The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-20
MIR. WILLIAM HUNTER DEAD.
Chief Engineer of the Central Died
FrOp Pneumonia.

From Pneumonia.
Mr. William Hunter died yesterday
| morning shortly after o'clock at his res
idence, No. 405 CASTOR street, east, from
pneumonia. He was widely known, his
acquaintance extending throughout this
section of the South, and had many
friends. HIS death will be generally re-
GREETED.
Mr. Hunters illness was of a weeks
duration. Week before last he was out
on the line of the Central Railroad, in hts
professional capacity, visiting Americas,
where the road is building a new depot.
He returned to Savannah the latter part
of the week and began to complain last
Sunday week. A day or two later his ILL
ness was pronounced pneumonia Night
before last he was regarded as somewhat
improved but the rally was short.
Mr.. Hunter was 81 years old. He was
born in County Cork, Ireland, and was ed
ucated at the Queens University of Ire
land, in Cork, where he was graduated in
1868, with the degree of bachelor of eng
ineering. He and Mr.. Cecil Gabbett, vice
president and general manager of the
Georgia and Alabama Railroad, were
classmates and lifelong friends.
Upon the completion of his college ca
reer, Mr.. Hunter secured a position as en-
gineer and architect in charge of the
church buildings in Donegal, the north of
Ireland, where he remained for a year or
so, leaving for Wales, where he was en-
gineer of a railroad, part of which he as
sisted in building. 1t was while engaged
upon this work that he was written by
his old classmate, Mr.. Gabbett, who had
preceded him to this country. Mr.. Cab
bett persuaded Mr.. Hunter to follow, and
in II the latter landed at New York. His
stay in that city was brief. The South
was his destination, and he hurried on to
Georgia and secured a place on the South
western as civil engineer. A position of
greater trust and importance with the Nor
folk and Western was offered him, and he
went to Virginia, where he remained for
thirteen years, during which he was en-
gagged upon several very important pieces
of engineering work.
Mr.. Gabbett, in the meantime, had be-
come president and general manager of
the Western Railway of Alabama, and
when the position of chief engineer became
vacant he thought of Mr.. Hunter and
made him the offer. 1t was accepted, and
Mr.. Hunter lived at Montgomery for four
years, leaving TO come to the Central of
Georgia, of which Mr.. Gabbett was made
general manager, in 1888. He became chief
engineer at that time and filled the posi-
lion ever since.
Vice President John NJ. Egan of the
Central paid Mr.. Hunter a richly merited
tribute in speaking of his death, saying
that Mr. Hunter was a thoroughly eff
cient and capable officer, in whom the
road reposed every trust. He was ener-
getic and self-reliant, and highly valued
engineer
A wife, son and three daughters mourn
the loving father. They all have the
sympathy of a wide circle of friends. The
son is Mr. Charles J. Hunter, soliciting
agent for the Georgia and Alabama. Mrs
Bailey Hopkins of Larchmont, N. Y, is a
daughter and the other daughters are
Misses Aileen and Lucille.
Mr.. Hunter was member of thu An
cient Landmark Lodge of Masons. He
Joined the fraternity in ireland before
coming to this country. He was also a
member of the Hibernian Society. His as
sociations with the people of Savannah
was close, and many friends will grieve
to know of his death.
The funeral will take place this after
noon from Christ Church at $3.50 O'Clock.
The interment will be in Laurel Grove
The following gentlemen will act as pail
bearers: Messrs Cecil Gabbett, F. c..
Bell, ]. C. Halle, W. A. Winbun, E. E.
Anderson, T. D. Kline and DR.. W. w.
Owens.