The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-02-28
WIN. WASHINGTON VANCE.
An AbbeyilIe County Man Dies I'm
LOuisiana.
Baton Rouge, La.

IN Yesterday morning the painful intelli
oence of the death of Hon. William Washing
ION Vance saddened the hearts OF his many
Glands in this city. For many months Mr.
Vance has patiently suffered from the en-
croachments Of the disease which eliminated
In his death yesterday, and everything that
human skill anu human auection coulu uo 10
stay the march OF the Destroyer was done, but
without avail. Death came TO him, not rs
the dread messenger or the King or Ierrors
but with the gentle sweep OF an angels PIN,
ions which brushed away his tears and lnlled
m, tired soul to sleep and rest. William
Washington Vance was born at Cokesbury. >.
q in 1919, and was the son OF Major j. X.
Vance who was prominent planter OF that
S,ate snd a member of the Legislature of
south Carolina in iante ballum days4when II
was the custom for the States TO be represent I.
ed in such bodies by the very highest type oi
citizenship. The subject of this sketch receiV-
cd "a common school education in the hools
NJ his native town and in 1866 he ent' I the
celebrated University OF Edinburgh, 4 Edin:
bursb, Scotland from Wh'en es7o ne gsadnated inai
law at Abbeville, In his native state under
Hon. 4. Burt. one of the most eIn inent 1urists
of THAT Stale and was associated vii him for
some time after his admission to the bar. In
1897 Mr. vance came TO Louisiana aud located
at Bellevue, then the parish seat OF BOssler,
where be enjoyed an extensive law practlce
up to the time OF his removal rom that place.
He Represented Bossier parish In the Senate
for one or two terms. and In lSSS he was COM
nIimepted by Attorney General Rogers, who
appointed him Assistant Attorney General,
which position he heid tnsT1ugnout T,as Inc Inc
on the election OF Governor Foster In 1892 he
became Private Secretary to the Governor.
and held that high and responsible position
m 10 the time or his death. In 1892 he was
Sepnily married to Miss Sidney Ballard.
daughter of the late DR.. William Il. Ballard Of
Nav Orleans, who with two bright children,
aged respectively and 2 years, survive
In private life Mr.. Vance was one OF the
most amiable and delightful gentlemen II has
ever been our privilege TO know, endowed
with a naturally cheerful disposition, he
Possessed in an unusual degree those social
traits which cement the bonds OF friendship
and cause them TO grow stronger as the years
elapse, A liberal education had broadened
his mind and enlarged his faculties, and these
reinforced by gentle and refined nature, g;
generous heart, a rectitude@ OF purpose that
Stood like wall OF adamant. and an over
flowing wit. made him one OF the most de-
in his family circle, which, after all. is the
truest test of men. In his public career be
stood as q representative OF the highest and
purest type Of the public omelal, and ne went
official robes nor a sInutch upon his bright
esculcheon. 1t was In the stormy days Of 1886.
when the State was rocked In the throes OF
against The Louisiana Lottery Company. that
the writer of these lines first met and learned
to love William w. Vance. In that tremen.
dous struggle when the very air was suf-
CHARGED with political corruption and the
fipger OF suspicion was pointed at first one
and then another; when strong men Bnc.l
cumbed to the Establishments OF the powerful
propaganda instituted and sustained by the,
IotLery's millions, there never was momengl
when any body doubted the fealty to bis state
of William w. Vance, or questioned what bis
vote as Senator would be. There has never
been a time since when his gallant heart did
not beat responsive to the best In terests OF bis
State, bis party and bis people. It istinex-l
pressibly sad that one SO true. SO generous
and SO brave, should be cut down In the very
prime Of life when all the faculties, broadenedl
BY education apd ripened by experiences, had
attained that degree of development where
they could be em poyed to the highest adyan-s
tage to his fellow men but 1t Is not given ms!
to question the Divine will TO which he 90
loyalty and so chesrfully submitted. All we
may do Ia to lay our mouths 10 the dustin
dufsb though passionate grief over the In.
scrutable dispens satlons Of Him who doeth all
things well. His kpightly soul pasted,
through the darkling shadows with4E fa3ths
that was luminous, q fortitude that was sun
lime beyond description, while the tfturnf'
phant expression OF the conquerorl itngersh
upon the pale brow even after the ganele
spirit bad passed through the gates INTO the
city. His stricken family have the heartielk
sympathy of our entire community. Whtel
hosts Of friends widely scattered thfoughaht1
the country will drop tltent tear as they5
realize that the graveiha closed oyera heaTS
SO gentle and 80 brave. q Es5 y ssli