People's party paper. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1891-1898, 1897-09-17

small brown muStache-theSe are phys
ical characteristics. In conversation
you are impressed by a certain intensi-
ty which is strongly emphasized when
any matter of issues or principles is
under discussion Now and then there
is a peculiar catch in his voice indicat-
ing that at one time he must have
stammered, but has since overcome
that tendency. This catch disappears
he makes public speech. Then he is
forceful, earnest, intense, throwing
his entire self into the business in
hand and exerting real power over his
audiences.
From the first he has had this power,
and this was one of the two influences
which induced him to make his per-
manent home at Bennettsville. When
the hardy clan McLaurin betook itself
body and kilts-from Scotland as
result of the edicts of the conquering
hngnsh that Jney must forswear allie
glance to the clan of their fathers and
must give up their native fathers and
must give up their native dress, those
of the McLaurins who were left came
to this country. There were several
brothers and cousins in the party of
immigrants which reached the CARROLL
mas, and now many of their descend
ants are to be found in those two
states. One family made its way up
into the Pee Dee valley, and the pres
emit senator still owns the land which
his forefathers settled. He was youth
when his father died and his mother
took him to the north for his early ed
ucation. That was, l believe, at
Swathmore college From there he
went to the University of Virginia,
where he completed his legal educa-
ton.
TWO INFLUENCES ON HIS CAREER.
McLaurin was just of age when,
after finishing up the school part OF
his education, he went back to Ben
nettsville to have settlement with
his guardian. He was undecided
whether he would settle permanently
there or would go to Charleston, Col
umbia or some other part of the south.
1t was at this stage of his career that
the two influences to which I've refer
ed settled the question for him. One
of these is now the very charming Mrs.
McLaurin, for he met the young lady
whom he was destined to marry. There
is pretty romance in it, but that be-
longs to him, not to the public.
The other influence was more prosa-
ic. A famous road case, the exact ma
ture of which do not know, was at
tracing the attention of the county
that summer when "Johny" McLau'
rims thoughts were of anything but
the law. There were number of de-
PENDANTS in a series of cases identically
alike, and the prosecution had absorb.
ed all the legal talent in the county.
McLaurin was known to be youth
full lawyer and the defendants consult
ed him probably because there was
nobody else to be had. An eminent
attorney from down in the state hac
been sent for by the defense and he
after investigating very wisely inform
, ed them that, the law was against
them and they had better get out o.
their troubles the best way they coulc
| which was by entering pleas O.
: guilty.
McLaurin said no. With the enthu
siasm of youth he declared that he be
{ lieved he could win if he could get the
} cases before jury-and at any rat'
| they had everything to gain and moth
ing to lose by trying
I 1t was in the trial of these cases tina
, the young man demonstrated the pow
ers as a speaker which gained him late
: great reputation as criminal lawye
! and which were largely Instruments
= in winning for him the political prov
! ess that has since come. Case ate
: case was tried and although the lay
S seemed to the opposing lawyers clearl
S against him, the Jury didn't agree wit
e them and acquittal followed. The
Y the prosecution threw up it's hands i
despair and mol pressed the remainip
a cases.
J., NOT ON THE MAP,
l. McLaurin's success here and his SUE
G cess at Cupid's court settled the littl
matter of residence for him, and hi
legal single was soon swinging il th
2 breezes that blow through Bennett'
y vile. If you try to reach that tow
a by rail you will find yourself wonde,
= ing how any body ever had the courag
}, to get into that country; as you pre-