The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-05-08
Auaersam gutellige1tter.,
ANDERSON @. r.. S. c..
THURSDAY MORNING, .MAY 5, 1873.
DEATH OF HON. JAMES L. ORR.

What thrill of surprise and sadness this|
announcement will carry to the hearts and
homes of our people! The picture OF gref,
stricken communities, who have known ano|
honored and loved him, rises before us as these
lines are penned. Yet, tits even true !! Ihe|
earthly career of James L. Orr is ended; farl
avay from the home he loved so we'll, in for
e;pn land and surrounded by strange faces, his
spirit winged its fight from the tenement of
clay, and scared away upon the boundless ocean
of eternity 49, -.
This sad intelligence was received in our
town on Tuesday afternoon, as 1t was flashed
across the waters that Judge Orr died in St.
Petersburg on Tuesday morning. Without full
particulars, the circumstances Of his death can
NOT be stated at this writing, but we know
enough to say that he has been suffering from
the effects of q cold, which he contracted prior
to leaving this country, and which stubborniy
refused to yield to medical treatment although
recent letters from his son indicated great hope
that the physicians would be able to conquer
the dangerous symptoms, and that his father
would be relieved from suffering, as mllder hide
weather approached. Such was the hope e1-
pressed in letters received here on the very day
of his death, but alas human skill and human
expeetations are often bafled by the presence
Of the angel of death1who is destroying here
and there from amongst all classes OF society,"
reaping down the great of the earth alike with
the humblest and lowliest of mankind.
. We cannot describe the solemnity and deep
seated sorrow manifested by our citizens as the
news fitted rapidly from one to another, and
from house to house. Old men bowed their
heads and wept, and the companions and friends Is
of his earlier and maturer years were shaken
with grief beyond measure. He was our fell
low-townsman, whom all delighted to honor,
and whose return was fondly anticipated, since
he had SO recently expressed the warmest at
tachment for his cherished home, and expected
to end his days in peace here in our midst,
when the cares and responsibilities of public
station were fulfilled in the near future. The
sad calamity, coming without the slightest
warning Of his dangerous illness, stunned the
whole community, and with one accord the
stores and places Of business were closed, men
gathered in groups or sought theirhomes, while
the bells mournfully tolled the requiem of our
honored and beloved friend, until the parting
day, was gone in sombreress and silence! Fit
emblems were these of the overshadowing
grief suddenly appearing in our town, now
mournfnlly regretting the loss of her favorite
son. But we must not indulge in these refec-
tions. As journalist, recording events of the
day, it is our province to set forth the career of
the lamented statesman and jurist, for the en-
couragement and profit of others, and rehearse
thestory of his life, albeit the large majority
of our readers are perfectly familiar with the
chief events from the days of his childhood.
james Lawrence Orr was born on the 18th
day of May, 1922, at Craytonville, in Anderson
District, sc. His ancestors were from Ireland,
removing to this country in the early part of
the last century. His grandfather, Jehu Orr
was native of Wake County, N. c., and was
a brave soldier and unHinching patriot in the
Revolutionary War. His father, Christopher
Orr, was widely known throughout this sectionI
as highly respectable citizen and successful
merchant, until his removal to Mississippi
where he died a few years since, at an advanced
age. Judge Orr began his studies at country
school, under the tutelage of the late Robert
Breckenridge, If we are not mistaken; from
thence he was transferred to the male academy
at Anderson, and while here, engaged in the
ardent pursuit of learning, he still found time
to assist his father as book-keeper and sales
man-thns early blending habits of practical
industry and usefulness with those of research
and study. In the year 1910, he entered the
University of Virginia, where he acquired
great proficiency in the higher branches of
learning, sinking deep the foundations of fn-
sure knowledge and usefulness, while he won
an enyiable reputation among his fellow-stu-|
dents by his manly, generous and honorable
department. He left the University in 1S4l ]
and devoted some time to general improvement
by minglipg in society and pursuing a judicious|
course of reading. In 1912 he began the
study of law, in the Office of Judge Whitner )!
and in ls4S, after passing highly creditable|
examination, he was admitted to the bar, and
at once entered upon the practice of his pro
fession, in copartnership with Hon. J. P. Reed|
He soon afterwards established the Anderson
Gazette of which he was the editor for year
or more, thus pursuing his favorite system of
full mental occupation, to the exclusion Of idle
frivolities.
He was now fully entered upon public life|
and while mingling freely with his fellow
citizens, he was soon thoroughly known and
appreciated. In 1914, when little more than
twenty-five years OF age, he was elected to the|
Legislature from Pendleton District receivingl
an unusually large and fattering vote, showing
the regard and confidence already secured by|
him Sarrinn II, the I enislatnra for four wears