Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1911-12-27
JUDGE ROBERT ALDftICH DEAD.
Deceased Was Honored Jurist, Gal
liant Soldier and Noble Citizen.

the ailmen. that seized him some
weeks ago, died yesterday morning
at the Florence Infirmary shortly af-
ter 2 o'clock. Upon the advices Of
the attending physician, and realiz-
ing that the end Of this brave and
fearless man was soon 10 be reached,
his loved ones who had gathered
around his bedside here for several
days were Joined only late last night
by others, and just In time to be
present to see the last vital spark
Of life pass out.
Coming to Florence from Bennetts-
vile and Darlington, where he had
recently held the winter terms Of tho
Marlboro and Darlington courts,
Judge Aldrlch was suffering from
rheumatic fever, from which he had
become weakened. He went to
the Florence Infirmary, where every
thing that could be done by skilled
physicians and nurses was provided,
but disease had already fastened it's
fangs deep into his vitals and he was
unable to overcome the ailment and
he continually grew worse until the
end came early this morning.
Family ut Bedside.
Judge Aldrich's wife preceded him
to the grave some three years, and
it stated that since that sad day he
had declined in health steadily. He
is survived by four daughters, Mrs.
William Eggleston, Of Hartsville;
Mrs. Frank G. Thompkins, Mrs. d. G.
Ellison and Miss Roberta Aldrich, Of
Columbia; one sister, Mrs. Allen, of
Barnwell, and one brother, Col AL
fred Aldrich, Of Barnwell, all of
whom were with him when the end
came, except Mrs. Eggleston, of
Hartsville, who could not reach here,
she being confined to her room with
sickness.
The body was removed to st.
Johns Episcopal church, South Dar-
gan street, where 1t was viewed dur
Ing the day by a number Of his
friends in this city, and over which
vigil was kept by a number Of
friends. The remains were taken to
Barnwell for interment.
Member Of Wallace House.
Judge Aldrich was a consistent
member OF the Episcopal church.
having been warden for a number
Of years. He was a member Of the
famous Wallace House that wrested
the State from the carpetbaggers and
made Wade Hampton Governor, and
1t was he who, in the House of Rep
resentatives, when the announcement
Of Wade Hampton's death was an
nounced declared "a prince OF the
House Of )srael has fallen"
Sketch of His Life.
Judge Aldrich was a son Of Judge
| y. p. Aldrich and Martha Aver Aid
rich, daughter OF Lewis Malone Aver,
Revolutionary patriot. His mo-
ther was a sister Of Gen. Lewis NJ.
Aver, a member OF the Secession
Convention and Congressman from
this district He was given a good
education, spending two years at
Kings Mountain, one year at the
Arsenal, in Columbia, and two years
at the Citadel, in Charleston.
When war was declared between
the States he entered the Confede-
rate army as a commissioned officer
with the rank Of adjutant. Hc was
later promoted, through merit, to
adjutant and inspector general in
Major Pierce Young's cavalry, Hamp-
toms division, Army Of Western Vir-
ginia. He was in the Virginia cam
paign Of 1864, and through all the
months that tried mems souls he was
never found wanting when duty call
ed. He surrendered with Johnson's S
army in North Carolina in 1865, and
| returned to his devastated State to
bravely take up the struggle that
followed the great conflict.
Judge Aldrich married Miss So
phie Bonham, daughter Of Governor
Milledge Bonham, in 1878. Five
children wero born Of this union.
Judge Aldrich studied law in his
fathers Office and early showed
marked ability in the legal profess
sion. He was prominent In the Red
Shit campaign in rs, and later was
attorney for the Red Shirts, who
| were arrested for completely in the
| Eiicnton riots. He served several
terms In The llouse OF Representa-
| tives and was next sent to Columbia
as Senator from Barnwell county.
a Notable Grafton.