The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1894-08-22
THE SUGGESTED CANDIDATES.
Mr.. JOHN GARY EVANS

was born in Cokesbury, Abbeville
County,S. G, on the 18th of October, 1853.
He is the second son of the marriage
of Gen. Nathaniel George Evans and
Miss Annie Victoria Gary. He is
named for his uncle, John II. Gary, q
gallant captain in the Confederate
army, who was killed at Battery Wag-
ner while defending Charleston har-
Dor. Col. Evans was prepared for col
lege at the Cokesbury Conference
School, a school noted for the num-
Der of prominent South Carolinians
who have received their early training
under its auspices. He entered Union
College, at Schenectady, N. Y, In Co.
tober, 1880, leaving in 1882. He was
elected president OF his class in his
junior year, a marked compliment, es-
pecially to Southern boy.
He was a favorite of his uncle and
guardian, Gen. NJ. W. Gary, of Edge
field, and most of his vacations were
spent with him at his bachelor home.
He was devoted to his uncle and guar
dian, and has inherited to 8 great de-
gree his features and characteristics.
After the death of his uncle, Gen. Gary,
young Evans left college and entered
the law office of his uncle, Major Will
liam T. Gary, of Augusta, Ga. After
his admission to the Bar he returned
to South Carolina in 1886 and opened a
law Office al Aiken Court House. He
was no stranger to the people Of Aiken
County when it became known that
he was the son of ''Shanks" EvaEs and
the nephew of Mart Gary, and his
practice at once became q lucrative
one.
Naturally be manifested an interest
in the politics of his county and State,
and his services were soon recognized
by his people, who sent him as their
representative to the Legislature in
November, 1883. He was elected by q
most 'tering vote, being beaten for
first place upon his tisket by only twenty
votes. Upon his entrance in the Leg
islatature be at once took a deep in
terest in education and the common
school system of the State. He sue
ceeded in passing two of the most i'm
portant measures in years affecting this
system. Although by several years
the youngest mem Der of the nouse, he
took part in all Of the important de-
bates. He succeeded in repeating the
civil rights law, passed by the Republi-
Cal 9 while in power, which cause d
considerable comment among North
ern newspapers.
In the memorable campaign of 1890
he espoused the so called Farmers
Movement and was reelected to the
Legislature by handsome majority.
He was one of the recognized leaders
of the House at this session, having in
charge most of the leading measures of
Reform" He was one of those who
caused the defeat of Gen. Hampton fer
reelection es United States Senator
from South Chrolina, and who caused
that noble and representative gentle
man to be succeeded by John Laurens
Manning Irby.
In 1892 Mr.. Evans was elected to the
Senate from Aiken County, and was
recognized as one of the leaders of the
"Reformers," being, under TiIIrnan,
the father Of the dispensary and county
government bills, which, with Till
nau's influence, be succeeded in pass
ing through the Senate after a hard
fight, causing bad blood and i'll feeling
between the white people throughout
the State.
In politics Mr.. Evans is an ardent
follower of Governor Tillman. He was
appointed judge advocate general of
Governor Tillman's staff, whom he
supported for Governor in the cam
paign Of 1890.
Since his work in the Senate be has
figured in the present campaign. His
work is knowp, and he has made an
aggressive fight for the dispensary law
and his victory in the Snapshot Con-
vention is due in great measure to the
sentiment which ne aroused in favor of
the dispensary and its strict enforce
ment, but people not his friends believe
be owes his success entirely to Governor
Tillman's influence.
MIR. Evans is unmarried, but it is
understood that he is engaged to be
married.
SENATOR w. H. ZIMMERMAN.
Or. W. II. Zimmerman, State Sena-
tor from Edgefeld, was born in that