The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-06-10
TRAGIC DEATH.
MR.. JOSEPH MLAURIN MET AN
AWFUL FATE YESTERDAY.
He was Burned Up With His Resi-
dence mt Point CasweH Yesterday
About DayliGht-His remains Re-
covered and brought to Whining
ton for Interment in OakdaIe.

The awful tidings Of the tragic death
of Mr.. Joseph McLaurin were received
here yesterday morning in a telegram
from Captain r. p. Paddison, of Point
Caswell. The telegram stated that Mr..
AcLaurin's residence at4that place was
burned o daylight yesterday morn
ing, and that as the old gentleman had
no been seen it was supposed that n
was burned up in his house. The ruins
of the house were too hot to permit of
- search at the time the dispatch was
sent but a later message stated when
the fire in the smouldering ruins had
been put ut, search vas made and the
charred remains were discovered. They
were found where he had fallen across
the bed.
We learn that about 4 o'clock yester-
day morning a boy in a neighboring
house saw a light moving back and
forth in MIR. McLaurin's room, but
nothing was thought of il, as Mr.. Nc
Laurin was al early riser. 1t has been
his custom to get up before day, light
his lamp and read before breakfast.
About a half hour after the boy saw
the light it was observed that the house
vas III IdilCS. II dld "dS
and the people of the village turned
out but the fire had made such progress
that the house was soon entirely con-
sumed.
After the uin cooled off what remain
cd of Mr.. McLaurin's body was Oun
lying across his bed, portions of the
bedding having been covered n fall
ed to burn. His lamp was also found
in the bed. He a on his clothes, and
it is supposed that he had gotten up,
dressed and lighted his lamp to await
for day, as was his usual custom He
was subject to heart trouble and his
~neighbors presume that he felt an at
tack coming on and got to his bed in
time TO fall across it with the lamp IN
his hand. 1t is believed that he had
really died of heart trouble before the
fire occurred.
Mr.. John Beatty, a nephew OF MIR.
McLaurin, who was about three miles
from Point Caswell, was notified and
he Immediately went there and easily
identified the remains of his uncle.
Several others also identified them.
MIR. Beatty and Mr.. Luke Gibson, a
friend, brought the remains to Whining
ton On the Atlantic and Yadkin train
which arrived here asst evening at 1870
o'clock, and the funeral will take place
at Oakdale cemetery lodge this morning
at $3.50 o'clock.
Mr.. McLaurin was born in Fayette-
willie. n. c., December Is, 1922, n was
in the SOth year of his age. He came
to Wilmington with his parents when
he was about five years old, and up to
a few years ago had made this city
his home. He received his early edu-
cation in the schools in the city and
subsequently graduated at the State
university. For many years prior to
the civil war he was teller in the
branch bank of the state in this city
and when it went out of existence he
became teller in the Bank of Cape Fear\
The latter bank went out of existence
during the war, and afterwards. Mr..
1 cLaurin was employed at various
things about the city. Several years
ago he removed to Point Caswell, as he
wished to live in retirement
The deceased leaves one son and three
daughters, Mrs. James H. Taylor, Mr..
L. w. McLaurin and Miss Kate NC
I.aurin, of this city, and Mrs. Walter
Coney, of Savannah, Ga. He is also
survived by one brother and two SIS
ters-Mr. John McLaurin, deputy regis
ter of deeds of New Hanover county,
Mrs. NJ. Cronly, of this city, and Mrs.
Catherine Beatty, OF Bladen county.
His wife died here a few years ago.
The family has the sincere sympathy
of numerous friends in their awful be-
reavement.