The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-06-25
3NlGttll0lllr.
From the Montgomery Mail.
HON. PRESTON s. BROOKS

HON. PRESTON s. BROOKS.
The notorie!y which recent act of this
gentleman has given him, will make i,
desirable to know something of him. As
l have known him since was boy, and
have been one Of his constituents and espe
c'ai friends, l will give YOU brief his,o
~ cf his lie.
lie is the eldest son Of Whitfield Brooks
prominent citizen of Edgetie,d District.
South Carolina, who was candidate for
Congress in lS4l against the Hon. A.
Burt, who was elected and served until
1882. In iS42, while he was a youth of
10 years of age, in the South Carolina
College, his father was challenged to fight
"A duel by Louis I. WigfaIl, now Of Tex
rs. In consequence of his age, the father
declined tho challenge, and Was posted bv
Col. Wigfall, at Edgefield Court House.
a Young man by the name Of Bird, n
nephew Of the elder Brooks, tore down
the posting, and was killed ~ Wigfall
in the fight that cnsuCd. =. S. Brooks
then 10 years Old, as soon rs he heard ol
1t, haslsaed home aud challenged Mig.
fail. They fought, and both were dan.
geFously wounded-Wigall having boil,
lhighs sho; through and one broken, from
which he is lame to this day. BROOKS
was shot through at the top of the Thigh
and his spine was grazed, and his lie long
considered doubtful.
lie is lawyer, but bavin. an easy for.
tune he never pursued bis profession, ba,
became a scientific and successful! rlant,r
In lS4G lie raised, in EIgcfeld Distrc,
one 81 the companies that composed the
Palmetto Regiment, and served as Cap
tain throughout the Mexican War. In
1858 vacancy occurred in his Congress.
slonal District, by the retirement of Burt
and he entered the field as candidate
There were three other candidates one o
whom was Francis w. Pickeus, 4 former
Representative from the same District. and
a very popular and distinguished man.
Notwithstanding the greatest disadvanta
ges arising from having distinguished com
petItors-having a competitor, Mr.. Pick
ems, in his own Districl--and having also
taken A,le part in politics or public liz
before the time, he was elected by ma
Jor'ty OF over COO over his highest com
petitor.
The readiness of his wit, the brilianc,
Of his conversation, and the winningnes.
of his manners, delighted and won The
hearts Of the people. have never known
a man whose tact and intuitive knowledge
OF mankind was equal to his. lhave seer
hip, thrown unexpectedly iaio.a crowd q
half dozen persons Of different characters
none Of whom he ever saw before. A
rapid glance at them assured him of eacl
mans character, and in 1--WE minutes h,
has struck the right chord in each man..
heart, and he has gained six votes in five
minutes. To this was owing his triumph
ant, and TO those who did not know hi.
! powers, astounding success. Know inc
nm well, and his capacity, L was, certain
Of his success. and caused a considera 81
depletion of the pockets of those OF dif
| fcrcnt faith.
In 1854 he was again elected by morc
than 5000 majority over an able compe-
titor lie now has his seat secure, n,
will not haye opposition again.
In person, he is tall and commanding
standing six feet in.his stockings, is Lru
Dottc, and remarkably handsome. lie i.
very elegant and polite. and is an, i'm
mense favor'te wi tn the ladies'. In deca
nation he is dignitied, earnest and en-
Rhatjc, speaks rapidly and with animation
A recent speech of his in Congress in be
half OF Mrs. Tillman has recently been ex
tensively published as q model Of beaut,
and touching eloquence. He is nov
about thirty three years of age. lie stud
led. very little in college, nor did he i'm
prove in this respect for many years after
wards. He is arnbitioUs. and this ha.
made him studious OF late years. lie ha.
strong and versatile mental powers, and
Promises great ability in future. Hi.
courage has often been tried, and is eaual
to all exigencies. lie has great, sagacity
and considers we'll the consequences Of any
act before doing il. lie knew that his at
tack upon Sumner would suit the temper
of his constituents. BEN. LANE.