The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06
THE WORK OF DEATH.
Mrs. Eugenia Miller Robertson and
Mr.. James d. Chalmers Die May
80, 1894.

All this year our people have been notably
blessed with good health, and the absence Ol
death from among our adult people has been
remarked by many.
claimed only Two victims from among our
number-two little children.
During the year few hearts had been
bruised, and few homes had been filled with
mourning.
Joy and happiness ruled in nearly every
hume, and there were not many places In
which the shadow of gloom appeared.
But on last Wednesday night the Great En-
emy claimed two OF our people as his own
| two Of our homes were TUNED into homes OF
mourning, and two OF our families now
grieve the departure of loved ones.
The auditorium OF the High School on that
night was 8 scene OF light and beauty. Hoary
age, strong manhood, charming woman mood
and sweet childhood had assembled together
to witness the closing exercises of the aca-
demic year.
Prompted by all the better emotions that
move the heart, and enjoying those generous
feelings that 60 to unite us as one, and TO give
Us that touch OF nature which makes all the
world ak in, each and every one was enjoying
the pleasures Of the evening.
While representatives OF the whole town
were there, and In the midst OF those delight.
| ful scenes, news was received Of the death OF
| Mrs. Eugenia Robertson, wife OF Col. j. Il.
Robertson, and intelligence OF the sad event
soon passed from one to another Of the audi
ence.
Two young ladies were seen 10 leave the
hall, but no one thought anything Of 1T. In
about an hour afterward the death OF Mr..
James d. Chalmers was announced TO some
one at the door, and the news soon spread
throughout the audience.
Professor Bailey announced that two deaths
had occurred since the exercises had been
commenced. In consequence of that fact.
and in respect to the memory OF the deceased
there would be no further exercises this eve
ming. DR.. ]. Lowrle Wilson would dismiss
the audience with the benedlction.
And thus 1t was that those whose hearts
we're gay and happy were saddened by events
that had sent sorrow to the homes of others.
Mrs. Robertson was past middle life. She
leaves three daughters and two SONS. She
was keeper at home, and consecrated her
| life and her energies to the welfare and happi.
ness of those who were near and dear TO her.
She was the central sun around which re-
volved all else In that household, and, wheth
eyes turned to her. 1t was she who could best
satisfy the cravings OF the hungering heart,
and II was she who could best ister 10 It's
wants and desires. She was the husband s
solace and comf fort, and she was the lover and
the guardian of trusting childhood. She was
the con fessOr to whom all Impaired their trou.
bles and conflded their loves, and from her
all sought strength and power where
weakness aas felt or a com fort was needed.
| Her whole heart was bound up in her chill
dren. While she looked hopefully and con-
| fdingly 10 her blessed saviour. and while she
feared not the judgment that is to come. vet
she reluctantly took her departure for The
spirit land. She felt that her lite-work was
not yet finished. and she desired to live and to
tarry yet awhile In this vail OF tears, that she
might with love and tenderness serve her
children and bless her husband with those
sweet attentions which might revive the
sinking heart and implant new life and new
hope in the mind OF him who now In deepest
sorrow struggles against loss and bereave.
ment.
In the evening of Thursday at six o'clock,
| the funeral service was held In the Episcopal
III
tant hills she was consigned TO her last rest.
| Ing place. great concourse of sorrowing
people filled the Episcopal church, and as n
tribute of respect followed the remains 10 the
cemetery, where she now sleeps the sleep that
knows no waking.
Mr.. Chalmers had been an invalid for many
years. and although he had often been 81
deaths door, yet he had as often recovered
from these severe attacks. Very few. II anv,
of his friends doubted that he would again
rally, and linger yet awhile with us. For this
reason. his death was unexpected.
! MIR. Chalmers came from Newherry to A b.
| beville before the war and esta blished the
marble business.
In the tlfties he married Miss Chris. Ramey,
and to them were born several children, only
two of whom survive.
Owing TO his feeble health he was unable Ia
enter the field and undergo the hardshps ol
the soldiers life, but he served his country
faithfully and efficiently as an enrolling of
ficer, and as such discharged the delicate du.
ties conscientiOusly. Y. and without oppressin ne
ybody. and whether rs soldier or citizen
In health or in sickness-he was always the
high-toned gentleman To whom all accorded
the true nobility of character.
After the war he resumed his marble busi
ness in connection with the furniture busi
ness.
For nearly forty years Mr.. Chalmers held 8
good position in the commercial world, and
during all that time. and under varying cir
cumstances, he held the respect and goodwill
OF his fellowman. Until his health was seri
ously impaired he was uniformly success!u
in busin ess
Because Of III health he hnd been confined
10 his home for II long time-seldom coming
down town Ia the last two years.
5 While he was not blessed with good health
yet he lived to see his son and his daughter
reach the years OF maturity, and while thei
attention and the devotion of a dutiful wift
2 was beautiful In the years OF his aflilcton, We
they had something of a recOmpenSe In hi'
presence. his love- and his safe cOunselS. HI
was good citizen, and he leaves many sin
cere friends.
The funeral service of the Methodist ritna
was read in the Methodist church, and hi.
body was buried ut Upper Long Cane GENE
terry, beside those relatives who had gone be
tore. The church was filled to overhowins
with friends and mOurners. Among thost
who came from distance to the funeral wal
his Old and ever faithful friend, Col. j.
Leavell, of Newberry.