The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-12-16
Mr.. F. 6. de Fontaine Dead.
The Career of the DistIn-
gulshed Man and Author
Widely Known.

war>correspoudent and author, is no
more The news Of his death will be
shock to his friends all over the
! United States. The cad came at 4
O'Clock yesterday afternoon. He
died at his home on Pickens street
near Lady. Mr. de Fontaine had
been confined to his room less than
week, but he had contracted case
of pneumonia and his strength began
to fail rapidly Last week during
the snow Mr.. de Fontaine accompa-
MED several gentlemen on hunt in
the vicinity of Hopkins. He con.
tracted pneumonia from the exposure,
came home and went to bed. All
that medical skill could suggest was
done to save his life, but on Thurs
day night it was realized that his
condition was critical, Telegrams
were sent to his son aud daughter in
New York summoning them Yes
terday morning he began to sink and
realized, to use one of his own
phases, "that the silver cord was al
ready loosened and the golden bowl
was broken" No one expected
fatal termination Of Mr.. de Fon
taine's illness, and the announce.
ment was great shock to the hun
dreds of friends of the deceased gen.
tleman. Since coming to Columbia
Mr.. de Fontaine has made hundreds
of friends. He was a most lovable
man, man with soft, engaging man
ners, courtIy gentleman of the old
school, man that no city could af-
ford to lose. He was cultured and
possessed Of talents of rare quality.
AS writer and a conversationalist,
Mr.. de Eontaine displayed powers
that never failed to fascinate those
who were thrown in contact with
him. His judgment was unerrIng
his character was noble and patriot
ism was a part of his very soul He
made friends by his open, honest way
of treating strangers and never turn
ed his back on tLose who suffered Oh
were oppressed
Born of distinguished French pa
rentage in Boston in 1924, he went
when still young man to New
York, where he was subsequently
made editor OF the Evening Tele-
gram and afterwards financial, dra.
matte and musical editor of the New
York Herald His journalistic ca
reer opened brilliantly for his ability
was recognized at once He was
great personal friend of James Cor
don Bennett, of the New York Her
aid Mr.. de Fontaine came to South
Carolina just prior to the war and it
was he who sent the message to the
Herald conveying to the people of
the north the first news of the firing
upon Fort Sumter. Mr. de Fontaine
at once espoused the cause Of the
south and as the correspondent of the
Charleston Courier, writing under
the nom de plume Of "Personne," be
went to the front and made reputa-
tian for himself that will endure for
all time. His letters were eagerly
sought after by the people of all
countries. Just hefore the close Of
the war Mr. de Fontaine edited
along with William Gilmore Simms,
the Carolinisn in this city. This
work continued for some time after
the war Finally the Carolinian was
burned out, and Mr. de Fontaiue
went to New York where he went
back upon the staff of the New York
Herald, working there for over
score of years, the hearty companion
and friend Of Mr Bennett. he re-
turned to Columbia last summe! to
publish his magazine referred to
above, selecting this point because
of his love for TIE city and its cen
ira! location
Ee married the sister of the gal
Iant Col John Moore, of Orr's Rifles
of this State, who was killed gallant.
ly leading his regiment at the second
battle of Manassas. Mrs de Fon-
tame was also sister of the late
Mrs. Salie F. Chaplin. the widely
known leader of the ". c. T. C..
and of the Hon J O \. Moore, Of
Darlington county.
Mr. de Fontaipe leaves only three
children. The youngest, Miss
Edythe, is at present in Columbia
with her mother lis only son, Mr.
Wade Hampton de Fontaine, resides
in New York city and is a: the head
of the Lettuce Cream Manufacturing VI
company of Fifth avenue lie is
quite wealthy The third child, the
eldest daughter, married a member
Of the distinguished and wealthy
Schuyler family Of New York, and
resides at Bergen Point, n. Y The
State, Dec l2