The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-05-02
HENRY RAGIN THOMAS.

Was born in Sun:merton April 5th,
1875, and died at his home near
Wedge6eld, March 21st, 1906, being
nearly 81 years old. He entered Wof-
| ford College in the fall OF 1859, ard
remained as student until 1861,
When he volunteered: as private in
Capt Walkers company, Spartan RI
| fes, attached 70 the regiment of Col
Micah jenkins. He. served through
campaign of 81, IL Virginia, with this
command, and early IN so was trans
ferred to the 5th regiment Of cavalry,
Capt. SINNERS company from Claren-
ioa county. He served with this COM
naand until '63, when he became a ca
det in the S. C. II. A, entering again
the service of his country in the fall
of 'e4. with the Citadel battalion, serv-
| ing on the coast Of his State until the
fall of Charleston, returning with his
command into North Carolina, and
later by order of Gov. McGrath, re-
turning to the upper part Of his State
to meet a threatened raid by Gen.
Stoneman. The battalion soon after
close of hosrilities was disbanded and
he returned to his home at Summer
| ton. Gen. Potter had just returned to
Georgetown after raiding the lower
portion of the State, carrying hordes
of negroes along with him, who plum
dered the homes Of the people, carry
| ing off stock and valuables at will
These negroes continued to make raids
IN the country, committing like depra-
/ dations, for there was no civil law to
stop them, all was chaos and disorder
It was while defending the homes,
and protecting the property of his;
neighbers and friends that he incur
red the enmity of the dominant party
of radicals and scalawags, who came
| to prey upon the vitals of our people,
and left the State as hundreds had to
do, rather than be subjected to un-
| Just treatment by those who had no
| love for the south. He went to New
| York, assumed the name of Thomas,
studied civil engineering, and engaged
| in railroad construction for a number
of years, later going to Canada, where
| he lived until Gen. Hampton was
! elected governor After his return
home he retained his assumed name
by legislative enactment. For num-
Der of years he was active in politics,
was appointed railroad commissioner
| by Gov. Tillman. Afterwards was
| elected and served for years. He
made one of the best commissioners
| the State ever had, accurate, bold and
| just in his work. He was married
three times,-frst to Miss Annie YOU
mans Peters, young lady belonging
to one of the first families of Pleasant
Valley. New York. by whom he had
two children, Mrs W. E. Fielder, Of
Summerton, and H D. Thomas, Of
Florence, S. c.; second, to Miss Annie
Frezil Caldwell, of Charleston, from
this union there are two children also,
Mrs. r. D. Zimmerman, of st Mat
tnews. S. c., and j. C. Thomas, of
Washington, D. c.; third, to Miss
Mary Emma Caldwell. of Wedgefeld,
who survives him, With three children,
Adele, Julia and Hariy Ragin Ttom-
as
During the last foN- years of his life
Mr.. Thomas did nar take ar active
part in public affairs. remaining quiet
ly at his home, which was the abode
of open-hearted hospitality to his
friends.
AS soldier he served his country
we'll in whatever capacity he was plac-
ed. He was lifelong member OF
the Methodist church.
He had many true and sincere
friends, who deplore bis taking off.
May his soul continue to grow in pow,
er throughout all the ages of the
''other time" J. E. DuPre.
Pisgah, S. C.