The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1916-10-27
An Account of the Last
Trial of Witchcraft Held
in the United States-Let-
ters From Rev. ]. ID. Bal
ley of COwpens.
GOV. DAVID JOHNSON.

(Read by Mrs. Mary Bailey McDure)
Gov. David johnson was born in
Louisa county, in the State of Vir-
giRia, on the 3rd day of October, in
the year 1882. His father removed
to this State in the year 1889, and
settled on the eastern side of Broad
river in Chester District, and Gov.
johnson resided ever afterwards in
this State, which he loved with all
the devotion of a son.
His education preparatory to the
study of the law was defective. At
the period of his arrival in South
Carolina, and for years afterwards,
the means of obtaining an education
in the upper part of this State was
very limited. He was placed, how
ever, at a grammar school in York
District, under the government and
supervision of the Rev. Joseph Alex
ander, Presbyterian clergyman, in
1886. What period of time he spent
there is not certainly known, but the
pecuniary condition of his father, the
Rev. Christopher Johnson, a worthy
being limited, it may fairly be pre-
sumed he did not continue until he
entered that course of life, which was
the forerunner of his subsequent great
usefulness, and constitutes the most
interesting period of his life-the
choice of a profession.
The Hon. Abram Mott, afterwards
one of the most distinguished judges
that has adorned the bench of this
undoubted probity, in the year 1899,
was a practicing lawyer in this Dis
trict, in that year. Gov. Johnson en-
tered the Office of the late Judge Mott
as student at law, and by his per-
severence and devotion to his studies,
was admitted to the bar in the year
1903, and in December of the same
year settled at this place. Immedi-
ately after his admission to the bar,
the industry which he had shown in
the prosecution of his studies, and his
firm integrity of purpose, induced
Judge Mott to tender him a partner
ship in the practice of the law, which
was accepted and continued until
Judge Motifs removal to Columbia,
leaving in the hands of Gov. Johnson
a heavy business, which was conduct
ed in such a manner as not only to
retain his clients, but to greatly in
crease them. There appears in all
Democratic countries, especially on the
part Of the young, to be desire for
the applause of the multitude. am
satisfied that Gov. Johnson had no
wish to pander to the puSlic sen.
timent Gas his subsequent life will
show, which will be adverted to here
after), but at the solicitation OF his
numerous friends who were anxious
to endorse not only his professional
bearing, but also his conduct of the
two Offices of ordinary and commits
sioner in equity, which had been con-
ferred upon him without his knowl-
edge, and which he had previously
resigned. In the year 1870. after a
very brief canvass, he was returned
to the legislature as one of the mem.
bers Of this District by a very hand.
some majority; and previous to the
end Of the term for which he was
elected in December, 1911, he was
chosen by the legislature solicitor OF
the then Middle, now Northern, cir.
cult. Here ends his political career
He never after aspired to an Office
before the people, and entered upon
course of life, in the legal profes-
sion, which was more congenial with
his taste, and for which he was emf
nently fitted.
In the year 1915, he was elected
one Of the law judges Of South Caro-.
lima over gentleman of great talents
and deservedly high reputation.
In the discharge of the duties OF
the various Offices of Judge in the
different departments which he was
called upon to act, until December
1846, when he voluntarily resigned
no man has ever given more salts.
faction.
On retiring from the bench he was
chosen by the general assembly with.
out opposition to discharge the du.
ties of chief magistrate of the State
The duties of the executive are few
and it certainly is an Office from
which laurels are not to be won. All
its duties were honestly and consti.
tutionally performed by him. Dur.
ing the term of his Office, call was
made on South Carolina for a regi.
nent of men to engage in the Mexi.
can war. He lent his aid and influ.
ence, not only in organizing tn regi
mzent, but was jealous and attentive
in providing for the wants and com.
forts of the soldiers, and assumed the
responsibility of defraying their nee.
essary expenses out of the public
treasury, which subsequently received
the sanction of the legislature.