The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-11-25
EDWARD BACON.


to South Carolina in l 800, and must, very
soon afterwards, have cou'c to EJgefeld
Court House, and there settled rs a,lawyer.
| first saw Mr.. Bacon at Edgefield spreug
term, 1925, Judge Martin who studied law
with him at ElgeGcld, and whom he as
sisted in his education at Litchlield, was
then hispartncr, and they had large and lu-
crative practice.
Mr. Bacon married Eliza Fox, at Au-
gusta, Georgia, 29lh January, 1890. This
amIab'e and intelligent lady still survives,
adorn'ng old age by her happy and cheer
ful dis position, wich is blessing"to all
around her. IIo left at his death four chill,
dren, John, Edmund, Sarah, (or now Mrs.
Wigfall and Thomas remain.
My friend, Mr. Laborde, Professor in
the South Carolina College, says; "Between
the years 1922 and 1925, was a law.stu-
dent, in the Office of Messrs. Simkins g.
McDuffie; and Mr.. Bacon being there, in
the practice of his profession, it was my
fortune to witness the happiest efforts Which
he made during this perod, at the Bar of
Edgefield. 1t is not for me to speak of the
amount of his legal learning-to compare
him in this respect with others but I am
not afraid to declare, that his language
was chaste and elegant, and his clocution
OF very high order. His natural cndow-
ments were extraordinary. His person
was commanding, his face and head un-
commonly fine, his voice chorded musical,
and ofwonderfui power. HissiyIe ofspeak-
ing was highly finished, and 1 think I all,
justified in saying that, as model of grace.
ful and eloquent elocution, the EIgef.ld
Bar cannot present another entitled to eou.
el praise. Let it not be supposed, however,
that his merit was that of the mere rhetori-
ci@n; that he had applause because of
this artistic skill, which was exhibited, and
cxerted none OF that higher influence, which
appeals 20 the heart aud commands the
affections. When the occasion demanded
it. no one exhibited livelier sensihil,v or
deeper feeling. or was more apt to awaken
sympathetic emotion in the bosoms of
others.
Il remember when quito boy, that I
was much moved by speech from him,
IN behalf of man who was on trial for bis
life. His whole soul seemed melted by COM
pass1on-the tears were flowing freely down
h's face, and he urged the acquittal of the
unfortunate man, with natural earnestness
and eloquence which touched every heart.
Lis appeals to the sympathies of the Jury,
were those of a man who was pleading for
his own life; and when, AFTER sketching
most touchingIy, the picture of human pas.
sion and infirmity, the ad heritage of man
he called upon every member of the jury
to adopt for himself the sentiment of the
Universal Prayer.
Teach me to feel ahetter's voc,
To hide the ault Isae.
. That mercy to others show,
That mercy show to me'
r. r. "The effect was electric, and all could see
that the prisoner was sopn4sto bo restored
to his family and friends. lin bis social
character, Mr.. Bacon possessed extraordinary
His house was distinguished
for hospitality and at the social meetings
OF the gentlemen Of EdgefcId, none con,ri-
buted more to innocent pleasure and en-.
)oyment. As the presiding officer of an
old fashioned dinner party, bsswas without
an equal: Abouuding in story and anec-
dote, dealing them out with most generous
prodigality, and in way too, which mono
of his contemporaries, could initiate, it is not
saying too much, perhaps, to add, that his
presence alone was almost sufficient to
mitigate every woe, and drive sorrow from
every breast" -
The foregoing is high, and have no
doubt, deserved praise. Ny acquaintance
With MssBacon was slight; yet, i have seen
and beard him in Court, and Ihave no hesi.
.at'on- nssying that he wsiss one ofsths,(;
inest deelaimetsto whom eyer listenedsE
ais'voice VIZ equal to that Of Judge GanttS
which irave always Believed was never
'urpassed. - z,y., ~. ,5.
g, In short time he became one. .eef the
brightest onamentssof' the Edgefeld Bsr.
he possessed the power Of oratory II d High
'egree, spoke ore rotundo, with grace and
'ass; and It is even now traditional among
he oIderinbabitants of tLss ds,riss that
us eloquent ppeals IN capital easss, sell. /,
@ len Jailed a e move the jury to ,,tear ars. it
7as at The festive board, and iia social, con {
5i!ysi iyial intercourse, however, that Mr. Bacon
hone prsetsieent. Onspoh, occasions, he i,
asindss the stai u ths g0odL ceppasy;l
"a dssaob occasioss frsqnsntly dgsrsd item. S
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