The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-07-22
DEATH OF MISS TILLMAN
Instantly Killed by Lightning Near Brs.
ward, N. C.
Columbia Register, July II.

Miss Addie Tillman spent several years
of her life in Columbi and had host Of
friends in this city. The brief announce
ment in yesterdays Register that she had
been killed by lightning in the noun
tains of North Carolina caused general
sorrow in this city and throughout the
State. There was general anxiety to learn
the particulars of the sad affair, but they
were uuobtaiuable until last night, when
the body of the unfortunate young lady
was brought to the city on the train from
Asheville, which arrived about $3.50
O'Clock There were nearly 200 people at
the Union depot lat night. when the train
arrived. and many were the expressions
of heartfelt sorrow and sympathy.
Full details of the tragedy were obtain
ed from Mr.. T. C. McNeely, general agent
of the Heudersonville and Brevard Rail-
when she was killed aud who accom- pa
MED the remains to Columbia. Mr.. McNee-
~ said:
"MissAddia Tillman was visiting har
friend. Miss Nettie Addickes, of Hender-
sonville Wednesday morning party
left Hendersonville to go to Brevard and
ascend Rich Mountain. In the party
wore myself, Mr. II. F. Addicks, Jr., and
Miss Nettie Addicke es, of Hendersonville,
N. c.; Miss Addie Tlllman, Miss Mae
O'Bryap, of Allendale, S. c., who was ac-
companving Miss Tillman on her visit to
Miss Addickes; Miss Lizzie Bingham, of
Salisbury, n. c.; Miss Annie Warren, OF
Hendersonville, N. c.; Rev. Robt. A.
Lee, of Yorkville, S. c.. an Episcopal
minister, who was visiting Mr.. and Mrs.
Addickes; and Mr.. M. D. Cooper, of Bre-
ward, gentleman about so years old, who
oF lido onH
cicerone.
"The party left Hendersonville at 9:20
q. M. Wednesday and arrived at Brevard
at ll:3O. Horses were obtained and the
party started to ride to the sum nit OF
Rich Mountain, about six miles distant,
leaving Brevard at 1890 p. m. At $3.50 p.
N. we were about three-tourths of a mile
from the summit Of the mountain. A
storm was approaching, and all Of the
party except Miss Tillman, Mr.. Lee and
myself pushed on and reached the sum-
mer home of Mr.. Wm. H. Trescott of
Charleston, before the storm broke. We
three stopped in order for Miss rillman
and myself to exchange horses. After
exchanging, Miss Tillman remounted. 1t
com mmenced raining and she, Mr.. Lee and
myself got under clump OF chestnut
trees for shelter from the storm. About
Lee was nearest the oak, standing and
holding the horse by the bride. Miss
Tillman was seated on her horse, holding
an umb brella over her head. I had moved
away about fifteen or twenty feet to get
on stump and mount my horse. Sud-
denly bolt of lightning struck the OAK
and then came our way. Mr.. Lee and his
horse and Miss Tillman and her horse
were killed instantly, all falling to the
ground My horse was knocked over,
but not killed. By that time the bolt had
expended itself and I only felt light
shock to the hand which / had on my
horse - bride.
~ Immediately ran to them, but they
were dead having been killed instantly.
They were only slightly burned. There
was no disiguratiOn as result of the
stroke. I obtained wagon from Mr.. Nc
Creery, farmer who lived near by, and
conveyed the bodies to Mr.. Trescotts
house and thence to Brevard. Mr.. Car
r,ll and Miss Pleasan,s, Of Asheville, who
were also ascending the mountain. reach
ed Mr.. Trescott's house about the same
time as the first section of our party. They
were exceedingly kind in helping us care
tor the corpseI.
"We left Brevard at 1880 p. m. Wed
uesday and arrived IN Hendersonville at
l a. m. Thursday, the surviving mem
bers of the party accompanying the bodies
to that point. Immediately telegraphed
the families Of Miss Tillmau and Mr..
Lee. The bodies we're brought to South
arolina to- day. Mr. Lees remains were
taken to the home of his father, Mr.. j. F.
Lee, in Abbeville, for interment. Mr..
Lee was about 81 yesrs old and single.
l. was impossible for Mr.. Addickes
to leave his family, so accompanied the
remains of Miss Tillmau 10 Columbia
and will go on to Trenton to attend the
funeral"
Mr.. McNeely had a miraculous escape
from death by the bolt which killed his
companions. Their sudden and terrible
death in his presence was severe shock.
Mr.. j. W. Bunch, an uncle of Miss
Tillman, and Private Secretary Gunter
went to Spartanburg yesterday morning
to meet the train bearing Miss Till
mans remains and accompany them to
Colum bia.
Governor Evans had obtained special
train to convey Miss Til!lnau's remains
to her fathers home in Trenton. When
the train from Asheville arrived, the cas-
ket was transferred to the special train,
being borne by six of the young men en-
ployed in the stare House. Many beau.
tiful wreatbs and bouquets of lovely flow
ers were brought to the depot last night
by friends of Miss Tlllman, 70 be placed
on hsr casket.
Governor Evans, his mother and his
sister, Mr.. J. w. Bunch and wife, Private
Secretary Gunter, General John Gary
Watts, Mr.. McNeely, Miss Iona Tillman
and B. r, Tillman, Jr., accompanied the
remains on the special train. Young
Till 1nrn frnpo H1apcnp Gpl.
lege yesterday afternoon. His sister,
Miss Iona Tillman, who had been visit
ing friends in Abbeville, came to Colum-
bia on the same train with him. They
were prostrated with grief at the untime-
lv death of their elder sister.
The funeral will be held to-day at High
View Church, about twelve miles from
Trenton at 12 o'clock. Most Of the State
House officials will 60 10 Trenton to-day
to attend the funeral.
Miss Addie Tillman was the' eldest
child of Senator and Mra. B. R. Tillman.
She was born in Edgefeld County and
received her primary education there.
When her father was elected Governor in
1890, she came to G ilumbie to live. She
attended the public school here several
years and was popular with teachers and
pupils, because OF her winning ways and
studious habits. After spending year
at Holins Institute in Virginia, she en-
tered Winthrop College when it opened
it's session at Rock Hill. She was hard
student there, and had already won the
love and esteem of her teachers and fell
low-students. She was enjoying her
summer vacation, when death called her
from enjoyment of youth, health and
good spirits to the greater joys in the
realms where there is no death. All who
came in contact with her liked her and
he will be long and sincerely mourned.
Her father, mother and family will have
the sympathy ofthe entire State in their
hour of sore affliction.