Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-03-03
IN BEHALF OF MAJOR cokER.
Strong Presentation of Claims Of Grand
Old Man of Darlington.
To the Honorable, the General Assem-
bly of South Carolina:

To the Honorable, the General Assem-
bly, Of South Carolina:
Just prior to the outbreak of the
civil war a young man of trained IN
tellect and high ideals, educated al
the Citadel and Harvard college, set
tied on n farm in Darlington county
intending to make agriculture MS
profession. He soon became factor
i'm the agricultural, industrial and
educational development Of his conn
ty. and made the name Of ]. l.. COker
familiar in the business affairs OF his
state.
Rumors Of war caused him to or
ganiZe and drill q military company
and at the outbreak of hostilities he
offered his services to his state. Dur
ing the terrific struggle that ensued
he and his splendid company were In
the thick Of the Virginia and Tennes-
see campaigns, and earned their full
share Of the glory Of the gallant SiXtr
regiment under the peerless jenkins
and Bratton.
Almost mortally wounded at Look
out Mountain, this brave young oiiicel
fingered long at deaths door and
emerged from a Federal prison lameD
for life and a shadow Of his former
self. With broken health and wreck
ed fortune he returned to his farm
and in spite of his desperate and Still
painful wound, assisted with his hoe
in cultivating his crops while his hireC
hands plowed his one milk COW
and mule which Shermans raiders
had left to die. Such perseverance
and pluck had its necessary reward
and he has year by year forged up
ward, blessing his country with hi:
wisdom, his enterprise and his open
handed generosity, until he stand:
today, despite his retiring disposition
a CONSPICUOUS figure in our state.
Others have developed waste place:
and built villages; others have sue
cessfully managed large enterprises
others have patronized and given tC
the cause of education: others have
fought bravely for their country, ano
have been manned in its service: but
where will you find man who has
done all of these and more, save the
distinguished South CarOlinian that
we have named?
Major Coker is a mar of the high
est business qualifications, the sound
est and ripest judgment OF mon and
affairs, has given large sums OF mon
ey and much of his valuable time and
thought to the causes of education
religion and charity.
The national legislature Is now
confronted with problems that vitality
affect the financial and industrial de-
velopment of the country. At This
grave juncture In our national affairs
it behooves South Carolina to send
one Of her ablest and most patriotic
sons to the United States senate.
In addition to broad scholarly at
tainments, Major Coker has given
lifelong study to the science Of govern
ment, which prominently fits him to
discharge the duties Of that high of
flee. His life has been effectively and
unselfishly spent in the moral and
financial upbuilding of his country
which. together with his spotless ca
reer, marks him as the Carolinian
best fitted to aid in the restoration OF
the business confidence lately so sore
ly shaken.
Major Coker has never sought po-
Iitical preferment, nor does he seek
it now; but his friends, In the interest
Of South Carolina, ask it for him, In
the full confidence that, If he be elect
ed. his official career will add lustre
l. 30 lA OF