Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1899-02-03
COL. CHATHAM
NO MORE.
suddenly Dies at his Home In
Bryan Yesterday.
A HERO In WAR.
An Honored Citizen in Peace,
MOurned by a Host OF
Relatives, Comrades
and Friends.

Col. X. X. Chatham died suddenly
at $50 O'Clock yesterday afternoon at
his home in the northern part Of the
city. The summons came swiftly and
without warning. A few minutes be
fore his death he had been chatting
pleasantly with members Of the family.
His wife heard him fall, and when she
rushed 70 his assistance he essayed 10
speak, but his words were unintelligible
and in few moments the noble spirit
took It's flight.
The news Of bis death spread rapidly, |
and was great shock TO the people Of |
Bryan, who knew and loved him 40
well, and who in turn were so well be.
loved by him. Friends assembled Al
the family home, 40 suddenly enveIoped
by the shadow Of death, and loving
words aud tender ministrations were
not wanting for those to who.e lips
was swiftly pressed by an unseen hand
the cup Of anguish.
Col. Roland Kinchen Chatham
was born near Greensboro, Perry
county, Ala, June ls, 1884 and was "a
years, months and 10 days old. lie
came to Texas in October, 1850, set.
ting at Jeons in Leon county,
where he resided until the breaking
out Of the civil war. Sept. Z, 1851, he
enlisted at Houston In the Eighth cav.
airy, famous in history for all time as
Terry's Texas Rangers. lie was with
the army Of Tennessee under Generals
Bragg and Johnston, and was conspicu.
ons for his daring coolness and indif.
ference TO danger His comrades say
Of him that on the 6eld Of battle amid
scenes Of carnage and the rain Of shot
and shell be was as seli-possessed as
when telling stories about the campfire,
and was the impersonation OF that in
trepid yalor which made the Southern
soldier the wonder Of the world. Dur.
ing Bragg's advance into Kentucky
: Col. Chatham was wounded in the
memorable engagement near Bards-
town. A rifle ball entered his
forehead and penetrated to the
back Of his head, where It remained
throughout his life. He was also
taken prisoner at this time and remov.
ed to the hospital at Bardstown, where
\ physicians declared he could not live
but contrary to their expectations
upon recovering consciousness and
learning Of their decision, he lightly
Ies,ed about the ability Of Yankee lead
to kill him and got we'll After severa
months imprisonment he was ex
changed, sent back 10 Texas, commits
stoned As a captain and assigned 4
duty as enrolling officer until the en'
Of the war.
subsequently he travelled extensiyel!
selling machinery throughout the state
and moved to Bryan in 1869, he bein
engaged in the manufacture Of gin ma
chinery here for quarter Of a centur
under the firm name Of r. X. Chatham
a Co., which became one Of the mos
successful manufacturing enterprises i
the state, known since his retiremen
as the Chatham Machinery Company
Soon after locating here Col. Cha
ham was married to Miss Fanni
Memories at Raven Hill, Polk county
Texas. Ills wife and three sons, Ralpl
Webb and Bell Chatham survive hin
He also leaves two sisters, Nh
W. r. Rhodes Of this cit
and Mrs. Emily Murif Of Lcona, au
other relatives.
lie was member Of the Methodi
: church, a comrade OF Camp j. b. Ro
ertson U. c. ", a air knight oflvanh'
commandery No. Knights Templ'