The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1922-12-05
PALADINs OF SOUTH CAROLINA
John Hampden Brooks, Born Sep.
tember 6, 1888. Died Novem-
Der ID, 1911

James Henry Rice, Jr., in The State.
Capt. Ham" Brooks, as he was
known throughout the length and
breadth Of the up country, although
ne became lieutenant colonel during
the Confederate war, was born at
Edgeheld, educated at Cokesbury,
Mount Zion institute, Winna5oro, and
the South Carolina college, class of
1854.
His grandmother was Butler, his
grandfather, Zachariah Brooks, serv-
ed with distinction in the Revolution.
and his father, Colonel Whitfield
Brooks, was one of the most promi-
nent men of his day and time in the
up country. The Buffers and the
Brooks we're Wings, on whom war
laid heavy toll. Many were killed,
some being massacred at Clouds
creek
Owing to the i'll health of his faith
er, Col. Whitfield Brooks, the man
agement of the plantation fell on his
wife, woman of discernment,
shrewd business tact and Of large
sympathies. Traditions of her linger
yet in the &C immunity more than so
years after her death. Captain Ham"
Brooks always told me that he owed
everything to his mothers training.
"Roseland," eight or nine miles be-
low Ninety Six, was enc of the large
estates of the old up country. Even
so late as forty years ago it had re-
tanned features Of colonial times.
The large plantation faced flower
garden, once tenderly cared for and
exquisitely kept. The road wound by
the dwelling in crescent, turning
from the highway. From end to end
it was shaded by oaks. One could
''hear through their urbrage ances
trail the wind prophesy as of yore.'
In open spaces Bermuda and blue
grass grew; back of the grove of big
trees behind the house, the land fell
away from spring, pure and sweet,
whose flow was carried off in branch
into the wilds Of Half Way swamp.
To the southwest another branch is
sued from hillside, coursing over
rocks and through gravelly soil, to-
ward what was known as ''the terri
tory" where it joined Ninety Six
creek. To the northwest rose from
the crown of hill patch Of stately
pines, visible ten or twelve miles
away in that region of hills and mark
ing the site of "Roseland" as light
house marks port.
The upper and lower verandas
were festooned with vines. In season
the whole place was glorified with ro-
ses, but many flowers lSlew there
down to the primrose and the violet
and the earliest roses blown"
The grove was always alive with
squirrels, many alb!nos among them.
for Captain Ham followed the exam
pie set by his wise mother and was
a conservator. The family chapel was
just off the highway, to the right as
you went toward Edgefeld.
These things are, after all, merely
by the way. When you stopped in
front Of the door, negro took your
horse and the host greeted you. From
the moment of arrival you were one
of the family. There was neither
shade nor shadow of turning in your
welcome. The wide halN had the
drawing room on the right, its walls
ornamented with ancestral portraits,
and the dining room on the left,
where the wide sideboard knew and
did it's duty.
Over it all presided Mrs. Brooks,
whose charm greeted yop and grew
steadily; for each day and hour re-
vealed some phase. new and uneXpec-
ted, IN her gifted character. A lovely
woman, a lovable woman, with dig
nifty never ruff1ed, anu grace equal
to exacting demands at home and
abroad. Her influence was visible. 1t
represented not only law. but the
force behind law, love. 1t was just
as unthinkable that any man, woman
or child should transgress her gra-
cious demands, as would be the at
tempt to extinguish the sunlight.
Rarely endowed by nature and NOV
ing all her youth in the highest circles
of South Carolina society-she was
daughter of Gov. James H. Adams
she had been educated at the famous