Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1902-07-23
A VOICE FROM oLp PlckENs.
The Life and Career Of Some OF the Older
Citizens Of the Old Court House Town.

The Life and Career Of Some OF the Older
Citizens Of the Old Court House Town.
Old Pickens, July Exhibitors Courier.
Col. Jesse w. Norris, of Anderson, re-
sided for q number of years at Old Pick
ems, and, in connection with Gen. j. w,
Harrison, engaged in the practice of law
here. Gen. Harrison also lived here for
awhile during the partnership. Both
were able and distinguished lawyers and
both removed from here to Anderson.
Gen. Harrison, besides being one of the
ablest jurists in the State, was pure
Christian man, brilliant orator and a
gentleman of most amiable manners. He
spent the last years of his life in dignity
and repose at Walhalia, where he died q
few years ago at ripe old age. He was
the father of Mrs d. b. Darby, widow
OF the lamented DIR. Darby, 80 well and
gratefully remembered by many for his
medical skill, kindly nature and chari-
table deeds. Capt V. +. Martin, of
Walballa, we'll and favorably known to
the people of Oconee, married daughter
of Gen. Harrison. She died few years
ago. Isham III. md II. K. Harrison, both
well known in Walhalla as successful
business men, are sons of the General.
During the residence of Col. Norris at
Pickens he married Miss Lesley, of
Abbeville, and am told it was this esti-
mable lady who devised the drawing of
the much-admired heading of The Keo-
wee Courier. Col. Norris and Col. Ell
lott M. Keith were the first editors of
The Keowee Courier, which was estab-
lished in May, lS49.
believe they were succeeded by Gen.
w. X. Easley and perhaps others. In
1858 Col. Robt. A. Thompson became
proprietor and editor of The Courier.
His connection with the paper continued
for more than 45 years. Col. w. c. Keith
was associated with the paper after his
removal to Walhalla in 1868, and this
connection continued until his death in
February, 1880. For over half n century
this journal, through all the vicissitudes
of war, political strife and even fire, has
triumphed, and being always true to
itself and its country, it has followed
as the night the day." that it has proven
false to no man." but has been me-
dium of untold usefulness and great
blessing to the public, never failing to
overcome the opposition of its enemies
and the envious calumny of Lilliputian
rivals. 1t ever has been and is now,
under its present management, regarded
as one of the fairest, ablest and most
patriotic weeklies in the State.
The mere sight or mention of The
Courier always recalls to my mind the
noble VIM. c. Keith, (whose career has
already been sketched), as well as Col.
halla, in robust health for one of his age,
and in active life, being an able lawyer
and at present a member of the Legisla-
ture from OcOnee county. The success
achieved in life by Col. Thompson, j.,
being entirely "self-made man." ;,f-
fords to the young splendid example of
what self-reliance, perseverance and
inf nf sc1,
Besides his connection with The Courier,
he was for many years Commissioner in
Equity for Old Pickens District, and was
member Of the Secession Convention.
He entered the army as captain of COM
pany, returning as colonel. After the
war he removed to Walhalla, where he
has since resided. He practiced law for
many years in partnership with the dis
tinguished Gen. Samuel MCGOWAN, and
after the election of the latter to Judge
ship, he was member of the firm of
Wells, Orr & Thompson, and after the
dissolution of this firm he and the bril-
liant Robt. II. Jaynes, one of the pres
ent editors of The Courier, practiced
under the firm name of Thompson &
Jaynes for a long time. No matter with
whom associated, his firm was always
considered one of tho ablest, strongest
and most reliable in the Eighth judicial
Circuit. He is man of high character
and devout member of the Presbyte-
rian church. Among his many excellent
qualities should be mentioned his kindly
interest in the young men of his acquaint-
anccs, being always ready with word
of good advice and encouragement for
them.
Robt. Young was, for long time,
connected with The Courier and will be
remembered by many in Walhalla, as he
was with the paper when it was re-
moved from Old Pick ems to that place.
Another young man is recalled by the
writer as being in The Courier Office for
awhile at Old Pickens. He was hand
some youth of pious and exemplary
habits and gave promise Of much useful
ness. Afterwards at school he was noted
for his strict morality, studious charac-
ter and untiring perseverance, and is
to-day prominent minister of the Bap-
tist church. He is not unknown to the
people of Walhalla, being the Rev. II. b.
Fant, who served them as pastor for
some time. l believe he is now engaged
in his high and sacred calling in Ander-
son county.
1t must be source of much pride and
qualification to the past proprietors of
The Courier to know that SO many young
men emerging from that office have be-
come so useful and distingushed-mo
of them having no other education than
euao dcphlIcu III Ine pTluClnB OIuCc, ana
the foundation was there laid for all
learning subsequently acquired.
l.. j. Kilburn, another Courier boy,
and native of Walhalla, learn is not
only a success in his profession, but is
rising to emnence in Georgia politics.
Whitner Symmes, a lawyer of splendid
talents, practiced law at Old Pickens and
afterwards at Walhalla in partnership
with Major j. II. Whitner He married
Miss Nettie Alexander, a daughter of
Pleasant Alexander He is remembered
by the writer as gentleman of most
pleasing manners and genial disposition.
He went from Walhalla to Greenville,
where he now resides, having succeeded
well in his profession, and, l am told,
accumulated a large fortune. He is a
son of the late DR.. Symmes, of near Pen
dlcton, prominent farmer and eminent
physician.
There was young lawyer by the
name of James III. Johnson at Old Pick
ems for few years, who married Miss
Sallie E., a daughter of Pleasant Alex
ander, and was considered quite promis-
ing, but his beautiful young wife dying,
soon after their marriage, grief-stricken
and almost heart-broken, he left the
place, and | do not know what became
of him. If he be still living no doubt
his brief residence at Old Pickens is re-
mcmbercd as the happiest and saddest
period of his life. In the graveyard,
near the old church, a handsome monu-