Article published June 29, 1958

Several Judges Attend Dedication Ceremonies

Jurists were prolific at new Spartanburg County Courthouse dedication and Open House celebration Saturday. Additional to those on the rostrum, the event assembled in the West Courtroom Judge Clement Haynesworth, Greenville, U.S. fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and State Supreme Court Justices G. Dewey Oxner, also of Greenville, and Joseph R. Moss of York.

Legal leaders attending included State Attorney General T.C. Callison, Columbia, and his recently nominated successor, Dan McLeod.

Burnet R. Maybanks, Jr., another Greenvillian and lieutenant governor-elect, made one of his first new capacity official appearances at the dedication.

"God is the lawgiver," Dr. Marc C. Weersing, president of Spartanburg Ministerial Association and pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, solemnly reminded in his dedicatory prayer.

Courthouse collaborators C.Y Brown, Thomas B. Butler, J. Davis Kerr, J. Allen Lambright, Miller C. Foster, Sr., Paul Taylor, Edwin W. Johnson and Matthew Poliakoff were praised during proceedings for their advisory assistance as members of the Spartanburg County Bar Association committee on courtroom and related facilities.

So were Sam N. Burts, Sam R. Watt, Mr. Butler, Thomas W. Whiteside, T. Sam Means, Jr., and Mr. Kerr, composing the dedication program committee.

Hundreds of little folks were among the many visitors who saw their county government in action during the day-long open house. For many families, the dedication was a holiday. Most fascinating place to the youngsters was the modern new jail with its automatic locking and unlocking doors, radio room and other devices.

Congratulations to the people of Spartanburg County were telegraphed by many notables, including Gov. George Bell Timmerman, Jr., Sens. Olin D. Johnson and Strom Thurmond, Fritz Hollings, lieutenant governor and governor-elect, and Fourth District Congressman Robert T. Ashmore.

Federal Judge C.C. Wyche injected a bit of humor into the otherwise serious proceedings. During his address he pointed out that judges often are disposed to give young lawyers every ethical break possible in trying their cases, especially when they are pitted against noted trial lawyers. He related that not long ago one of these budding barristers was pitted against a legal lion in his court "and wasn't doing so well." Judge Wyche decided to give him a "lift" with limits and questioned several witenesses on pertinent points, whereupon the youngster interposed, "Judge, this is the first case I've ever had in a federal court. I've worked on it day and night. Now, if you're going to take it over, please don't lose it."

Wives and flowers brightened the proceedings. Among those attending were Mrs. Ernest W. Miller, Mrs. Ben E. Gramling, Mrs. Bruce Littlejohn, Mrs. B.B. Brockman, Mrs. Charles M. Pace and Mrs. Claude A. Taylor.

Long distance-traveling former legislator attending the dedication was Carl W. Littldjohn, Jr., of Durham, N.C. His dad, Carl W. Littlejohn, Sr., has an office in the new building.

Lost lookers were abundant among the visiting throngs. "Lots of folks are getting lost around here," Circuit Court Judge Bruce Littlejohn, presiding, remarked in pointing out that guides were available.

The west courtroom, scene of the dedication program, although brand new to open house callers, was very familiar to attaches who already had served new courhouse court sessions: Miss Folsom Smith, circuit courts stenographer; Solicitors J. Allen Lambright and J. Wright Nash, Clerk Ernest Miller and Sheriff B.B.. Brockman.

Keenly missed were Howard Bobo Carlisle, Sr., dean of the Spartanburg Bar and eminent historian, now in his 90's and ill for several months; T.J. Hendrix of Reidville and T. Wright Cox of Reidville, veteran legislators of productive years gone by, and the late Circuit Judge Thomas Sidney Sease.

A trio of togamen attended - Charles C. Moore, incumbent senator and former Sens. Howard McCravy and L.A. Odom.

The new $2 million courthouse is Spartanburg County's fifth, County Judge Charles M. Pace pointed out. He pointed out that the British were still occupying Charleston when first courthouse building was charted in 1782.