The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-12-08
ABBEVILLE MOURNS.

neEal ana burlRI SeFtICcS.
Twice within the last six months Abbeville
has been called to give up distinguished and
useful citizens. Samuel MCGOWAN went tc
his reward in September. In December the
career Of James S. Cothran was ended. He
now, like MCGOWAN, sleeps with his fathers.
In life McGowsn and Cothran were In har
mony and good fellowship, and in death they
were not divided.
They were men among men, and they were
leaders of the people. They were leaders II
thought and leaders in action.
They were leaders in peace and they were
leaders in war.
In the peaceful pursuits OF life they were
leaders in al! that brought higher citizen
ship and inspired nobler civilization.
Iu war their valor and their courage lee
comrades in arms in the paths which led tt
glory. In the struggle which shed lustre or
American arms their persons and their lives
were in the forefront, while their command
ing voices commipgled with the din of battle
When Samuel MCGOWAN was to be buried
Judge Cothran lett bis temporary home In
Greenville, TO attend the solemn services es
his last resting place. BY strange fatality
or an uuaccountable coin ncldence, the disease
which may have been lurking In his system
for years, chose that particular tIhe ,iSs IS'
Though he returned TO Greenville, yet he was
never again we'll man. He was soon com
PEELED 10 quit his Office, and In little while
he returned TO the home OF bis boyhood
where he had spent the better part OF his life.
His malady continued to make ravages upon
his health, and he sought medical aid In New
York, wi ere he went several weeks ago. The
end came last Sunday morning, december
5tb, 1897. 49,,
He was brought to Abbeyille, arriving
here at five O'Clock yesterday morning. An
extra train carried number OF our cltlzens
to Greenville 70 meet his body: ,o ,.
carefully watched throughout by loving
and devoted wife. When the end came his
sons, Coulter C0thran and Japles Colhran
were present. His devoted friend and physi'
clan, Dr. F. E. Harrison, was there also. Dr
j. Lowrie Wilson, his faithful friend and pas
tor spent about two weeks with him.
But the work Of loving friends and skillful
physicians could not avail. Death had sci
bis seal upon bis victim and Abbeville's be-
loved citizen must 60 hence.
Judge Cothran was buried from bis ,old
home yesterday evening at haitPast tWo
o'clock. In honor OF the deceased business
funeral ceremonies which took place in the
Presbyterian church, in the presence OF vast
assemblage. Among that number were q
number OF Confederate Veterans who appear
ed in body. The coffin was borne through
the open ranks at the house, and at the
church the same formality was observed.
Honorary Pallbearers-W: d. Parker. g. A.
visspska. j. G. Edwards, W. Joel smith, T.
Barnweli, Hugh Wilson, r. R. HemphilI, r.
e. Hill, M. F. Ansel, g. G. Wells, I. r
Active Pallbearers-W. G. MCGOWAN, J. l.
Perrin, A. ". Smith. L. z. Tsaasnn HasHe,, WAY
Link, A. g. Faulkner, q. D. Brown W. W.
Br,,dley, j. r. Glenn.
SOId Army Comrades-G. Med. Miller. Col.
a: 8. Wright. Capt; James prattt 1; +: seai aIiey
A. Cater. W. A. Templeton. R. o: McAdams
Wade E. Cochran, Capt. John Lyon, Andy
Wilson, w. w. Edwards. n. Edwards. j. g
Hamilton, D: A. F; Jordan, Ghas. E. watson
Capt. ]. W. eagle. j: F. Livingston, 9. g.
Wells. o. P. Mills. w. T. Cowan, w. L. Press
ly, F. Y. Pressly, ]. NJ. Kirby, j. V. Schroeder
MIR. Anderson and many others.
In Green Vile, Rev. John T. Mcbride, son OF g
foreign missionary, and former army com.
rade, and DIR. ]. Lowrie Wilson conducted the
fureral services, DR.. Wilson based his re-
great man has fallen among you" and, while
he touched somewhat on all the sides OF bis
character, yet be enlarged particularly on the
religious side OF the life Of the deceased.
train Of vehicles and troops OF friends follow
ed the hearse to the grave.
The number of men who have received
kindly acts or friendly words from Judge
Cothran will never be known. Many OF the
older citizens have been recipients Of his ia
vors, and hundreds Of our people will realize
in his death, something Of personal be-
Those who have enjoyed his friendship and
hold aweet com mmuniOn with him have suffer-
ed an irreparable loss.
To those OF us who have known hi 10 for
many years, and like him have gone lar on
life's way, bis departure impresses lesson
and reminds those OF us who stand as senti-
ueIs on the outposts of time, that we, too,
must be summoned away at no distant day.
A few weeks ago we noted Judge Cothran s
sickness, and we reproduce that article in
lieu of anything that we might write now.
1t is as follows:
Several years ago Judge Cothran moved
since lived. The Judges health has not been
good for several months, and not SO long ago
he had a'severe attack from which be has not
yet quite recovered. In order that be might
DR.. F. E. Harrison, be and Mrs
Cochran came back to Abbeville one day last
week, and will remain at the old homestead
until his health has improved.
For forty years Judge Cothyan has been an
welfare OF this people He has been friend
and leader of the people In the times when
they needed u wise and safe counsellor.
AS q soldier In the Lost Cause he was ever
at the post OF danger, and discharged the per-
ilous duties of soldier with as much cour-
age and unflinching gallantry as ever charac-
terIzed the conduct Of any man who faced tne
armed battaiions OF the onlon army toaay soaa
the best testimonials OF q soldiers duty well
performed.
When the war was over he returned to bis
old home and at once took an active part in
whatever had for its object the public elfare.
In 1876, he was Democratic County Chair
mon, and. with remarkable power, com mand-
ed the aroused forces with determination.
wisdom and conservatism. 1t was largely
through his influence and wise counsel that
this county was redeemed. Without this
county Hampton and the Democracy OF
South Carolina would have failed OF success,
and Omnipotence alone knows what would
lime effort.
After the State had been restored to his
rightful owners be was elected to the Circuit
Bench. and was subsequently asked to tax g
from the people q commission from the State
OF South Carolina to Washington, and then
he served his people In Congress with such
distinguished ability that his legal attain
ments attracted attention. He was therefore
chosen legal adviser Of that great corporation
now known as the Southern Railway, and
through all the changes that have been made
In It's management Judge Cothran ls among
the few high officials that have held his place
through all these years.
Judge Cothran's popularity among the peo-
pie was phenomenal. The puoilc onces
which he held were given TO him without his
apparent effort, and seemingly unsolicited on
his part.
AS citizen and neighbor Judge Cothran
was kindly in all his impulses. Willing at
all times to help those who may seek his aid
he WAS ever generous to those who may have
erred.
AS q lawyer he counselled arbitration and
reconciliation, and never encouraged ltlga.
tion. In this way he was pre-eminently q
peacemaker. He never took a case to court In
which he did not think there was merit. His