Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-03-27
Wednesday, March 27, 1901.

Ill the COUNTY, anu lHey Hdu loI lHSlF
advisers unscrupulous white men who
were as shrewd as Mephistopheles
himself. In the election Of 1876,
White received 1888 votes and Wither-
spoon, 3,2SS. From that day the politi-
cal power of the Negroes in York was
broken. Mr.. Witherspoon was re-
elected to the senate four years later
by 3,779 votes, against only "a for his
only opponent.
Upon his election in 1876, Sem
ator Witherspoon went to Columbia,
and stood by Hampton and his fellow
Democrats. All during the long dual
sessions Of the Democratic and Repub-
lican legislature, when the Republicans
were backed by Federal bayonets, and
when for weeks it looked as If riot and
bloodshed were imminent at any mo-
ment, Yorks senator stood at his post
ready to defend his life to the last and
be massacred If need be for his people.
In looking over the files Of THE EN-
oUIRER for data, this writer finds col
umn after column about those exciting
times. The columns include many dis
patches that the senator sent THE EN-
oUIRER to keep his people informed Of
the situation. These letters and dis
patches are complete history of those
troublous days; but it Is not practica-
BILE to more than refer to them at this
time, although some day they will no
no doubt enter into an extended biog-
raphy of the deceased.
AS the result Of his splendid work
in the senate, Mr.. Witherspoon was
first elected president pro tenn Of the
senate, and afterward he was elected
Judge of the Sixth circuit. He received
81 votes against GA votes for Mr.. ]. ].
Hemphill, then senator from Chester.
He was reelected for three consecu-
tive times, serving as Judge for six
teen years, and retiring in 1897, when
he declined to be a candidate for re-
election.
Upon his retirement from the bench,
home in Yorkville and resumed the
practice Of law. His private fortune
was ample for his maintenance in leis-
ure; but on account Of the unusually
active life he had led, he was not con-
tent to remain idle. He observed no
regular office hours and when he had
work to do, did it. His habits were
those of industry, and 1t was seldom
that he was without important en-
ployment.
The private life of Judge Wither-
spoon was most admirable. He was
kind, sociable and sympathetic. He
was not lover Of strife Of any kind,
social, political or religious, and engag-
ed in it only as last resort from
convictions of solemn duty. The pleas
ures Of his life were those Of home, and
to do for others. He was singularly
fond Of innocent childhood, and was
never happier than when comforting
some substantial benefit upon fellow
being who stood in need Of his sub
stantial aid or advice. He had his
faults, Of course, as have all men who
have virtues; but they were not perni-
cious. He was not penurious or grasp
ing. Frequently he gave the full bene-
fit of his legal knowledge to people
who stood in need Of it for the mere
asking, and many q time he has been
known to work days at a time for 9TH
ers with no hope Of pecuniary compen-
sation. Such acts as these made him
very dear to large circle OF. friends
in Yorkville, throughout the county,
and in all parts Of the state.
From the time 1t began to be consid-
ed serious, Judge Witherspoon's ILL
ness caused much concern, not only in
Yorkville, but elsewhere. Several
times during the past week friends in
different parts Of the county inquired
Of THE ENQUIRER, over the telephone,
as to his condition, and such inquiries,
no doubt, were quite common. Hun
dreds Of people called at the house
during the past two weeks to make in
quiries, and the news Of his death on
Sunday morning threw deep gloom
over the entire town. The half-mast-
ing Of the flags at the K. M. M. A. and
the graded school correctly typified
the prevailing feeling. I 1t is not likely
that such a profound effect could have
been produced by the death Of any 9TH
er citizen. There are none among us
more generally honored, loved and es-
teemed than was the deceased judge.
Judge Witherspoon was a ruling ell
der In the Presbyterian churcn of
Yorkville and gave to the duties and
responsibilities of the Office much Of
his time and attention. His advice and
counsel always carried much weight
with his fellow elders.
1t was arranged during Sunday that
the funeral should take place from the
Presbyterian church at o'clock Mon
day afternoon; but owing to the terri
BILE rain that was falling at that hour,
postponement became necessary.
Eleven o'clock yesterday morning was
then selected; but the weather still be-
ing unfavorable at the time, the hour
was again changed to o'clock yester-
day (Tuesday) afternoon.
XABoUT PEOPLE.
Mr.. Robert Steele, of Yorkville, spent
Sunday with relatives in Chester coun-
ty.