The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1904-06-03
BENNETTSVILLE, S. c.. E
imperfect, he was forced to use a
crutch. When the surrender cane,
Hoyt was in Anderson recuperating,
u ~.

bummers and the negro garrison which
was sent to Anderson. AS soon as he
was able to work, he resurrected The
Intelligencer and began the more
peaceful duties OF life where they had
been interrupted. In January, 1866,
he was married to Miss Rebccca G..
Webb, daughter Of Elijah Webb, who
was one Of the most prominent citizens
and politicians OF Anderson county.
Col. and Mrs. Hoyt have four chill
dren. The children are: Mrs. A. G..
Furman and Misses Gertrude and
Lucy HOyt Of Greenville, and Mr..
James a. Hoyt, Jr., Of the Columbia
State.
The ten years following the war,
found Editor Hoyt still fighting for
what he conceived to be the best in
terestS OF the State, a, d he was very
active in the Reconst truction era.
There was not Democratic conven-
tion or CT tizens meeting held in Co.
lumbia during that period but what
he was a member and participated in
it's deliberations. His bold stand at
this time caused him to be heartily
hated by the Radicals, who frequent
ly threatened his life; but without
effect upon his course. HIS service
upon the State executive committee
was equally vigilant and acUive. He
was assistant sergeant at arms Of the
Wallace house, and was with Judge
Haskell wnen he discovered the means
of entering the State capitol
In the early part of 1877, Col. Hoyt
became editor Of the Columbia Regis
ter, which was the champion of the
unterrilied Democracy while it was
under his control. After two years in
This work, he left The Register aid
purchased The Working Christian,
which he transformed into The Bap-
tist Courier and removed to Greenville.
The paper was enlarged and improved,
and under his management as chief
editor and proprietor, it became one
of the leading denominational papers
III the south. His connection with
The Baptist Courier made him ac-
quanted through out the state, and
as he had the exceptional faculty Of
remembering names and faces, he en-
JOyed remarkable wide range of
friendships.
During his editorship OF The Bap-
t1sL Courier, he continued to take an
interest in politics, and until 1890 he
represented Greenville county in the
State democratic executive commit
tee, and in that year was elected it's
chairman, as one who was not an ex-
tremist on either side OF the factional
fight then brewing, and who had the
confidence OF both factions. AS chair
man he refused to rule out the nomi-
neeS of the famous March convention,
thoug hghe did not a approye the meth.
sQds used to sinaig lie rel -, s,ias 1,
State government. w nile opposing
these methods, he deprecated strife
and bitterness and was one of the first
to appeal for the obliteration of fac
tional lines.
In 1895, Col. Hoyt was unanimous
ly elected president of the Baptist
State convention and was reelected
for nine successive terms, when he de-
clined to serve longer. For over 20
years he was trustee OF Furman un-
iverSity, and was at one time vice
president Of the Southern Baptist con-
vention. For several years he was
vice president Of the American Bap.
SioU lIiuShLiOliul oOCiCUy anu udS uG-
livered an address before that body
and also before the American Baptist
Publication society.
In June, 1891, lie sold his interest,"
in The BAPTIST Courier and cOntem-
plated a final retirement from the
newspaper business. For time he
was financial agent Of Furman uiyer-
Sity; but the habits and associations
of lifetime were too strong, and in
January 1892, he assumed control Of
the Greenyille Enterprise and Noun
tainecr rs editor and proprietor. The
name of the paper was changed to its
original form, The Mountaineer, and
Col. Hoyt continued as its editor and
proprietor until his death.
Having been so long active and
prominent in State politics, it was
natural that Col. IIoyt should have
been often solicited to become a can
didate for governor; but he always
Steadfastly declined until 1900, when
the demand upon him was such that
he could not refuse. Having always
been an outspoken advocate II prohi-
bition against every other method of
controlling the liquor traffic, and hav-
| ing repeatedly favored making the
fight for that principle in I'll Is State,
he felt that he could not decline the
nomination which was given him by
the prohibition Democrats, and ac-
cordingly he accepted the re ;ponsibil-
ity and took the stump as the candi-
date for governor Besides his advo-
cacy OF prohibition he possessed other
elements OF strength in his acknowl
edged ability, his respected high
character his long experience and
service in public life without reward
his success in business and his reputa.
tion as man and a Christian.
AS a prohibitionist, Col Hoyt was
strictly consistent He never usec
whiskey himself nor ever permitted
the use OF wine or liquor of any kline
in his home. lie was n member OF (;
temperance society when a youth, ant
later Joined the Good TcmplarS, whose
principles he always eXemplitied in his
daily life. AS an employer, Col. Hoy
made it rule not to allow any one
who drank to remain on his pay roll
and by thus mingling tirmness will
kindness he helped many man tt
give up the habit.
Col lloyt was a Mason OF high de
gree. and before he had been ten year.
q member OF that order, he was choSer
grand master Of the Ancient Freema
sons in South Carolina, succeeding
| Gen j Il Kprshaw in that Of1icn |,