Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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- ^ THE UNION TIMES H ? ' y' ' % 1 VOL.. IiXV. NO. 8. UNION, 8. C., FRIU ^JEBltUAltY 19, 1915. $1.00 A YEAR. MENDEL NEWLY E 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 on 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 ihe general assembly of South Carolina en 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 LaFayette M. Smith and Medora (Bradley) Smfth. 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 ypom mpved 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 entered the South Carolina Military Academy, now known a8 the Citade>, Charleston, S. C., from which i'nstitntinn fin crndnntpr) in 1889. Hp Riih sequently 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 01 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 of Kershaw Lodge No. 29, A. F. M., be ing now Worshipful Master of the 'Lodge. He is a member of Rising Qfft* V*n*\fft? M/\ A pAitnl A t>ftk MQ_ UVOI viiapvci 11 u. "*f iwjrai nitn i*io_ sons, 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 , I 'ETTE SMITH ILECTED JUDGE i 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, and while this report was not enacted into law a3 a whole, its progressive | recommendations acted as a great i stimulus to educational reforms and activities in our system. In 1907, he ; was appointed by Speaker Whaley, I chairman of the Military Committee ; of the House, which made him ex- < officio, a member of the Board of j Visitors of the Citadel, his alma ma- j ter. He was also appointed a mem- < ber 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 1 of the college as a state institution. ] He has served several times as i chairman of the county Democratic ? convention and executive committee, s and has continuously served as a i delegate to the state Democratic convention since his entrance into public t life to the last convention which he ] declined on account of his announced candidacy for the office of governor. > He was president of the state Dem- ) ocratic convention in 190a, 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*, J 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, J with the exception of one term (1307- 1909), has served his county in this c capacity for a period of twelve years. c never naving failed of election in Hie first primary by overwhelming ma- c jorities. No representative has ever 8 more highly esteemed by his constit- 8 uency nor more implicitly trusted, s nor has he ever failed to measure J 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 ma- 1 jority. He has served the state in that capacity for eight years, from 1903 to 1916. It is here that his peculiar fitness ( and talents have been displayed most j brilliantly in his public life. Possessed t of striking physique, commanding j presence and voice, an exquisite pa- ?] tience and firmness, a spirit of abso- f lute fairness and impartiality, a pol- c ished courtesy and a wonderful mastery of the principles of parliamentary Jaw and usage, it is conceded i -ii iu-1 u- 1 .. :M uy an mat ne uas nut a supcnvi in this country as a parliamentarian and f presiding officer. c He is frequently called upon to de- I termine throughout the state impor- c tant questions relating to the pro- i ceedings of boards of directors of bus- i iness concerns, municipal councils t and other deliberative assemblies of s various kinds, whether presiding over t a body swayed with a bitter factional t strife, or moved by a peaceful har- mony, he always won, jointly, by his firmness, fairness and impartiality, f the confidence and esteem of all, j which have been from time to time j expressed by the most cordial resolutions and the happy presentation of i testimonials and tokens of regard. ? In 1907 he was urged to make the c race for governor, but could not on y account of protracted illness. He, c however, did make the race in 1914. j but was unsuccessful. But for the i peculiar turn the campaign took dur- t ing its last few days, he would today j be governor of South Carolina. He, f with six others in the race, opposed t the Blease administration, while four y candidates favored it. A concentra- c tion of the anti-administration forces r was deemed wise, and this resulted ^ in his failure to get in the second ^ primary. He made a moi>t vigorous j fight against lawlessness and the en- jforcement of the law. In an edito- g rial of Aug. 28, 1914, the 'State' s newspaper voiced the sentiment of N thousands in this state when it de- c clared: c "Rarely has any man made a more c attractive campaign for Governor of South Carolina than that of Men- y del li. Miiiin, 01 iversnaw. ms piat- 8 form was broad and progressive and c he met the issues fairly and frankly, i discussing them with excellent ability. f "Mr. Smith is stronger in South i Carolina today than ever he was be- } fore?and he has for years, as c speaker of the House and in other ?] capacities, been a prominent figure c in the State. c "This was not Mr. Smith's year to c be elected Governor, but it was hi's I year to gain greatly in the admi- s ration and affection of his fellow f I South Carolinians." s DEATH OF A T 1 GOOD WOIMN Mrs. S. A. Porter Died afWer A Home Last Friday Afferl Brief Illness?Buried at New Hope. 1 Mrs. S. A. Porter died at her >mv, in Jonesville, Friday evening anrrfas g buried the following day at Ifw 1 Hope church, two miles south ol .taat s place. She had been in feeble hiKh 1< for some time, but became seri ifiy S ill only two or three days pri< Yo t her death. Her death was a si'ere 11 shock to her friends and relacvs. a Mrs. Porter leaves one sister, jlis. ii Mary Gilliam, of Union, and ?ee h brother, Mr. D. B. Fant, of Sahjc. Her husband, Mr. Marian Porter, kite- a ceded her to the grave about tttrty v five years. Her surviving chilmn'u ire: Mrs. R. A. Whitlock, of Joaes- tc ville; Mrs. David Baker, of Shisby, ' N. C.; Mrs. E. M. Penny, of Pacowt, hj ind Mr. H. W. Porter, of JonesvileMrs. Porter was a woman of gentle p lisposition and was possessed of' a a tindly heart. She was slow to judge larshly and her deeds of kindnesB f were many. She was a faithful c christian and lived each day in t, ( state of preparation for the final sum- } nons. i Her body was laid to rest beside I .hat of her husband and a son, iii I Slew Hope burying ground. I The community in which this good 1 voman lived is poorer by reason of * ler departure. I tECOMMENDED FOR ' * IMPORTANT POSITION . < Hr. John W. Gregory Has ] Been Named for Appoint- i ment as Federal Income Tax Inspector For i South Carolina. M- Tnkn W 1 I ' wvmi *?. viic^uijr uas ucwi j lamed for appointment as Federal 1 income Tax Inspector for South Car- ] ilina, tbe position carrying a salary if $3000 annually. Mr. Gregory has'been deputy clerk ) if court here for a number of years, j ind is held in the highest esteem by ] ill who know him. He is a man of trict integrity auu 's courteous and onsiderate to all. ^~js appointment o the important poiwfcion he will fill s a cause of real gratification to his ; 'ri'ends. The appointment will be nade some time in March. Mrs. Lawson Improving Mrs. W. T. Lawson who went to the , Columbia hospital several weeks ago 'or treatment, is very much improved ind will probably be able to return lome the latter part of this week, rhis is very gratifying to her many Tiends here and throughout the :ounty. Address by Judge Smith Judge Mendel L. Smith delivered v. (trong address to a large assembly >f people at the First Baptist Church Sunday afternoon. The Baraca class if that Sunday School and those 'rom several other schools attended n a body, and the public in general urned out to hear the address. The lubject was: "The Life of Samuel, ind the rpeaker held the und:vided ittention of the large congregation. Kershaw is proud of these things 'or which he stood in his campaign ind for his able race, which was the nost ably conducted of all. After the election he was urged rom every quarter 01 me state to itand for the office of Circuit Judge if the Fifth Judicial circuit, there >eing a vacancy caused by the death if the late Judge Ernest Gary. To lim has come letters and urgent so- ' icitations from individual lawyers of he highest standing, whole bars, jromincr.t and influential eitr/cns rom every walk in life. Usually * his office is filled by the choice of he legal profession, causing but little 1 :oncem among laymen, but probably 10 more interest of a general nature vas ever taken by laymen in a canlidacy for a judicial position than ' n this. He yielded to the wish of lis people, and in so doing has prelented a striking example of a re- ( ipouse to that high sense of duty, vhieh was the guiding star of that listinguished jurist whom he sue- ' :eeds in this high office from this :ounty?Gen. Joseph B. Kershaw. This great honor has come to him iy the unanimous will of the general issembly of the state. This action carries with it the highest expresson of esteem and confidence. Truly, at the age 44 years, he has icconrmlished much in this world. iVhat a Bplendid field is now open to lim in the prime of life! The office >f circuit judge is truly a great on?*, rhe administration of justice is great allinc and demands the highest tyne >f ability, fearlessness in the dis- ' charge of duty and character. Mendel 1?. Smith will fully measure up to the standard and will make one of the rreatest judges in the_hfstory of the state." WILL LECTURE NEXT WEEK Irs. Amy C. Weech, Organizer of the IV. C. I. (/., Will Make Three Addresses Here Next Week. Mrs. Amey C. Weech, state orranizer of the Woman's Christian ["emperance Union of America, will peak in Union next week as folaws: Monday night at the High School auditorium, Tuesday night at he Second Baptist church and Wedlesday night at the Baptist church ,t Monarch. The public is cordially nvited to attend these lectures and iear this distinguished woman. No admission will be charged but , free will offering will be taken /hich is turned into the state treasiry and used for the prohibition ause. Mrs. Weech has spoken in most if the principal cities of America ,nd has a clear and forceful way of iresenting her views and holds the attention of her hearers. She will >robably hold an afternoon meeting or ladies only, but this will be deided later and announcements made it the opening lecture. Mrs. Joseph Sprott, State prest lent of the W. C. T. U. is very anxous to have an organization in Unon and has on several occasions nade attempts to place one of then ecturers here without success. She vishes it understood that men are lot only invited to this lecture but irged to attend. City Bond Issue Carries The city of Union voted upon the question of increasing by $26,000 the ?ond issue foi; the water works j-ystem. Those in favor of the issue were 251, while the total vote east 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 thar one occasion the water has been sc low as to cause serious danger tc the city, to say nothing as to the health of tne citizens. It is understood that tha work of improvement pretaad m rapidly as possible so as te avoid the danger thai might arise from scant water supply the coming summer. Appointed on County Board Education Mr. Davis Jeffries has been ap pointed on the County Board of Education to fill the vacancy caused b\ the death of Mr. H. C. Little. Mi Jeffries is one of the most progress ive school workers in the state. H< has had wide experience and is giftei as an organizer. The board now is Jas. H. Hope, chairman; Davis Jef fries and M. R. Sams. A Valentine Party Miss Fannie Lee Sparks enter tained about forty of her litth friends at a valentine party Fridaj afternoon. These little people had s jolly time playing games and had i guessing contest to find their part ners. The dini'ng-room was decorated vvitl hearts and numerous valentines, ant red bells and was softly lighted witi red tapers. Delicious jelly, moldet heart shape and heart cake and mint! were served by the hostess and hei mother, Mrs. Bobo Sparks, and hei grandmother, Mrs. Gibbs. Fun Lovers' Club Gives Valentint Party. The Fun Lovers' Club entertainet at a valentine party last Saturdaj at the West End school building ant every one was in a mood for a gooc time and had i't The club is composet of thirty-two members and eacl member was allowed to invite ont guest. The rooms were eharminglj decorated in red and white and hearts were in evidence everywhere, each person wearing a tiny red one. Games were entered into with zes and the fortunes which were drawr from the magic fortune pie create< a great deal of fun. Mrs. O. F. Bennett, who made thii delightful evening possible was ablj assisted by Miss Mary Flynn, Mrs P. P. Kennedy, Misses Cathrim Thomson, and Dorothy Bennett. Music was furnished throughout th< evening by Mrs. Oscar Sullivan am: Miss Catharine Thomson, and thi honor guests were Mrs. C. R. Rob ertson and Mr. O. F. Bennett. Delicious ices and pound cake an< V\nmn_m orio nu nrl ino worn cnruo/l flu guests and each one voted this th? most delightful party the Fun Lover; have given yet. Entertainment at Tinker Creek There will be an entertainment given at Tinker Creek school hous< on the 26th of February, at 7:3( o'clock. A small admission fee ol five and ten cents will be charget and everybody is invited to come Miss Sara Quattlebaum is in charg< of this school. Contribution to Belgians The Adamsburg school sent a con trfbution of $3.00 to the Belgian Re lief Fund. WASHINGTON T SITUA1 CRIMINAL COURT ? CONVENED MONDAY Several Cases Disposed of This Week?Bills Returned By Grand Jury. t 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: "We find tits defendant guilty of manslaughter." "We find the defendant guilty of special count," this latter being tne car- j vying of concealed weapon. j, 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. s True bill. The State vs. Ben Mooney, charged i with assault. anH battery, etc. True ! bill. i The State vs. Sam Meador, charged f with rape. True bill i The State vs. Thomas Lyles, charged > with assault and battery, etc. No bill. > The State vs. Pluse Hayze, charged : with housebreaking and iarcency. No - bill. The Slate vs. Kin Garrett, charged - with assault and battery, etc. True : bill. The State vs. James 'Comer, charged with house breaking and Iarcency. True bill. 1 The State vs. Wallace Ratchfon*, charged with assault and battery. No bill. The State vs. Will Dawkins, ; 7 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. The State vs. Will Rice, charges . with assault and battery, etc. True 2 bill. The State vs. Jordan Smith, ! charged with violating the dispenx sary law. True bill. The State vs. Farr Fuller, charged with burglary. No bill. 1 The State vs. Jesse Emmerson, j charged with assault and battery, ^ etc. No bill. 1 The State vs. Ed. Johnson, charged s with assault and battery, etc. True r bill. r The State vs. Jim Lee, charged with assault and battery, etc. True bill. j The State vs. Crawford Thomson, and Will Hames, charged with assault and battery, etc. True bill, i The State vs. Sylvester Wilburn, r charged with assault and battery, etc. 1 True bilL i The State vs. Uobt. Long, chr.iged i with house breaking and larcency. 1 True bill. ! The State vs. Amos Hughes, charged ] f with assault and battery, etc. True 5 bill. i rrl- wt r r1 1 lie OlUlt* VB. ? 1J. Vlircil, UKU K':u with assault and battery, etc. True t bill. 1 The State vs. C. B. Gregory and i W. T. McGowan, charged with obtaining signature by false pretense. s True bill. / Purchases New Car The Bailey Undertaking Company i has just received and added to their I rolling stock a handsome silver gray > eight column funeral car, with hand- j . some carved wood draperies, panels . and silver mountings. It has the ' 1 latest attachments and safety brakes i and is said to be one of the few cars > of this design and finish in the South, j Movies for School Children Mrs. C. E. Storm, manager of the Edisonia theatre has been giving t free matinees each afternoon this i week to the school children in the ) different schools and the children f have shown their appreciation by 1 coming in large numbers. j Mr. J. D. High has been quite sick for several days, at the home of tys daughter, Mrs. A. B. Brannon on Church street. His friends will be . pleased to know that he is now convalescent. HINKS 7ON IS GRAVE Relieve Danger Zone Decree Develops Dangers. 10 REPLY RECEIVED lowever, Relations Between Gerard and Berlin Authorities Are Said to be as Cordial as Ever, Despite Crisis in Affairs Now Existing. Washington, Feb. 17.?Secretary Jryan said tonight that no reply lad been received from Germany to he American note concerning subnarine attacks on the belligerent mer hant vessels in the new sea war ;ones under the German admiralty's iroclamation which goes into effect omorrow. If a reply to the proclanation cf the United States had been leliverod in Berlin to Ambassador jerard, the state department lmo. lot been apprised of the fact. Publication tonight of the ?e*t of 2reat Britain's complete reply tc the American communication concerning ontrabratnl ar-d neutral shipping, vhich contains a warning that if Gernany abandons the principles of inernational law by refusing to verify he character of a merchant ship l eore attacking. England may not be >ound to the rules hitherto accepted njected into the general situation 'urther uncertainties on which the ievelopment of the next days vere generally expected to have an mportant bearing. While White House and state department officials did not discuss what might be done if any American /essels 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 govsrnment are entirely friendly in their * inferences with Ambassador Gerard, ind there is nothing to show that >fficially there has been any change n the good relations which have litherto 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 he 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 rptfllintmn fnr Ihn Onrnvm 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 blockad? 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 fire. When Mr. Hall went in Saturday morning he found a fire smouldering in a box of waste paper and the wall blackened. TM 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 naner in the box ami the floor around was impregnated with salt, caused by the nearness of the meat box. The burning salt L-auscd 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 I 1 1 I 1 .1 * - 1 leaves ner nusoanu ana iour suns ann one dauphter, all prown. Mrs. Vauphan was a sister of Mrs. R. S. Lonp of the section west of Jonesville. Mrs. Vauphan was an excellent christian woman, and her death is a severe shock to her friends and relatives.