The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-08-27
HFicf Sketch of the life of
SOuth!CarOIina'S Next Lieutenant
qsOVHpnOr.S.


Governors.
The last issue of the Piedmon1
Headlight contains double col.
umn pictnrc of COL, McSwoenoey
and speaks of him as follows:
Hon. NJ. B. McSweeney, the sub
ject of this sketch, can truly be
referred to as self mado man.
Ho was left fathorless at the ago
of tour years, his father dying of
yollow fevcr IN Charleston. Young
McSwccney's struggle for a liveli-
hood began before he reached his
tenth year Ho sold newspapers
and clerkcd in a book store. While
clcrking ho attended Il night school
aud became very fond of reading
and writing. While in tho book
store ho met Mr.. Augustine Ford,
Il member Of company that had
just begun the publication Of a pa
per known as the Gazette. This
wars in 1867. McSwoeney after
wards worked for Burke e Ford,
Job printer. From there he wont
to Edward Perry's whore he com
pjetcd his apprenticeship as n job
printers At this time Washing
ton and Lee University, OF Lex-
ington, Va, had offered
Il scholarship to tho Charles
ton Typographical Union, which
was to be awarded to tho most de-
serving Of the young mon then en-
ployed in Charleston printing Of
fees. BY ma jority of votes of
members Of the Union young Nc
Sweeney Was chosen, and the
scholarship given to him. On ac-
count Of The lack of means he
found that he could not pay for
his board and clothing, and was
obliged, after spending part Of
session, to give up his desire for a
collegiate education, Like all
good typos, at that tlme, he was a
Union printer, and served Column
bia Typographical Union as cor
responding secretary, and after
wards as president. Ho was among
the first to sign the roll for roor-
ganiZation of tho Phoenix Hook
and Ladder Company, and served
rs secretary Of the Company for ,
number of years. Mr.NIcSwccncy's
record rs democrat is well knowl
and he did faithful work for tn,
party in 1876. Capt. Pat Mcohan
Col. w. b. Lowrancc, Col. Will,
Jones, Col. J. G. Marshall and 9th,
ers will remember his earnest work
in those dark days. IIc was one
Of tho charter members of the
Richland Rifle Club (now the
Governors Guards) Mr.McSwce-
hey moved to Nincty-Slx, lin Abbc-
vlllo county, and commenced the
publication of the Nincty-Six
Guardian. This was his first bus
mess venture. llo had capita
of SG5, and purchased a soconG
hand press and outfit for $500
'>"v'n" $33 cash as first payment
nd was q gOOt
the people ;
economically
year he pait
owed. Ninety
,oiA Ilno o ".... ,,..,, . in his heart
and the kindness shown him b.
the good people Of the town an
county Will never be forgotten
Con. M. l.. Bonham, now of Al
dcrson, was young lawyer at tn
time, and rendered Mr.. McSwoel
cy great help in editing his papc
Failing to get q new county e'
tablishcd with Nincty-Six az IL
county site. Con. Bonham move
to Newberry, and about ono yea
later Mr.. McSweeney moved
Hampton. On the 22nd day
August, 1879, the first issue Of Il
Hampton County Guardian a.
peared, and 1t has been publishc
ever since by Mr.. McSwooncy. ri
paper has been we'll managed an
is looked upon as one Of tho bcs
. in the State. Mr.. McSwoonoy he
ever been foremost in everythin
calculated to help his town an
county. He is regarded as one {
the best business men in his sec
ton, and has bcon successful i
every undertaking. His progres
sivo spirit is soon in different part
Of Hampton, and he has show
his confidence in Hampton cour
ty and her people by investing ev
cry dollar he has made in hi
county. The school house i
Hampton was built by none
loaned to the town by a few cit
IONS. The resolution was otfero
by Mr.. McSweenoy at q publ
meeting and it was unanimousl,
agreed to. AS intendant of tn
town he afterwards saw every dol
larr of indebtedness paid. HI
served for five years and then de
clined recollection. Mr.. McSwceney
also took a prominent part II
building the Baptist and Metho
dist churches. Ho not only con,
tributed literally. but solicited
l.