The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-02-25
DEATH or VIM. II McCAW, ESQ.

The following tribute to The memory
of Wm. Ii. McCaw, Esq, which we
clip. from the columns OF the CntOA-
Ucruid, aud which cmanates from the
pen uf l.. G. Northrop, editor i'll chlcl,
is so gcLevous in tome, and Just and dis
crinlinaliEg in spirit, that we feel that
we can add nothing to It's words OF de-
served culogy. That such testimony
should come from a political opponent is
the highest tribute to that parity and
nobility Of character which, even more
than his brilliant mental endowments,
scared the respect and admiration OF
ali WHO knew the deceased. Few
uoA!cr or more c.livalric spirits ever lived
than he, and Abbrvi,ic drops the tears
of deepest sorrow and tcndcrcst Sympa-
thy over the early grave Of her gifted
son -
".Ih;s community has rarely been
startled hy Il more hcart-rCndinG accl-
dent than occurred, according to the ac-
count we have been able 10 gather, about
thrcc o'c!oci; OH the morning OF the 18Th
instant. 1t appears that Mir. w. IL.
McCaw, VINO MAS Oh the editorial Stall
of the Charleston Ncws Gntt CoHriGr,
was compelled by his duties to Keep late
hours, and was often at work long after
midnight in his Office, III law range.
lie lett the Columbia Hotel about l2:oJ,
and proceeded to finish his usual work,
which he concluded about three O'CLOCK.
On rising from hi. table, it Is supposed
that lie upset the Kerosene lamp, which,
exploding, cuvciopcd him iii 1lameS.
With Il rare presence OF mind he TIRE"
of his burning orcr-cOat, under coat ana
vest, aud called for assistance, but Dc!Orc
it reached him he wcs icariully burnt.
Everything that medical attenuancc,'
skill and Tie most loving care could 90
WAS done To relieve his sulierings, and
when the angel OF Il better and hoicr
world laid its gentle hand upon his
agony, he arose III the pride or his 'll-
su!iicA manhood and Returned hlsbrlght
life into the hands of Him who gireth
and taketll away.
Mr.. w. II. McCaw was well known
in this city, amt almost as well known
throughGut the State. With Il powerful
and cultivated intellect, with 4 warm
and generous nature, with u fearless and
ciivalric character, he made straight his
baths before his icIlown:an, imruIslvc'
and vigorous, yet brave and collected.
McCaw was strong and energetic in III!
things: strong in his likes strong in his
disli!ics strong in dcLouncing what he
believed 10 be wrong and strong in sls-
tanning what he believed to be night.
1t was our province to differ with him,
rIcut!y differ with him in many things,
and to meet him honestly, squurely. and
galiantIy in the honest rivalry of our
profession. 1t WAS our privilege to feel
that the sharp sentence that dashed from
his pen, like the flash OF the blade OF.
Toledo, often lost its tempered edge in
the ready smile, the merry laugh, and III
the gentle expression and gelIius of an
eye that never quuilcd in tue discharge
or con sequences OF his duty.
There is no man without the fault of
human nature, but whatever his faults,
he wore the homer OF his gallant and
prom i>in; youth like diamond on his
BOSOM, uud carried in his hand, even
unto death, the love ard admiration Of q
host Of friends. among whom he was a
tower of strength, and the respect even
of those. who stood opposed to him in
the struggle of life.
Over his untimely grave The Union
NcruW claims the right TO place its
wreath Of inmortelles as an humble
tribute to his departed worth. Bcdtus
vir qW tineet Dominuna."
Mr.. McCaw was in the twcnty-ninth
year Of his age, and leaves widow and
three children.