The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1912-01-17
RICHARD c. WATTS
ASSOCIATE JUSTICE
Continued from Page One)

Continued from Page one)
CHM, Hough, Johnstone. Montgom-
cry, Muchenfuss, Rainsford and
Stuckey-11.
The names of the members Of the
house who voted for T. B. Fraser fol-
low
Speaker Smith, Baskin, Belser,
Bowman. B. H. Brown, Browning, Cary
Chandler, Courtney, Connor, ". L.
Daniel, Dick. Doar, Dubose, E. C. Ed
wards, Isaac Edwards Fuller, Gilbert,
Harrison, Hutto. James, Kellehan,
Kibler, kirkland, League, Lengnick.
McKeown, Mcqueen. Minis, Moore.
Nunnery. H. A. Cdom, Paulling,
Richardson. Riley. Sanders, c. t.
shuler, Wander Horst, Vincent Willis.
Williams and Wingard--i4.
After the election, the joint assem-
bly, adjourned.
The following sketch of Richard
C. Watts, chosen fourth associate
justice of the supreme court last night,
is copied from South Carolina Bench
and Bar" by Gen. U. R. Brooks
THE subject Of this sketch was
born in Laurens on March 15, 1853,
and was the third son of Ar. and Mrs.
John Watts. He had the misfortune
TO lose his father when few years
old, but he had the good fortune TO
enjoy the care and attention of his
mother until after he reached man
hood. This illustrates the value of
mothers care and instruction.
He was admitted to the bar on
November %, 1873. under special act
of the legislature. He began the
practice of the law Immediately upon
his admission as an attorney. He was
first assoc lated in the practice of his
profession with the late Chief Jus
tice Y. ]. Pope. and for six years the
firm of Pope & Watts continued, en-
joying a lucrative practice. In 1882.
he was associated with Col 3. W.
Ball and this partnership continued
until he was elected judge of the
fourth circuit on December /, 1893
and was commissioned to hold for
four year, from February IA, 1894.
He married Miss Aileen Cash on
November 8, 1881, and she died Janu-
ary 13, 1895. To this marriage, were
born two sons and three daughters.
After the death of his first wife. he
married Miss Lottie McIver, the
youngest daughter Of Chief Justice
McIyer, april 16, 1896.
when elected jduge of the Fourth
circuit, he at once removed to Che
raw. Being already engaged in plant
ing in Chesterfield county, s. c., he
was reelected judge of the fourth
circuit, and by successive elections he
has been retained judge Of the fourth
circuit
Judge Watts received his education
in Laurens academy and the Univer-
sity Of Virginia. He evidenced while
at school very quick mind, gener-
Gus nature, with great powers of con-
centration and with all a self asser-
tion which enabled him always to
stand up for the right, He made
fast friends and never lost them.
"As judge he has always been
characterized by love Of Justice, a
clear perception OF legal principles,
a ready analysis of cases submitted
to him with great frmness in the ad-
ministratlon Of the duties of Judge
AS one of the best evidences OF his
firm stand as first class Judge, the
people of the State, through their
representatives in the legislature
since his first election, reelected him
unanimously for four successive
terms. JUDGE Watts is warm heaued
and loyal tc his friends. He was
fine lawyer and is al excellent Judge