The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1882-12-22
Col. Robert J. .Glgs.

Col. Robsrt J. .Glgs.
II is fitting place in these columns to an.
nounce the death Of Robert j. Gage, of Uuion
County, who died at his home on the last day
of November, full of years and of the honors of
well spent life. Few men have lived within
tA borders of the State to whom the cause of
a8( culture is more indebted. A. farmer all his
hfkyjth the exception Of n few years in Charles
f54after the war, living on and improving his
Pn$ imonal estate, his home was the abode of
G6erous hospitality and his enlightened and
kdccessful culture were examples to his neighbors.
We was well known throughout tho State for
Dis genial disposition and kind heart for his
'hntiring energy ani practical knowledge in
levery cause tending to agricultural progress,
giving both his time andhis pen freely when
ever they were needed. lie was one Of the
chief founders of the State Agricultural Society,
which held its annual meetings and fai,s in CO.
lumbia; was tho permanent secretary* and
principal working member from its inception to
the commencement of the war in 1861, when
the society was suspended. After the he
gave his assistance and counsel also to the or
ganization of the present Agricultural and Me-
chanica' Association, but with advancing years
he withdrew from active work and left it to
younger hands. Those who can recolect the
agricultural journals of 35 to 40 years ago are
familiar with the many contributions Of his pen
and the active part he took in discussions Of oil
matters tending towards agricultural improve
ment. Within the past few months, though en-
feebled by age, we had the benefit of his contr:-
buttons to these columns.
Born in Union, he received his preparatory
education at the country schools, entering the
South Carolina College in 1929, and In the class
of 1881 he took his degree. OF that college
class there are but few survivors left. Ex-Gov.
A. G. Magrath, Hon. r. N. Gourdin, Col. p. G..
Gaillard and Henry W. Ma 1igault, Esq. of
Charleston, and w. Mazyck Porchcr, of St.
Stephens, are the sole survivors as far as we
known. This tribute is from one who. junior
in years and in the college classes, knew him
there, and with whom friendly intercourse in
all their long intervening Yeas was cordial and
unbroken.
The above is from the Agricultural Editor
of the Charleston Weekly Ne,os, but the write,
has fallen into error in stating that Col. Gage
was the first Secretary of the State Agricultural
Society. 1t is true that he was one of the first
to advocate the formation Of that Society and
wrote many stirring articles upon the benefits
which would flow from such organization,
but Col. A. G. Summer was elected the first Sec
retary and served the Society in tha, capacity
for two years. During those two years, through
the Secretarys opportunities, but against the
advice of Col. Gage, the Society published an
agricultural monthly magazine and built large
and expensive amphitheatre upon the fair
grounds, both of which, rs Col. Gage predicted
involved the society in heavy debts and came
near breaking il up. The income from the maya
zine would have barely betrayed the expeus es
of its publication and q defaul,ing Clerk in
the Secrctary's Office was unable 10 account for a
large amount Of that, while the cost of the am
phitheatre was nearly double the estimate first
made.
Col. Gage succeeded Col. Summer. and went to
work with energy and economy 10 overcome I; Z
financial difficulties thus placed in the way OF
the Society's progress and usefulness; and had
the war not occurred, we have reason to know,
he would have cxtricatcd it from those Difficult.
ties aud plac ii the Society upon q sound fnan.
cial footing and made it splendid SUCCESS and
an honor 10 the State.
C.IMEs AND DCAsUALrIEs.-New York, Decem
Der ll.-A special from Charlotte, n. c., says
In Lilesville OH tuesday night. Alexander Dock
cry murdered two men and then escaped. Slaw-
SON Mapes and Richard Cribbs had for some
time been crimina!ly intimate with Dockery s
wife. They qnarreliel with the woman,
IL.