The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-12-19
The Eminent Jurist Dies Full Of
Years and Honors

Ex.Judge Thomas Boone Fraser di.d at
bic home In THE cigy Wednesday night,
December l2th, after 90 illoess Of only q
fs~ dsys duration. While IL vas known
that be vss uuwell and confined to
bic room, fsw OF bic friends knew that bic
illasss was Of serious character and the an.
oouucemeht OF his death came this morning
With the suddness Of the wholly unexpected
IL 10 true that be had been 10 failing health
for ::ssversl years, but up 10 few days zoe.
tore bic death be, was able 10 be 10 bis Office
and attend 10 bic practice. The immediate
cause OF bic death Vas coogeslion Of the brain
aod spine brought on By severe cold.
Judge Fraser was q native of Snmter Corn.
~, . son Of the late Osp, L. l. Fraser, of
the Csrter's Crossing neiehhorbood, and VAS
horn In October, 1875. He attended tie
South Carolina College and was graduated
Wisa hooors in the clast Of ls45 He studied
Law and Was admitted 10 tho oar in ls47 and
imnedisuly opened su office 10 this city. he
continued 10 the active practice of bic profes.
sion uotil he vas elected judge 10 1878, and
after bic retirement from the bench 10 1894
be resumed practice.
He was one of the founders and the fret
editor OF The Black River Waterman, after.
wards The Sumter Wa,chmao, established in
AHtUs sOSV. u0 ou tutCICSt w tuo
paper for several yesrs, but rejred from the
editorship 10 1882.
His public services began 10 1883 when be
vas elected to the house of representatives,.
he served four successive terms until 1854.
as vas chairman Of the county democratic
party from 1868 to 1877 and mauAged tho
csmpaigo 10 this couoty 10 the evsndul year
OF '56. IL 10 . fact, not generally known,
bot Jodge Fraser was the 6rst 10 publicly
soegsst the nomina,ion OF Gsn. Hampton for
the govesuosship 10 le7e, be having publish.
ed sn open letter making The snggss,ion 10
The Free Sooihrou, and calling ou the White
mso Of the State 10 make straightous 6Rht
Sos democratic, white Han's govseuuest sud
The rsdspptiea Of toe Stais. ,.aily -
10 1917 hs VS. elected TO The State Senate
to 6ll vscsncy aodiu 1878 hs Was reelected,
eut did not serve out bic tern, beinR elected
10 Judge Of The Third Judicai Circuit 70 suc.
eesd Judge Shaw 10 Decsmbss 1878 Hs
served continuously is ahis capacity uptil
Dec. 1884. Bic record on the beech 10 kuoW o
Of oil weo and when be Vas retired the bal
Of The State and ell Others Who: bouor fearless
nees, ability ssd oprishtness resented bic die
plaeemsst. N
During the var be served ss quartsrmastel
OF the Ninth Regiment un,il The reeimeot Val
disosudsd st the reors apixa,ion Of tho army
10 vHgiaia. ,a@
he wss . member Of The Constitutions,
Conssniion Of 1924, serving ss chairmsu o
the committee 90 Style sod. Revision
u Judge Fraser ~ . mao and as citiz,r
snd 20 . public Official, bat little need b.
said, for bis work spesks for him Through
out long life hs hss fllsi important and re.
sPousiols positioss and his name is writ,er
10 large letters 10 the history Of Snmter and
Ct the State. His life Vas long and foil o
we'll msrited bouors and II was one of use
fulness to his county aod Stale
he leavss four childrso, Thomae B Fraser,
gr., Eco Of this city. Rev. A. u. Frazer, o.
S,suntoo, Va, Mrs. A 5 Mclvsr and Mrs
D. u. Young.