The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1896-07-20
A BOLT.
T)EA
,sdY. R. A. Lee Killed
lightning.
INA IN MOURNING
Eye With nlow ho Narrowly Escaped,
Tellsed sci The Sad Double
les agedy.

Columbia ioIetstl July l6.-(Speclal.)-Syiil-
pathy deep ,rf c. cere of all Columbia was
felt for tn, froNaved family of Senator
Tillman VIII bore few brief lines telling
of the tragklst "a ith of his eldest daughter
were read Nay Inquiries were heard
on all sides Tin those anxious to know
more of the fttefns. but nothing could be be
learned until b ~ train bearing the oouS
reached the c,Yy.
Some time before the train was due. num-
beers of men began to arrive at the union
depot among whom were Assistant Attor-
ney General Townsend. Colonel w. W.
Bruce Colonel Mixson. Frank Tompkins
Chris Atkinson. Fitz Norton, General
Watts. Governor Evans and scores of 9TH
ers who came out despite the pouring
rain to pay this last tribute to this popu-
lar and well known young woman
Accompanying the body We're Mr.. T. G.
McNeely, general agent of the henderson
VILE and Brevard railroad. and Messrs u.
y. Gunter. private secretary to Governor
Evans. and T. w. Bunch. an uncle of Miss
Tillman.
Mr.. McNeely was In the party when Miss
Tnlman was killed and was the only eye
witness. Mr. II. +. Addickes, Jr. MISS
Nettie Addickes. Miss Addie Tillman. MISS
Mae O'Bryan. of Alenoale. ). c. MISS
Lizzie Bingham, of Salisbury. N. C.; Mss
Annie Warren. of IIendersonville; the Rev
Robert A. Lee of Yorkville; Mr.. NJ. ID.
composed the party. Mr.. McNeely said;
1T was 10 o'clock on Wednesday when
we left IIendersonvi1e FOR Brevard, whlch
place was reached at 1880 o'clock. BY l2:3o
the party were mounted and on the way
to ascend Rich mountain, which is six miles
from Brevard. When three-quarters OF a
mile from the top Of the mountain We were
overtaken by n thunder storm. The Tres
colt house was a few hundred yards away
and all hurried to get out of the rain
Miss Tillman. Mr.. Lee and | stopped.
however. i'm order that Miss Tillman ana
myself might exchange horses. as hers
was afraid Of the thunder.
by the time the change was made the
rain began to fall ana all three of MS took
shelter under some chestnut bushes. About
forty feet away was large oak tree. Miss
Tulman and Mr. Lee still remained on
horseback. the former with an appraised
umbrella, while ]. twenty feet away was
standing on the ground. 1t was while thus
waiting that a bolt of lightning struck
the tree and continuing Instantly killed
Miss Tnlman MIR. Lee and their horses
"The shock was so severe that my horse
was knocked down. but | only had my
finger burned slightly. In a few SECONDS
/ was by the side OF the two Frustrated
people Not a muscle Of either moved.
their death was instantaneous There was
no mark left 10y lightning to show its fear
ful work.
"A wagon from Mr.. AlcCreary's. farm
er living near by, was procured ana the
bodies moved TO the Trescott house. where
Mr.. Carroll and Misses Peasants. another
horseback party, gave all the aid possible.
From Brevard at midnight "A telegram
was sent to Senator Tillman. This is the
story as related by Mr.. McNeely, who was
the only one to witness the double tragedy.
At / o'clock yesterday the body OF Miss
Tillman reached HendersOnville and was
IL ~ 7
was transferred to tne special tram IN
waiting and sent TO the home OF Senator
Tillman at Trenton On the special train
were Governor Evans and family, several
state officers and the brother ana sister
Of the deceased who We're away from
home at the time.
The intcrment viii he made IN the ram
lily ground. High View.
Who Rev. Robert Lee Was.
Rev. Robert \ Lee. who was killed with
Miss Addie Tilman by lightning AT Bre-
ward ~ c.. was rector o. the Church OF
the Good Shepherd at Yorkville.
lie left his home a week ago to take
a short vacation.
lie graduated from Erskire college with
the highest honors IN his class in June 1887
and then took three years course at the
theological seminary at Sewanee. Tenn.
His body was taken to his former homo
in Due West today FOR interment In the
Episcopal cemetery tomorrow.
Miss Tillman Laid To Rest.
Columbia S c.. July 17.-(Special) THE
funeral train bearing Miss Tilman's body
reached Trenton after midnight last night.
Vehicles were in readiness to convey the
party to the home of Senator Tillman and
to the hotel.
The body was carried home at once.
A large crowd of people from the adjoin-
ing country assembled at Senator Tillman 3
this morning. and from there accompanied
the funeral process ion to High View which
j. twelve miles from Trenton.
Miss Tilman had only a few months ago
Joined the Episcopal church. though her
family were Presbytcrians; so that today
a clergyman of the same church read the
funeral services. The burial was at Il
O'Clock.
Among the most distinguished persons
present were: Governor Evans, Secretary OF
State Tomplzns, Adiutant General Watts,
l.. " Guuter private secretary to Governor
Evans, and several clerks in the depart
ments of the statehOuse.
h-rr