Something strikes me as slightly fraudulent about the South Carolina elections. More than just the typical conditions of voting in that area.
South Carolina in general, 1892-1952
1892: 78-19 Dems
1896: 85-14 Dems
1900: 93-7 Dems
1904: 95-5 Dems
1908: 94-6 Dems
1912: 96-1-3 Dems
1916: 97-2 Dems
1920: 96-4 Dems
1924: 97-2 Dems
1928: 91-9 Dems
1932: 98-2 Dems
1936: 99-1 Dems
1940: 96-4 Dems
1944: 88-4 Dems
1948: 72-24-4 Strom
1952: 51-49 Dems
That sounds about right for South Carolina, considering the fact that most black people couldn't vote during those times. They were hardcore Democrats: in 1948, hardcore Strom Thurmond supporters and then in 1952, like much of the South, lukewarm to Adlai Stevenson.