Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-05-31
RICHMOND VIII G..
INTERESTING SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF TIE LATE
WM C. PRESTON


He was born the 9th of December, 1884, at Phil
adephl while bis father attending Congress at that
place member from Virginia His father, the Hon
Francis Preston had his residence at that time in Wash
ngton county, in the southwestern part of Virginia By
law Mr. P therefore, is native of Virginia. His mother
was Sally Campbell the only child Of GeLeral Campbell
distinguished the commander at the battle of Kings
| Mountain. She had been when young very handsome,
and even when old lady Of most striking appear
ance. She was also womaa of superior mind and
! character She taught him very early TO be proud OF
! his father. His maternal Grandmother was sister TO
Patrick Henry Few families in the United States can
be found more numerous, respectable and uHuential-
The connection is a very large one and extends through
several StateS-Nirginia Kentucky Missouri Louisiana,
South Carolina and Florida. His father Il oil
large fortune and for many years lived in great comfort
and in the style of old Virginia at Abingdon General
Francis Preston though OF excellent sense not
| a speaker in Congress.
| In the f4l Of 1902 on his way to Florida for h 5
health having in early life several attacks Of hemOrhage
OF the lnpgs William Campbell Preston, then only hi-
teen wears old passing through Columbia horseback,
from Abic gdon at DR. Greens old tavern opposite
TO the State House Arthur 0'Harra, from Charleston,
who had Just then entered the South Carolina Coll ge,
With NhOm forming acquaintance, he was induced 10
halt and to become student OF the college aud on
Christina, day oddly enough, he was admitted aS MEM
! Der oil the sophomore class.
Mr Preston very precOcOus in mind and body, for
in both respects he seemed in college, and from
the very beginning he 10 have had the thoughts
and views OF man OF talent Wit and sagacty At col
ege bis superior abilities were acknowledged by all
though he did take the first honor which award
ed TO the Hon Henry L. Pinckney Of Charleston. At
this early period he was distinguished tie best speak
En- and had great propensity for political SUBJECTS lie
delivered al this time 4 very able address on the charac
ter OF Jefferson, which attracted much attention lie
received the hudest attention from Col Thomas Ty lOI
who then and remained TO be many years after, the
venerable father OF Columbia. While in College he had
already formed valuable scquantauces and friendships
IN d.ltrcnt parts OF the STATE In December ISL, Mr.
L. graduated and returning 10 Virginia catered the Of
ice of Nm. WiJt al Richmond rs student but was
not very devoted the study vi the law. In 1910 peace
being restored 10 Europe, and the Continent open TO
every body be rt olyed TO visit Europe lie sailed from
New ork, aud when Cork the ship being DELAYED
TOR some cause lie took fishing boat and landed at the
Cove. and from Cork he tryer>ed Ireland TO Dublin,
Nher, he iell in with Governor Cole, then some mis-
sion from Mr. Madison, and through him made the ac-
luaiutuce OF Lady Morgan, HImjton Rowan, auJ other
d.stir Eui,hei persons OF Ireland.
Crossing the Channel az Liverpool he met and formed
an intimacy with Washington Irving, then on his first
visit 10 Ecrop, which connec on he has been heard TO
say bad influence him that has remained through
ite From England be wen, 90 Paris, where he Joined
rghS $ LrgIre who bad been at college with him, but
in lower class. He lett Mr.. legare az Paris and IL
COMPANY with another college friend, the late Hon. An
irew H. Goyau be travelled over Switzerland and Italy
aud aerward returned to Paris and there rloned Mr.
egarr and from thence they went together 10 Eduburg
90 attend the lectures, az that time distinguished at
that University There he attended Mr Hopes lectures OF
chemistry Payiair's Natural philosophy Browns on
metaphysics, and Irving on civil law. Mr.. LegUe de-
voted himself particularly TO civil law.
Ia JCly lSlH Mr. Preston returned TO the nited States
he had received every advantage which liberal allow
anCe from his father could afford him. la October iol
loving be was married in Missouri TO Mss Marin Coalter
laly much distinguished in South Carolina for her beau
~ aud whom be had long been attached, and whose
Amy had then lately removed TO that country. In 1921
be- va. admitted 70 the bar Of Virginia and cOmmelced
the practice at Abingdon but induced hy the per
,uasiou of his friends, D. j. AcCord and Henry j. Mott
u Columbia and his pavtiaty for Carolina, 10 remove
and take up his sdeuce there, which he did 10 Noycm
5er Ss2 He there entered into the practice Of the law
with his friend Mr. McCord who, though his junior age
then already possession OF cOusideTelS practice
The first cause IN which Mr. Preston appeared excited
considerable interest in Columbia and among the crowd
that thrOnged the courtroom stood an lrshman with
his back pillar, paying great attention To Mr. freS
ton who already giving most decided evidence OF
that eoGucrcc for which he has ever since been so dis
dngui,hed Quite eutraucod, Pat forgot where he was
and speaking loud enough 10 be heard by the whole bar
said. Wul wu.l Master McCotd'- Young will do.
lie did in fact DO very well, for be soon became cisin
gui,hed tue bar and popular throughout the state for
l, old college acqu4ntauces very much attached
10 him and ready do anything TO advance him. New
er did Young mau have lri nds more iufueu
tal ones In 1924 be elected 10 the House OF Rep
reseutatives with his friend Captain Booker, for Rcha,
came one of The most eminent and leading members; and
during the years 1880 81 and So distinguished himself
AS the advocate of State rights aud free trade. During
the wlce affair OF the notification by South Carolina OF
the tauh act Of that period, he was chairman OF the
committee on Federal Relations which raised for the
express purpose Of conducting the dispute between South
Carolina and the Outcd States, aud TO watch the en-
croachmens Of the latter Ia the House be u fac;
the leader then in the state had more Influence
over the proceedings of the Legislature, whore hs ab
ties and e.ouueuge were pre-emiuent. lie of the
small party in Columbia which brought back the State
repubucan or State rights principles, fiOm which it had
greatly ,rayed since the days Of Mr. jefferson.
A. a lawyer. there 10 one then more able or more
successful lie was found eQully powerful before the
Chancellor before jury. His mode OF argument wa
necular 10 limsef He not much addicted 70 reg
MAR inducye process Of reasoning, but he illustrated hs
cases with vivid pictures striking and
blances bold descriptions and touching appcals which
while he convinced delighted the Imagination and eXc
ted the feelings No one understood human bet
ter and no one could better that knowledge. Moth
ing could pass which he could turn 10 bis vantage that
Pc did not use Nota strorg idea, figure anything
NJ Il could apply to the case either by way of Illustration
or by exciting sympathy for his cause could fall from his
client or any one else which he would not instantly
treasure M and with splendid tact and to its fullest
benefit lie never lost his seEpossession for moment
and as an instance We remember TO have him in
case Of great interest where he himself much excited
.tfurk oil ms own wig, by some unlucky gesture but
catching it before IL reached the hoor placed upon his
head without the slightest Interruption TO hs vivid How
Of EXPRESSION did it raise smile in the room such
vas the intense feeling he had excited in the audience
he never wanted words, aud the very aptest and hap
riast fer the occasion seemed always volunteer them
selve TO i service His mind did not to have time
10 seek them it was so iul-Jhey came 70 HIM lie
,oud uursvel the intricate circumstances Of difficult
cause in ehancery complre ADJUST regulate and weigh
the facts with ability which few or none could excel
No one who had argued cause with or against him
could ever say with csndor what We have ever heard al
egf Of him that he mere decaimer, aud no
one~ We confess from some experience, would have
preferred him assistant IN difficult cause to any
other man in the State aud there no other that We
would not have preferred as an opponent
In 1928 Mr. Preston lost his wife, and on the 2lst OF
October 1890 he married Miss Davis of Columbia, the
daughter of Dr. James Davis then the most distinguished
physician of the place This lady is well known TO all
who have had the pleasure OF Mr. Preston acquaintance
In South Carolina and at Washington, and is highly es
teemed for her amiabe virtues and devotion to her hus
band In December, lS69 Mr. Preston, then but thirty
four was elected Senator Of the United States from
South Carolina aud his distinguished course there Is too
well known for comment now. Finding that he differed
from his State in lS42 several important matters he
resigned afer years service and recommended tue
practice of the law with his former applause, popularity,
and nroft In December, lS45, he was induced to ac
cent the Presidency of the South Carolina Colege-a
mari Of n,teriug kindness the part Of his State for
tber, is not more important situation in her besOwal
His presence and influence Immediately contributed to rem
der this institution more distinguished and popular not
only AZ home but in other Southern States for the num-
hers rapidy increased wba the character aud manners
of the Young gentlemen elevated and improved.
In 1850 Mr. PreSton's health was rapidly falling him,
and having been seized with paralysis of sde in July
Of that wear he rendered his resignation which was
ceped with regret by the trustees who at the same time
passed the following resolutions
] M. ,r a., hava off