The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-05-23
En- Gov. Psrrys "Reminiscences of Public lfen.
Joseph N. Whitner.

Judge Whltner was enc OF the klndest, most
amiable and best of men. He was benevolent
and charitable to all who were in want. He
was sincerely a Christian, and q very pious
member of the Presbyterian Church all his life.
And yet, with all his amiability and goodness,
nature. But his good sense and good feelings
. rarely permitted his temper to manifest itself
on any occasion, public or private. On the
Bench and at the Bar, he was always patient,
forbearing and courteous. Never was there a
more conscientious man In the discharge of all
his duties in every relation of life, whether
public or private. This conscientiousness and
anxiety to do right and act properly under all
circumstances, very often produced hesitation
in his action and decision. 1t was sometimes
discoverable on the Bench. He hesitated and
doubted, where Judge with less conscientious
ness would have decided at once, although his
convictions were as doubtful as Judge Whit
ner's.
Judge Whitner was born on Georges Creek,
in Pickens County, about seven miles from
Greenville Court House. His father moved
near Pendleton village, where he was brought
up and educated till he entered the South Car
olina College, of which institution he was a
graduate he read law, was admitted to che
Bar, aud settled at Old Cambridge. But after
short residence there, he moved to Pendleton
Court House. and formed partnership with
Judge Earle, who was then Solicitor of the
Western Circuit. Judge Whitner was very
Pendleton District He assisted mainly in the
division of the District into Anderson and
Pickens Districts. Since that Pickens has
been divided again into Oconee and Pickens
Districts Whilst Pendleton still remained
one Senatorial District, Judge Whitner was
elected to represent it in the State Senate He
was then elected Solicitor of the Western Cir
cult and for many years he discharged the
onerous duties of this Office with great ability
and efficiency. Some years before his eleva-
tion to the Bench, there was an election OF
Judge before the Legislature. The contest was
very close, and one Of the votes intended for
| Whitner was written "Vhiten." If this vote
had been counted, he would have had major
ity and been elected. But on the second bal
lot, Judge Withers was elected. The next va
cancy that occurred on the Bench, Judge
Whitner was elected to fill, and he remained
on the Bench till his death, many years after
wards. Whilst Solicitor, he was put in nomi-
nation for Congress, very much against his
wishes. There was a high political excitement
in the State on the subject of the sub-Treasury.
General Thompson, who was then representing
the District in Congress, differed with MIR. Cal
houn on this subject, and an effort was made by
Mr.. Calhoun and his friends to turn him out.
Judge Whitner at that time, was perhaps the
most popular man in the Congressional Dis
trict He was, therefore, put in nomination,
but his personal popularity availed him nothing
| in the excitement His warmest and most de-
voted friends voted against him. The returns
from the different precincts Iii Anderson Dis
trict were brought I'd Pickelis Court House,
whilst Court was sitting there. Whitner looked
over the statement and said to me, ~ really
thought could have got more votes, than l
did, at some of these boxes for President Of the
United States SO TRUE it Is, that friendship,
gratitude and personal respect, are all thrown
aside in political excitement when an election
takes place.
Judge Whtnef Was great temperance man,
and sort of acknowledgement of Chief JUS
tice O'Neall In the temperance cause. Whilst
O'Neall was on the Circuit, and Whitner was
lures at all the Court Houses. Ihave no doubt
that if both these gentlemen had taken q glass
of brandy every day, in the latter part of their
lives, they would have lived much longer
| When Judge Whitner was on his death bed, he
sent for Dr. Fair, of Columbia, to visit and
prescribe for him. The Doctor told him to eat
nourishing food, and drink brandy: But the
prescription came too late: After DR.. Fairs
visit, Judge Munro called to see his brother
| Whitner when the latter said to him; Il am
now going to do, Judge Munro what l never
have done before, ask you to take glass of
brandy with me-"
AS to carrying deadly teapors about ones
person, Judge Whitner told me the following
circumstance in reference to himself He was
q student in Union village, when the Deputy
Sheriff came to arrest him on some very trivial
matter Playfully, he pulled out pistol and
told the Deputy he would not be arrested lie
did it rs joke, and supposed it would be re-
ceiyed as such by man whom he knew very
we'll and with whom he was Oh the best of
terms. But mistakihg the motive, the Deputy
few into passion, jumped from his horse and
said, "I will arrest you at the risk of my life" :"
Judge Whitner said his nature seemed sudden
ly to change, all reflection thrown away, and If
the man had advanced he would have shot; and
perhaps killed him.
Judge Whitner married the only daughter of
James Harrison Esq, who still survives him,
and by whom he had large family Of children:
They were all educated with great care, and
have prospered in life. The Judge lived in
great elegance and with great hospitality. He
| kept an open house for friends and visitors, at
all times and on ill occasions. Although a
strict Presbyterian, he had all OF his cnlidren
taught 10 play on some musical instrument, and
n visitor would see two or three violns and
flutes lying about his house. He encouraged
the young people to dance for amusement of a
winters evening, and made his home happy
one for all his family and visitors. remember
hearing gentleman from Charleston say that
he had neTer seen more elegance or finer enter
tainments than he met at Judge Whitner's.,
The Judge was cotton planter for number
nf wears in Florida, but understood from him
not many Years before his death, that he had
not found planting in Florida very profitable.
To plant proftaby, a gentleman must live on
his plantation, and supervise everything:
In early life Judge Whitner took great, pride
in commanding a troop of cavalry, and was
afterwards elected Brigadier General, when l
had the honor of being appointed on his staff
With the rank of Major, which still stuck to me
| r. dan, Iut-nyrC