The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-12-03
READS LIKE a ROMANCE.

READS LIKE A ROMANCE.
The Story of South Caroliniar
Wrecked on Cuba's Coast.
Years ago the following item ap-
peared in the columns of the Able
vile Medium:
In September last the Annie
Freeman a beautiful three-masted
schooner, sailed out of Charleston
harbor for the Bermudas. Her sails
were filled with prosperous breezes
and her graceful prov ploughed the
briny deep leaving in her wake glow
Of phosphorescent light. Since that
day the sprightly ship with all her
sacred human freight has been un-
heard Of; her fate is wrapped in
mystery, hidden horror Of the deep.
Upon this vessel sailed James T.
Erwin Of the good old Abbeyille family
Of Erwin, and Of his sad loss we now
wish to make note. Mr.. Erwin was
90 years Of age, a very bright and
promising young man, just beginning
to see his way to business success. He
was on his way to the BermudaS to
purchase a cargo of choice West India
fruits, and in the prosecution of his
laudable enterprise fell at his post.
Mr.. ErGin was member of the Pres
byteran church and correct and
exemplary Christian. His loss will be
deeply deplGred by bis numerous
friends III this county and the plognan-
cy Of their grier will be more deep
and lasting by the thought that to
them he will never come back again
unit! the sea given up her dead.
And the stately ships 60 on
TO their haven under the hill.
Bat 0 for touch Of vanished hand
And the sound Of a voice that is still"
Years passed and the rate OF James
Erwin vas unknown and not a word
YVES heard Of him until few months
ago. The Medium says in its last
issue. Then a letter came to one Of
the Erwin family Of Abbeyille county
which revived interest in the whole
matter.
The story tcld was that James Err
win was not drowned but landed in
Cuba and engaged in the cultivation
of sugar. He amassed a great fortune,
for all his enterprises prospered and
made money for him He married a
beautiful and refined Cuban woman
ard to them a daughter was born who
promised to be as bright and beauti-
ful as the mother. Time passed on
and both parents died about the same
time in Habana Of yellow fever.
A rich and distinguished officer Of
the Spanish army stationed IN Cuba
fell in love with the beautiful heiresS
thus bereft of both parents and left
alone in the world. The attachment
was mutual and they soon married.
\ daughter was born OF this union
and inherited the beauty Of her moth
er and grandmother. The Spanish
officer became so outraged at the
cruelties Of Gen. Weyler that be re-
signed from the army. He sent his
wife and daughter to his cid home in
Spain and went to England himself to
put his great fortune in safe place.
The mother died and the daughter
was placed in a convent school in
Spain, and she is there now proSecut-
ing her studies, being the sole heir to
an immense fortune.
The Spanish officer then returned
to his old home in Spain and shortly
afterwards was arrested through the
influence of the cruel Weyler and
thrown into prison. After much suf-
fering he died. In his last hours he
received the consultations Of religion
from Roman Catholic priest. He
told the priest the story Of his life and
about the South Carolina kin Of his
daughter, so soon to be left alone in
the world. He knew Of Malcolm En-
win, Of Abbeville County, and OF his
fondness for his nephew. James En-
win, who was supposed to have been
lost at sea. He had not heard of the
death of Malcolm Erwin and wished
him to have the care Of his little
daughter. He desired the priest to
see that his will was executed, and in
that will he left all his property to
the daughter, except share to Nal
colin Erwin, for taking care of the
child. enough to make him an indie
pendent fortune.
Letters have been received by Will
liam Erwin. son of Malcolm Erwin,
giving the interesting particulars set
forth above. Correspondence with par
ties in Spain is still going on, and
there is a pause in the drama. The
young woman is in school, cared for
by the nuns. She is the perfection OF
beauty, and of brilliant mental attain
ments, with a fortune beyond the
dreams of avarice" The noble priest,
still faithful to his trust, and watches
over the young woman.