The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-11-25
EUGENE TAGGART.
A Companion of His Childhood Pays
Touching Tribute to His vir.
tues, and Laments His UntimeIy

Eugene Clarence Taggart was born in Able
vile county, S. c., in the Clear Spring neigh
borhood, March l, 1855, and was killed in n
railroad wreck near San Antonia. Texas, No
vember IL, 1891.
The writer was his most intimate friend his
companion and lover from the earliest recol-
lection Of childhood, and can speak, II not
impartially, at least truthfuly of his many
noble traits of character. No child was more
idolized by parents. by relatives, by friends,
by companions. From his youth gentleneSs
and manliness developed side by side in his
nature, making him in many respects as ten
der-hearted as a girl. and in other respects as
strong as q man. His love of little children
was something wonderful for a boy, and he
them in his arms and covered them with ca
resses and kindness. He was generous to a
fault, and the last time the writer ever saw
him was when he unexpectedly met him in
Augusta, Ca, where he was generously be-
friending an un fortunate young man. who
had been the victim Of Il villain.
At school he was the most popular boy on
the play ground. In the drawing room his
genial disposition, his bright and ever ready
wit made him the centre of every circle and
the most agreeable of companions. He en-
joyed the advantage of a good High School
education, being trained chiefly under the
tuition Of such men as Prof James L. Leslie
and DR.. E. L. Patton, and that equally emf
nent and successful teacher, Mrs. Kate P.
Kennedy.
At an early age he left home to enter the g
years has resided In Texas, where he held sew
eral positions of responsibility, being at the
| time of his death u conductor of the g. H. d
Sa. r. r. The wreck" was through no fault
of his. A car of lumber had become detached
| from O train in advance Of his, and rolling
backwards collided with his train, wrecking
| fifteen cars, and, II Is supposed, killing him
| instantly. The accident occurred at 7.30 p. M.
and the body could not be recovered from be-
meath the wreck till 7.30 q. m. next day when
II was evident life had long been extinct.
The remains were brought home by his broth
er Thomas Taggart, also conductor on the
same railroad and lai d TO rest In the Taggart
burying ground by the side OF his father,
| w. II. Taggart.
1t is not the purpose Of the writer to suggest
that he was fautless. He was like the rest OF
us subject to infirmities of the flesh, being i'm.
pulsive, high strung, and yielding easily to
| influence both good and bad when strongly
presented. When, however, made aware OF q
fault his repentance was sincere and ample,
and 1.-The amende honorable was cheertully
offered. The writer loved him like n twin
brother, and never for a moment doubted his
devoted love in return. From childhood they
grew side by side in each others home; in
school they shared the same desk; and in all
manhood; and there was never once serious
| interruption of their friendship. AT man.
hood they were separated by divergent paths
in life; and now comes the awful and sudden
| separation by death, leaving the survivor in
bitter tears and with still more tender emo
tion for the companion of his youth.
He was cut down suddenly, in the 37th year
Of his life, and In the prime of manhood. II
| was terrible shock TO his widowed mother.
his sisters and brothers, and large circle OF
| relatives and friends. 1t is one of the saddest
and most mysterious dspensatons Of Provi-
| dence. and speaks to us in trumpet tones, "Be
ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye
think not the Son of Man cometh.' S. l.. NJ.