Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1914-08-12

After working for some time with
the Pendleton Messenger he left that
position, going to Laurens, where he
engaged to work for the Laurens
Herald, returning to Pendleton a
short while later, engaging in the ac-
tive publication CT the Messenger
along with Hon. Frank Burt, as edi-
tor and publisher. In 1858 Col.
Thompson purchased The Keowee
Courier, then young newspaper
venture, the publication having its
home at Old Pickens Court House.
After the division of Pickens Dis
trict into Pickens and Oconee coun-
tes Col. Thompson moved his paper
to Oconee, and for a number of years
he was sole proprietor and editor Of
the paper, making for himself
name that was known and respected
far beyond the confines of his county
and district, and so indelibly stamp
ing the impress of his character upon
his publication as to make his name
inseparable from that of his paper
long years after he had ceased to
have any active part in it's publica-
ton or editing.
His Public Career.
Col. Thompson had long been in
! his fellow-men on many occasions
with positions Of honor and trust,
| and in every instance he served his
constituents with fidelity, integrity
and honor. AS early as 1853 he was
appointed Commissioner in Equity
| for Pickens District, and was re-
elected successfully by the Legsla-
ture every four years until 1870,
when the Office was merged into that
I of Clerk of Court. He also held for
t4aapy years iNwi th9llt comp enEetion,.
the office of Commissioner of Public
| Schools, and in 1860 he was elected
member of the convention which
! assembled in Columbia and "G1I les
ton and passed the Ordinance of Sc
cession, for which he voted. he was
the last survivor of that body Of men,
and 1T is peculiar circumstance that
, his was the central name among the
signers of that famous document,
/ there having been 1G0 signatures,
and that OF Col. Thompson, the last
to survive, being the S1st.
Immediately upon the adjourn
| ment of the convention Col. Thomp-
son set about, with characteristic en-
ergy and determination, to organize
| and raise troops for the war, and
| these efforts soon eliminated in the
organization Of Infantry Company B,
| Second Regiment Of Rifles, which was
| mustered into service as a part Of
Jenkins Brigade, Longstreet's Corps.
| After the second battle OF Manassas
he was promoted to lieutenant colo
mel Of his regiment, in which capac-
! ity he served until near the close Of
| the year 1868. Failing health then
M m M 1n1 tn
! service in the army. AS private and
officer he made a record that was
known for fidelity aud uniform
! bravery.
For number of years in later life
| Col. Thompson represented Oconee
county in the Legislature, serving
with signal ability and distinction.
His Career as IL Lawyer.
During the time that Col. Thomp-
son had been engaged in the news
| paper work he had also given all
spare time to the studying of law,
| and on his return from service in the
army he was admitted to the bar, the
| Circuit Judge by whom he was eX-
amined and admitted being Judge
| James l.. Orr. Col. Thompson prac-
| ticed his profession from that time
until few years ago, when declin-
ing strength and the weight OF years
| forced him to seek the rest and
quiet that his long life of constant
activity made necessary. Even after
his retirement from active practice
the veteran counsellor was wont to
be at his office at the Court House
and mix and mingle with the other
members Of the legal fraternity, who
! ever held him In the highest esteem.
During his years Of active practice he
was associated with such men as
! Gen. Samuel MCGOWAN, Jos. II. Earle
and James l.. Orr, his last partner
ship being with Col. r. #. Jaynes,
| still a member Of the Walhalla bar
AS legal adviser and counsellor
/ Col. Thompson ranked as the peer of
any man, his strong point being his
diligent search for truth and fact,
! and the clear application OF the law,
with which he was thoroughly con-
| versant. He was not a brilliant ora
tor, and depended upon sound doc
ltrines Of law and the careful study
Of every phase Of his cases rather
than upon nights of oratory to i'm
press his points upon the jurymen.
Col. Thompson had long been
consistent member of the Walhalla
J Presbyterian church, which he had
served for years in the capacities OF
deacon and ruling elder, and time
and again had been chosen to repre-
sent his church in the councils Of the
| presbyteries and general assemblies.