The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-16

dart struck and laid him low, almost as
suddenly as if an electric flush had passed
through him.
Restoratves OF the usual kind applied in
such cases were quickly at hand, and the
nelghbors eXerted themselves 10 keep the
vital spark from being wholly extin-
guished but it was all of no avail. He
really expired before any of the remedies
were put into active service His dis
tressed wife and children were so terribly
| shocked at the awful calamity which had
so unexpectedly beiallen them that they
| could not realize for a time their great loss.
Last evening Mrs. Topp was in q high
fever brought on by the excitement and
the attending circumstances OF her hus-
| bands death.
Edward l.. Topp was native OF Nash
vile, Tenn, born June 20, 1888, and he
was the son OF the late Robertson 1opp,
gentleman prominently identified with the
early history OF our city, and for many
| years one of its leading capitalists and
most enierprising % inhabitants. His
| mother, who survives him, is the sister of
our fellow citizen, William l.. Vance.
The deceased gentleman has for more
| than two decades been engaged in the
business Of cotton buying for foreign and
eastern spinners' account. For u long
! period he was with the late Bronson Bay
liss, but for the past five years, and since
! the demise OF Mr.. Bayliss, he was the
leading member OF the firm OF L. l.. Topp
d Co.
Mr.. Topp in early life received finished
education, having attended the schools OF
| Troy, n. Y, and later college at Neck
! lenburg, \. c. lie was well vcrsed in
civil engineering, was quite clever in
! geology, and had q passion for minerals
4 few years ago he traversed the mineral
districts OF the State of Arkansas carrying
his hammer and assaylng apparatus TO test
the worth OF various specimens that came
in his way, the object he had being to sat
isly himself rs TO the value Of the several
mines he visited
Some fifteen years ago Mr. Topp crossed
the ocean and passed several months
touring through Europe. His wife, who
survives him, was Eudora Bayliss, re-
fined lady OF cultivated mind and a lead
ing belle during her young ladyhOod, the
niece of the late Bronson Baylss. In the
early part of the Interstate war Mr. lopp
served rs soldier, and was on the staff OF
nm acting brigudier in the action at Bel
mont, Mo-, where Gen. Grant was de.
icated by the southern forces under Pill
low. Choatham and Polk. Mr. Topp re-
ccived honorable mention for his galantry
in that sanguinary engagement, and the
same is recorded in the history ot the war
now being issued by order oil the war de-
partment at Washington and compiled
from the official records Of both the Con.
icdcrates and the Felcrals.
The family OF the deceased includes ont
son, a little lad of seven or eight years
and several daughters, the oldest Of whom
was graduated at one Of our leading sem
inarcs, and their mother.
Mr.. Topp was aman oi thcstriCtest integ'
rity, and while many regarded him ~
cold and austerc, yet he really possessed 9
kind, generous and sympathetic DISPOSE
ton, which those who knew him bcs
were not slow to appreciate. lie was on
the eve Of what promised 10 he very sue
cCssful business career, his cotton purchas
ing traffic last wear exceeding 1900 bales
and the ind ltions pointed to a large in
crease the ensuing autumn and wintc
, season.
Mr.. Topp was a member OF the Tonnes
see Chicklslw Guard club, and was ale,
allied to the Memphis Commandcry No
1, Of the Masonic brotherhood, under III,
auspices Of which his funeral will be con
. Quoted today.