The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1914-01-09


NJ Efrd | was principal Of the high
school, he was law student and for
time secretary to Congressman
Stokes. We became friends. Seven
teen years have passed since then,
but through them Ill l felt that the
! glow of this friendship remained
steady though our occupations were
different and our homes in different
communities. We held many interests
in common. We each claimed New
Jerry college as alma mater, each,
though from different sections Of it,
the Dutch Fork as home. Scores Of
his friends were my friends, our po-
Iitical principles were the same al
though in their application We some
times widely differed, yet always with
completest good will, and so I think
l knew him
His most prominent mental endow-
1nent was his power in analysis. This
was his strength as a lawyer. He
could resolve an intricate case into
its elements and seize the central
facts and having done this could state
them with clear and convincing skill,
and with a logical precision that
would compel assent. He could ex-
plain the abstract principles of the
law so clearly that one who had never
looked into a law book could under
stand them.
He followed a high code of honesty
and personal honor He was trust
worthy. All the petty superfcialties
and hypocrisies, too frequently seen
among men, were far from his mind
and heart. He respected his own in
tegrity and insisted that it should be
respected by all his friends. He was
true to his word, true to his friends
and true to his trust. Just as in his
thinking the lines Of thought were
straight, so in his dealings with his
teiIowmen his conduct swerved not
away from the strait line Of rectitude
The busy life Of a lawyer left hin
Little time for the cuitiE2tion of his
caste for lite. ature, but he possessed
this taste and greatly enjoyed tie
pleasures derived from it. His ap-
probation Of the classical in both
ancient and modern literature was
scholarly and profound. Many times
have l enjoyed hearing him read
from the master productions of De
mosthenes, Shakespeare, Byron and
on down of Webster, Calhoun and
Lincoln, and have pTof:el by his kee2
and discriminating comments on
what he read. He was a modest man,
he never paraded his attainments and
doubt if very many knew of the
wide range of his reading Or the depth
of his classical scholarship.
He welded the power OF strong
personality. His influence in the
county was widespread and among
his intimate friends his influence was
remarkable. He was always cool and
collected, firm and positive, clear In
conviction and definite in policy,
hence men rallied around him, clung
to him, respected him and followed
him. They had learned Of his COM
potency, they had tested his judg-
ment, they believed in his integrity,
and trusted his honor.
His manners were quiet and unas-
suming, in temperament he was re-
served, yet he was tender hearted
and was easily moved by fine senti-
ment. The unfortunate, the outcast,
the distressed found him sympathlz-
ing counsellor and a generous help
er. He was an entertaining converse
tionalist, perfectly natural and easy
among friends and he numbered
friends among all classes Of people.
He was no snob, but showed the re-
fined instincts of true gentility in all
social relations. Loyalty was the
shining thread woven through the
pattern of his character. He was
loyal to his friends, to his county and
/ to his State. His love for his mother
was abounding and beautiful to see.
This love shone with the steadiness,
and brightness Of a beacon light.
But the curtain has dropped, the
lights have gone out, the play is end
! ed and he has passed to the great be-
yond. His faults and frailties will be
forgotten, his virtues will be remem-
'bered and become the cherished pos
sessions Of his friends.
S. J. Derrick.
Lexington, S. c., Dec. 26, 1913.