The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-11-15
DEATH OF A. L. LATIMER.
Sudden Ending Of a Useful and Prom.
Using Life.
Lowndesville, Nov. Is, 1899.

Iowndesville, Nov. 10 lS99.
He whose name Is above given, on Saturday
last ut p. M. was In his usual health. II
moment a Afterwards had given up his lie ana
entered the realms OF death. TO say ltat the
announcement of the sad ending OF his ap'
parently happy and very useful lie cast Il
gloom over our people which has seldomly,
IL ever, been equaled, but feebIy tx presses
the truth. The facts surrounding this allie
tion and lors to our community, are "I such
a tragic nature that they woul d not be given.
but 10 correct erroneous reports that may be
in clrcuia alton, 1t Is best to state them as they
are: On the day above mentioned during the
morning hours he was in his store doing bust
ness as usual. Between and p. M, ne "ent
to bis home two or three hundred yards on,
ate his dinner with the family and seemed
rather more cheerful than usual. AS soon ~
he finished his meal he left the table, went TO
q room and a moment afterwards pistol
shot was beard, and upon investigation, he
was found upon the hoor upon his oack, wil1
bullet hole In his right temple, aud had
already passed from time TO eternity
Mr. Latimer was the only son OF Mr.. and
Mrs. Jas. Nj. Latimer. He was born on May
was q ute delicate, but by the close attention
and care OF his father and mother he was
reared and was given all of the educational
advantages that his pnyslcal conaltlon
mind and one that could have been, but for
his enleebed body cultivated TO such an ex'
tent an that greater possibilities would have
been opened up, which would have enabled
him to reach higher place among his fellow
men. When about grown he entered bis
fathers store where he soon developed an
aptitude for business, which caused him 10
rise TO the front rank In mercantile line.
A few years ago, not long after the death OF
his father, be entered into partnership with
Mr.. E. w. Harper. and together they built mp
the most thriving business In our town. For
this field OF labor he was peculiarly fitted
His honesty and integrity were unquestioned.
All considered him high-toned, Christian
gentleman. When our oil mill stockholders
,t1n In, lob tnGy fnr q q
head for our new enterprise, he was unani-
mously chosen to fill that i'm portant position,
but this sdditional care and labor was In
few months thought by his friends TO be too
vtsed 10 resign, which he did. In early boy
hood he united himself with the Methodist
Church, and here too, he put his whole soul
into this, the work Of the Master. AS boy.
youth, young man, be never knew anything
but TO be good.
Years ago he was given the place Of teacher
Of tho young mems Bible class In the Sunday
school. and subsequently was chosen Super;
/, ,tntendent, both OF which positions he filled
to the entire satisfaction Of all concerned
When his health permitted he wYs ever al
his post doing the work OF a true, trled Chris
tian. No man has ever lived In any com.
munity, who was more highly respected and
in whom was placed more confidence by all
classes, than was @ our departed iriend @ IN tn,s
OF life, when bis days Of most usefulness were
upon him, his place Ill be very hard TO hll.
He was public spirited, noble hearted, gener.
Gus. His family has lost kind, loving
head, the chul ch a Jealous. faithful member,
q strong defender, an uDtiring worker; the
community one OF Its best citizens.
Just what cause or causes lead to this last
act of his life, none can tell. Conjecture can
alone voice the general opinion that only the
most complete mental and physical derange-
ment, brought about this deplorable event.
He leaves u widow, four small children,
widowed mother and three sisters TO mourn
their loss. A large con nnection, with many
friends, unite In feelings Of sadnes, and ex.
tend to the bereaved, Their sincere sympa-
thies. Troupe.