The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1901-02-27

This was before The days OF tele
graphic communication, but Tho
speech went like nildIirc from end o
the country to the other. In wild en-
thuoiasm Prentlss was proclaimed the
greatest orator that ever lived, and
from then on until the day of his
death, he was IN constant demand as
a public speaker, and in the interest OF
various presidential candidates, but
never to further great political ambi-
ton OF his own, he stumped the
country from one end to the other,
speaking to multitudes that were un-
cqualled until the nctcoric appearance
of William j. Bryan five years ago.
Prcntiss was scarcely eighteen years
of age when he left his home in Maine
to try his fortune in the Southwest.
He tarrlrd nearly year in Cincinnati,
studying law IN the Office of Judge
Nathan Wright. During the latter
part of the year 1927 he was intro
duccd by Hon. Bcllamy Storer to Two
prominent Mssssippians who were in
Cincinnati at the time, aud he then
decided to come to the South.
On the ID day Of November, 1927 =,
Prcntiss landed at Natchcz, after a
tedious trip down the Ohio and Mis-
sissippi rivers. He had but five dol
lars in his pocket, but with the linan-
cial recklcssncss which characterized
his life in later years, he went to the
bar of the old "Mansion House and
ordered box Of cigars and bottle Of
wine sent up to his room. In later years
when twlttcd by his friends for this
act Of improvldencc, he rctorted:
on don't understand human nature;
that five dollors established my credit,
and never had any trouble with my
landlord afterwards"
After lettering about the town for
nearly a month he was finally offered
position as tutor in the Shields
family, and for nearly eighteen months
he devoted his time to teaching the
children Of the household and pursuing
his study Of law. lie was an omnI.
vOrous reader and man of remarkable
memory. 1t is SAID that he could re-
leat without reference almost tie en-
tire Bible and nearly every passage in
Shakespeare works was at his
tongues end. His mind was ever ac-
tive and iDquisitivc, and a thousand
stories are told Of these features of his
bent Of mind.
Prentlss was not ladies' man. AL
though OF handsome face and fascinat-
ing manners, with voice thatvilrated
like music, he seemed to shun the com
pany of women. His biographers at
tribute this to the fact that he was
understood, and very sensitive of his
physical inlirmitv, a short leg, which
necessitated the constant use of a cane.
He could not dance attendance on the
ladies at festive occasions and SC
the airy trifllngs that filter for the
moment in the sunbeams of pleasure,
and he was too dilident at other times
to intrudc himself on their society
and the relaxation he sought was
therefore in the society Of men, and
which accounts for his reputation A. 9
thorough going Bohemian. He drank
steadily during the early years Of his
life, occasionally to excess, and was
accounted as one of the most expert
pistol shots in the South, as his several
ducls fought during the prime Of lifo
amply proved.
After being admitted to the Missis-
sippl bar the ascent of prentiss was
rapid. He had completed matchlcss
education and it was during time
when the literary sky was blazing with
stars OF the first magnitude. Bulwer,
In rapid succession, was throwing off
his brilliant novels, James was draping
history in the garb of fiction, Sir Wal
ter Scott was both charming and puz
zling the world with his prose and
verse, Moore was scattering his melo-
dies, and Byron had just sunk beneath
the sun at Missologhl. In this age of
prose and pocsy production and
halcyon days of cloquencc Prcntiss
commenced to demonstrate The fact
that he was an orator and scholar
without peer in the union.
Shortly after moving to Nicksburg,
and having served several terms in
the Legislature, Prcntiss delivered the
famous speech IN Congress-, closing
par. of which is quoted above. Many
stirring incidents of State history with
which he was connected occurred in
the meantime, but which are needless
to relate. Once before the public,
Prentiss assumed leadership and he
was leader of men until the day of
his death. a stanch Whig, he was
met on the platform by many of the
most formidable men of the opposing
party in joint debate, but the instance
is not recorded where it Is acknow-
lcdged that he was worstcd. In com
mon with other men of those times,
his oratory led HIM into personal diff
cutics and be fought two or three
ducls with men who opposed him in
matters legal and political, chiefly the
latter. 1t was a day when young
man who displayed any forensic ability
the political party to which he belonged
seized and dragooncd him into service,
and the young man himself was led
away by the applause OF the people,
full knowing that it would lead to his
ruin. Prcntiss was at one time quite
wealthy, but through mismanagement
and misfortune he died poor.
| The first duel fought by Prentiss
was with General Foote, his most for.
midable opponent at the bar, and one
of the most fluent speakers the South
has ever produced. His irony was
sharp and cutting and was thrown
with the skill of a matador. In Oc
tober, 1888, Foote and Prontss were
engaged in a legal case as opposing
counsel. The language used by Foot,
was offensive, and Prcntiss resented
it by slapping his face. a challeng
followed and the Dartics met accom-