Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-07-25
soldiers in his situation at that time, he
was proffered numerous indignities by
Shernan's bummers and the Negro gar


in 1870 as vicarious sacrifice and was de-
defeated by 200 votes. He was member
Of the convention that nominated Carpen-
ter and Butler; but spoke against Carpen-
ter's nomination, believing it unwise. In
1871 and 1874 he was a member of the
Taxpayers conventions from Anderson,
and in 1874 he was member of the exc
cutive committee of the convention and
was delegate from that body to Wash
ington, and assisted in the preparation of
the famous memorial to congress.
In 1858 he stumped lis county for Sey-
mour and Blair; in 1872 he supported
Greeley, and, in fact, has always support
ed the Democratic ticket 10 national as we'll
as State contests. In 1874, he carried his
county for Green, in opposition to Cham
berlain. He was vehement in his crit
icisin of Chamberlain's course, and as
county chairman of the Anderson Dem
ocracy, was active in organizing for
the battle Of 1876, in which he did
strenuous work for General Hampton and
enjoyed the confidence Of that leader
throughout his campaigns and adminstra-
ton. His bold stand at this time caused
him to be heartily hated by the Radicals,
who frequently threatened his life; but
without effect upon his course. His SER
vice upon the state executive committee
was equally vigilant and active. He was
assistant sergeant alarms OF the Wallace
house, and was with Judge Haskell when
he discovered the means of entering the
state capitol.
In the early part of 1877, Colonel Hoyt
became editor of the Columbia Register,
which was the champion Of the unterrified
Democracy while 1t was under his control.
After two years in this work, lie left The
Register and purchased The Working
Christian, which he transformed into The
Baptist Courier and removed to Green
vile. The paper was enlarged and i'm
proved, and under his management as
chiefeditor and proprietor, it became one
of the leading denominational papers In
the South. His connection with The Bap-
tist Courier made him acquainted through
out the state, and as he has the exceptional
faculty Of remembering names and faces,
he enjoys a remarkably wide range OF
friendships.
During his editorship of The Baptist
Courier, he continued to take an interest
in politics, and until 1890 he represented
Greenville county in the state Democratic
executive committee, and in that year was
elected its chairman, as one who was not
an extremist on either side of the factional
fight then brewing, and who had the con-
fidence of both factions. AS chairman he
refused to rule out the nominees Of the
famous March convention, though he did
not approve the methods used to inaugu-
rate reforms in tho state government.
While opposing those methods, he depre-
Gated strife and bitterness and was one OF
the first to appeal for the obliteration OF
factional lines.
In 1885, Colonel Hoyt was unanimously
elected president Of the Baptist State Con-
vention and was reelected for nine success
sive terms, when he declined to serve
longer. For over twenty years he was
trustee Of Furman University, and was at
one time vice-president of the Southern
Baptist Convention. For the last several
years he has been vice-president OF the
American Baptist Educational society,
and has delivered an address before that
body and also before the American Bap-
tist Publication society.
In June, 1891, he sold his interest in The
Baptist Courier and contemplated final
retirement from the newspaper business.
For time he was financial agent Of Fur
man University; but the habits and asso-
Citations of alifetime were too strong, and
in January, 1892, he assumed control OF
the Greenville Enterprise and Mountain
eer as editor and proprietor. The name
of the paper was changed to its original
form, The Mountaineer, and Colonel Hoyt
has since continued as its editor and pro-
prietor until the opening of the present
campaign, when he relinquished his edi-
torial duties to devote his time to the can
vass.
Having been 80 long active and promi-
nent in State politics, it is natural that
Colonel Hoyt should have been often So
licited to become candidate for governor;
but he has always steadfastly declined
until this year, when the demand upon
him was such that he could not refuse.
Having always been an outspoken advo-
cate of prohibition against every other
method Of controlling the liquor traffic,
and having repeatedly favored making
the fight for that principle in this State,
he felt that he could not decline the nomi-
nation which was given him by the Prohi-
bition Democrats in May, and accordingly
he accepted the responsibility and has
taken the stump as the candidate for gov
ernor. Besides his advocacy of prohibi-
ton, he possesses other elements of
strength in his acknowledged ability, his
respected high character, his long expert
ence and service in public life without
reward, his success in business and his
reputation as man and Christian.
AS a Prohibitionist, Colonel Hoyt is
strictly consistent. He has never used
whisky himself nor has he ever permitted
the use of wine or liquors Of any kind
in his home. He was member of
society when youth, and
later joined the Good Templars, whose
principles he has always exemplified in
his daily life. AS an employer, Colonel
Hoyt has made it rule not to allow any
one who drinks to remain on his pay roll,
and by thus mingling frmness with kind
ness he has helped many man to give
up the habit.
Colonel Hoyt is Mason of high degree,
and tefore he had been ten years men,
ber of that order, he was chosen Grand
Master Of the Ancient Freemasons in
South Carolina, succeeding General J. B.
Kershaw in that office in 1874. He has
also held memberships in the Grange and