The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-01-01
A NARROWING OCCURRENCE.

a NARROWING OCCUHheNCe.
W. c. Webb, of Yemassee. Becomes De-
mented at Loss of His Wife.
BEAUFORT, Dec. 22.-We are with
out doubt undergoing the most strin-
gent financial depression that has
been experienced in this section since
the war. The times are harder than
even during the period that followed
the August cyclone. There is more
real want of money to relieve embar-
rassments than at any time resulting
from material disasters by earthquake
or by wind and storm. The great indus
tries that the phosphate mines created
are suspended and loss of circulation
from the employment of labor has
caused such scarcity of money that
all business and employments are par
alyzed and there is suffering among a
class of people that have everything
to buy and nothing to buy with. The
agricultural population and the com.
paratively poorer classes are better OF
than those who have unremunerative
properties and calling and occupations
and professions that can get no money
either as private creditors or as credi-
tors of the courts. A great many peo-
pie who have properties find it diff
cult to raise money to pay their taxes.
The small taxpayers have been able
to raise their pittances for the public
treasury, but the larger taxpayers can
only do so at great sacrifice. AS con-
sequence the creditors of the courts
have to wait for their money and they
are a class also in great straits. The
outlook for the resuscitation of the
phosphate industry is gloomy on ac'
count of the low price of rock. The
works are closed down and the mills
are hardly working. The cotton crop
has been q good one but the prices are
low. Fortunately the provision crops
have been abundant and the negro
farmers are the least sufferers.
A very narrowing occurrence is re-
ported from the Yemassee section, the
details of which are most sad and dis
tressing. Mr.. w. G. Webb, the tele-
graph operator at that station, quite a
fine, steady young man, had married
some wears ago Miss Hicks, to whom
he was tenderly devoted. A short
time ago she died under distressing
circumstances. The disconsolate hus-
band refused to be comforted and lost
his reason from grief. Last Tuesday
night he suddenly quit home and the
family, who had anxiously watched
his demented condition, became alarm
ed and went in search for MIN. After
an Intellectual hunt with their worst
fears for his safety being excited, they
repaired to the cemetery, where the
remains of his wife We're Inferred.
There they were confronted, in the
early dawn, by spectacle that was
enough to curdle the blood of the
most insensible. Reaching the grave,
they found the wretched, demented
husband down in the freshly filled
grave, his body naked and begrimed
with mud and dirt, where he had been
all night, digging out the loosened
earth with his hands until he had we'll
nigh reached the casket in which was
encased his beloved wife. 1t was with
difficulty they could tear him away
from the spot, while uttering the most
heart-rending screams that portrayed
the depth and measure of his woes.
He was taken to Charleston for treat
ment.
Our fellow citizen, Senator W. j.
Verdier, had the misfortune to have
a serious accident befall one of his
younger children, Miss Ida, who day
before yesterday, fell from hammock
where she and some companions were
playing and fractured her lower jaw
and dislocated it. DR.. Stuart was
promptly called in and administered
the proper relief. 1t is to be hoped
that it will not prove more serious -
State.