The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-11-03
GOOD MAN GONE
John S. Reynolds, an Old Newspaper Man
and Able Lawyer,
SUDDENLY PASSES AWAY

Was Librarian of the Supreme Court
OF the State at the Time OF His
Death and a Man Of the Press Who
Had Won Distinction - Many
Mourn at His Death.
The State says the citizens of Co.
lumbia were shocked and saddened
Monday by the news Of the death
Of Mr.. Jno. S. Reynolds. librarian
Of the State supreme court. Mr..
Reynolds acute illness was Of less
than "a hours duration and for that
reason the announcement OF his
death could hardly be believed. The
funeral services will be held at Trini-
ty church at 4 o'clock this afternoon.
Mr.. Duncan c. Ray. former attorney
general of the State, last night paid
the following tribute to Mr. Rey-
nolds:
"On the death of John S. Reynolds,
South Carolina has lost a devoted
man and Columbia a faithful citi-
zen. l enjoyed an intimate acquain-
lance with MI. Reynolds for over a
quarter Of a century. commencing
at the Kings Mountain Military
school at Yorkville. where Mfr.
Reynolds was a teacher and I Was
a pupil. Mr.. Reynolds was then" a
recent graduate Of the South Caro-
lima university. to which insttin-
ton be remained a devoted admir-
er and Jealous friend, ever support
ing her cause with zeal.
For six years Mr.. Reynolds re-
NAMED at Yorkville, becoming the
right-hand Of that gallant soldier
and eminent instructor, Col. Asbury
Coward. During Mr.. Reynolds stay
at Yorkville he was a frequent con-
tributor to the newspapers Of the
State. writing with ease and grace
During the winter Of 1876
Mr.. Reynolds severed his connection
with Col. Coward and entered upon
the practice of law in copartnership
with Hon. Henry A. Gaillard and at
the same time he, with the lamented
r. Means Davis, conducted the Fair
field Herald and later the Winns-
boro News and Herald at Wins
boro.
During the great struggle for
white supremacy, Mr.. Reynolds was
ever at his post. supporting the Dem
ocrats with his trenchant pen and
riding with the Red Shirts under
Tom Woodward of happy memory.
The great campaign OF 1876 result
ed In victory to the cause he loved
30 well. Mr.. Reynolds laid aside his
red shirt to devote his time and en-
ergy to law and journalism. win
ming marked success in each pro-
fession.
I'm 1886 Mr.. Reynolds removed
to Columbia, of which city he re-
NAMED, with a short intermission of
a few months in 1889, an active,
useful and honorable citizen until
his death. During his residence in
Columbia he was connected at diff
ferent times with The Record, The
Register and The State newspapers.
his editorials being always eagerly
read, more especially those in the
Sunday edition Of The State.
"In 1896 the citizens of Richland
appreciating Mr.. Reynolds charac-
ter and ability sent him to the legis-
lature as a member Of the lower
house, and there he rendered splen-
did service. Mr.. Reynolds especially
felicitated himself upon having the
Reynolds printing bill passed. Pri-
or to the passage Of this bill the leg
islative printing was not let out to
competitive bidders and all the work
was done by a political favorite who
thus enjoyed a monopoly. The
Reynolds bill did away with such
favoratism and saved the State large
sums Of money.
In 1892 Mr.. Reynolds wal appoint
ed supreme court librarian, which
place he filled to the day Of. his
death with fidelity. He enjoyed the
friendship and confidence Of the su-
preme court Justices for whom he
entertained the highest regard. Dur
ing his iucumbency OF the position
Of librarian Mr.. Reynolds was fire.
quently retained by lawyers from
all parts Of the State to assist them
before the supreme court and well
did he perform his part and con-
tribute to the success Of the cases
in which he was engaged.
reference should be made to Mr..
Reynolds career during the Confed-
eracy. Too young to enter the Con-
federate army he nevertheless saw
service in the field when the corps Of
Arsenal cadets under Col. John P.
Thomas retired from Columbia be-
fore Sherman with the rest Of Hamp-
tons army. Owing to his service
on this occasion, he became a loyal
member Of Camp Hampton OF Con-
federate veterans. Early In life Mr..
Reynolds was happily married, his
wife having been Miss Sue Edwards.
who survives him with several chill
drep.
John S. Reynolds was no ordinary
man. An active, useful career as
teacher. journalist and1 lawyer Is
ended. Peace to his ashes"