The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-02-17
MILLER MADE MASTER.
Walter l.. Miller, Esq, Succeeds Hon.
&C. KIu.!i in the Masters Office.

Our townsman, Walter l.. Miller, Esq.,, has
been notified Of his appointment to the office
Of Master, TO fill the vacancy OccaSioned by
the resignation OF Hon. J. e. klugh, to take
the office of Circuit Judge. He will receive
his commission as soon as he files his bond
with the Secretary of State, which was re9di-
" secured through good friends at Due West.
Mr.. Miller'S appointment Is for four years.
and the fidelity of his Due West friends Is
characteristic of their devotion to those who
90 out from that town.
The Office of Master of Equity in AbbeVille
county was first organized about sixty years
ago, when Benz. Iancy Martin was appointed
10 the office. He was succeeded by II. A.
Jones' who hed The office for twelve years.
The Hon. w. ii. Parker was elected Master in
1855, which place he held until 1869, when the
office was abolished and the duties of the
Master were assigned To the Probate Judge.
Up TO this time the Legislature elected the
Master In Equity. During the years before
the war aud Immed lately succeeding the war,
this was one Of the most i'm pOrtant as well as
one of the most profitable offices in The Court
House. The fees were good and the estates
which went through tue Masters hands were
many and large.
Since the reorganization Of that office the
appoin tnt mt Of Master has been made by the
Governor, Instead of election by the Legis'
ature.
TO the people the Masters is perhaps the
most important Office in the Court House.
in Special caSes-at lees ranging from SO TO
Slj0-the Master now does the same work for
a mere pittance of The former fees, thus max
ing great saving TO lltigants
The office WAS re-established in 1850. when
Gen. NJ. |. Bonham was appointed 10 the
office. Gen. Bonham resigned the office In
1855, when j. &. klugh was appointed TO III
the place, over his competitor, James S. Per-
rim, who was ut that time a memuer Of the
AbbeviIle Bar. Mr.. Klugh held the office con-
tinuousIy for twelve years, and resigned, as
stated above. that he might go up higher.
Mr.. Miller will no doubt prove himself
a worthy successor of q noble line of prede-
cessors. He is now about forty years OF
age, and has been student and reader all his
life He was graduated from Erskhe College
In 1911 and he afterwards took law course
in the Law Department OF the University OF
Virginia.
From both institutions he bore off honorable
distinction in the degrees. After quitting the
class rooms, in all of which he stood so high.
he devoted several years TO teaching school
had imself received. Among other places
at which he taught, we would mention Will
liamston and C0ronaca.
While teaching at COrOnaca he determ ed
TO make the practice or the law his future
profession. He was admitted TO the Bar in
1851, and cast his lot with the people of Abbe.
vile, with whom he has lived ever since. II Is
experience at the Bar, together with his lit.
erary attainments and legal acq urements are
the guarantees that he will make al efficient
officer who will come up to the requirements,
in the discharge of the important duties
which will devOlve upon him as Master.
One of the pleasant things connected with
Mr.. MilIer's appointment Is the friendly in
terest which has been manifested in his ap-
pointment.