Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-07-28
JOSHUA Il. HUDSON
Eminent Lawyer Who Was Born In
Chester jail.
BELIEVED SLEEP WAS gASTE OF TINE
Was Fearless in His Decisions Render-
ing Verdicts on Law and Evidence
Loved His Dram.
By James Henry Rice, pr.

Born in the old jail IN CneSlSi, l"
dire poverty, Joshua III. Hudson forced
his way into the ranks of aristocracy
by sheer genius and caaracter, fos ne
was. first and last, an afistocrat. There
was not the faintest .su,Iicion of deIna :
gogue about him. ,
On the basis of brains and character
all aristocraoies have been founled,
In such wise Laye thsy. one andsan,
been recruited; for. III The Oldest,
proudest aristocracies CT the Old World
be examined from HeIlas to Britain. the
sitting process will be found going on
continuously. Good men are coming
in, weak men. are dropping out. At
heart every true man is an aristocrat,
whether he admits it or not. a pro-
fessed democrat is, a common liar or
fool! for in every mans bosom is the
wish to rise, to excel and surpass. That
universal ambition is tho germ of aris-
tocracy and the key to human progress.
1t is only when certain classes are
bolstered up by artificial laws and
special privileges (more common in
democracies than in any other form of
government, and more i.fiquitous thefe)
that they become odious to reason, and
subject themselves to hatred.
No three men in South Carolina were
truer aristocrats than Jpmes H. Car
Isle, James II. Thornwell and Joshua
II. Hudson and all came of humble
origin. ..t .s. az 49,. w..
Judge Hudson had much in common
with the jurists of England, In habit
of mind he harked back to the old
scholars who loved learning for its own
sake, such as DR. Richard Bentley and
Dr. Samuel Johnson. ,tl...
In his heart of hearts Judge Hudson
hated shams and would have none Of
them.
In the town of Bennettsville, where
he made his home, he commanded the
respect and affection OF all classes. The
Georgetown lawyers used to joke Judge
Hudson on his habits, since he came
from a town and county where prohi-
bition was an article OF faith, yet liked
his dram and took it without fear or
apology.
Yet think in this he was consistent,
for his people wanted prohibition. They
had different habits and customs from
the planter aristocracy Of the coast or
the Scotch Presbyterians of the up
country, among whom Judge Hudson
grew to manhood. He simply acquiesced
in their decision;;- but in ihis heart,
am quite sure, ne took no stock In that
Apocrypha. There is plenty Of evidence
to the contrary.
He was man, clean and strong,
facing squarely whatever came before
him.
When the new courthouse and Jail
were erected at Conway, Judge Hud-
son was invited to attend and speak.
was also invited as the guest of the
county, in.recognition Of my efforts to
bring that region abreast Of modern
communities.
1t was too early in the year for the
hotel at Myrtle Beach to open, so an
arrangement was made with the owner
whereby Judge Hudson and 1 could go
over, spend the night and enjoy the
beach. A special car was put at our
service by f. A. Burroughs and all ar
rangements for our entertainment pro-
vided for.
ho ho anrrpa6 IN 90 Qftnr I
had made myself responsible for his
entertainment. On the way over, he
called to me, saying: "You promised
to look after me. Are you fixed up?''
/ told him l was. ,
We'll" said the judge, 81 am a little
thirsty right now. Have you anything
aboard?" g..
He was reassured, TENDED to, and
made happy. That night, supper over,
laid the situation before the judge
What was his pleasure? Would he sit
on the piazza, chat and smoke or
would he prefer q lroll along the
beach?
He instantly decit u for the stroll
After some walk, ne SAlu ne was tlfed
and took my arm. l suggested going
back.
mo, sir!" he exclaimed. 81 am hav-
ing the time of my life. Go into that
Cirripcde matter again and explain the
starfsh. must have some hours
more. Let's keep on" Keep on we did
1t was glorious. The waves came
rolling in, smooth and high, for Myrtle
Beach is the longest strand in Ameri-
ca, and the name, Long bay, given il
on the charts, is just. For 42 miles Il
stretches, only broken by two small
swashes, which are Cry at low water
You can drive 4 from Cherry Grove
to Murrell's inlet. The high dunes be
hind shut out the sea from the fores
and when the moon rises over thu
water there is a watcrscape withou
parallel This line Of beach on tn
forcshore looks ghostly white, ant
over it sand crabs race, looking lik
wraiths. Sometimes q buck, pursued
by hounds, will boldly take to tn
water swim far out beyond the brak