Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-08-03
A mOurnfuI but Heroic DcaIh---A
Noble Young Man Sacrifices
his own Life 20 Save
Another.



The holiday pleasures OF Saturday even
ing last were suddenly changed 20 mourn
ing by the sad intelligence, which, swift as
the wind, swept over the city, that Mr.. n.
Z. Lancaster, one Of Jaekson's favorites,
had sacrificed his life 70 save another
Like clouds filed with weeping, gloom and
sorrow gathered over the city, and with
the agonized grief Of stricken hearts, was
mingled the tears OF the entire community.
In company with q party Of friends he
was attending 4 barbecue near DeBer-
rvs mill on Forked-Deer river about seven
miles west Of the city. After dinner be
and Mr.. RObt. Cartmell walked down the
river to where some little boys were bath
ing, and seated themselves at the foot Of
large tree. At this point the river Is wide
and very swift, caused by the junction Of
the race and river. But sand bar makes
out above the junction, extending across
the river, and the boys mentioned, several
Of whom could not swim, were bathing
and playing in the shallow water caused
by this bar. just below the bar, where the
race and river meet, the water Is very deep
/ as well as swift. The boys were throwing
| chunks into the river and catching them
before they foated beyond their depths.-
One Of them, n little fellow by the name Of
Robt L. Taylor, and nephew Of Mr.. Pike
| Taylor, ventured too far in pursuit Of 4
chunk, and was caught in the swift cur
rent and whirled into the deep water be-
low. The other boys raised the alarm, and
| Mr.. Nat. Lancaster, throwing OF his coat
and hat as he ran, plunged into the river
and swan directly to the little fellows res
cue. On reaching the drowning boy, Nat
| seized him and commenced swimming
ashore, but the little boy, in his fright
threw his arms around the neck OF his gal
| liant preserver and held him so tight that he
could make no Roadway against the rapid
| current, and no doubt ehoked him until his
strength was exhausted. Mr. Cartmen,
who could not swim himself, and who was
the only man in helping distance, seeing
Lancaster's peril shouted 10 young Taylor
/ TO turn him loose, which the noble little
fellow did. But poor Mats strength was
gone. The pressure about his neck, to-
gether with his heavy boots and clothes
and the current, had done their work; and
with TOO feeble efforts he sank TO rise no
more in life. Very shortly after Nat went
down others reached the spot, and the little
boy he had lost his life to save, was re-
cued by Mr.. Pike Taylor and son Of Mr..
/ Jack. Harris. The widest excitement pre-
vailed, and the river was soon filed with
men diving for the body of poor Mt
Hour after hour paJsed-men became ex-
| hausted with swimming and diving-the
sun was low down in the sky, and still the
noisy waves refused to give up the dead.
| Mr.. John L. Lancaster, the father of the
deceased, had arrived, and stood upon the
bank in all the terrible agony of a strong
mans grief, calling upon the name Of his
heroic boy. Just as the sun went down
Mr.. John Tomlinson, who was dragging
the river with hook and line, felt some
thing which yielded 10 his pull, and in a
moment the dead body appeared above the
waves and was borne to the bank. Who
can describe the scene that followed? The
deepening, solemn twilight-the gloom of
the forest, the rushing river, the stark, still
form Of the dead, the kneeling father, wild
with agony, and weeping friends gathered
around, all forming a picture at once
touching and sublime. BE was laid in his
fathers carriage, and through the gather
ing darkness, along the silent road they
bore him to the home which but few
hours before he had len in the pride OF his
strength. The Odd Fellows buried him on
Sunday evening with the beautiful ceremo-
MES Of the order. As fitting tribute TO
the hero the city turned out en- mGSse,
a.. -rs.osss,,, &c. 49,. A.,
jackson. The streets were crowded with
people who stood uncovered AZ the funeral
train passed, and the mournfnl music and
gathering twilight, added sOlemnity sad
impressiveness 70 the occasion.
Nathaniel Edwards Lancaster was in The
18Th year Of his age, and a young man
highly esteemed in sll the relations OF lie.
He was generous and brave. firm in adhe-
renee 70 duty, and Of urblemished personal
honor. The moral, social ard christian
virtues united to form in him character
OF great promise. And with one accord
the sympathies Of the people are with his
adiieted family in their great loss. But
he died noble death-a death that recalls
to earth the days when great deeds ranked
men among the Gods. Yet, even now, he
roes are embalmed in song and story, and
the music OF their grand deeds finds al
echo in every age. The name of him whC
wrote the song or story may per
ish, but the hero of either will
live forever. Deep in the human heart
more eadurable than impressions OF
bronze or brass are the names and deed
Of the worlds heroes, and high amons
them in letters OF immortality will glitte
the name Of Nathaniel Edwards Lancaster
who died the noblest death Of the hero
dying to save the life Of another.