Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-04-13
JUDGE T. J. MAcKEY DEAD.
Picturesque Reconstruction Figure
Passes Away In Washington.

Passes Away In washington.
Washington special Of April 8, to
Columbia State:
Judge Thomas J. Mackey died last
night at Georgetown University hos
pital, Washington. He will be buried
tomorrow at the National cemetery at
Arlington as a survivor of the Mexi-
can war. One Of the picturesque fig
ures of the Reconstruction days, al
ways stately, erect and Of proud bear
ing, eloquent in speech, Chesterfieldian
in address, he was the same to the very
last. With his hoary head lying back
upon a pillow, unable to raise itself, a
ghost-like pallor in his hollow, cheeks,
the unmistakable far-away death gaze
in his blue eyes, he spoke in his ac-
customed deep chested tones. When
last your eyes beheld me-" he declaim-
ed, when a few days ago ! went out
to see him, II was enrobed in the in
sigma and the emblazonry Of South
Carolina soldier, marching with that
gallant command, the Palmetto regi-
ment, towards the battlements Of
Chapultepec, and now I want you to
tell the people Of the grand old state
of South Carolina that II they would
do anything for the honor Of man who
tried to serve them faithfully In the
Mexican war, as we'll as in lending
assistance towards ejecting from the
borders of that grand old common
wealth the alien vultures which prey
ed upon her vitals during Reconstruc-
ton, / would like for them to engrave
upon the old iron Palmetto tree on the
state house grounds, which commence
rates the deeds of the Palmetto regi-
ment, the name of Thomas ]. Mackey."
The Judge died, from all appearances,
in abject poverty. He got pension
of $50 a month, which seemed to be
about all he had.
When about three weeks ago Repre-
sentative Aiken, upon the request OF
Mr.. A. 8. Salley, went to look for him,
he found him in a third rate boarding
house over on Capitol hill. He was Ill
then, very Ill. His wife was with him,
but she left a few days ago for New
York, It is said. to see one Of the
Judges sons, who was reported Ill.
Crandall Mackey, another son, lives
across the river in Virginia, but prac-
tices law in Washington. There has
been a long estrangement between
father and son, 80 that not until 1t was
reported to him that his father was
dying did the son know Of his illness.
Two weeks ago Judge Mackey was
taken to the hospital, where an opera
tion for gladstone was performed. The
following Sunday Mr.. Aiken and saw
him at the hospital and while exceed
ingly weak they told US he was getting
along nicely, and had good chances OF
recovery. A few days ago they told me
he was much improved and had
hopes Of his recovery, but 1t seems he
became feebler and feebler and last
night he died. Judge Mackey's MIND
dwelt upon the Reconstruction days.
He expressed the wish about his name
on the Palmetto monument, but he en-
tertained the fondest hopes Of recovery.
His mind would get dates mixed. as
for instance when he coupled me with
the battle of Chapultepec, but he knew
what my calling was. Il shall be out
In a few days. Before / die there are
three books I must write. You remem-
ber how in 1874 I sounded the death
knell of Radical rule in my pronuncia-
mento against Moses. We will write
It. Come to see me. We will COLA
borate." And he enunciated the word
"collaborate" with his accustomed ora
torical roll as II he had been before an
audience Of thousands.
So died, as he had lived, Judge
Thomas Mackey, majestic, eloquent up
to the very death rattle.
Zach McGhee.