The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1910-12-13


counties of Newberry, Spartanhurg,
Laurens, Greenwood and Union. He
was recognized as one of the ablest
prosecuting officers in South Carolina,
and in the entire South. Absolutely
fearless in the discharge of his duty,
he brought all his pronounced ability
and the great power Of his eloquence
into play in every case which he
handled from the graVest felony to
the misdemeanor of least Importance,
and his record as solicitor is second
to none.
He served as solicitor for eight
years, and then continued the practice
of law i'm Newberry.
Col. Schumpert was one OF the ab-
lest lawyers at the bar of South Caro-
lima. He had marked faculty for
assembling testimony and gTasplng
the essential points, without regard to
the unessential details. He was a
powerful speaker-a true orator,
logical and with an eloquence pos
sessed by few men. His knowledge
of the law was thorough, and he was
a student of human nature, and under
stood men. Combining these qualities
with a magnificent physique, he cas-
lily took a position in the front ranks
of the able lawyers of this State, and
when his record is finally writ in the
annals of the bench and bar, it WELL be
one which amy man might be proud to
leave. He was engaged in hundreds
Of important cases, both civil and
criminal, in various sections OF the
State.
1t was a tribute to his legal ability
that he was often called upon to act
as special Judge. AS a judge he was
calm and dispassionate, seeking the
truth of the cases which came before
him, and he always presided with
marked ability and fairness.
An incident is recalled of a speels&
court over which he presided Id
spartanburg during the latter part OF
the year 1908. The interest of the
entire country was upon this court
for the reason that several companies
Of militia had been called out to pro-
tect the prisoner from the mobs which
threatened to wreak summary ven
geance upon him. The jail had been
guarded, and a special term of court
called to try him, and Col. Schumpert
was appointed special Judge. The
,egro was brought into the court room
under military escort, and the SOL
1iens filed the court room to prevent
anv demonstration. Judge schumps1t
in a ringing address asked the mlh1la
to Withdraw, saying that he d1d not
believe their presence as such was
necessary in temple OF justice IN
South Carolina. II want to appeal TO
the good sense and sound 1udgmnt'
ah, the patriotism of the law-abldlns
people Of Spartanburg county to up
hold my arm and the lawfully consu-
tuted officers of this court IN the ols-
charge Of their lawful duty" he said
eel am going to sit here and DO my
dutv, so far as I can, and, my rr19noS'
it will be done, and done without the
presence Of OUT friends the nal1tfa
here" Judge schumpert continued
At some length along this line, COM
nlimenting the militia for theT fa1on-
f,,lness, but making it plain that the
court would proceed and that he was
able to conduct it without the assist
anoe of the m5itia- 1t was an eko-
ouent APPEAL, and everv one who hearo
Il knew that Judge Schumpert meant
evact1v what he said The s0td1eTs
withdrew and the trial proceeded as
if there had never been wn1smer o
excitement
Col. Schumrert alwa 3 took az ac-
4iva interest in the United C7''fe7e"' 70
Veterans organization. For n n
Der OF years, and -'p until the time Or
tic death ne we.s a1intanf ~ fN"
lanes y. Nance camD. No. 32S 49,
he devoted a great deal Of loving "o''
- +hic o~rani7ati0n. and f+S memherf
had come to look to him for 'eader-
ship and guidance in It's affairs a"'
WIFI enever any OF them attended the
~~orA-a1 Or State reunions Col. Sch"m-
nert was always with them, and tneaT
leader. The people OF Ne"he'
county had come to look upon him
as the leading snirit on all me0foT1a
occasions, and he was usra'iV II
charge Of the exercises. He "aF ~
Invaluable assistance to the ''a"e"-