Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1922-08-30
Paladins of South Carolina
Milledge Luke Bonham.
Iu.. Harry Rice. Jr.

James Henry Rice, Jr.
NV first sight of Governor Bon
ham was early in 1878. He had come
UP from Edgefield to visit his son,
the present Gen. Milledge Lipscomb
Bonham, then i'll with pneumonia.
Always a striking figure, tall
straight, imposing, a born military
man, he appeared to my boys mind
as a paladin of Romance; nor did
that childish impression ever leave
me; it abides to this hour for it is
essentially true.
Governor Bonham's father / am
told, came to South Carolina from
Maryland or Virginia settling first
at J~acksonboro, on the Edisto, a
place that had attained a certain
prestige because the legislature met
there during the Revolution, owing
to a laudible zeal on the part OF its
members to avoid being hanged. The
father later moved to Mount Willing,
then Edgefield district, now cut of
into Saluda county.
When young Bonham became So
licitor he prosecuted two white over
seers for numbering negroes, always
a popular diversion with gentry IN
that region, and convicted them
both being hanged.
Governor Bonham married a,
daughter of Colonel Nathan Griffin
of Edgefield, who was the comfort
and solace of his life until it's close.
Married when in her sixteenth
year, Mrs. Bonham was the mother
of a large family. Marked by simpli-
city and beauty, her character like
adamant graced every station, and
shed over her surroundings a ra-
dance and charm. Her taste was
true and exquisite. Fit mate for her
distinguished husband, she furnished
an example of what may be done in
n situation by an uncompromls-
ing force of character, Joined to wo-
manly sweetness.
In society which might not inapt-
ly be compared to the most brilliant
circles in Paris, she herself was the
central figure. Plain in manner and
without a shadow of %pretense, she
was queen of home and sovereign OF
the hearts around her.
General afterwards judge) Sam
uel MCGOWAN, an admirer of Gov
ernor Bonham almost to in
fatuation, thus spoke of Mrs.
Bonham to my father, on returning
from a visit to the Bonham home
near Edgefield:
"she is a wonderful woman, and
the governor calls her Pate cher
name was Patience)," and as the
general spoke, his eyes lighted with
fire and enthusiasm.
This was the impression produced
on all who knew her and came with
in her influence. Joining in her girl
hood the Baptist church to which her
fathers people belonged, she lived a
consistent Christian and died in the
faith wherein she was born.
/ can now see the erect form OF
the governor as he sat at meat, with
Mrs. Bonham grazing the foot of the
table, the cheer being enlivened with
wit and delightful converse. Never a
harsh word, never a shade of differ
ence there, but M unbroken charm
that drew the guest into that magic
circle and made him n of the fam
ily. There was more perfect
understanding between man and
wife. Their married life was an idyll.
After the battle of Bull Run gen
eral Bonham returned from Virginia
to become the governor of the state
and ruled it during the momentous
war years. At this time everything
was in his hands. There was practi-
cally no check. The finest tribute 20
Governor Bonham"s character that
could be paid is the fact that ne
came out of office without a dollar.
What would not a modern, practical
politician, a man of the people, have
done with such an opportunity? The
thought is staggering.
In 1878 Governor Bonham was
made one of three railroad commits
sioners, the office being created
largely for him. Members Of the gen.
eral assembly, then composed OF
high-minded, honorable men alive to
.LEu,+;o, yo+od for the measure as