The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1894-09-12
DEATH OF JUDGE PRESLEY.
The Close or OF a Long, Pure and Useful
Life-Judge Pressley's Career at the
Bar and on the Bench.
News and Courier, Sept. Z


The announcement of the death of
Judge B. C.. Presley early yesterday
morning, while not surprise, was
nevertheless shock to the community
and was heard with deep regret by all
classes in this city, in which be had
labored so long, so uprightly and hon.
orably, doing what he believed to be
right and speaking what he believed to
be true, Judging not harshly and loy--
ing much, gaining for himself the
highest respect and confidence from
his fellow citizens and Warmest aftec-
ton from bis friends.
Judge Presley was born nearly eigh-
ty years ago at the old Long Cane set
tieinent, in Abbeville County, Of good
parentage, a family of sturdy farmers
and husbandmen, who had been noted
always for their unusual individuality.
His legal education was acquired under
the supervision of the late Attorney
General Bailey, one of the most distin-
guished legal lights of the day. In an
almost incredible short time after be-
ing called to the Bar he had achieved
an enviable position, which year by
year became higher aud yet more high.
His first parner was q Mr.. Lee, with
whom be was associated until the year
1852, from which date until 1857 he
practiced alone.
In 1867 he organized the well-known
firm of Presley, Lord & Inglesby, Mr..
Samuel Lord and Mr.. G. 4. Inglesby
being his associates. This firm existed
as one of the most eminent in Broad
street until its dissolution in 1877, when
Judge Presley was elected Judge of
the 1st circuit. For fifteen years he
sat upon the Bench as one of its
brightest ornaments, being exactly what
Judge should be. His character was
unimp mpeachable, his mind brilliant and
bis learning profound. His resignation
of his high office, caused by i'll health,
was greatly regretted, and at the time
most eloquent and glowing tribute
was paid him in behalf of the Bar by
l,the mouth of one of its most eloquent
members.
In ante.bellum days Judge Presley
for years held the office of sub-treasurer
Of the United States for South Carolina.
His discharge of the duties of this
office were 50 faithful and 50 satis-
factory that at the end Of the war,
without any solicitation whatso-
ever and to his own intense amaze
ment, he was reappointed to the same
office, which he held until he resigned
it on account of the exactions of his
practice. z@-
AS quite young man Judge Presley
distinguished himself by reducing an
immense mass of crude matter into
that concise and valuable work, Press
ley's Laws of Magistrates" ever since
invaluable to both Bench and Bar.
His accomplishments as writer
were not confined, however, to works
on the law, but extended to the lighter
and more congenial field of Journalism,
and macy cid Charlestoniaus will re-
member his brilliant contributions to
the Charleston newspapers of before
the war.
1t was on account of failing health
that Judge Presley, after a residence
of nearly forty years in Charleston, re-
moved to bealth-giving Summerville.
In his religious faith Judge Presley
was a Baptist, and was warmly at
tached to the First Baptist Church of
this city, where he used Gften to lee
ture. Simplicity, modes5y snd purity
were his chief characteristics. and when
the summons came, in the conscious
ness of we'll spent and noble life and
firm in the faith of his fs.aers, he en-
tered gladly the life eternal, leaving
Carolina to mourn the loss of his ge-
MUS and worth.