The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1890-12-20
WADE HAMPTON DEFEATED.

A special to the Picayu,ee, from
Charleston, S. c., Dec. l1th, gives
the following:
/ The candidates were classed as fol-
lows, with reference to their political
affiliations: 1rby, farmers movement;
Donaldson, Farmers Alliance; Hamp-
ton and Hemphill, straightout Demo
cracy.
On the first ballot taken to-day the
vote stood: Irby, Sc; Donaldson, SO;
Hampton, 81; Hemphill, l. No
choice. While the third ballot was
being taken coalition was arranged
between the two wings Of the farmers
which settled the fate of South Caro-
lina's most famous citizen, announced
the birth of new era in American
politics, and made nationally famous
a young man just beginning life and
hardly known before beyond his own
vicinity. On the fourth ballot the
vete stood: Irby, 100; Donaldson, 10;
Hampton, AZ.
Mr.. Irby's title to fame is more than
two-pronged. First, the position to
which he had been chosen is the most
exalted place to which the farm ers
have yet succeeded in landing one Of
their chosen leaders; second, he de-
feated Gen. Wade Hampton, feat
that has heretofore been considered
impossible; and did it, too, almost be-
fore the old war-horse realized the
danger he was in. In addition to this,
Mr.. Irbv will be the youngest mem
ber Of the Senate and the youngest
man ever elected to seat in that
August Assemblage except one, John
Randolph, he having just entered his
30th year, and Judge Charles Gayerre,
of Louisiana, who. was elected before
he reached the legal age. Here is a
short biography of this most remarka-
BILE young man:
He was born at the comfortable
home Of his father, Col. J. H. Irby,.
in Laurens, S. c., Sept. 10th, 1860,
and spent his early boyhood in that
little town. While he was still quite
young he was sent to the University
of Virginia, and after pursuing his
studies there for some time he went to
Princeton College to finish his educa-
ton. When he returned from col
lege he read law for three years in the
office of Judge McIvor, in Laurens.
He only practiced his profession for
two years, when he retired to his an
cestral estate, near Laurens, and be-
came planter, which pleasant occu-
patton he has followed ever since,
with more or less diversion by way Of
political campaigning.
He took an active part in the cam
paign Of 1876, and organized a mill
tary. company in Laurens, of which
he was made captain. This was the
occasion when General Hampton made
his desperate fight against carpet bag
gers and reconstruction, and when he
was elected young Irby was rewarded
by being given a position on Govern
or Hampton's staff with the rank Of
Colonel.
About 1878 he killed an associate
named Kilgore and left for Texas,
where he remained for some years,
but finally returned, stood his trial and
was acquitted
In 1856 Irby was elected to the
Legislative, and was returned by an
increased majority in 1888. This Fall
he was again a candidate for the Leg
islature, and was elected.
He was an ardent follower Of Capt.
B. r. Tillman, and was one of his
most trusted advisers all through the
campaign. When the Tillman wing of
The Democracy secured control of the
party machinery Irby was made Chair
man of the State Executive Commit
tee, and the management of the late
campaign was entrusted to him. He
proved himself a courteous leader.
When the Legislature met, by COM
mon consent it was agreed among the
victorious farmer element that Col.
Irby would he chosen speaker. He
had no opponent for that Office. Col.
Irby never openly declared himself a
candidate for the Senate. He main
tanned absolute silence except, per-
haps, in the inner circle Of his partic-
ular friends. The work was done by
his friends and his co-workers of the
Tillman party.
Colonel Irby is a man Of striking
personal appearance, aud is said to be
possessed Of considerable magnetism.
Bucklen's Arnica Salve.
TIE BEsT SALyE in the world fol