Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1900-08-24

"h" pSSt . uuSeS the bench UI our Sta to
has ever produced. He presided with
ease and dignity, firm yet courteous,
positive yet afrable. He stood high in
the estimation of the Bar of the whole
State for the legal acumen which he
displayed in solving the intricate points
that often arise during the progress of
acause. In March, 1860, he was happily
married to Mrs. r. A. Campbell, daugh-
ter of DR.. II. T.. Campbell, of Laurens,
SO. TO them four children were born,
of whom two daughters and one son
survive. His widow and Youngest
daughter, Miss Sallie, still live here,
and occupy the handsome residence OH
Main Street, known as the home of
Judge Norton for so many years.
Col. William @. Keith, distinguished
lawyer, versatile editor and highly
esteemed citizen, was born at Old Pick
ems on February 6, 1885, He died at
Wnlhalla OH February Z, 1889. His
father, w. l.. Keith, was Clerk OF Court
of Pi.kens District for thirty years.
Col. Keith graduated at the South Caro-
Ina College in 1857, having as his class
mates such men as Hon. NJ. @. Butler
and Capt. III. l.. McGowan; but not
withstanding such brilliant competi-
tors, he stood ut the head of his class.
He read law in the Office of his brother,
Col. f.. M. Keith, at Pickens. lie
entered the Confederate service July
l8, 1851, as sergeant in Company a j,
Orr's Rifles. He subsequently became
lieutenant and adjutnnt of his rcgi-
ment. After the close of the war he
resumed his law studies and was admit
ted to the Bar. His first partnership
was with Hon. j. p. Reid. His fitness
for the profession was soon apparent
| In point of brilliuncy and effectiveness
his record has rarely ever been equallcd
AS criminal lawyer he had few peers
Not only did he distinguish himself at
the Bar, but during his short yet bril-
liant career he displayed superior talent
r.. A. Thompson and ID. A. Smith for
| twenty years as editor and proprietor
of the kEowEE CouRIER. In the col
umns of this paper he welded an inhu-
ence which was felt throughout the
state. AS Il Democrat his advice was
frequently sought in his party councils.
Soon after the war he was elected to
| the House Of Representatives. He was
one of the few members who voted
| against what was known us the "Blnck
| ,nnn ~ thn nn nf ,vl,, ,nh a q
much to force reconstruction upon the
South. He was reelected to the House
and subsequently to the Senate. He
took prominent part in the mcmorn-
BILE campaign Of 1875, and both in press
and on the stump his pen and voice
welded potent influence for the cause
of good government and redemption of
our State. In early life he was happily
married to Miss Elizabeth NJ. Reid
daughter of Samuel Reid, Sheriff of
Pickens District. OF this union nine
children are living. His widow sur
vivcd him only six years. Two dnugh-
tcrs and two sons still occupy the fam
! lily homestead which is one Of the most
elegant residences i'm the town.
kEOWEE COURIER.
The kEowEE COURIER is also fifty years
old and on this occasion can litly celc-
brntc its Scmi-Ccntcnnial, and il does
SO in the publication of this Semi Cen
trnnal edition.
1t was established at Old Pickcns i'm
1910 by Col. j. +. Hagood, now of
Charleston, and the late Col. j. w.
Norris, of Anderson. In 1853 Col. X. a.
Thompson became proprietor and cdi-
tor. He owned and edited the paper
until it was removed to Wnlhnlla in 1868,
when the late Col. w. G. Keith, became
associated with him ny joint editor and
proprietor. ID. a Smith became nsso-
ciatrd with them September lst 1875,
when he bought II onc-third interest,
and is now rounding up twenty five
years as publisher and manager. The
paper was published by Keith, Smith &
Thompson until April lst, 1899, when r
j. Jnyncs bought the onc-third intcrcs,
belonging to the estate Of w. G.. Keith
They continued as partners until April
lst, 1893, when Il. A. Thompson sold his
ono third to j w. Shclor. On that day
.JayncS, Smith x Shclor sold a one
fourth interest TO j. a. Stcck, and the
partnership of Jayncs, Shelor, Smith x
Stcck was formed and IN increase made
in the capital stock. Personal mention
has been made elsewhere Of Jaynes and
Shelor. We propose here to make n
brief Inference To the two latter.
ID. a. Smith has seen continuous
service Of forty-three years i'm news
paper office. He began his apprentice
ship ON the True Carolinian, published
at Anderson, S. c., in 1857 lie con
tinucd with this paper, which was re-
moved to Pendlcton, S. c., and its name
changed to PendIcton Messenger in
1858. The paper was next moved tc
linrtwcll, Ga, and name changed tC
llartwcll Messenger in 1850. In the fall
of 1880 he began work as II journryman
ON the Anderson Gazette. which was
owned and edited by jas. l.. Orr, j w
Harrison and a. O. Norris. In 1851 h,
went to Elbcrton, Ga. and worked on
THE Star of the South" He went &c
Augusta, Ga, and worked on the Daily
Constitutionalist from 3B2 to 1885. II,
then returned to his home near Pcndlr-
ton, 5. c., and taught school two years
In 1858 he went to Abbcvillc and worked
for Hugh Wilson on the Abbcvillc Press
and Lutheran Visitor. In 1869 he went
TO Columbia = {, and ,ynrl.od an ~