The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-05-06
COL. JAMES G. GIBBEs DEAD.
A Sketch of his Long Life and
Varied Career.

Columbia, April 2S.-Col. James G.
Gibbes, whose life is intimately as
sociate with the history of the State.
and which reads like a romance, died
tonight after brief illness. James
Guignard Gibbes was descended on
both sides from old Colonial fmilies,
his father, Dr.. Robt. W. Gibbes, be-
ing a descendant of Robert Gibbes,
who was Governor in lilo, and his
mother, Miss Guignard being descend
ed from former surveyor general OF
the province. James G. Glbbes was
born in Columbia, on January, 6. 1929,
and, after preparation in the CONN I'M
ba Male Academy, graduated from the
South Carolina College in 1847. He
then took special course in math-
ematics and engineering, at the Cita-
del Academy. In 1852 he was elected
chief engineer of railroad in
Louisiana, the first one stretching
vest OF the Mississippi. Two years
later he returned to build the line
between Columbia and Augusta, whose
completion was delayed until after the
war.
ability, his indomitable energy, his
speculative disposition and his skill ia
workmanship and his executive ability.
When the war began he was sent 20
England by Mr.. Memminger, Seere-
tary of the Confederate States, as
fna lcial agent to negotiate loan for
Sl5, ,0O0 600. He found that he could
place several hundred millions of dol
lars worth of bonds, and strongly
urged Mr.. Memminger to negotiate
the full amount, on the ground that
if Great Britain became creditor of
the Confederacy for four or five hun
dred millions, she would not let the
United States conquer. But there
was no authority for such an issue,
and the opportunity was lost. Return
ing home Mr.. Gibbes was put in
charge of the Saluda Factory, and was
powerful adjunct in providing yarn
and cloth that we're greatly needed.
He organized system Of blockade
running. Through this he became
enormously wealthy, counting his pos
sessions by the millions in Confed-
crate money and spending it like
water with lavish generosity. He
advanced between one and two million
dollars in Confederate money, equl-
yalent to several thousand In gold, to
United States officers imprisoned In
Columbia, accepting notes that were
repudiated after the war, He was one
of the props of the Confederacy. When
Sherman reached Columbia Col.
Gibbes, as alderman, accom-
panied DR.. T. j. Goodwin,
the mayor. and surrendered the
city. He witnessed the shame
! full burning and wholesale sacking OF
| the city and saw his fathers residence,
| with thousands of dollars in medals,
curios, rare books and pamphlets
Quilted and burned. Owing to Dr..
Godwyn's age and health, he turned
over the administration Of the city to
Col. Gibbes as mayor pro tenn. With
the greatest energy he set about the
task of feeding about ten or fifteen
thousand homeless, destitute people.
| Sherman left a herd of five hundred
old and tough beeves in the campus OF
| the College, and these were killed and
distributed. Regular rations were
given out, partly supplied by Sherman
and partly gathered from the surround
ing country.
Col. Gibbes's personal expenditures
reached $3.50, 600 so far as he could es-
| innate it. When he was asked by the
city, council how he should be re-
paid, he pointed to sack Of coffee
bearing the mark '.16 pounds" !" and
said: stI will take that and sign re-
ceipts.'' He held the Office of collector
of internal revenue in 1865 and 1866.
Between the years of 1870 and 1890
he was engaged in building railroads
| in Florida and accumulated large pro-
perty, which was lost by failure Of the
corporation and Reputation Of bonds.
| In 1876 he stumped the State for
Hampton, and was noted for his In
exhaustible repertory OF campaign
jokes and anecdotes.
In 1890 he was made State land agent
for the sinking fund and by his knowl-
edge of the State and ability as sur
yeyor, restored at least million acres
of land to the tax-books. His hand was
open to everybody and he gave away
and loaned several fortunes. Up to
| the last he was a marvel of industry
and activity. Col. Gibbes had re-
markabe memory and wide range of
KQOH1SQSo, dNO uo was q moso ou0ei
tanning conversationalist. Some months
ago he was induced to write book on
the burning of Columbia, which is
| valuable contribution to history, and
proves conclusively that the city was
destroyed by Sherman's army. Col.
Gibbes was twice married, first to
Miss Mccullough, of Mobile, Ala, in
1856, and second to Mrs. Gilchrist,
nee Waller, By both of whom he had
children. Col. Gibbes was one of the
landmarks of Columbia, and had prob
ably a more extensive acquaintance
| with the lands of the State than any
other man living. He will be greatly
missed both in business and social
circles.
Tallahassee, Fla, April 29.-The
uo-.o %o Rom