The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1881-01-12

Thu deceased was born near Phoenix In this
county, April %, le2i, and left there In early
childhood. AT seven years of age he was left
an ophan-at that aCe both his parents were
dead. He received an ordinary common
school education, and when n young man
came to Abbeville, when he was employed iL
q bar. room kept by Mckinney Thomas. He
soon quit this business, however, and went to
the country where afterward in February,
1917, he married Miss Phoebe S. Britt. He
iarmed on the I.aurenS Lands near White
Hall, then he overseed for Mr.. Leonard Lips
comb, near New Market; removed to Shat
teriieId, EdgeileId county in 1853. IL 1863 he
came back to Abbeville County, and finally,
In lsGS, he came TO Abbeville village, where
be remained until his death.
THE Loss OF HIS PROPERTY.
Up to the time thai he came to Abbcville,
he was successful in business. and had accu-
mulated quite n handsome estate, but after lie
came here, he quit farming, went TO SpccGlat-
ing with his money, became addicted TO
drink, and, it Is said, that he at times, risked
money OIL games and that n portion OF his
money went in that way: From these causes,
together with IN injudicious lending OF mon
life soon vanished 'for riches certainly
make themselves wings; they fly away as an
eagle"
HIS TROUBLES INCREASE.
Misfortuncs usually come in batallions,
and the life Of Mr.. Mars proved no exception
to the rule. When his fortune was well-nigh
spent, five or six years ago lie had an attack
OF paralysis, from which he never entirely re-
covered. From that time forward his wrecked
constitution, and his impoverished condition
made him an object Of sympathy. He that
was once so well OF in this worlds goods, and
healthy and vigorous in body and mind was
for the last few years of his life impaired III ill.,
tcllccl IL frail in body. wholly dependent for
whatever Of the comforts Of life he mhy.have
enjoyed. IN The days OF his prosperity he
provided literally for his family, and was al
ways considered an honest man.
In Mr.. Mars We ave another instance of the
what may be In store for us nj the last. The
miSfortuncS which attended him lattcrly, fur
nish another proof of the fact that 1T Is dan
gernus for n man ad ranced In years to change
his busincsSnnd habits of life. AS n farmer
Mr.. Mars was uniformly successful and the
end Of the year always fOund him richer than
at it's beginning, but as q merchant, money
lender, and Spectator, he was as cOrspict-
ously unsuccessful as he had been distinguish
cd for his prosperity rs II farmer. The idea of
coming TO town to live in case the remainder
OF his life proved his downfall. and others who
may be contemplating a change from the farm
10 the village may well heed the example
which the deceased has furnished.
HIS LAST NIGHT.
Monday night Mr.. Mars, Mrs. Mars and 9TH
crs sat around q cheerful fire. the deceased
being more jovial than usual. The whi:kcy
which had been received that day, was OF an
extra good QualltE. l0uulcS were Iltuc. allu
all partooli OF potions from the same fnlnt,
and no one experienced any i'll effect frcm ii.
Mr.. Mars went to bed much earlier than the
others whom he left still about the fire. About
ten o'clock he made a call for his wife, who
Immediately responded, the household was
called, but it was evident that his days were
numbered. Physicians were sent for, but
could not be had, and he died at five o'clock
in the morning.
Ills TOME.
Mr. Nors lived I'm Fort Pick ems and. toreth-
cr with another family. occupied the very
comfortable dwelling, which once stood in
town whcrcit had been dedicated to the
worshipof the Most High. Many years ago
II gave place to Il more imposing editlcc, and
was moved to It's present location. IT Is now
the propcr1y of Mrs. Mars and has noneof the
appearances of Il church.
Mr.. MARS LEAVES OSE SON,
Mr.. James S. Mars, who married an excellent
lady in Grccnville several years ago. He is
now located in Charlotte, and Is a prosperous
cotton merchant in that city.