Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-04-30
TREASURER NEELY DEAD.

Mr. H. A. D. Nicely died at his home
in Yorkville yesterday morning at 6.55
o'clock and was buried in the Yorkville
cemetery this morning, after funeral
services conducted by Rev. E. E. Gill
lespie in the First Presbyterian church.
Mr.. Nicely had been Ill only a short
time. He was complaining some last
week of an illness that was probably
grip; but did not give up until Satur-
day when he went home, and grew
steadily worse. 1t was not until We'd
nesday afternoon that the seriousness
of his condition began to spread over
the town, and news of his death yes
terday morning came to most OF the
people as a sudden shock. He died OF
apoplexy.
Hyder Ali David Nicely was native
Of York county, having been born In
Catawba township in 1874. When still
child, he was afflicted with an attack
of white swelling that untitled him for
the work Of the farm on which he was
raised and made him cripple for life.
Along about 1874 he went to work for
the store of Capt. L. M. Davis at Rock
HILL, and later took position as book
keeper for Capt. w. l. Roddey with
whom he remained until 1880, when he
went into politics. His name had been
before the county convention OF two
years before for recommendation for
appointment as treasurer; but he was
defeated. The primary plan having
been adopted by popular vote In the
meantime, about 600 to 800, he went
before the people in the first primary
election held and was nominated over
three strong candidates, receiving 1854
votes against 992 for the field.
Mr.. Nicely has been in every primary
that has been held in the county. In
some instances he has been opposed by
single competitor in other instances
by several, including many strong and
popular men, but in every case he has
won with ease on the first ballot. He
has several times been accorded the
honor and distinction of going before
the people without opposition.
It Is not unfair to say that Mr.. Nicely
was one Of the best known men in York
county. The entire voting population
had occasion to come in contact with
him either directly or indirectly in his
office, and while 1t would probably be
difficult to analyze the qualities that
seemed to make most for his popular
ity, there is little question Of the fact
that he had the respect, esteem and
confidence of his fellow citizens to de-
gree that 1t is the privilege Of few men
to attain.
While the general public seemed to
have the idea that the Office Of county
treasurer was an easy one with good
pay, it is a fact that for many years,
it was about the most undesirable un-
der the county government. Competent
men who knew what they were talking
about have been heard to declare that
even If they could get the place, they
would not have 1t so long as there was
any other chance of making an honest
living. Mr.. Nicely, however, was able
to fill it by living close and working
early and late. He seldom had assist
ance except during the busiest season
of the tax collecting period; but always
kept his work close in hand, and was
always able to be pleasant with those
who had business with him.
Although so far as the public gener-
ally knew, Mr.. Nicely enjoyed good
health, this was not fact. From time