The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1922-02-03
GEORGE TOMBSTONE.
Memorial Adopted by South Carolina
Bar Association, January II, 1922.


Johnstone, was born at "CoatesWood,
the home of his parents in Newoerry,
S. c., April IS, 1S46, and died at his
home in Newberry March s, 1921. He
was survived by his widow, his broth
er Alan Johnstone, and his sisters,
Mrs. Clara NJ. McCrary, widow OF
Thomas MeCrary, Miss Fan { John
stone, and Mrs. Adeline Fowles, wld-
ow of j. Newton .Fowles. He was
married April 8, 1895, to Miss Kate
Rutherford, only child of Colonel
Drayton Rutherford, who was killed
in the battle of Sharpsourg, October
13, 1864.
George Johnstone was richly dow
cred in mind and body. He received
his preparatory education in private
schools, including those of Mrs. Susan
Anderson, Joseph Reid, the Rev. Leo
midas K. Glasgow, William Hood, the
Rev. J. L. Kennedy, and the Arsenal
in Columbia, after which he entered
the Citadel academy, the state MILL
tary school, in Charleston. From this
institution, in 1864, at the age OF 49,
he entered the Confederate service
in Company B, battalion of State Ca
diets, in command of Major j. b.
White. He was honorably discharged
at the close of the war. In 1895 with
other young Carolinians, he went TO
the University if Edinburgh, where
he spent three profitable years In gen
eral cultural study. Returning home
in 1869 he began the study OF law IN
the Office Of Col. Simeon Fair at New
berry.
When he came to the bar the state
was in the throes of reconstruction.
Reckless of cost and Of danger, ne
threw himself with passionate zeal
into the fight for white supremacy and
for the rescue of the state from the
grip of aliens and plunderers. The
devoted service that he the rendered
mas never been requited, and the pres
ent generation little understands. or
appreciates its incalculable value and
effectiveness.
In 1877 he was elected to the house
of representatives, where ne served
his county for four TERMS much OF
the time as chairman of the ways and
means committee. Then, and later, ne
was an ardent supporter of the South
Carolina college, when its cause was
unpopular and it needed friends. In
1890 he was elected to congress from
the Third congressional district He
took rank among the leaders Of his
party, but in the topsyturvydom OF
factionalism he was defeated Tor re-
election. Had he been a political op-
portunist, trimming his sails to the
shifting breeze, he could have held
his Office, and could doubtless have
realized his desire to occupy seat IN
the United States senate. But ne be-
ieved in the teachings of sound, po-
litical economy and the principles on
which our constitutional government
is founded, and he was not willing to
sacrifice his convictions to political
expediency. He had the confidence
and esteem of Grover Cleveland IN
1892, Just as he had enjoyed the con-
fidence and esteem of Wade Hampton
in 1875. In 1895, he was recognlz-
ed leader in the state constitutional
convention.
His reputation as an able lawyer
was statewide. He was engaged IN
many of the most important cases that
were tried in our courts. He held the
Office of president of the South Car
olina Bar association, and as special
Judge he presided a number of times
over circuit courts. He disliked the
routine of the law Office. He cha1eo
under the restraint of mere authorl-
ty, but was disposed to cut straight
through the rule and its trappings
and seek the reason Of the rule. He
believed in trial by jury, and he was
at home on the hustings and in the
forum. He was a great trial lawyer.
He had acute powers of analysis, and
great skill in the examination of wit
nesses. He never took notes Of testl-
mony. Bold, fearless, viri!e, aggres-
sive, self-conhdent, it was his policy
to put his adversary on the defensive,
and then drive him. Apt at repartee,
quick in retort, master of invective.
A countenance mobile and responsive
to his changing emotions, body
strong, supple and graceful, voice
rich hexibIe and of great power, lent