The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-09-18
IN MEMORIAM.

Turner Westray Battle departed this
life August the nth, 1895, at his country
seat, Cool Spring, Edgecombe county, in
| the sixty ninth year of his age.
He graduated with distinction at the
University of North Carolina, with the
class of 1847. Immediately thereafter
he entered upon the study of law. When
| he secured license to practice, he had
shown such diligence in the mastery OF
| the profession, it was with extreme re-
greet his many friends saw him throw
aside brilliant prospects of professional
success, for the honorable, and uneYent-
full life of Southern planter.
1t was Mr.. Battles good fortune to be
born on farm that nursery of physl-
cal development and mental power, and
he preferred the freedom and indepen-
dence of farm-life to the suggestions OF
a more conspicuous career.
For generations his ancestors had been
successful tillers of the soil, and he kept
within the landmarks his foretathers
had set.
A distinguished statesman remarked
of his son. but little less distinguished
than himself, that if the son had only
had his OPP, ortunities, he would have
made a very great man. The son was
the prospective heir of millions, while
the father was the architect OF his own
good fortune.
To those who knew Mr.. Battle init
matelv it was clear, that if early in life
he had been thrown on his own re-
sources. with his mind and ambition
he would have become one Of the fore
most men of his State.
Yet why conclude he chose unwisely?
Agriculture was congenial to his taste
and most assuredly from the earliest
times, the successful cultivation of the
soil, has commanded and is entitled to
command the highest order Of intellect.
Situated in the midst Of highly i'm
proved and richly cultivated section, his
home became the centre Of a generous
and transformations hospitality. For he
was fortunate in securing, as the presid-
ing genius of that home, a gentle wife
and mother, who blended learning and
zeal, with charity and love.
At the outbreak of the war Mr.. Battle
promptly rendered his services to his
state, and soon there rallied to his
standard company of young men, who
elected him their captain, COM
pany which for culture, patriot
ism and material wealth, had no
superior. Without seeking promo
ton, which was justly his own, at the
close of the term of enlistment Of his
company, he yielded to the demand of
large and increasing family and resumed
the superintendent Of his neglected es-
tate.
Tbs results of the war confscated the
major portion of the wealth of the South
and left it dependent on wasted fields
and dlsorganized labor, to renew
the struggle of life. The resourceful
character of Mr.. Battles mind is best
demonstrated by the fact that within a
few years after the cessation Of arms he
produced on his estate about six hun
dred bales of cotton upon like number
of acres of land.
Without neglecying his farm, but in
order to establish his son-in-law in bust
ness, Mr.. Battle embarked in the com
mission business in Norfolk, Va, and
became the senior Of the firm Of Battle,
Bum IL Co. He, however, carly saw
what many later discovered, that the
regular commission business was being
superseded by individual purchases Of
farm products at nearly every depot
Thereupon he closed his house in Nor
folk and devoted himself exclusively to
planting, in which he was ever distin-
guished for good judgment and success
full results.
Mr. Battle was a man of striking per-
sonality; clear perceptions, warm friend
ships great sincerity and independence.
He was generous to the unfortunate, and
fond of young persons, who were in turn
attracted to him. Ambitious for the ad
vancement of his sons, he with Roman
firmness guided them in those paths that
terminate in success.
Blind with length of days; surrounded
by his devoted family and friends, be
passed over the river. On lovely Sab
bath, as a cloudless sun was retiring
with the day; followed by large con-
course of neighbors and friends, among
whom he had lived; with the impressive
burial services Of the Episcopal Church,
conducted by his son, the Rev. Castor
Battle, concluded with imposing Masonic
ceremonies, we laid him at rest in the
family cemetery.
For Goods finger touched him and he
slept" @.