The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1888-04-19
THE SUDDEN DEATH OF SECRETARY
OF STATE LEITSER.
Attacked With Heart Disease While His
Family Were Preparing for Church.

Especial to the News and Courier.]
COLUMBIA, April l5.-The Hon. Il.
w. Leitncr, Secretary of State, died
suddenly at his residence in this city at
1915 Il. III. to-day. The news will give
us gre.y shock to the people Of South
Carolina as it does to those of Column
bia, who have been among the warmest
friends of the secretary. Major Leitner
complained yesterday Of feeling rather
badly, and when he rose this morning
spoke of Il feeling of structure across the
chest. He would not, however, allow
physician to be sent for, and thought
that he would be presently relieved.
He sat down to breakfast, but ate very
sparingly. After breakfast he walked
out to the State House grounds and
conversed fora little while with friends,
and then returned to the house, lay
down on sof, in his sitting room
while his family were preparing to go
to church. \ few minutes afterwards,
when one of the household returned to
the room, Major Leitner was found ly-
ing on the floor convulsed with pain.
DR.. \. y. Talley, Il college-mate and
friend of the secretary, was Instantly
sent for, and in Il few minutes was upon
the spot, but upon his arrival life was
extinct. Major Leitncr died of paraly-
sis of the heart. The attack, as it al
WAYS is in heart disease, was sudden
and severe.
Major Letner, while representing
kerShaw County in the State Senate,
was always friend to Columbia and
Columbians; and since his election to
the secretaryship of the State he had
secured a warmer place than ever III
the hearts of our people. His upright
lieSS, warm-hcartedness and geniality
made him everywhere popular.
Major Leitner had, by invitation of
the Richland Survivors Association,
prepared an address TO deliver, on Me
mortal day, May ~, and this tribute of
a gallant veteran to the brave who had
gone before, will doubtless be read with
touching pathoS. The flag on agricul-
tural Hall is at half-nlaSt in honor of
the dead secretary.
Governor Richardson, who w;lS Il
clasS-mate of Secretary Leitncr at the
South Carolina College, and ever since
that time has been warm personal
friend, WAS in Camden to-day visiting
relatives. TO him and the friends and
relatives of the dead secretary III Cam
den, the South Carolina Railway Com
pany have rendered special train,
which will bring them to Columbia to-
night. 1t will not be decided until to-
morrow whether the funeral will take
place here or in Camden.
Major Leitner was 4 member of the
Methodist church and attended, Willie
in Columbia, the Washington Street
Church.
lie leuvcSa wife and five children with
little legacy save house and lot in
Camden and three thousand dollars ILL
Sul;lncr.
One of his TWO Sons is attending the
South Carolina College.
Secretary of State William l.. Leitner
Was born in Fairfield County, hear
Winnsboro, on September 25;;, lS2,9, and
was in his 59th Year. He entered
the South Carolina College i'll 1871
and WAS graduated in the class OF 1912.
In lSl5 he w;lS admitted to the Bar.
Devoted to his people and to the for
tunes OF his State he entered the hllll-
tary service OF South Carolina III the
Camden Volunteers on April :, 1861,
and was present at the bombar,iment
of Fort Sumter. After the surrender of
the fort he Went To Virginia, where he
WAS engaged in most of the battles
fought by the army of Northern Eir-
"inia. Al Gettysburg his right leg WAS
shattered below the k,irc 10y grlptShot
and WAS amputated.
During ne war and Immediately af-
ter th, war he was elected to the Legis-
lature from kerShaw County AT head
Of the ticket. He was also elected Dis
trict Judge and held that position until
the District Courts We're set aside by
the military commander during the re-
period.
In 1876 he led the Democratic CAM
paign in his county, but WAS defeated
by the Republican candidate. In 1854
he was elected to the State Senate from
ker>haw County, and served in that
body until his nomination and election
rs secretary Of State two years ago.