Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-03-16
Straps uf gufat Histuru,
"REMINISCENCES OF YORK.
Valuable Bits Of Local History Pre-.
served by a Septuagenarian.


Whom the Gods love die young"
From the sleep Of half a CEN
tury, call again to the listening ear Of
the present generation the name Of AL
bert Allison, a man whose soul was
honor, whose life was love. Never in
her annals had York a son Of greater
promise. Alas!
1.-THE good die first,
While those whose hearts are dry as
summer dust,
Burn to the socket"
Albert Allison was the oEly son of
DR.. John Allison and Elizabeth HILL
his wife: therefore the grandson Of old
Colonel William Hill. He was born in
1891, near the mouth Of Crowder's creek,
York district. His father DR.. Allison,
was a very popular and eminent physi-
clan Of the last century, In York, but
died in the prime Of life with consump-
tion. His epitaph, written in the hearts
Of the people and oft repeated by their
lips. was "a most perfect gentleman"
Like father. like son. and on Albert
early fell the mantle Of affection thrown
around his father by the community,
and he proved by his life that he mer-
tied the heritage Of love. He receiv-
ed good education and went into bus
mess early in life. His first employ
ment was keeping a store in Cheraw,
s. G. Here he remained until the
breaking out Of the war Of 1912, when
he returned to his own district.
A company Of volunteers, gotten up
for service in response to a call made
by the state, composed Of men from
Spartanburg, Union and York, elected
Albert Allison, Of York. lieutenant, al
though so young man, (being only
22), and from his continued residence In
Cheraw. almost stranger. But quick
ly did his winning manners gain affec-
tion and confidence. In 1914 the COM
pany was ordered into service. This
was. as time proved, inglorious; but
had their been stirring campaign. fill
ed with gallant actions, none better
would have borne their part or more
delighted in intrepid deeds and brave
feats, than the man Of whom I write.
A manuscript containing the proceed
ings Of a court martial held at Had
drells Point, dated November 4th. 1914
Is lying before me. Col. Hugh Means
was president Of the court, Major
Dawkins, Major Robinson, Captain
Kendrick. Captain Chestnut, Captain
White, Lieutenant Brandon, Major
Roach, Captain Johnson, Captain Fau-
cett, Captain Fielder, Lieutenant Richie,
Lieutenant Morrow, members Of the
court, and Lieutenant Albert Allison
Judge advocate. This evidences the
light in which he was regarded In the
brigade, for 1t was high compliment
to prefer so young a man to this post.
Judge O'Neill, in his autobiography,
speaks with grateful appreciation, Of a
similar position given to him during
the same service. Young Allison re-
mained on this post Of duty until he
was mustered out Of service.
In 1916, Mr.. Allison was elected clerk
Of the court in York. I am under the
impression that he was the first clerk
elected by the people. Previously they
were chosen by the legislature. This
office Mr.. Allison held until the time Of
his death, being reelected several
times. The last years Of his life he
was in q very feeble state of health.
Consumption, the insatiate foe of his
family, was gnawing at his vitals with
fatal force. At the time Of his last
election, he was too weak, from his dis
ease, to be able to visit any Of the diff
ferent precincts to solicit the continued
support Of the people. AS there was
an opposing candidate canvassing the
district, this caused him good deal Of
needless anxiety, as the result proved,
for his friends were "legion," and he
was again elected by a large majority
For some months prior to his death, his
debilitated state Of health was such
that he could not undergo the fatigue
of office business; but under his direc-
tions, both the writing and the duties
in the court house belonging to the
clerks office, was performed by his
cousin, William Randolph Hill-thcn A
lad of 16-to the entire satisfaction Of
the district.
Albert Allison certainly inherited the
uncommon personal beauty of his par
ents, and I think Of him as the hand
soonest man ever saw. A tall, fine per-
son, fair hair and complexion, blue
eyes and gentle expression, with ease
and grace Of conversation, suavity Of