WHEREAS, Zack Seymour, Laurens County Coroner, died on January 26, 2000; and

WHEREAS, the undersigned is authorized to appoint a County Coroner in the event of a vacancy pursuant to Code of Laws of South Carolina (1976), as amended, Sections 1-3-220(2) (Supp. 1998), 4-11-20(1) and 17-5-50; and

WHEREAS, Francis G. Nichols, Jr. of 107 Chestnut Street, Clinton, SC 29325, is a fit and proper person to serve as the Laurens County Coroner.

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statutes of this State, I hereby appoint Francis G. Nichols as

Coroner of Laurens County until the next general election and until his successor shall qualify.