The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-06-03
MLAUR|N HAS BEEN APPOINTED SENATOR,

D " ' INV otI" III oiNILu OLNMlUn
!, HE WILL RUN FOR THE UNEX
PIEsED TERNI.
Sketch Of His Brilliant Career His
Popularity as IL Public Man.
John Lowndes McLaurin was born in
Marlboro County, May 9th, 1860. His
fathers name was Philip B. McLaurin.
a lawyer of marked ability, who died
at an early age, leaving the subject of
this sketch, Thomas and Margaret.
Thomas died when about twelve years
Ola and Margaret is now living in Marl-
poro County as Mrs. Grassland. His
mother was daughter of Il. G. Wealth.
before tho war. Whatever OF political
aoliity and taste that Mr.. McLaurin
mas ID from tn side of the house. Mr..
McLaurln's father was elected at the
very early age of twenty three to the
general assembly. He was lust old
enough to be eligible. On this side of
the hou there was marked intellec-
tuality and culture.
Ills father died from illness contract
ca from exposure In the army in 1864.
J In 1867 his mother married Mr.. VIM.
5. Mowry, of Charleston Mr.. Mowry
was q very wealthy gentleman, and the
iamlly lived for several years in Mari
| 0Oro County and then moved in 1873 to
Englewood, N. j. Mr.. Mowry has since
| That time been very successful mem
Der OF the cotton and stock exchange in
New. York. Mr.. and Mrs. Mowry, and
live half brothers and sisters are now
living at that place. All Mr.. McLaurin's
nall brothers are in business in New
York city.
In those days the school system of
South Carolina was defective and Jon
| ME ana IOmmie' wero sent to Bethel
military academy near Warreuton, Va.
Tommy died while there and John, the
enatOr OF today, was then taken to
| Eng lewood and sent TO school there un-
I'll he was 10 years OF age. He was
| then sent to Swarthmore college near
Philadelphia. A Quaker school didn't
suit his ardent South Carolina temper
| amcnt and after two years Colonel
| Weathcrly, his grandfather, concluded
that military school and discipline
rlan like Col. John =. Thomas were
needed to properly train and hold in
check the promising young Carolinian.
He remained under Colonel Thomas in
his school at Charlotte, N c., until he
graduated in 1850 He then went to the
University OF Virginia and took the
law course, and In 1882 went to Ben
nettsville and began the practice Of law
He hung out his shingle. Soon an
opportunity cumo along in tho shape of
cases brought against 81 road hands,
| known since as the Hebron road cases
1t was q kind Of a feud In the county
The prosecution employed ali the lead.
Ing attorneys in the county, including
the present assistant attorney general
of South Carolina, ex-Judge Townsend
Mr.. McLaurjn was alone for the de-
fense, and many had advised the &c
Of legal fighting, Mr. M"Laurin woI in
every case by appeals to the jury, the
law and evidence and prejudice of the
people being against him. Judge Town
eend was attracted to the bright young
lawyer and offered to take him into
partnership. This copartnership was
formed in 1883 and continued until Mr..
McLaurins election to Congress, the
nrm being recognized as one Of the
strongest ia that section Of the State.
| Ga the 18th of February, 1883, MIR.
McLaurin married Miss Nora Breeden.
OF Bennettsville, rho daughter of Mr..
L. ID. Breeden, and Il nieco Of his law
par tner,, Judge Townsend. They have
| six children, four girls and two bows.
inc marriage has been o most happy
and congenial one, and Mr.. McLaurin
| attributes his success in law and pole
tics to the influence Of his life partner.
His friends are told that he has never
| TAX en- an important step in his life
| without consulting his wife, and he has
even discussed his law cases with her.
In 1880 he was elected to the Legisa-
| ture. In a very few days Mr.. McLuurin
| made speech that developed the fact
that h was one Of tho coming factors
in South Carolina politics. At the
second term of the Legislature At
torney General Pope was elected asso-
clate Justice of the Supreme Court, and
Gary, Wilson, Townsend and McLau-
rim were candidates for attorney gen
eral to succeed Pope. McLaurin had
an easy victory. He plunged at once
into the sea Of litigation. His record
as attorney general was good.
| During the campaign Of 1892, the
main fight upon TIllman was made by
Col. 1oumans. He was very eloquent,
| fluent and forcible speaker. There
! were personal differences between You
mans and Tillman, and the latter re.
| fused to debate or recognize him in the
campaign at oil which threw the fight,
% lar rs Oumans was concerned, upon
| McLanrln. Rarely has such debate
"V"r taken place IN any campaign IN
thus State. IL was Of such a. character
"s to excite tho kcenrst public interest.
| yet the two men came out Of it the bes,
o friend, personally. The result crca-
ted sucn wave Of public favor for Mr..
McLaurin that when Mr.. Stackhous
died in June, 1892, nothing could pre-
vent the people Of Dir. McLaurin's dis
trict from electing him to Congress in
November following.
lie was seated when the fifty-secoad
Congress convened in 1892, in tho month
Of December. MIR. McLaurin's rst ut
teranccs upon the floor drew great atten-
tion to him all over the country. 1t was
his remarkable oulogy on his deceased
predecessor. He came TO Congress about
the time tnat Bailey, Bryan, Siblny
and others of equal note made their en-
trance upon the Congressional stage,
and Immediately began to attract at
tention to himself as a dobater. His
speeches there have attracted national
attention.
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