The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-01-31
A Mcmcnto of Love to the Memory o
Clayton S. Allen

a Mcmcnto of Love to the Memory o,
Clayton S. Allen
Who fell an innocent victim by the
hands of a diabolical set of conspira'
tors against the village of Lowndes'
vile on Monday night Dec. 4. 1t is
a most crushing reality to his fond
parents, and those who loved him
most, to know he was the martyred
victim against whom no envy or
malice was given; but like an limo
cent Lamb travelling his own" green
pasture over, on his native heath
| without spot or blame, vas ambushcd
and sacrificed, thereby rescuing others
from a most cruel, heartlcss, and blood
curdling fate, and how the hearts OF
those whose lives and property was on
ly awaiting destruction, must bow IN
deep sorrow for the loss of our noble
one whose precious blood flowed freely
in their midst, a ransom for their safe
ty. Had death in a natural form en-
tered the household and laid his win
try whitening hand on him we mourn
we would have felt, God doeth all
things welln and bowed submissively
to his will, but oh /! 81 hard under
these trying circumstances to- say. 1T
is WELL" and feel q perfect resignation
to the mournful tragedy which has
%bllghted SO many bright hopes. These
murderers would have. quaked in
shame and horror over the terrible
deed perpctratcd, could they have
witnessed the anguish of those aged
parents, when hearing footsteps ap-
preaching, thinking their only son, an
almost idolizCd treasure, was coming,
when instead, it was q messenger
bearing the heartrending intelll-
gcncc that Clayton was killed while
riding along unaware of danger. The
cruel volIey poured forth and pierced
his head and body, and there in the
hard stony road, weltering in his own
precious blood, lay the comforting
~'sstaff" of his grief-stricken parents,
the loved brother of three fond. sisters
one q widow who was especially all
object of tender care anu deep sympa-
thy to him, and all a fully attest to
the faithful discharge OF his duty to
her and her little ones.
Had these cruel murderers have
searched the country over for a victim
that would make the deepest gloom in
one ousehold and be most universal
ly lamented we would say they had Sc
lected well, for death had entered their
home scarce q year before "loosed the
silver cord, broke the golden bowl"
and took the eldest and first born son;
the idolized husband the kind and
gentle father. Six months later the
"white winged" messenger entered
again and bore away a beautiful baby
OH whose waXen brow two summers
had scarcely set. Being a living image
of her deceased father, she was the
pet Of grand parents, a ''con-
Meeting chain" of lost love and hap
piness to her hcart-broken mother.
She seemed to know the grief that
filled the house with gloom and like a
visitant from the beautiful
shore, she petted and carresscd each
one, pointed them, as it were, to heav-
ell, then took her flight to God, there
to await and welcome, "Claytie" her
pet Uncle. AS n friend too much can
not be said. Clayton's absence makes
truly an "aching void" none call ever
fill. The fearful eyes, the quivering
lips, the eager determination to seek
out and bring to justice those who had
cast this dark gloom, showed too
plainly how his friends and comrades
in this our dearly bought Democracy,
loved and honorcd him. In all the
meetings of the past campaign he was
among the first to join, although his
health was very feeble. Ee would
rise as it were from the verge Of death
and go, though his pale face and weak
form showed his inability to serve his
country; but buoyed with bright
hopes of future deliverance from Rad
ical bondage, he shared with his COM
rades the many successes Of the pOlit-
ical meetings and was ever the ''cen-
ire start of true manhood and intrin-
sic worth. The Lowndesville club, of
which lie was q loved member, felt
they had in him u true patriot, II
whose noble heart beat in unison with
theirs, whose strong arm and firm
hand never quailcd, and whose manly
form had never made II retrograde
step from danger, and his merry laugh
and bright chcerful!disposition threw
a ray of sunshine in their midst.
We who have known Clayton from
his early boyhood days can trace
with memory's finger the bright pa
res of his short life here and find
nothing to throw a shadow of shame
on his spotless character; all regarded
him as one whose t%ruthfulness, homes
ty, and tirmness was almost without
parallel. Truth sat a bright diadem
on his brow, honesty placed her
matchlcss star therein, firmness lent
additional lustre. and charity
threw her beautiful mantle around to
protect and show to the world his *
ccllent moral qualities. He loved the
church, and most highly esteemed
Gods people, and his seat was rarely
ever vacant there, his voice often min
gled in singing praises to God, and to-
day our hearts feel the deepest pain in
knowing that his voice is now hushed
and will never swell an eathly an
them again. Darling one, we have
laid you in your deep, dark, and 81
lent grave, but your precious memory
is hallowed and sacred to lis. May
God in his great mercy, help US to
bear this dark and mournful stroke,
which so suddenly blighted his and
our brightest earthly joys and with
cred our most sauguine hopes.
Monterey. q.