Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-12-10
DEATH OF GEORGE W. WILLIAMS, Esq.

Ourcommunity was panied, on Wednesday even
ing of last week, by the unexpected intelligence OF
the death, in Columbia, that morning, OF GEORGE
W. WILLIAMS Esq. Soon after the sad intelli-
gence had been received an extra train started to
Chester to receive the body-which had been sent
forward that afternoon returned at II o'clock,
a. m, bearing all that was mortal Of one whose osse
name had so long been an ornament to the District
and State -. =. - - '.. = =. ,.,.'....-....,
His death occurred about six clock on, Wed.
nesday morning, in his room at Nickerson's Hotel,
i'm Columbia, unattended and unkuowh to his
friends. He had gone there to attend the terms
of the United States and State Courts, and had
been absent some ten days On Monday, he had
been confined to his room by slight attack of Ill
ness, and on Tuesday aphysician was called in,
who left him at I o'clock on Wednesday morning,
better Theservant who waited upon
him entered his room about 5'o'eiock, and found
him up and feeling comfortable. The servant re-
tired to bring his breakfast, and upon his return,
short time later, found him expiring. The I'M
mediate cause Of his death is supposed to have
beensyneope '@-',-' -!
Mr.. Williams was born near Bel-Air, in Lancas-
ter District Of this State, on the 9th Of DeceH-
Der, 1903. At the age Of eighteen he entered the
South Carolina College and graduated there in
1928. Selecting the Law as his profession, he be-
gan its study shortly afterwards, at the same time
teaching school as a means of livelihood, until he
could fit himself for the Bar. He was admitted to
practice at Columbia, in the Fall Of 1880, and im
rnediateiy afterwards entered upon his profession
at this place, associated with COL Thomas Will
ians. He early won the confidence and esteem,
of the public and in 1888 was elected to seat in
the Legislature from York District He was re-
elected at various intervals for several more terms
and in 1865, at the reorganization of the State
Government, was returned to the State Senate.
His seat soon being abrogated by the Reconstruc.
ton Acts, he thus closed his career as arepresen.
tative of the people. 2,.'- 49,
e: In politics, Mr.. Williams was an old school Tn
ion man, but never aspired to the leadership Of
any party or faction. His mind seemed to be Of
an order totally untitled for employment in the
arena of politics, and his tastes did not seem to
incline him to seek distinction in this field.
Tn August, 1868, the Republican Legislature in
Columbia, on account of his high legal attainments
elected him as one. of the Circuit Judges of the
State This distinction was only remarkable from
the fact that he had no afiiiation whatever with
the party which elected him; while every other Of
the eleven Judicial officers were supposed to have
been selected from the ranks of the party in power
As lawyer, Mr.. Williams, for some years be,
fore his death, was, beyond question, the foremost
man in the up-country, if not in the State. He
was ever close student, man of untiring indus,
try, generally performing an excessive amount o.
both the intellectual and physical labor Of his Office
The prominent characteristics Of his mind, IN its
legal bearing were a wonderful power Of analysis,
remarkably ready perception Of the salient points
in case, and memory that seemed to retain eve
rything that he learned Added to these, his gen.
eraf information was good, and his knowledge Of
the law superior to that usually attainnd at his
time of life He was ready, forcible, and often
eIoduert advocate; some of his legal arguments
being models of terseness and brilliancy. With a
Jury he was almost irresistible, and his influence
with the Court was always great. .s -. ,-'
hi Asa man, he was genial and aaable. Hiskind-
ness Of heart, and his eqpabk temper everywhere
won him friends, But few men have ever passed
through the Vicistudess of such long and active
professional career at the bar, mourning so little ac-
rimony from those to whom be was opposed His
long professional labors were given. to the public
often without remuneration, and never sufficiently
rewarded. Although enjoying an extensive pfsc-
tice, he accumulated but little profit from its cxer
else. His attention was always too much engross