The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-10-07
Associate Justice Eugene B. Gary.


1t is impossible, in writing mere sketch,
to narrate even the important events In the
life OF one who has played 80 important q
part on the stage OF action as Associate jus
lice Eugene Black burn Gary, and we snail
only attempt 10 give an outline OF hia career.
On the 22nd OF August, 1884, be was b ,rn at
Ing The schools at that place until 1871 en ter
ed the South Carolina University, and that
year received his diploma In the classical
branches. ~
At the age Of eighteen he commenced the
study OF law under bis uncle General N. W.
Gary, OF Edgeneld, South Carolina, and wax
admitted to practice few weeks after attain.
Ing his majority. He taught school one year
at the South Carolina University.
Shortly after being AL mitted 10 the bar, Mr.
Gary located at Abheville, South. Carolina
wh"re, he continuously :practIced biz profes.
the mot prom ipent In bis profession fn South
Carolina, and WAS engaged Id q eat many
Important oases: 10 some Of which the most
.bF3ffe Supreme Court nf the state, IN 1881.
SH%,sn General Carlos J. stoihrahd contsatsd
h8e)ection OF Honorable D. Wyatt Aiken 70
O6ngresa, Mr.. Gary represented Honorable D.
Wyatt. Aiken, In whose favor Congress DE-
70 Masonry the subject 9fihis sketch was
srchivespf The 53faPd Lodge contain many
tes,imcssais p1ats @ 6andiWSrk; ,So, +. . ..,.,,
oonnty ehairfnan ofthe Demoeratic party 70
AbbesilIe .conntys his election being unaPlJj
nHoi 10 ia e and s isss sxSwas elssied member oi
One Of thefnanifs fsslslS SSbg q confidence whiob
he most highly IHPprtpfa ted was when the
rules OF the county a6nS nSantion were suspend!
"a. and he wsa nnI Ioatys elected delegate 10
ipaR Of fhe dslesstT9 sftsr he bad declined
rETSn1ihsuon and altsf the ballots had been
-cSgt htpof fennniet. M, Gary served one
term In the Leg gislatufe apd there gained
Se was elected Lteutena ri G6Vernor, TO " whicb
once he was electAdIs secopdttime.
twas while serSipg his second term as
iEfsptenant- Governor tnat he was elected A.
saoiatet ] Justice Of the supreme Conrt.in which
.fifvh office he';is nOW serving With dignity,
ability. and 10 tho Satisfaction OF the bar.
The Journals nf the Senate contain resolu-
tions unanimously adopted by the Senate
stieating tho high esteem In which Lieuten:
ani.Governor Gary was regarded by that
body oa account Of bis prompt. able and I'M
partial rulings as fts presiding officer each
peahen he retired from that ,n Hfiice; r.,
tice Eugene b. Gary was re elected To the
high position Of Associate Justice, without
oppOaitiOn. for eigmt years. snd IL now the
senior Associate Justice OF the Supreme
Court.
VsJ
ten. direct descendant from HOiorabIe Ben.
Ism,n Tusten, y member az the frat Colonial
ConVr. g. Of New York, aud whose son Bauja-
,utionary War. Colonel Benjamin Tus,en
vas iIIed while nt the head of MS regiment
dghtipg for American independence. and bis
brave cr eds are comnernorattd oy magnin-
cent monument, erected Dy Inc PUBIC, NJ
The mother OF Mr.. Justice Gary. who Ia
now living. was Miss Mary Caroline Black
burn, q lineal deaeendant from William
Black burn. an omoeI Eno ~aG ps.nie,, Sa,ieo At
while brsveIy fighting for American lnde-
His father was DR.. F. F. Gary. who was an
eminent physician and eeld many positions
his faith er's side. Mr.. Justice Gary is linesl
descendant from John Witherspoou, men
toned 10 several Of our historical sEetches,
who was born near GlaRgow, Scotland, In
fered there. during the time Of the stusrts.
moved TO ireland, and from there TO WI
Wamsburg county In 1874 John Witherspoon
was the grandson Of Mra Lucy Welch. the
granddaughter OF John KNOX % r the gresL S,.e re-
art. She was Q lineai descendant Of Robert.
Duke Of Albany, second son OF Robert H.
Honorable Ernest Gary: Judge OF the Filth
Speaker OF the House Of Representatives. are
hfs only brothers, and Mrs. James N. Eason.
OF Charleston. 10 their only sister.
Mr.. Justice Eugene B. Gary Is an apt stud
ent, q hard and considerations worker; and,
as q thinker, possesses that most rare quality
mental honesty. He does his dnty a. be
eeesft; without regard 10 .conseqnenese. He
IN (. loving friepd, faithful md just. As q
member OF the Supreme Court. Justice Gary
has greatly endeared hinpsslf to bis assocfates
on the bench. In bis judicial characfef bis
Views OF the law are dOminated by the dis
tinguishing; qualities OF his mipd, native
strong common sense, and good practical
judgment.
that Mr.. Justice Gary was the hardest Work; :;
ing man be ever saw. He has written about
nine hum dred and fifty opinions. The bar OF
the State IN particularly Impressed with Mr.
Justice Eugene B. Gary's opinions, the clear
and succinot msn Aer In which bia views are
stated, and the pure. simple English be uses.
The high esteem In which the decisiops OF
our Supreme Court are held, even outstde the
State, IL dne In great measure 10 the ahalyti.
cal and judicial cast ofmind OF the subject OF
this sketch who IL now In the zenith OF hnan-
hood, and there 10 every assursnoe that he
win add 70 his already great reputation as
on the 22d Of January, 1908, he was upani-
mously reelected for the full term of eight
Bench and Bar.