Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-08-07

One OF Lne TeSultS vi IOWleT w lllldHlS
mercantile failure was to throw his son George
to some extent upon his own resources. To
meet, in part, his college expenses, he taught,
during the college vacation and probably u
short time longer, school in what is known
as the "Fork." This region is about twenty
miles below Columbia, i'm what is usually
called "The Adams neighborhood."
After graduating, he repaired in very
short time to Yorkville for the purpose of
reading law under Col. Thomas Williams.
He was now only twenty years of age. His
resources were limited. To meet his neces-
sary expenses, he opened school in York
Vile. The Hon. C. D. Melton was among
his pupils.
In December 1880, Mr.. Williams was, at
Columbia, admitted to practice law in the
State of South Carolina. He returned to
Yorkvile and entered into copartnership with
his preceptor, Col. Thomas Williams In
1885, Colouel Williams moved to A A44HtbauI
In 1886, Mr.. Williams and John A. Aston
entered into copartnership for the purpose Of
practicing law. This copartnership continued
but for short time, when w. |. Clawson be-
came associated with Mr. Williams. In 1910
Mr.. Clawson was elected Commissioner in
EQUITY, when the firm of Williams u Claw.
son was dissolved. In 1S46, the law firm of
Williams & Beatty was formed. The mem.
bers of this firm were Mr. Williams and Col.
William G. Beatty. This firm was dissolved
in 1866, when Col. Beatty was elected District
Judge.
/ l\Nhen Mr. Williams began his career as a
lawyer. the State of South Carolina was just
entering the Notification struggle. Mr.. Will
liams was at that time, and during the whole
of his life, union man. At that time Col.
w. G. Beatty was perhaps, more interested in
the politics Of the State than any Individual
in York county. With all the energy Of his
soul he set himself soldly against the Nullif-
cation movement. That he might more sue
cessfully secure his aims, he determined to be-
gin the publication of county newspaper.
TO this publication the name Yorkville Pa
triot was given. Colonel Beatty, G. w. Will
liams, Col. Thomas Williams and Gen. James
Rodgers entered into an arrangement by
which it was agreed that jointly they would
hold themselves responsible for all the liabil-
tiles of the enterprise. A printing press was
hired from Patrick Carey and John E.
Grist, the father of the present proprietor of
the Yorkville ENQUIRER, was brought from
Columbia to superintend the publication of
the Patriot
Notwithstanding the contract, Col. Thomas
Williams and Gen. James Rodgers were never
called on for single dollar, and neither of
them ever wrote single line for the Patriot.
The pecuniary burden incurred by the publ
cation of the Yorkville Patriot was borne en-
trely by Col. Beatty and G.. W. Williams,
and by them also was it edited. The Patriot
having been brought into existence for the
sole purpose of thwa7sing the Modification
movement, and having accomplished its work,
ceased to exist after period of two years.
Formerly, as is still the case, it was the
custom to put every promising young man
forward in politics. In 1886, G. W. Williams
was brought out as a candidate for the Legis'
lature. 1t would scarcely be correct to say
that of his own free choice he became can
didate. He was incapable Of pushing himself
forward, and averse to using the many schemes
which are usually resorted to by candidates
for public favor. At the election in 1886, he
was defeated by three votes.
The bitter feelings which had been aroused
during the Notification contest, still prevailed,
and the vote of 1886 was strictly party vote.
The people of York county were closely di-
vided, and the fight between the Union men
and NulliGers was fierce. The following are
the returns of the election of October, 1886: