During a lifetime divided in nearly equal measure between the states of South Carolina, Georgia, and Texas, Styles, a veteran of two wars, developed a reputation for finding his way into political frays and military adventures.

[2][3] While living in Edgefield, Styles became convinced that a railroad was needed to link Columbia, South Carolina, with Augusta, Georgia.

In an effort to bring the matter to public attention, and to rally support for the proposal, Styles began publishing a pro-railroad weekly newspaper, the Edgefield Informer.

More likely, however, Styles was attracted to the area by a series of recent events which pitted powerful interests, headed by state representative Jacob Moore, against the common citizenry.

Moore, and others, had managed to persuade the Georgia General Assembly to pass legislation giving them control over significant amounts of local real estate.

Witness accounts had Moore firing first, and though Styles was subsequently arrested for manslaughter, the charges were eventually dropped.

[5] Sensing a story, and historic events in the making, Styles proceeded to Charleston, South Carolina, where he was able to attach himself to the Hagood Regiment staff.

In the early years following the war, Styles took great exception to the Radical Reconstruction program then in force, and advocated for a more moderate response based on his interpretation of Georgia's rights under the Constitution.

[5] Styles backed "constitutional reconstruction" advanced by Benjamin H. Hill and sought support for the idea from the national Democratic party.

[9][10] He resolved to bring a paper aligned with the Democratic party viewpoint to the Atlanta market, one supporting his constitutional reconstruction ideals.

[8] Ownership of the paper was divided between Styles and the two financial backers, James H. Anderson and future Atlanta mayor William A.

Unable to pay for his portion of the purchase, when the sale of his Albany News fell through, Styles was forced to surrender his interest in the paper to his joint venture partners.

Public opinion overwhelmingly supported an attempt to repudiate bonds issued by the State, during the Bullock administration.

Passions on this issue ran high, and Styles nearly had another "personal encounter" with a political opponent, as well as the editor of the Atlanta Herald.

But the siren song of journalism called him back to Brunswick in November 1879, where he established himself as the editor of the weekly Seaport Appeal.

[1][3][5] Carey Wentworth Styles died at his home in Stephenville, Texas on February 23, 1897, and is buried in West End Cemetery.