The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1886-06-02
EDWIN HENRY BOBO.
February 29th, IS36.-May 18th, 1856.


ing away Of child is always shock
to the immediate friends; but it is 8
public calamity when a mature man.
a public servant Of the people, an
energetic, widcawahe, progressive
citizen, with apparently many years
of usefulness ahead Of him, is called
away from the scenes Of 4 most act
i've life without warning. Such ca
lamity has befa!len our town, county
and State in the death Of Mr.. Bobo.
When it was announced last Satur-
day morning that he was dangerously
injured, with little chance ofrecovery,
a thrill Of sympathy and sorrow was
sent throughout the town: and as the
news spread over the county. with
saddened hearts our citizens heard it,
and throughout the county the first
inquiry at all the church gatherings
on Sunday was as to the condition Of
Mr.. Bobo. That spontaneous trib-
ute of all our people shows that the
county placed high value on the
man and his services.
He was born in our town when i;
was struggling village and here he
received his primary education and
preparation for college. He was
sent to Oxford College, Ga, and
graduated at that institution in 1855
under the presidency Of DR.. George
F. Pierce, afterwards Bishop. In
1856 he had charge of the Bethel
Academy at Woodruff, and at pub
lie school meeting there during that
summer, Major John D. Wright made
an address on education. Mr.. Bobo
was called out and spoke also, show
ing that even in his early days, he
had decided convictions about GER
tain educational questions that now
vex and harass the State. He then
thought it very unjust that the State
should appropriate Sl47 to the sons
of rich men for an education and only
four dollars to the children of the
poor.
At the close of the year he mar.
ried Miss Drummond, who survives
him, and about the beginning of 1857
he set out for Texas to cast in his lot
with that young and growing State.
But soon after he got there his health
failed and he began to pine for the
red hills and pure water of his native
county. He returned and never for
a single moment after that did he
talk about leaving his State again.
He was soon restored to perfect
health and began the study of law in
the office of Bobo s. Edwards. He
was admitted to practice in 1853 or
1859. When the war came on he
Joined company formed at Wood
ruff. of which Mr.. Rocbuck was cap
tain. In the organization he was
elected second lieutenant. At the
reorganization of the company A.
B. Woodruff was elected captain,
and Mr.. Bobo first lieutenant. He
was made adjutant of his regiment,
the Holcombe Legion, which position
he held at the surrender. He was IN
all the engagements Of his regiment
and was always at his post, The
State had no better and more faith
full soldier than ne was. At the close
of the war, Colonel Edwards, having
been killed, he went into the office OF
Bobo & Carlisle. It is sad to think
that for half a century the name o.
Bobo has been prominent in our
courts and that now it hasSeen taken
from the list of our lawyers.
During the days Of radical misrule
and oppression Mr.. Bobo was bold
and fearless in denouncing the wrongs
and injustice perpetrated b. those
who were running the State. For
a year or more. in our darkest days,
he had editorial management OF lhe
Spartan. and his editorials had no
uncertain sound. He was 4 proml-
nent factor in working out our polltl-
cal redemption. lie was ready with
pen and tongue to VlnolcaCe our
rights. lie was not a man to tenn
porize, or pull wires, or plan accord
ing TO the demands of a mllk'and'
water policy. If a thing, in his
opinion was wrong, it was very
wrong, and needed abolishin.' at
once.
In the campaign of 1880, for the
first time in his life, he became a
candidate. lie and Col. T. J. Moore
had a warm contest for the Senate.
He was defeated, but he took his de-
feat like man and cheerfully sub
mitted to the will Of the people as
expressed in the primary election.
In 1882 he was elected to the Legis-
lature. and in 1854, he was chosen,