The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1893-06-14
FAREWELL TO JUDGE KERsHAw.
A Touching Tribute and Complimentary
Addresses by Leading Lawyers-Judge
kershaw's Eloquent Reply.
Especial to News and Courier.7


did themselves an everlasting honor
yesterday in honoring Judge J. B.
Kershaw. The following was the rep
resentation sent by the Columbia Bar:
Messrs. F. ". McMaster, r. w. Shand,
E. Nee. Clarkson, Andrew Crawford
and Leroy F. Youmans. The Court
House was packed, and many ladies
were given seats in and about the jury
boxes.
Solicitor Nelson said that he was
affected with feelings of both regret
and pleasure in offering the suhjoined
resolutions-regret at the dissolution
of the pleasant relations, and q pleas
ure to publicly express that sorrow.
He was a clerk in Judge kershaw's
office until 1877, was in daily inter-
course with him and was glad to have
a public opportunity to express bis
true feelings of admiration for him.
He then read the following, which was
prepared by 3 committee Of the Cam
den Bar, consisting of Messrs. Ken
nedy, Trantham and Nelson:
Whereas, it is a beautiful and time
honored custom among all representa-
tive bodies and associations, ho ap-
preciate the life, character and ser
vices of distinguished fellow-citizen
about 10 retire from the services of his
country, to bear testimony to his worth
and excellence as a faithful public SER
want by suitable resolutions expressive
OF their need Of praise and gratitude to
him; ..
And whereas, this grateful duty be-
comes an additional pleasure when the
subject of said action is Ito the man
ner born" and has lived in bis native
community for more than half GEN.
tury Of active life, ''sans peur ct sans
reproche," exemplifying in that life ali
that is true and noble, and worthy Of
imitation, whether as citizen, soldier
or jurist;
And whereas, the time has come
when our distinguished fellow-citizen,
the Hon. J. B. kershaw, is to lay aside
the ermiue which he has so gracefully
and ably worn for so many years, and
to vacate his seat on the Bench, which
has been adorned by the brilliant and
illustrious men of the past, who
achieved renown for themselves and
added fame and glory to South Caro-
lima, and whose worthy successor our
friend is, in ability, learning and in-
tegrity:
Therefore be it resolved by the Bar
of Camden
First. That we tender to the Hon.
J. B. Kershaw, whose commission as
Judge of the 5th circuit expires to-
morrow, the 7th of June, 1898, and
who voluntarily retires from position
he has so long adorned, our high ap-
probation of his distinguished services
as Judge, the cap stone Of brilliant
career, and to express to him the pride
we feel in that career which has re-
fiected honor upon the State and links
his name with those WORTHLESS who, IN
days that have gone, made the name
of South Carolina the synonym of all
that is heroic in war and excellent in
peace.
Second. That he carries with him
iato his retirement our most earnest
and heartfelt wishes for his speedy
restoration to health, and that he be
spared to enjoy Il peaceful and green
old age; and may the comfort aud sat
isfaction of the memories of life spent
in the service Of the State. whose his
tory he has helped to make, irradiate
his declining years.
Third. That these resolutions be suit
ably engrossed and copy presented to
our distinguished friend.
Fourth. That We request his Honor
Judge Gary to have them spread upon
the minutes of the Court.
Mr.. W. D. Trantham: "The resolu-
tions and words spoken by Mr.. Nelson
leave very little to say. We all regret
that fact of the time now come when
our official relations will cease, and
wish to bear witness to your kindness
and courtesy. Itisa pleasure togo back
to the time when I first knew you,
third of century ago. AS boy the
speaker had followed the course of the
Judge. At home first at railroad
meeting, and then in the Legislature
and lastly on the Bench. lIatterly
great tragedy was commenced and
there was call to arms. He enjoyed
recalling how that great nlan went of
to Charleston, thence to Virginia, his
regiment, the flower of the country,
becoming part of the unconquerable
army Of Virginia; how he bore himself
with honor and valor to the end of the
war, the trusted friend of Lee, Long
street, Jenkins, Pettigrew and many
Others of less or no rank at all.
1--WE remember when the S AIRY
Gross went down and was furled for
ever you came home aud resumed your
profession, and we'll do we remember
when sixteen years ago the people OF
this town publicly showed their pleas
ure and pride at your elevation to the
Bench. At this time you said you
would be much more pleased if, when
you came to retire, you would still be
deemed worthy. We now bear wit
ness to the ability, thoroughness and
painstaking with which you have filled
the office. 1t is enough to say that you
rank in service with the greatest Judges
of our State. Yours is name to live
L !