The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-05-31
Wednesday, May 81, 1899.
L.. l.. Cuff n.

Lemuel l.. Guffin, formerly Of Abbeville
died at Coosaw, in this State, May 25th, aged
fifty-five years.
At one time he was leading figure In pol
itics In this County, and his word was law
with his followers.
He was County Chairman of the Republican
party, whose members then, as now, was
composed of negroes and few white men
who were expecting Office. In reconstruction
days the Guffins we're we'll provided with
Office. and they were all-powerful In the ap
pointment Of others.
The Guffin family had lived In this conmu
nifty for hundred years, and the old home
stead had descended 10 succeeding genera
tions, until it finally went out OF the hands
OF the family at a comparatively late day.
The 0uffin family had lived in peace with
their neghbors from their earliest settlement
in Abbeviile, until the changed condition
when the young generation then on the scene
Of action. went into politics. This act alien
ated former friends and neighbors OF the fam
lily. The negroes stuck to them with fidelity
and whatever l.. l.. Guffin wanted for himself
was given TO him, and those whom he sought
to set up were set up.
No man ever ruled any people more abso
lutely than he ruled the negroes, and while
the white people turned against him, he was
true to his new political associates.
he possessed, in remarkable degree, politi'
cal ssgaoity. His power of controlling his
followers and his ability for quieting opposi'
ton, was notable.
In reconstruction days he was elected to the
office of Probate Judge. His brother, l.. P
Guffin, was elected Sheriff. L. L. Gufin
at one time was member of the Leg
islature, and one of the bills whi>r he was
instrumental in passing was the election ol
new trustees for the Lethe School, and which
would make him treasurer OF the ins titution.
Except for the fact that there was at that
juncture, q difference between him and Jerry
Hollinshead, who was then Senator, he
would have been treasurer OF that old institu.
tion which had dispensed It's blessings TO the
poor for hundred years. Senator Hollins.
head at that time had the ear of Governor
Scott, and his influence with him was such as
to induce him to veto the bill. And thus II
was the scheme was defeated.
In 1876 the rule OF the negroes was over.
thrown, and the Guffins were no longer a
power. Their influence was gone. And be.
cause Of their political course their friends
among the.whites we're few, and their friends
among the negroes were powerless to help
them.
None Of the Guffans remain in Abbeville
County. They sought homes in new fields.
L. L. Gufin. went west for time and set up
q big business, but In the course of time mis-
fortune came toit.
For several years he has lived Oh the coast
in the quiet pursuits Of life.
A fair and impartial history OF the Guf6E
family would read like o novel. In 1t are
many points upon which a readable story
might be written. In the recital Of that his
tory could be found lessons for the guidance
Of future generations
The family for q century had been under
the tongue Of good report. enjoying the friend
ship and goodwill OF all. But when the al
lurements Of Office presented themselves the
old associations we're interrupted, and new
alignment was made.
The bitterness that existed and the bad feel
ing that resulted from the change Of affairs,
made the line OF demarcation perfect and dis
tinct.
In the trying times under Radical rule, as
in all other great excitements, there are al.
ways men, from design, or rom CONSCIENTIOUS
motives, under q misapprehension Of their
true Interests, who fall into error from which
they suffer In after years.
Until the new order Of things came about
the Guftins we're unknown in politics. They
suddenly rose to great power and influence.
And for short time they played an import
ant part In politics. But the time soon came
when their influence had departed They dis
appeared from office. One OF them met sud
den death during game OF billiards. The
other moved away. The place which had
known the Guffin family since the organiza.
tion OF the County, knows them no more.
Except in history or tradition no trace or re-
membranoe OF the family remain.