until the re-organization of the college as a state institution. He has served several times a6 chairman of the county Democratic convention and executive committee, and has continuously served as u delegate to the state Democratic convention since his entrance into public life to the last convention which ho declined on account of his announced candidacy for the office of governor. He was president of the state Democratic convention in 1908, and was temporary chairman of what is 1 known as the Jones' convention which was held in 1912. Many delicate and important questions were presented at this convention, growing out of contests which were pi.*, . sented with much feeling, to which he applied his ability as a parliamentarian and experience as a presiding officer wi'th great firmness and satisfaction. was elected to the House of Representatives from Kershaw county in 1900 by the largest majority ever given a candidate with opposition in the county and thereafter, with the exception of one term (19071909), has served his county in this QHpaOty for a period of twelve year*, nevernavihg failed of election in the .first primary by overwhelming majorities. No representative has ever more highly esteemed by his constituency nor more implicitly trusted, nor has he ever failed to measure up to any responsibility imposed. After a service of two years on the floor of the House, he was elected speaker of that body by a large majority. He has served the state in that capacity for eight years, from 1903 to 1915. It is here that his peculiar fitness and talents have been displayed most brilliantly in his public life. Possessed U1 pnjroivjuc, cuiuniaiiuui^ presence and voice, an exquisite patience and firmness, a spirit of absolute fairness and impartiality, a polished courtesy and a wonderful mastery of the principles of parliamentary law and usage, it is conceded by all that he has not a superior in this country as a parliamentarian and presiding officer. He is frequently called upon to determine throughout the state important questions relating to the proceedings of boards of directors of business concerns, municipal councils and other deliberative assemblies of various kinds, whether presiding over a body swayed with a bitter factional strife, or moved by a peaceful harmony, he always won, jointly, by his firmness, fairness and impartiality, the confidence and esteem of all, which have been from time to time expressed by the most cordial resolutions and the happy presentation of testimonials and tokens of regard. 1 In 1907 he was urged to make the ' race for governor, but could not on 1 account of protracted illness. He, ' however, did make the race in 1914. 1 but was unsuccessful. But for the ' peculiar turn the campaign took dur ing its last few days, he would today be governor of South Carolina. He, with six others in the race, opposed the Blease administration, while four 1 candidates favored it. A concentra tion of the anti-administration forces was deemed wise, and this resulted ; in his failure to get in the second primary. He made a mo^t vigorous fight against lawlessness and the en! forcement of the law. In an edito ' rial of Aug. 28, 1914, the 'State' ' newspaper voiced the sentiment of 5 thousands in this state when it declared: "Rarely has any man made a more j attractive campaign for Governor of , South Carolina than that of MenI del L. Smith, of Kershaw. His platform was broad and progressive and j he met the issues fairly and franklv, discussing them with excellent abili; ty. t "Mr. Smith is stronger in South . Carolina today than ever he was bc> fore?and he has for years, as r speaker of the House and in other 1 capacities, been a prominent figure . in the State. I "This was not Mr. Smith's year to - he elected Governor, but it was his - year to j?ain greatly in the admi ration and affection of his fellow s South Carolinians." DEATH OF A I | l GOOD WOIMN Mrs. S. A. Porter Died atrler II Home Last Friday After) Brief Illness?Buried at New Hope. Mrs. S. A. Porter died at her >hk in Jonesville, Friday evening ancfflas f buried the following day at Ifw 1 Hope church, two miles south ofihat s place. She had been in feeble hifth 1 for some, time, but became sert iiy ? ill only two or three days pri< fo t her death. Her death was a s< elx i shock to her friends and relai sys. ? Mrs. Porter leaves one sister, kts. | Mary Gilliam, of Union, and one 1 brother, Mr. D. B. Fant, of Sarac. Her husband, Mr. Marian Porter, Ire- ? ceded her to the grave about tnriy i five years. Her surviving chilartn i are: Mrs. R. A. Whitlock, of Joist- < ville; Mrs. David Baker, of Shefey, N. C.; Mrs. E. M. Penny, of Paccnst, t and Mr. H. W. Porter, of Jonesvile. J Mrs. Porter was a woman of gentle disposition and was possessed of a i kindly heart. She was slow to judge | harshly and her deeds of kindness i were many. She was a faithful I christian and lived each day in k i state of preparation for the final summons. i Her body was laid to rest beside I that of her husband and a son, in New Hope burying ground. i The community in which this good I woman lived is poorer by reason of her departure. RECOMMENDED FOR ' IMPORTANT POSITION Mr. John W. Gregory Has XT i / A ueeu ixaiueu iur /\.ppoiniment as Federal Income Tax Inspector For South Carolina. Mr. John W. Gregory has been named for appointment as Federal Income Tax Inspector for South Carolina, the position carrying a salary been deputy clerk, of court here for a number of years, and is held in the highest esteem by all who know him. He is a man of strict integrity and is courteous and considerate to all. His appointment to the important position he will fill is a cause of real gratification to his friends. The appointment will be made some time in March. Mrs. Lawson Improving Mrs. W. T. Lawson who went to the Columbia hospital several weeks ago for treatment, is very much improved and will probably be able to return home the latter part of this week. This is very gratifying to her many friends here and throughout the county. Address by Judge Smith Judge Mendel L. Smith delivered o. strong address to a large assembly of people at the First Baptist Church Sunday afternoon. The Baraca class of that Sunday School and those from several other schools attended in a body, and the public in general turned out to hear the address. The subject was: "The Life of Samuel," and the rpeaker held the und:vide<i attention of the large congregation. Kershaw is proud of these things for which he stood in his campaign and for his able race, which was the most ably conducted of all. After the election he was urged from every quarter of the state to stand for the office of Circuit Judge of the Fifth Judicial circuit, there being a vacancy caused by the death of the late Judge Ernest Gary. To him has come letters and urgent solicitations from individual lawyers of the highest standing, whole bars, prominent and influential citizens from every walk in life. Usually this office is filled by the choice of the legal profession, causing but little concern among laymen, but probably no more interest of a general nature was ever taken by laymen in a candidacy for a judicial position than in this. He yielded to the wish of his people, and in so doing has presented a striking example of a respouse to that high sense of duty, which was the guiding star of that distinguished jurist whom he succeeds in this high office from this pnnntv?den. Jnsenh R. Kershaw This groat honor has come to him by the unanimous will of the general assembly of the state. This action carries with it the highest expression of esteem and confidence. Truly, at the age 44 years, he has accomplished much in this world. What a splendid field is now open to him in the prime of life! The office of circuit judge is truly a great on?. The administration of justice is great callintr and demands the highest type of ability, fearlessness in the discharge of duty and character. Mendel I.. Smith will fullv measure up to the standard and will make one of the greatest judges in the_history of the state." I WILL LECTURE NEXT WEEK firs. Amy C. Weech, Organize of the IV. C. T. U., Will Make Three Addresses Here Next Week. Mrs. Amey C. Weech, state or ranizer of the Woman's Christiai temperance Union of America, wil speak in Union next week as fol ows: Monday night at the Hi'gl school auditorium, Tuesday night a he Second Baptist church and Wed lesday night at the Baptist churcl it Monarch. The public is cordiall; nvited to attend these lectures an< lear this distinguished woman. No admission will be charged bu i free will offering will be takei vhich is turned into the state treas lry and used for the prohibitioi :ause. Mrs. Weech has spoken in mos )f the principal cities of Americ ind has a clear and forceful way o presenting her views and holds th ittention of her hearers. She wi probably hold an afternoon meetin for ladies only, but this will be dc iided later and announcements mad it the opening lecture. Mrs. Joseph Sprott, State presi lent of the W. C. T. U. is very an> ious to have an organization in Ur ion and has on several occasior made attempts to place one of the lecturers here without success. SI wishes it understood that men ai not only invited to this lecture b; urged to attend. City Bond Issue Carries The city of Union voted upon ll question of increasing by $26,000 tl bond issue for the water works s-y tern. Those in favor of the issi were 251, while the total vote oa in AnnAcif inn u/nc Knf 99 (fiirintr i overwhelming majority in favor the increase. Those familiar wi the condition knew that the increa vas imperative, for on more thi one occasion the water has been i low as to cause serious danger the city, to say nothing as to tl health of tne citizens. It is unde stood that the work of improvemei -be prraw A m>m rapidly m P? 'stble so as to avoid the danger th might arise from scant water su ply the coming summer. Appointed on County Board Educatii Mr. Davis Jeffries has been a pointed On the County Board of E ucation to fill the vacancy caused the death of Mr. H. C. Little. \ Jeffries is one of the most progre; ive school workers in the state. 1 has had wide experience and is gilt as an organizer. The board now Jas. H. Hope, chairman; Davis J< fries and M. R. Sams. A Valentine Party Miss Fannie Lee Sparks ent< tained about forty of her lit friends at a valentine party Frid afternoon. These little people had jolly time playing games and had guessing contest to find their pa ners. The dining-room was decorated \v hearts and numerous valentines, a red bells and was softly lighted w red tapers. Delicious jelly, mold heart shape and heart cake and mil were served by the hostess and 1 mother, Mrs. Bobo Sparks, and 1 grandmother, Mrs. Gibbs. Fun Lovers' Club Gives Valenti Party. The Fun Lovers' Club entertair at a valentine party last Saturd at the West End school building a every one was in a mood for a gc time and had i't The club is compos of thirty-two members and es member was allowed to invite c guest The rooms were charminj decorated in red and white and hea were in evidence everywhere, ea person wearing a tiny red one. Games were entered into with z i i.i / x u: ~u .i . ana ine loriunes which were uru from the magic fortune pie crea a great deal of fun. Mrs. O. F. Bennett, who made t delightful evening possible was al assisted by Miss Mary Flynn, M T. P. Kennedy, Misses Cathri Thomson, and Dorothy Bennett. -V sic was furnished throughout 1 evening by Mrs. Oscar Sullivan a Miss Catharine Thomson, and 1 honor guests were Mrs. C. R. R< ertson and Mr. O. F. Bennett. Delicious ices and pound cake ? home-made candies were served guests and each one voted this 1 most delightful party the Fun I,ov have given yet. Entertainment at Tinker Creel mere win De an enieriainm given at Tinker Creek school ho on the 26th of February, at 7 o'clock. A small admission fee five and ten cents will be charj and everybody is invited to coi Miss Sara Quattlebaum is in cha ' of this school. Contribution to Belgians The Adamsburg school sent a c tribution of $3.00 to the Belgian 1 lief Fund. t j r* cnargea wun muruer. lrue uiu. |* The State vs. Russell Jeter, charged 's~ with murder. True bill. j The State vs. Arthur Glenn, . charged with assault and battery, etc. [V True bill. The State vs. Lula Smi'th, charged with assault and battery, etc. True bill. The State vs. Will Rice, charges er_ with assault and battery, etc. ' Yee tie bill. ay The State vs. Jordan Smith [ a charged with violating the dispena sary law. True bill. rt_ The State vs. Farr Fuller, chargec: with burglary. No bill, ith The State vs. Jesse Emmerson n,j charged with assault and battery ith ?tc. No bill. led The State vs. Ed. Johnson, chargec r,ts with assault and battery, etc. True ler bill. ,er The State vs. Jim Lee, chargec with assault and battery, etc. True bill. ine The State vs. Crawford Thomson and Will Hames, charged with as sault and battery, etc. True bill, led The State vs. Sylvester Wilburn ay charged with assault and battery, etc n(l True bil-. ?od The State vs. Robt. Long, chr.igec ?e(l with house breaking and larcency icb True bill. me The State vs. Arnos Ituphos. chargcc ?ly with assault and battery, etc. Trut rts bin. ich The State vs. W. E. Green, charpoi with assault and battery, etc. Tru< est bill. wn The State vs. C. B. Grepory ant ted w. T. McGowan, charged with ob taininp signature by false pretense his True bill. bly ' ? rs. Purchases New Car ine lu- The Bailey Undertakinp Company the has just received and added to theii ,nd rollinp stock a handsome silver praj :he eipht column funeral car, with hand [>b- some carved wood draperies, panel; and silver mountinps. It has th< ind latest attachments and safety brake; the and is said to be one of the few car: the of this desipn and finish in the South ors ] 1 Movies for School Children It Mrs. C. E. Storm, manaper of th< Edisonia theatre has been pivini ent free matinees each afternoon this use week to the school children in th< :30 different schools and the childrei of have shown their appreciation b; ,*ed cominp in larpe numbers. me. 1 1 ,.^e Mr. J. I). High has been quite sicl for several days, at the home of ly dauphter, Mrs. A. B. Brannon oi on_ Church street. His friends will b Re. pleased to know that he is now eon valescent. j cases have been tried: The State vs. Furman Fincher, t charged with house breaking. Plead ? guilty. The State vs. George Wiley, charged fl with murder. Verdict: "We find ths defendant guilty of manslaughter." t "We find the defendant guilty of spea cial count," this latter being tne carf vying of concealed weapon. e The State vs. Kin Garrett, charged U with assault and battery. The case e was nol prossed by the Solicitor. The State vs. R. H. Smith and lla e Sims, charged with assault tnd battery, etc. Verdict: Guilty of assault , and battery, with intent to kill. c_ The State vs. Sam Meador, charged with rape. Verdict: Guilty, with reels ommendation to mercy of the Court. ' The State vs. Crawford Thomson lo and Will Hames, charged with assault and battery, with attempt to kill and carrying concealed weapons. Vei-dict: (Jury not yet out.) Bills Returned by Grand Jury. The following bills were returned ie by the grand jury: ie The State vs. Furman Fincher, s- charged with house breaking, etc. .ie True bill. st The State vs. Ben Mooney, charged in with assault and battery, etc. True of bill. th The State vs. Sam Meador, charged se with rape. True bill in The State vs. Thomas Lyles, charged so with assault and battery, etc. No bill, to The State vs. Pluse Hayze, charged ie with housebreaking and larcency. No r- bill. nt The SEate vs. Kin Garrett, charged >s- with assault and battery, etc. True at bill. p- The State vs. James Comer, charged with house breaking and larcency. True bill. on The State vs. Wallace Ratchfori*, charged with assault and battery. P" No bill. , The State vs. Will Dawkins, h V i i f.i J m Lin WASHINGTON 1 SITUA r ? CRIMINAL COURT CONVENED MONDAY Several Cases Disposed of This ~ Week?Bills Returned 1 By Grand Jury. ^ Criminal Court convened Monday, Judge Mendel H. Smith, presiding. l Solicitor A. E. Hill was on hand to represent the State. The following WINKS 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 mer 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 of the United States had been delivered in Berlin to Ambassador Gerard, the state department hau. 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 cf international law by refusing to verify the character cf 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 " conferences with Ambassador Gerard, | and there is nothing to show that officially there has been any chancre in the good 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 bet lieved, an opportunity to reach their destinations. The recent suggestions from Ger' man sources that American merchant men might escape attack if conveyed I by an American warship has not met with approval in naval circles here. it was suggested tnat the threatened ' British retaliation for the German ' war zone order may he a blockade of the German coast. In that case not 4 even an American man of war would have the right to pass the blockad? j lines alone. , Formal notice by the British of the blockade and recognition of it by the United States would at once remove * from the field of diplomacy negotiations on all questions relating to the right of neutral nations to send car' goes of food to the civil population of the blockade state. ' Work of Incendiary. The store of Mr. J. N. Hall, just 1 beyond the northern city limits, came 1 near being destroyed by fire last Friday night. The store was robbed 1 and then set on fire. When Mr. Hall 1 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 hv the nearness nf r the meat box. The burning salt caused the fire to smother after the , kerosene had burned. But even so, j it was a very narrow escape, for the wall was scorched black to the ceil* ing. Quite a good deal of groceries had been removed from the building by the burglar. Mrs. J. T. B. Vaughan Dead e Mrs. J. T. R Vaughan died at her t home near Santuc Sunday night, and , her remains were laid to rest in e Philippi cemetery Tuesday, fi Mrs. Vaughan was, before her y marriage, Miss Ann Vaughan, and leaves her husband and four sons and one daughter, all grown. < Mrs. Vaughan was a sister of Mrs. s R. S. Long of the section west of n Jonesville. Mrs. Vaughan was an excellent G christian woman, and her death is a ' severe shock to her friends and rel j atives.