Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-04-10
pleasant impression on every one with

In returning lTOIIl UlllOH COuIG, NHlCll
the lawyers of Yorkville were always in
try-at Broad River some of them proposed
to refresh themselves bya bath. McKelvey
imprudently remained longer than the
others in the water. The next day he was
not we'll, but thought it only casual indis-
position. In few days he was taken ill
with case Of highly developed bilious
fever. This terminated in his death. He
was buried beside his mother, twelve miles
from Yorkville on the plantation of Philan-
der Moore.
Had it been the will of Providence to
have continued Edward McKelvey's life,
there is little doubt he would have added
lustre to the profession of which he was n
member.
William Randolph Hill was one of those
men, unfortunately for his State, wooed
from her shades by the genius of western
emigration, the moving spirit which has so
rapidly filled the Gulf States with respect
able population, and left the mother States
to feel tie loss of many promising son.
Civilization seems always to have western
tendency. From the earliest periods of his
tory, travels of men, and trade-currents of
God, seem to move onward to the countries
of the setting sun. Many, think, have
made fatal mistake others have gained
naught by tearing up the roots of nativity
and fibres of affection and planting them
selves on a new soil. 1t is withre regret now
contemplate the rising Of the tide of emf
grafton ebbing to the west. Better, far bet
ter, with most, would it be "tO stick to their
last" put theirshoulders to the wheel Of for
tunes car, and by manly shOves, raise it
to the smooth road and pleasant fields of
prosperity. South Carolina is our mother.
Would you fOrsake her when cast down,
trampled on and dishonored? No; stay
with her, though lying in ashes, and when
her days have been fulfilled, your hearts
will be lifted up that the time of her vista
tion is ended.
Randolph Hill was the eldest son Of Solo
mon Hill, Esq, of York District. The for
mer, however, was born at the Berwick Iron
Works, Spartanburg District, his father, at
the time Of his birth, living at these works,
experimenting them. Not long after the
birth of this son he returned to York, and
within her boundaries he was reared. He
and graduating in law at Litchfield, and
began the practice in Yorkville in 1923 or
"a. He was recognized by the whole Dis
trict as a young man of the first order of
talent. He early represented us in the Leg
islature, soon had fine practice, and fame
beckoned him on apace, to laurels grown on
Carolina soil, but he determined to remove
to Mississippi, and located in Canton. A
few years after he retired to private life,
and determined to devote himself 10 ag-
riculture. About this time l met him in
Charleston. He had been on visit to this
State, and while here purchased large
gang of negroes to take on to his western
plantation. Pointing them out to me, he
cold tE1'bara how oro T ho1,a hpnpht thpD1
but 1 do not doubt in twenty-five years,
they will every one be free" After this he
lived the life of a country gentleman, con-
Quoting his farming operations with success.
/ feel that cannot do this man justice, al
though l, as all who knew him did perforce,
appreciated his eminent talents. Giving up
the allurements of public life-not seeking
the high places he would so we'll have fit
ted-he enjoyed the solaces of home and en-
dearments of private life Perhaps he chose
the better part, but / could never cease re-
GREETING that he did not take the stand in
his country's councils, his wisdom, prudence
and integrity so fully entitled him to. He
was man respected and beloved wherever
he lived his example and precept intlu-
enced those with whom he was thrown; but
reserved spirit and sensitive heart, made
him shrink from the worlds jOstle and
glare. But short time ago he passed to
the bourne from whence no traveller returns.
Peace to his ashes
Other gifted men, his cotemporaries, who
remained in York, have too recently passed
away, and are too we'll known in your midst,
for me to attempt tribute. Some other
chronicler will be more competent for the
task. Long years of separation, with only
casual meetings, have gone by since 1 was
among them. Mine are "reminiscences of
days growing dim in the twilight of re-
membrance, which I felt would be incom-
plete did l not touch, in my theme, on so tai
ented a man, who belonged to the history
of York, as the late William Randolph Hill.
rro r1, I