The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-08-08

Es- Coz. Psrrys "reminiscences Of Public Men,
William K. Easley.
The sudden and most unexpected death 01
General Easley, few days since, was great
shock to the community of Greenville, in whose
midst he had lived many years, and by whom
he was greatly respected and admired for hls
many high and noble traits of character. de
was gentleman of feeble constitution by ma
ture, and for some time had been IN delicate
health. But when he left home for Atlanta
Georgia, where he died, his family and friends
regarded him in ordinary health, He went to
Atlanta on business connected with the Air
Line Railroad, an enterprise in which he had
taken deep interest, and one which he was
mainly instrumental in carrying through to o
successful result. For the last two or three
wears he had devoted all the energies of his
nature to the accomplishment of this great
work. It was through his influence, in great
measure, that this Road was located to pass
through the city of Greenville. He prevailed
on the County of Greenville and the city au-
thorities to make appropriations which secured
the location of the road
The first news of General Easley's illness,
three OF. four days after leaving home, was q
telegram stating that he was not expected to
liyel In the course of few hours another
telegram announced his death and that his
remains wonld be sent by the eight o'clock
train, that evening. The community was star
tied by this appalling news. His friends I'M
mediately appointed committee to go down
on the morning train and meet his remains in
Columbia. They reached Greenville, on their
retrrn. .by an express train on the next morn
inc before daylight. His remains were carried
toehis residence, and the next day, at 9 o'clock
in the morning, escorted by the Masons to the
Baptist Church, where the funeral services were
performed by the Rev. Dr. Buist, of the Pres
byterian Church, assisted by the Rev. DR.. Fur
man. pastor of the Baptist Church. DR.: Buist
spoke of the talents, ability and virtues of the
deceased, but said he came not to praise the
dead that mournful duty he left for the Bar
to perform, of which the deceased was so bright
and shining light; for the Masons to perform,
and for the community and the press OF the
country. The funeral services were then COM
pleted by the Masonic Fraternity, at the coun-
try residence of the deceased, where ne was In
TERED by the side Of his wife's grave.
made more sad by the reflection that only few
short months since, his beloved wife and the
companion of his sorrows and joys for twenty
wears past, and the model of o domestic lady,
was taken from him by death, leaving eight
motherless children to his care and protection.
They are now bereft of father as well as moth
erI This is a most terrible affection, and well
calculated to increase the sorrow of his friends
and the community. There were few persons
living in this. community who had so many
warm and devoted friends as Gen. Easley. He
seemed to have some mesmeric influence over
those who came in social contact with him.
They all admired him, and all loved him for
his purity of character, his sincerity IN friend
ship. and the warmth and generous feelings OF
his heart.
General Easley was born in Pickens County,
not far from Greenville Court House. His ia
ther, Colonel John Easley, was one of the ear
ly settlers of Pickens, and came to this part of
the State quite youth, with his father. The
General was well educated and q fine classical
scholar, though not graduate of any college:
I'm his boyhood he manifested great love of
polite literature. He read poetry and novels
with absorbing passionate interest. But his
reading was by no means confined to this class
off literature. He was laborious student OF
history and science, as we'll as poetry and gen.
eral Literature. Nor did he neglect the hard
and dry studies of his profession, as may be
well supposed from his success at the Bar: He
would sit up al night in reading. and studying,
and no doubt in early life injured his constitu-
ton in this way. This habit was firmly riveted
ON him, that he could not throw it off in more
mature years. He was q great student through.
out his life, and yet he spent large portion OF
his time, during the day, when not engaged IN
his professional duties, in conversation with
his friends and associates. He was essentially
agentleman, a and yet there was tinge OF mel
ancholy about him, which cast gloom over
his whole life. ~
eraI~ Paisley went to New Orleans for the pur-
nnse of practicing his profession; rightly be-
f;evine that it was better for o young lawyer.
Who had talents and ambition, to settle where
there is business, no matter how crowded the
Bsr was. But the yellow fever broke out in
the city and forced him to leave. He returned
to his fathers, and temporarily established
himself at Pickens Court House. He remained
there some time and found the law at so low
an ebb that he deemed it prudent to move to
Greenyille. But during his short residence IN
that mountain village, he made warm friends
nf ali the prominent men in the district, and
,vas snme wears afterwards elected member OF
the legislature from Pickens, although his law
Office was at Greenville, Whilst In the Legls-
lature he originated some important measures,
and amongst them Bill, which l drew 1or
him, making the parties in suit or CRIMINAL
prosecution competent witnesses in the case
We both thought it absurd that those who
tnew all about the matter in controversy,
should be excluded from giving testimony as
to the facts in dispute. This Bill was re.
modelled in committee and became the law of
the land. The present code of South Carolina
embodies the same principle, and was taken
from the New York code. The wisdom of this
alteration. has now been acknowledged by the
Bar and Courts of the State.
General Easley was elected member Of the
State Convention from Greenville in 1861
This Convention was called for the purpose OF
seeding from the Union. The General was a q
fierce secessionist, and had been Democrat all
r a I: 4 4ha n;x x,il rQmmeQcad he