Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-04-21

career Of activity and usefulness. He
has been a landmark in Yorkville, for
nearly forty years, and during that
time has been identified with all that
has made for the progress Of the town
and county, socially, politically, educa-
tionally or otherwise. No other citizen
of the county has been more active
among his fellows for longer period.
A comprehensive sketch Of his career,
only the barest outline Of which can
be included in a newspaper article,
would fill volumes.
Major Hart-James Franklin Hart
was born In Union county on Februa-
ry 13, 1887. He attended the common
schools Of the county during his boy
hood and in 1854 went to the Citadel,
graduating from that institution In
1857. He entered the Confederate SER
vice In 1861 as a lieutenant OF the
Washington Light Infantry, and short
ly afterward became captain Of that
company. Later he was transferred to
Hampton's cavalry corps. and became
a major Of horse artillery, known as
Hart's battery. He lost his leg at Bur-
gesss mill in 1854, and came to York.
VILE to practice law in 1858.
Major Hart's service in the war was
conspicuous from the beginning. Be-
cause Of his military education and his
especial fitness for the work, Governor
Pickens and his lieutenants made use
of him in the preparations for the at
tack on Fort Sumter. He was In close
touch with all the operations around
Charleston, and the battery to which
he was afterward transferred became
famous not only because of the splen-
did material Of which II was COM
posed; but largely because Of his
unusual capacity, courage and enter
prise. Like many Of the famous lead
ers Of the Confederate armies, he
adopted original methods, and 1t Is
claimed that in some respects he was
the cause Of a complete revolution in
the artillery practice Of the time. His
battery did service on many a hard
fought field, and more than once turn
ed the tide against the enemy. Before
the close of the war, Major Hart had a
reputation throughout both armies,
and the fear with which his dreadful
guns inspired the enemy was equaled
only by the confidence and enthusiasm
that they frequently brought to hard
pressed friends.
Locating In Yorkville In the trou-
blous times following the war, Major
Hart bore his full part in bringing or
der out of chaos. BY nature and edu-
cation he was filled with high ideals,
and there were many tests for the
splendid courage which no man ever
disputed. During all the dark days of
reconstruction he stood boldly and con-
sistently for equal justice to all his
fellowmen and never faltered In his
support of law and order. The cor
rupt magistrates and judges Of the
day stood in mortal dread Of his fear
less ability, and he was frequently able
to make them give his clients justice,
even where 1t was evident that there
had been deliberate intent to override
the law. In the campaign Of 1875 he
accepted the position Of county chair
man, despite the slim promise Of sue
cess then in sight, and within a few
short months completed one Of the
most perfect and powerful county or
ganizations in the state, literally
sweeping the opposition from the field.
In 1881, Major Hart was appointed
Charles H. Simonton and the late VIM.