The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1912-12-04
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE WAS
WITHOUT CHIEF JUSTICE 60 YEARS
Interesting Facts Not Generally Recorded in
the Histories-But Ten Men Have Held
High Place Since the Revolution.

died in 1879.
Thomas Dale-Appointed in 1889,
October 18th and superseded in No
vemEer.
Benjamin Whitteker-Appointed 18th
November, 1879, and removed in 174G
OH account Of paralysis.
james Greaeme-Appointed 9th
June, 1S49; died in 1852.
Charles Pinckney-Appointed 22nd
September, 1852.
Peter Leigh-Appointed 18th Oc-
tober, 1853; died in 1859.
James Mickie-Appointed 1st Sep
TENDER, 1859; died 1850.
William Simpson-Appointcd oath
January, 1853.
Charles Skinner-Appointed 9th
January, 1T62.
Thomas Knox Gordon-Appointed
18Th May, III.
William Henry Drayton-Appointed
18th April, 1776; died in September,
1879. He IA the father of Governor
John Drayton.
John Rutledge-On the 21st of Feb
ruary, Governor Rutledge was elect
ed chancellor of the State. He was ap-
pointed Associate Justice of the Su-
preme Court OF the United States by
President Washington and his nomi-
ration was unanimously confirmed by
the Senate, on the 26th of September,
1889. In February, 1871, at the new or
g%anization of the courts Of law and
equity, under the State constitution
of 1890, he was elected Chief Justice
and resigned the office Of Associate
Justice of the Supreme Court Of the
United States in order to accept that
office. On the 1st of July, 1895, he was
appointed Chief Justice of the United
States, %whereupon he resigned the
Chief Justiceship of South Carolina in
order to accept that office. He presid-
ed at the August term of the Supreme
Court of the United States, but the
Senate, from party motives, refused
TO confirm his nomination by Presi-
dent Washington. He, however, never
knew that his nomination had been
rejected, on account of the loss of his
mind. He died in 1900.
In O'Neall's Bench and Bar, which
was published in 1859. we are told
that Chief Justice Rutledge was the
last to fill that highest of judicial Of
fees in South Carolina.
In 1859, Chancellor John Bolton
O'Neall was elected Chief Justice. and
died on the 23rd of December 1863. so
that for q period of more than fifty
years South Carolina had no Chief
Justice.
In 1866 Chancellor r. F. Dunkin
was elected Chief Justice, and held
Until his death in 1877. He was sue
needed by Associate Justice n. j. Will
lard, who was elected in 1877.
In 1879. Governor W. D. Simpson
vas elected and held until his death
in 1890. iIe was succeeded by Asso-
ciate Justice Henry McIver. who was
elected in 1891 and presided as Chief
Justice until his death in 1903.
Associate Justice Y. j. Pope was
elected Chief Justice in 1903, and re-
signed in 1909.
Associate Justice Ira r. Jones was
elected Chief Justice in 1909 and re.
signed in 1911.
Associate Justice Eugene B. Gary
was elected Chief Justice on the 10th
u .ldlluGlE lJiA, Nv 10 NV" III IN
Since the Revolutionary war there
AVE been onlv ton Chief Justices
Putledge, O'Neall, Dnnkin, Moses
Willard, Simpson, McIver, Pope.
tones and Gary.
Two Of these came from Charles
ION, Rutlcdee and Dunkin: two from
Newberrv, O'Neall and Pope: one
from Ayhnvillc. Gary: nj from Ches-
'erfeld. McIver; one from Lancaster
Tones: one from Lanrens. Simpson:
one from Richland, Willard; one from
Sumter. Moses.
Chief Justice Gary occuries the
unique position of being the only
iudge in South Carolina who was p
member Of the Supreme Court when il
VAS composed Of three. then Of four
and now of five members.