The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-09-10
PEACE AND REST
TO JAMES 7. BACON
DEATH COMES TO ONE OF CARO-
LINA'S SWEETEST SPIRITS.
Edgefeld Mourns Son Whose Life
Lent Lustre to Her Name and Scat
tered Joy Among Her People.

The State.
rEdgefeld, Seut. S.-Col. James 7.
Bacon died at $50 o'clock this after
noon. The funeral will be from the
Episcopal church Friday at II o'clock
a. m.
Col. Bacon had been i'll at his home
here for several weeks.
Col. James T. Bacon was the best
known and most universally beloved
man in the county and his name was
synonymous with all that is pure.
generous, noble and good. Col. Ba-
con had attained his 18th year. He
was descended from splendid revolu-
tionary stock. His ancestors came
from Virginia, where the family had
been prominent among the colonlsts
for over a century. Edmond Bacon,
for many years a brilliant member of
the Edgefeld bar and the "Ned
Brace" in Longstreet Georgia
scenes. was his grandfather. Edmond
Bacon, although a Georgian by birth,
in early life moved to South Carolina
and he with Col. Arthur Simkins set
tiled the town Of Edgefeld. He had
four children, the second. Edmond
Speed, being the father Of the subject
of this sketch. his mother being Sarah
! Bacon, a cousin to her husband. she
having married twice. her last hus-
band being the Rev Arthur W7gfall.
The Bacon family has been closely
connected with the county>s and
States history. Col. Bacon had one
brother, Hon. John E. Bacon. who
was secretary Of legation at St. Pet
ersburg when Gov. Pickens wa min
lister, and afterwards minister 20 lIru-
quay and Paraguay under President
Cleveland, and a full sister. Mrs.
Baker Of McClellanville. and two
half-sisters. Mrs. Kate ". Cheatham
of this place, and Mrs. DR.. Trezvant,
formerly of Columbia Col. James T.
! Bacon was born here and his long and
useful life was spent amidst the
scenes of his nativity.
A Lover of Music
After receiving an academic edu-
cation at this place he completed his
studies in Germany. making a special
X of music, in which he excelled. and
which was one of the joys Of his beau
tiful life. After his return from
Germany he taught music here and
at Anderson, but it was to Journalism
that he devoted his splendid talents,
in ~''ich field he won for himself a
name and reputation. seldom equalled
in this country. After serving with
conspicuous bravery in the War Be-
tween the States lie returned home
and assumed the editorship Of the
Edsefeld Advertiser and the files Of
that paper will best tell how ably and
brilliantly he performed the duties of
that office. Gentle as a woman, yet
brave as lion, he could write with
all the softness and sweetness of
Washington Irving. but when neces-
sity and duty demanded it with all
the boldness and fire of Wendell Phil
; lips. During Reconstruction times,
when federal troops were stationed
here. and the negro and scalawag beld
high carnival. Col. Bacon printed the
Advertiser in red letter and his ''lead-
err was filled with such patriotic
fire and defiance as TO cause offense to
he federals. For this he was arrest
ed and carried to Charleston, but no
harm ,befeN him. and lie returned
home only to continue the brave fight
! for Anglo-Sa supremacy. He was
again prominent III those days, as he
ever was, a gamecocE. and never did
his red plume lower its crest. After
! leaving the Advertiser he. with his
nephew. Mr.. L. ". Cheatham, con-
Quoted the Edgefeld Chronicle, pa
per that is loved and read by every
man, woman and child in the county,
because back of it has been the brains.
wit and eloquence Of Jim Bacon.'
His correspondence to the Columbia
State and special articles to the Sun
dav News and Courier attest the uni
que style, versatility and brilliancy Of
the man.
Worthy of Preservation.