Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1892-05-12
W. JASPER TALBERT.
Sketch of the Life of a Prominent
Allianceman and Democrat.

line following SKeIcu IL lake!
from the Greenville Evening Dem
ocrat:
w. Jasper Talbert was born il
Edgefeld County, forty-six year
ago, of respectable parents, AM
owing to his aggressive nature AM
the coming on of the war, hi
educational advantages wer'
limited to the schools of hi
native County and that of Du'
West, in Abbeville, which he lef
at the tender age of sixteen Il
exchange the life of a student a
avillage school for that of a. pri
vate soldier in the army of hi
country. The fatigues of camp
life, the long monotonous nights
of picket duty, the pains and
aches of disease, the clash Of
arms in many of the most
sanguinary and hotly contested
battles of Virginia, cooled not the
ardor of the boyish soldier. Sc
fully did he discharge his duty, &c
ceaseless and untiring his energy
that his general-the brave and
accomplished soldier, Martin w
Gary-called him from the ranks
of his command to assume the
duties of courier of his staff, and
so well did he do this hazardous
duty that when the storm had
past and the shrill blast of the
cavalry bugler's call was hushe d
in Gary's command forever, and
the flag for which he braved
death an hundred times was furled
and peac, restored to our South
land, and he sought legislative
honors of his County, his lifelong
friend and commander, General
Gary, said in introducing him
that "wherever duty commanded
Jasper would 60 if it cost him his
life"
After the war, finding himself al
most penniless, having nothing but
the soil of his felds-he accepted
the situation and realized the truth
of John Plowman's words, "He who
by the plow would thrive must
either hold himself, or drive" and
with the same quick determination
and manly resolution that has
ever characterized him, Colonel
Talbert grasped the plow-handle
with the same dexterity with
which he so lately welded a
cavalry sabre. Not being satisfied
to tread the path of life alone, he
won the hand of Miss Sue Garrett,
one of Edgefeld's fair and
accomplished daughters, and it is
of the days when he followed his
plow and his young bride per-
formed all the household duties
that he delights most to speak.
As a farmer, Mr.. Talbert was a
success, and in this, his chosen
field, discovered the same ideas of
energy and economy that mark
him as man of business to-day.
In 1880 he was elected to the
Legislature and again in 1882, and
in 1884 he was elected to the
Senate from his County over one
of the best and purest men in the
State. During these years of public
service the abilities Of Colonel
Talbert as a ready debater and
logical reasoner began to show the
people of South Carolina that in
him they had q friend and able
advocate. Though from the ranks
of the sunburned plowmen, he had
the courage Of his convictions and
was ready to dare and do valiant
service in their cause. These
sterling qualities were recognized
in 1890 when he was made
president Of that much-abused
and hated March convention ot
farmers, which since has been
recognized and adopted by the
same men who were first tc
condemn and denounce it az
undemocratic, thus showing thai
Colonel Talbert and the handful
of patriots that met on the 9th OF
March were far-seeing and
enlightened statesmen.
Colonel Talbert was one of the
first men in the State to take the
stump and advocate a change ir
the government and in him Captain
Tillman found one of his ablest
Ilieutenants. He was president
of the memorable August conven
tion of 1890 in which the passion
of men assembled as Democrats
got the better of their reason and
at times made fratriUidal strife
imminent. But with steady
hand and iron nerve, commencing
presence and mien, Colonel Talber
maintained the equilibrium OF the
convention and guided it safely t.
the end. Again in. September die
the people demand his services al
the presiding officer of the State
| Democratic convention which
nominated South Cardinals far
mer Governor, and by his matches
presence of mind and ability as
presiding officer guided it safel..
through the long hours of the nigh
that was made hideous by the erie
of passion and prejudice o
stalwart sons of South Carolina.
With the upheaval and chang
of State officers Colonel Talber