The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-05-30

since serving his apprenticeship in the
office of the Messrs. Goldman, publish
ers and editors Of the Laurens Her
aid, in 1848-50, continued MS connec-
ton in newspaper work continuously.
with the exception of the four years
given to the Southern Confederacy, up
to the time of mis- death. In the mean
time h9 filled many places Of honor
and trust, having served one term
in the State legislature along in the
eighties, md afterward represented
I-aurens ,ounty in the State senate
four years. In 1898 he was appoint
ed postmaster at Laurens by PresI-
dent Cleveland, serving term of 1ouT
years in this capacity. At the time
of his death he was a member OF the
board of trustees of the Old Soldiers
Home, commander Of Camp CARING
ton, U. C. ". and member of the State
executive committee from Laurens
county, a position he had the honor
of filling for a number of years. Poll
tically he was one of the leaders in
this county, Having during the Recon-
struction Period devoted the best en-
ergies of his paper to the cause OF
redeeming the State from Radical
rule, thus arraying himself against
his brother, Joe Crews, and he per-
sonally organized and assisted in
euuipping the first Red Shirt CON-
pany in Laurens. In the recent era
of State reform Col. Crews was ac-
tive in advocating and carrying to
successful issue the political upheaval
of that day. He could have had most
any Office in the gift of the county or
State, for he was recognized as a
leader and his countrymen greatly
wished to do him honor, but ne oe-
clined and lent himself to advancing
the cause of reform and the fortunes
of others.
Sketch of His LIE
Thomas Bissell Crews was a son of
Thomas and Mary Crews, and was
born at Rutherfordton, n. c., June T.,
1892, and therefore, lacked only ten
days of completing his 10th year. He
came to this town when boy of 18,
having attended the school Of his
home town. when not at work in his
fathers wagon and buggy shops. He
entered the office of the Messrs. God
man, then proprietors and editors OF
the Laurens Herald, completing his
apprenticeship two years later. Later
he worked on the Family Friend, a
newspaper published in Columbia. af-
terward going to Atlanta, where he
was employed as printer ON the In
telligencer, afterward the Atlanta
Constitution. Returning to Columbia
he worked as a State printer for some
time, and then came back to Laurens
to work on the Herald. Just before
the war he accepted the position or
foreman Of the Banner, at Abbev1lle.
When the War Between the Sections
broke out he enlisted with Company
A, 1st South Carolina cavalry Hamp-
tons brigade, Army OF Northern Vir-
ginia. He succeeded to the first lieu
tenancy of his command, and fire.
quently led his company as captain
upon the commander of the company
shot out and for other causes. He
was engaged in many of the import
ant battles, but escaped without re-
ceiving a single wound.
Becomes Editor.
At the close of the war COL Crews
returned to Laurens and with a local
company he purchased from the
estate of James Hollingsworth me
Laurensville Herald, which he pub
lished, being assisted in the editorial
work on the paper by COL B. W. Ball
and Capt. Homer MCGOWAN, both OF
whom have passed away. haler Col.
John W. Ferguson was associated
with him as editorial writer. In 1872
Col. Crews became chief editor and
proprietor, and thus continued his re
lation to the paper up to the present
time.
; While living in Atlanta, Mr.. Crews
joined an expedition and proceeded to
Cuba to assist Lopez and other revolu-
tionists in the revolt against Spanish
rule on the Island. He was a mem
ber of the second expedition, and
while all the men in his expedition
were captured, they did not suffer
the fate of Lopez and his men, for he