By Judge James E. Lockemy
Almost exactly 110 years ago, about twenty leaders from the newly formed area called Dillon County traveled to Columbia.
Their mission: to observe the final stages of passage of legislation creating the new county. Also included on the agenda was a special audience with Governor Ansel as he signed the birth certificate for the newest county in South Carolina.
Traveling with these new leaders was the namesake of the county, James W. Dillon. His father had left this poverty-stricken country of Ireland several generations earlier and had traveled to Virginia on a merchant ship. He migrated to upper Marion County. His son, James, grew up there, started a business, survived the ravages and economic woes of the Civil War and helped others who were not so lucky.
Others in the area opposed railroads coming over their lands, but Dillon, seeing the economic potential, encouraged the steam engine. He even gave them land to build the rails. As a result, the City of Dillon grew and challenged the county seat, Marion, for activity both economically and socially. By 1909, after several unsuccessful tries, the people of upper Marion County were victorious at the ballot box, and Dillon County was formed. Had earlier efforts succeeded, the county might have been named Calhoun or for some other state leader in history. By 1909, many of those names were taken, and people began to realize that a real-life hero lived among them. When others suffered, James W. Dillon was there to help. When others rejected progress, James W. Dillon accepted it with open arms. Even though, by 1909, he was an elderly gentleman and much less active than in the past, many still revered him and appreciated all he had done to make the dream of a new county a reality. Therefore, on the ballot was the question of what to name the county. By an overwhelming vote, the people chose “Dillon” as its name. The other choice “Pee Dee” was a distant second. Mr. Dillon did not engage in the “wild” celebrations on the evening the vote was announced as a then young Dolph Braddy described about the night of December 14, 1909. Instead, Mr. Dillon began to check his accounts and land holdings for a surprise announcement.
The pictures of the group that went to Columbia in February 1910 for the signing ceremonies, show a group of happy and proud people. Right after the signing they would attend a celebratory dinner in the capital city with libations flowing in the pre-prohibition era. Looking at the pictures of the event, displayed today in the Hall of History on the fourth floor of the courthouse, one is struck by the humble expression on the face of Mr. Dillon. He seems not to be celebrating but cherishing the gift that his people had bestowed upon him. He humbly holds the newly signed bill to his heart. He was like an early George Bailey from the movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, as he realizes that the people whom he had loved and sacrificed for so long now were returning that love. It is that image that was transferred to the portrait of James W. Dillon hanging in the first floor of the majestic building. An expression of “look at what I have done” is replaced by “I am so humbled by the people and land that I love- Thank you, thank you so much.”
A short time later, Mr. Dillon wrote a check and a deed. One gave the county $25,000 and the other a city block to build a courthouse. These were his birthday presents for the new county. The county that was created through his vision, his love and his leadership.
Three years later, Mr. Dillon died at his home. The people brought his body to the beautiful court house that his contributions had made possible. It lay in the state in front of where his image in his portrait now looks down with humility and appreciation. At his funeral on a hot July afternoon, The Reverend Stackhouse quoted from a famous English poem by William Collins, that celebrates the bravery of those that gave their all for their country Dr. Stackhouse changed that word “country” to “county” when he read: “How sleep the brave, who sink to rest; by all their county’s wishes best.”
Today, with the promises brought by an inland port and new industry, we celebrate what we have anticipate will be a bright future for Dillon County. This prosperity will no doubt cause many to move to create a “Hall of Fame: for Dillon County. Economic and political leaders will be touted that spurred the growth and caused such outstanding progress for the county. In doing so, I hope we do no forget our history. I hope we do not forget those who fought in the early years, often valiantly yet unsuccessfully, to create what we have today. Names like Jordan, Allen, Dr. Gordon and others meant a lot to our beginnings.
But most of all, let’s not forget that humble man of business, of human kindness, and of love for this county, James W. Dillon.
