The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1900-12-19
THE DE ATH OF JUDE FRASER.
n Distinguished aud Useful Citizen
OF the STATE Has Passed Away.

Eek Judge Thomas b Fraser died at
his home In Sumter on the 18th inst,
after an illness OF only u few DAYS,
duration. While 1T was known that
he was unwell and confined to his room,
lew OF his friends knew That his illness
was oil 4 serious character aud the an
nouncement OF his death came to his
friends with the suddenness OF the
wholly unexpected. 1t is true thai he
mad been 10 failing heath for several
years, but up to few days ago he was
able TO be In his Office and attend to
his practice. The Immediate cause OF
his death was congestion of the brain
aud spine, bought on by u severe cod.
uuge Fraser WAS d native Of Sumter
County, u son Of the late Capt. l.. l..
Fraser, o! the Carter's Crossing neigh.
OorhoOu and WAS BORN OctoOer 81,
1925 lie attended tho South Caro-
llua College and was PrNdu 4ted with
honors in the CLASS OF 1915 He studied
law and was admitted 10 the Bar in
lS4' and immediately opened an off sc
N sumter, He continued In the active
practice OF his profession until ne was
elected Judge in 1878. and after his re.
tirement from the D nch ia 1894 he re-
sumed practice.
He ~ one OF the founders and the
first editor Of the Black RIVER Wstch-
, man, afterwards the Sumter Watch.
: man, established In May, 1850 He re
I talned al interest In tho paper for
some years, but retired from the editor.
ship In 1892.
- His puolic services began In 1853,
when he was elected to the House ol
Representatives. h served four sue.
e c~essive terms, until 1861. He was
e chairman OF the counLy Democratic
&c party from 1865 to 1877 aud managed
g. the campaign IN the county in The
:. eventlul year rs IL is q fact not gen
orally known that Judge Fraser VA
- the hrst to publicly suggest the pomi
nation Of Gen Hampton for the Gov
ernorshlp In 1856, he having published
II an open letter making the suggestion
IN the True Southron, aud calling Of
the white men OF the State TO make
u otraightouL fight for u ID mocratic
~ white mans government and the re
III demptlOn OF the State.
eS In 1871 he Was elected to the Stat
Senate 10 ill d vacancy, and IT, 1873 n
lg was re. elected, but did not serve ou
he MS term, being elected in December
1878, Judge OF the 81 judicial circuit t
i. succeed Judge SHAW. He seryci cor
ry ~Vnuon-Iy In this capacity until ID cen
" Der, 1894. His record on the Bench
as known Of ali men, and when he VIZ
au retired the Bar Of the State and Il
others who honor fearlessness, abilit
in anu u~prlg htneSS resented his displact
IT. nent. Daring the var he served q
81. quartermaster Of the Oh regiment III
IN IL the regiment WAS ~disbsnded at tn
! ,eorgan' zation OF the army Of Norther
IN Virginia.
nd He was q member OF the Constit,
)c tional Convention Of 1895, serving /
us chairman OF the committee on sly
20 and revision.
or udge Fraser as q man and as
nIttZan and - q "A, hl, "a III .,,l A,, l,t,
I'm need to said, as his WORK speaks I,
re, him.. Throughout u long life he Il,
he Ii led important and responsible pos
,ut lions and his name is written In iarg
ed letters In the history OF sumter add
,o the State. HIS llfe was long aud FL
- OF well merited honors, and it was OF
~ Of usefulness TO his county and State.