The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-05-04
From, the AbbeviIe Medium.
PEN PICTURES OF THE PRESS
EDWARDS b. MURRAY.

Edwards B. Murray, junior editor OF
the Anderson Lnteligencer and Cores
ponding Secretary of the State Press
Association, is one of the youngest news
paper men in the State, and lawyer of
rare and brilliant promise. He is the
oldest child of the Rev. j. Scott Murray,
Virginia gentleman, who removed to
South Carolina in l848, and has ever
since been citizen of this State, and for
the greater part of the time resident of
Anderson. Rev. Mr.. Murray is man
of considerable prominence, and has been
for years one of the leading men of the
Baptist denomination in this State. Be-
fore the war he was pastor of the Baptist
church at Anderson, and Principal of
the johnson Female University at that
place, which was forced to close its doors
by the exigencies of the situation, and
has never since been re-established under
its old name and in exactly it's original
capacity. After the war Mr.. Murray re-
turned to the practice of law, which pro-
fession he had pursued in Virginia before
removal to this State, but has never
ceased his ministerial Office, and is now
the popular pastor of the Baptist church
at Anderson. This much by way of in
PRODUCTION to the subject in hand.
Edwards B. Murray WAS born in New
berry county on February 5, 1854, and
from his early infancy to the present
time has lived at Anderson Court House.
He was put to school when quite young,
and made such progress in his stydies
that at the age of fifteen he entered the
intermediate Glass of Furman University
at Greenville, and there spent the session
of lS69-'70. He was a diligent and
laborious student, and led his fellows in
the race for learning. He took an active
interest in the literary societies connected
with the University, and was elected
anniversary essayist and session orator, q
distinction alone given to merit. At the
close of the session he repaired to Char
lottesville and entered the University OF
Virginia, where he remained during the
session of 1870-'71. In this institution
he was model student and always to the
front. Close attention to his books and
unrenitting industry so impaired his
health that he was compelled to remain
at home the next year and recruit his
shattered energies. But absence from
the restrictions of the class room did not
detract from his love for study, and enter
ing his fathers law Office at odd times he
became so deeply interested and 80 much
in love with the law that he gave up all
intention of returning to college and
settled regularly down to the study OF
law. In September, 1873, before he was
twenty years of age, he stood his e1ami.
nation in law at Anderson, and obtained
an order of court admitting him to prac-
tice when he attained his majority. He
was unwilling to wait for the slow lapse
of time, and in 1S79-74 secured the pass
age of an act by the Legislature covering
his case and authorizing his regular
admission to the practice of his profes-
sion. Before the court at Greenville in
March, 1874, he was regularly admitted
under this act, and has since that time
been associated with his father at Ander-
son under the firm name and style OF
Murray & Murray.
Mr.. Murray has always felt deep
interest in the politics of the State, and
of late years has taken an important and
influential part in such affairs in his
county. During his stay at the Univer.
sity of Virginia. he was much impressed
with the practicability of the fusion
movement under Walker in that State
and of its adaptability to the situation in
this State. He thought half loaf better
than no bread, and gave the Boilers
Movement in this State in 1872 his
cordial and enthusiastic endorsement
and support. He thought that this ticket
would do for South Carolina what the
Walker faction did for Virginia, and
was willing to sacrifice his preferences
and prejudices for the good of the State.
In the campaign of 1874 he gave his sup
port to the Independent Republican
Movement under Judge Green, although
he was not fully persuaded that success
could be achieved in this way. The
defeat of that ticket convinced him that
there was no virtue in coalitions or com
promises, and he has ever since con-
tended that the thorough, complete Or
ganization of the Democratic party is the
only safe and sure way to save the State.
He has recently given valuable assistance
in the organization of the party in his
county, and has been elected a member
of the Democratic executive committee
of the county. He is conscientiously
opposed to further dallying with false
hopes that have only succeeded in disin-
tegrating the party and made our .politi-
cal foes stronger and more aggressive.
Mr.. Murray's connection with the State
Press began in September, 1873, when,
together with Messrs. ]. H. McGill and
A. O. Langston, he purchased the An
derson ConserUator, paper not one year
old, from Messrs. Brown & Haynie, and
together with his partners, published ii
for something more than year, when
he made purchase of the Office and ran il
until its consolidation with the hatelh'
gencer in July, 1875. Until his purchase
of the Conservator Mr.. Murray had had
no connection whatever with journalism
but soon developed into a ready writer
and now has but few superiors in the
State. He keeps close eye on men AND
movements, has fine memory, good
stock of words, and eliminating all super.
fluffy of style has got down to "hard
pan" plain, common sense way VI Saylne
things. He is q severe critic, and says
what he thinks without Sinking any re,
sponsibility. Together with himself ano
Colonel Hoyt the IntelHgencer has one o.
the stoutest editorial teams in the State
and is quoted as authority in important
matters both at home and abroad.
Mr.. Murray is a member of the Bap
tist Church in which he feels the livelies
interest. He takes an important and in
fluential part in the affairs of the Church
and for the last four years has been
member of the Executive Committee O.
the Saluda Baptist Association: Tht
greatest objection to this man is that hi
is bachelor. This can be cured in time
and, we think we may safely say, will be
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN's ADVENTURE
Co.. ~ oj,, b,, hrouoht ont tho fn1lOly