The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-09-12
JUDGE B. C. PRESLEY.
The Death of an Eminent Jurist
and Gentleman.

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 re-
gret by all classes io this city, IN which he
bad labored 80 lohg, 80 uprightly and honor
ably. doing ever what he believed to be right
and speaking what be believed to be true,
Judging not harshly and loving much. gain
ing for himself the highest respect and conf
deoce from his fellow-ci,izeus and warmest
affection from his friends.
Judge Presley was born nearly eighty
years ago at the old Long Cane settlement,
ia Abbeville County, Of good parentage, q
family Of sturdy farmers and hushadnen,
who had been noted always for their unusual
Individuality His legal education vas ac-
quired under the supervision OF the late
Attorney General Bailey, one Of the most
distinguished legal lights of the day. In an
almost incredibly short time after being
called to the Bar be had achieved an enviaole
position which year by year became h1gner
and yet more high. His first partner vss a a
Mr.. Lee, With whom he was associated untll
the year 1852, from which date notil 1861 be
practiced alone
In 1857 be organized the well-known firm
of Presley, Lord & Inglesby, Mr Samuel
Lord and c.. n. Inglesby being his associates.
This firm existed as one Of the most eminent
in Broad street until it's dissolution in 1877,
when Judge Presley was elected Judge OF
the lst circuit For fifteen years he sat upon
the Bench as one Of its brightest ornaments,
being exactly what Judge should be- His
character was unimpeachable his mind
brilliant and logical aud his learning pro.
found. His resignation of his oigb once,
caused by i'll health, was greatly regretted,
and at that lime most eloquent and glow
ing tribute was paid him in behalf OF the
Bar By the mouth OF one Of its most eloquent
members.
In apte-bellum days Judge Pressly for years
held the Office of sub-treasurer OF the United
States for South Carolina. His discharge
of the duties of this Office were 80 faithful
and 80 satisfactory that at the end Of the
war, without any solicitation whatsoever aud
to his own intense amazement, he was reap
poiated to the same Office, which be held until
he resigned it on account of the exactioas OF
his practice
AS quite young man Judge PRESLEY dis
tinguished himself by reducing an immense
mass of crude matter into that concise and
valuable work, "Pressley's Laws of Aagis-
tra,es," ever since invaluable to both Bench
aud 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 many old Charleston
,ans will remember bis brilliant contributions
to the Charleston newspapers of before the
war.
1t was on accout of failing health that
Judge Presley, after IA residence OF nearly
forty years in Charleston, removed to health
giving Summerville
In his religious faith Judge Presley was
Baptist and was warmly attached to the
First Baptist Church of this city where be
used often 10 lecture. Simplicity, rnodesty
and purity we're his chief characteristics aud
when the summons came, in the Consciousness
of we'll spent aud noble lite and firm 10 the
faith of his fathers, be entered gladly the life
eternal, leaving Carolina to mourn the loss OF
his genius and worth.
The funeral services will he held at the
family residence in Summerviile at | o'clock
on Thursday, the Rev. Lucius Cuthbert, of
Aiken, officiating After the services are
over the remains will be taken to the depot OF
the South Carolina and Georgia Railroad
and conveyed on the Charleston, Sumter and
Northern special, which passes here about 2
o'clock, to Magnolia Crossing, and from
there to Magnolia Cemetery, the place Of
interment.
The following will be the pa!lbesrers !:
Samuel Lord, Charles Inglvshy, Legare j..
Walker, B. Presley Barron, D. S. Alexan-
der, B. Presley Burckmyer, Cornelius
Winkler and George S. Holmes.-Nsrs and
nour;er Sent