The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-09-08
ROBERT H. F0oTMAN DEAD.
HE WAS ONE OF sAvANNAHs HON.
ORED CITIZENS,

His Demise at His Home in Guyton
After a Long IIlness-HIs Funeral
at Christ Church mt A O'Clock This
Afternoon-The Savannah VoIun-
teer Guards and knights TempIar
to Pay the Last Tribute.
Capt. Robert H. Footman, for many
years one Of Savannah's best known citi-
ems, died yesterday morning in Guyton,
where he had resided for the last several
years.
Capt. Footman had been in poor health
for number of years. having retired
from business on that account over six
years ago, since which time he had lived
very quietly in Guyton. His friends here
were not aware of his serious condition,
and the announcement of his death was
surprise. The news was received with
genuine regret by the many who had
known and honored the gallant gentleman
and public spirited citizen of former days
Capt. Robert Habersham Footman was
born on his fathers plantation near Tai
lahassee Fla, in March, 1888. and was in
his 64th year at the time of his death. He
attended the school near Tallahassee,
taught by the late William S. Bogart of
Savannah. He removed to this city when
quite young and entered the then we'll
known house of Padelford Fay & Co He
remained with this firm until July, 1859,
when he entered the insurance business.
the firm name being LeGriel & Footman.
He entered the war with the
Savannah Volunteer Guards with
which command he remained dur
ing the greater part of the
war, having been attached to the guar
termaster's department and detailed to
service with the Guards battalion Part
OF the time he was on detached service
with the regiment OF sharpshooters, or
ganized here by the late Gen. Robert II.
Anderson, with which command he sur
rendered with the rest of Johnston's army
in North Carolina in 1905.
He returned to Savannah, and shortly
afterwards re-established himself in the
insurance business, which has continued
without intermission until to-day, being
now conducted by his former partner, Mr..
G. F. Prendergast. In March, $780, his ILL
health compelled his retirement from bust
ness.
The deceased was thoroughly identified
with the interests of Savannah in every
way. He was a devoted member of
Christ church, and was for a number Of
years vestryman and warden Of the
church. He was an alderman Of the city
during the administration of Mayor John
Screven for two terms, being chairman
Of council during the second term. He
was an old member of the Savannah Vol
unteer Guards having Joined the battal-
ion some time before the war; and contin-
ued his membership up to the time of his
death. He was at one time captain of
Company A, being succeeded by Capt. ].
w. Fretwell.
The flag at the Guards arsenal is at
half mast in respect to his memory. He
with Ancient Landmark lodge, the Geor-
gia Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, and
Palestine Commandery of the knights
Templar. He was also a veteran Odd
Fellow. He had been for a number of
years a member of the Savannah Benev-
olent Association, and Of the Confederate
Veterans.
In 1859, Capt. Footman married Miss
Anna Davis of Savannah His wife died
several years ago, but their four children
survive him. They are George B. Foot
man Of Savannah, Mrs. A, C. McAlpin,
Mrs. R. j. Davant, Jr., and Mrs. l.. Ar
den OF Guyton.
Capt. Footman was brave even to reck-
lessness, and in his youth was OF rather
an adventurous disposition. During the
career of the fllibusterer Walker in Mica
ragua, 1855 to 1858, he accompanied one Of
the hlibustering expeditions from this
country to Nicaragua, but hav-
ing better fortune than many
of his companions, returned alive,
to take part in another war,
and to live for many years afterward an
honored and useful citizen.
The funeral will take place from
Christ church this afternoon at
O'Clock and will be attended by the
Savannah Volunteer Guards and other
organizations of which the deceased was
a member. The body win be brought to
the city from Guyton at o'clock this
morning, and will be taken to the Haber-
sham residence, at Perry and Barnard
streets. and from there to the church.