The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-07-22
MISS TILLMAN'S DEATH.
LIGHTklNG'S FEARFUL WORK RE-
MOVES A WOMANLY WOMAN.
The Eldest Child Ex-senator TiIlmap, While
Out Horseback Riding at Brevard N. O.,
Is Instantly Killed With Her Escort.

Is Instantly Killed With Her Escort.
COLUMBIA, s. c., July 17.-Sym-
pathy deep and sincere of all Columbia
was felt for the bereaved family of
Senator Tillman yesterday, when the
few brief lines were read telling of tha
tragic death of his eldest daughter, the
pride of his household. Inquiries were
heard on all sides from those anxious
to know more OF the details. but moth
ing could be learned until the train
bearing the body reached this city last
night. -.
Some time before the train was due Z
numbers OF friends began to arrive at
the union depot, among, whom were
Assistant Attorney General Townsend,
Col. w. w. Bruce, Col. Mixson,
Frank Tompkins, Chris Atkinson,
Fitz Norton, General Watts, Clover
nor Evans and scores of others, who
came out despite the pouring rain TO 4
pay their last tribute to this popular
and vel! known young woman, who
was a shining example Of all that isSf
excellent.
Accompanying the body were Mr..
T. @. McNeely, general agent Of the s
Hendersonville and Breyard railroad
and Messes. U. K. Gunter, private secss:
retary to Governor Evans, and 7. W.
Bunch, an uncle OF Miss Tillman, thu
latter two having gone to meet the body
at Spartanburg. MIR. McNeely wasin
the party when Miss Tillman was killed
and was the only eyewitness of the
sad affair. -:
Mr.. 81. F. Addicks, Jr., Miss Nettie
Addicks, Miss Addie Tillman, Miss
Mae O'Bryan of Allendale, 8. O., Miss
Lizzie Bingham Of Salisbury, N. O..
Miss Annie Warren of Hendrsonvilie,
the Rev. Robert A. Lee of York vile,
MIR. M. D. Cooper of Brevard, with
Mr.. McNeely, composed the party
from which death was to snatched two
members.
Mr.. McNeely said: 1T vas 10 q.
m. on Wednesday when we left Hem.
dersonville for Brevard, which place
was reached at II 80 o'clock. By 1890
all OF the persons have named were
mounted and on the way to ascend
Rich mountain, which is six miles
from Brevard. When three-quartefs
of a mile from the top of the mountain
we were overtaken by q thunderstorm.
The Trescott house was a few hundred
yards away and all hurried there TO
get out of the rain" 55
l. miss Tillman, Mr.. Lee and stop
ped, however, in order for Miss TIL
man and myself to change horses, ss;
hers was afraid Of the thunder. By
the time the change was made, the
rain began to fall and all three Of fus
took shelter under some chestnut
bushes, but about 40 feet away was s
large oak tree.
Miss Tillman and Mr.. Lee still res.
mained on horseback, the former with;
an appraised umbrella, while I, 20 feet
away, was standing on the ground. 1t
was while thus waiting that bolt OF:
lightning struck the tree and continue
ing, instantly killed Miss Tillman, Mr.
Lee and their horses. The shock was,i
so severe that my horse was knocked
down, but I only had my finger burn
ed slightly. This was at 8 80 o'clock.
I'm few seconds I was by the side
of the two fallen people. Not q mus
Gle of either moved, their death was
instantaneous. There was no mark
left by the lightning to show its fear
full work. "a wagon from Mr.. Nc
Creery, farmer living near by, was
procured and the bodies tenderly
moved to the Trescott house, where
Mr.. Carroll and the Misses Peasants,
another horseback party, gave all the.
aid possible.
"The home going was sad indeed.
Two of our party were still in death,
and we that remained rode silently
along. 1T was about II 80 that night
before Brevard was reached. From
here 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 l.
o'clock yesterday the body Of Mis-
Tillman reached Hendersonville and
was sent on to Columbia. Only very
plain wooden coffin could be procured
there, but when Columbia was reached,
Mr.. Berry had a handsome metallic
casket, covered with white cloth, in
readiness in the ladies' waiting room
of the depot. Across it was silver
plate beautifully engraved with the
name of the young lady, and after 1t
the words, "Died July 15, 1885," 3
Curtains were put over the windows
to shut out the gaze of the curious,
and the body, by several ladies and
gentlemen. was moved from one cof-
fin to the other. The several hundred
persons gathered around the outside
door and either kept silent or convers-
ed in low tones. When all was In
readiness, the door was opened and
the casket, enclosed in box, was put
aboard the special train which stood
in waiting. Quite number OF lovely
floral tributes had either been sent or
brought down, and but for the terrific
rain storm there would have been
many more.
/ In the passenger coach of the special
were Governor Evans, his mother.
Miss Mary Evans, B. r. Tillman, Jr.,
Miss Iona Tillman, botn OF whom had
been away from home, the former at
Clemson college and the latter at Alb
beville; Mr.. j. w. Bunch and wife,
U. x. Gunter, Gen. John Gary Waits
and few others.
The train left soon after 10 o'clock.
This morning many of the State Off.
cials will 60 over TO Trenton to attend
the funeral. The interment will be
made in High View, the TIllman fami-
ly burying-ground, at noon today.
Miss Tillman was just 20 years old.
Her life differed not from that of