Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1902-08-13

hIm tDat quality OF personal magnet
ism that made him favorite with
all who came in contact with the
young teacher. In spare mcnents
he pursued the st os the Law
with unflagging zc
A MEMBER OF THE BAR.
From the beginning of his career as
young lawyer at Aiken in 1872,
"Dan" Henderson, as he was famil-
iarly known, gave undisputed promise
of successful future. He had the
faculty of winning cases. Courts
and juries alike were impressed
with the keen logic and brilliant
speeches of the young lawyer. He
was spoken of on all sides as one pre-
destined to play an important part
upon the stage of public affairs.
From the start his reputation as an
orator and advocate of unusual
ability gathered to his Office clients
of all classes. The poor, seeking his
aid, were never turned from Hender-
sons door unheeded. The number
of his cases increased. He began to
be known about The State as a Young
man ofsplendid promise.
THE TRoUBLoUs TINES OF '76.
In the turmoil and strife of the
carpet-bagger period of the recon-
struction Dan Henderson emerged
from the sphere of his local reputa-
tion, and came into prominence as a
leader in the struggle for white
supremacy. His aid and counsel
were sought by men older than him.
self. The Hamburg riot occurred.
His brilliant defense of the six hun
dred men arrested for completely
in this affair won for him instant
and lasting recognition as one of the
ablest members of the South Carolina
bar. A motion for bail was made
befor Judge Maher. The motion
was strenuously opposed by radical
Attorney General Stone and District
Attorney General Corbin. Gen. M.
@. Butler and A. p. Butler were two
of the most prominent defendants.
The trial resulted in victory for
the defense.
In the noted prosecution of the
Ellenton prisoners in the United
States Court at Charleston, Hender-
son defended the case with signal
ability and success. He was a stub
born fighter. His untiring perse-
verence, the GOODNESS and determine
tion with which he conducted the
examination of all the witnesses,
lasting for more than three weeks,
challenged the admiration of the
Court and audience.
The young lawyers splendid plea
for the defense was openly praised by
Chief Justice Waite, late of the Su-
preme Court of the United States.
Judge Waite presided at the trial.
Happening in the white heat of the
struggle between the carpet Dagger
and negro denomination on the one
side, and the rule of the native born
on the other, these cases were fol-
lowed with intense concern by the
whole South.
For his legal services in this case
Henderson charged no fee. Patriot
ism and the love of his State were
for the young lawyer a sufficient
reward. To this day "Dan" Hender-
son wears with pride a gold watch
chain presented to him by the peo-
! . of his. county in recognition of
his services in the Ellenton trial.
AS A LEGISLATIVE LEADER.
In 1876 the successful practitioner
declined the nomination for the
State Senate. He was too young
to be eligible for the Office he was
offered. However, in 1880, d. S.
Henderson, then fully recognized as
a leader in public affairs in his part
of the State, was elected to the SEN
ate of the General Assembly of
South Carolina, in the first primary
ever held in Aiken county.
During his first term he was one
of the foremost debaters in the SEN
ate, and was active in securing the
passage of several laws relating init
mately to the welfare of the State.
Duelling was then rife in South
Carolina. Men fought at the drop
of hat, upon fancied insults, with
seconds, and all the formalities of the
code duello. Henderson was the
author of the famous duelling oath
incorporated into the oath of public
office in South Carolina, intended to
extirpate this evil. The first act
ever passed in this State providing
for the creation of Railroad Com
mission was championed and advo-
Gated by d. S. Henderson. Tbis act