The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-03-21
WALTER LOWRY MILLER.

WALTER LOWRY MILLER.
Death of One who was Teacher, Law.
yer, Scholar, Writer, Patriotic Cit
zen.
Walter Lowrey Miller of this city died at
the home Of Mr.. Templeton, last Sunday
morning, March IS, 1900 He had been a SUI.
ferer Ior some time, but he fought off the ap.
preaching dissolution with courage ana q
determination seldom witnessed. warie M ~ IL
health were apparent, yet he treated the mat
ter lightly, and insisted that there was no
cause for anxiety He dd not SSoco consult sa ns
Compelled to 60 to bed m -::nday, March 5.
He suffered from paralysis, Id his mind was
affected. A greater part OF the time a1ter
rapidly until he breathed his last on Sunday
morning, about seven O'CLOCK:
He was taken to Due West on Monday Tor
interment, where he was laid TO rest IN tne
MON he was born. Although the day was
rainy and most inclement.a large deiegaiIlonf 90
their respect and to pay tribute OF affection
TO their departed friend.
Arriving at the church at three O'Clock, Rev.
+. Y. Pressly, Rev. o. Y. Bonner and Dr, w.
DR.. Pressly spoke OF his personal relations
with the deceased, and said that his friends
would pardon him for speaking OF him as
Walter. He said: In January, 1872, he was
elected pastor of the Due West congregation.
Walter and nineteen others connected them
selves with the church at the Spring commu-
MON which took place In the following May
Since then the preachers heart had gone out
TO him in ali the varied positions In which he
had served his State: AS teacher, as lawyer
or scholar as well as in the field of literature,
n ynh Anh Intt ttnr oNhn
TO be winning notable success; he had
watched his career with unabating interest
He said the untimely end OF our friend was
not by accident nor WAS II by chance, but IL
was in obedience to the divine command Of
an inscrutable Providence. While we may
not see the wisdom Of cutting off valuable
career before 1t had fairly commenced It's
usefulness, yet it is not only our duty to sub
mit to the DEGREES Of an overruling ProVi'
dence but 1t is our duty to cheerfully acqui-
se 10 seem vel IL e she bcs
promised so much usefulness has been taken
away from him, and 1t Is for US TO yield per-
fect obedience TO the will OF the Almighty;
"a Ofthose who joined the church at the May
meeting In 1872, only three remain in commu-
nlon with this congregation. The young men
and young women who made up the number,
and who at that time so much encouraged the
peraeher's own heart, had been widely scat
tered, and their careers were IN di1erent
fields. Some, like our friend, Walter, had
been called hence. while others were still With
was seeking usefulness and happiness in this
iife, and hoping for the good things OF the
life to come.
After the singing of Il part OF the
the TWenty-third Psalm, by the choir, Rev.
r. Y. Pressly announced that the services
would be conducted at the grave. When the
pody had been buried, and when the grave
had been covered with the most beautiful
flowers that ever sprang from the bosom OF
the earth, Mr.. Pressly pronounced the bene-
d1otion, and the assembled multitude dis
persed.
Walter Lowry Miller was born in Due West
ABOUT forty five years ago. He was educated
at Erskine College and was graduated from
that institution with honor to himself and
pride 70 his alma mater. He then taught
school for few years, in that capacity earn
Ing the well done OF the scholars and patrons
tious for higher attachments and desiring TO
better equip himself for wider field of use.
Iqlness, he went for two years TO the Law
University Of Virginia. where be acquitted
himself with credit. Returning to his native
county, trustees of his alma mater appre-
clatlng his worth, sought TO elect him TO
Proiessorship In Erskine College, and without
In any way seeking the place, he came within
one vote OF being elected to chair In the
Faculty OF the College which had educated
him and trained him for the pursuit OF let
ters.
About fifteen years ago he was admitted to
the Abbeville Bar, at which he practiciced,
until he was appointed Master In Equity for
Abbeville County, which position he held,
with entire satisfaction TO the Bar, until the
day OF his death. His DEGREES were noted for
cIearness. Justice and purity OF expression.
ed to investigate the law and the facts In
every case that he heard, and none have ever
questioned the correctness OF his motive or
the uprightness OF his act.
Mr.. Miller was public spiried, and be was
ever ready to give Of his time and talents TO
whatever had for Its purpose the advance
ment OF the interests OF the town OF his adop-
tion. He was always ready and anxious to
encourage schema lOOk ING IN the best In
terests OF this people, among whom he mad
cast his lot. His efforts were especially not
mills. and upon that Institution he made his
own impress to greater degree than many
men who contributed larger amounts or
money.
He was lover of literature, and he always
found his greatest delight In reading the pu.
rest writings Of the best authors. lie had
been. ever since he settled in the city, a mem
ber Of the Abbeyille Literary Club, and no
man contributed more information in the
discussions or gave the members more pleas
ure In his talks. BY strange coincidence,
breakdown, was to take q leading part In
entertaining the club. That evening ne
seemed to be at his best aud In his most
happy mood. But on going home he re-
ailzed difficulty in ascending the steps 10
his bed room.
AS a wliter for the periodicals Of the day he
had no equal at Abbeville: His writings
would make volume. and for which the
magazines paid him most liberaily. Some
of his articles we're of such interest and
merit that they were copied into English
publications, were bis writings were read by
people who were indeed strangers to him.
Mr. Miller was high man, with generous
Impulses. He loved to do Kindness for all,
and never did an unkindness for any living
creature. r...
In his money transactions he was scrupu-
lously correct. He never deviated, In single
instance from the course which his own con-
science. and the intelligent Judgment OF 9TH
ers, approved.
Upon one point we presume that all who
knew Mr. Miller, will agree, and that is, bis
answering fidelity to Due West, his friend
ship to her institutions, and bis love 70 her
people. For this reason. If for no other, u
was meet and proper that bis remains snoulo
be carried back to the home Of his chlldhood,
TO the scenes Of the struggles Of his youth,
and to the environment which bound his
manhood In ties which Time could not cor
rode, and which Death alone could sever:
Forty-fve years ago he was the drst born ~
loving parents. Today be sleeps by their
in the cemetery which lies In full VIZ ~
home in which he first saw
Saul and Jonathan theEa
pleasant in their liyese
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