The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-08-15
LAMP EXPLOSION.
Destruction of q Handsome Dwelling.
Tuesday, Aug. Ii, 1905. Notes Of a
HiSsoric Lot

About sunrise on yesterday morning the
handsome dwelling house on Main Stree,
| owned and occupied by Mr.. William Beck
with was found to be on fire. When dis
covered the blaze was coming out OF the
shingles of the roof OF an upstairs room
The alarm was Immediately sent in, wher
| the fire company under command of Capt. l.
A. Richey responded to the call Of the fire
bell. But the headway OF the fire and the
distance from headquarters Of the fire depart
ment caused such necessary delay In reach
| ing the scene, as prevented the possibility o.
saving the building. Some of the furniture
was saved. While little was saved the good
work Of the fire pany on this as we'll at
on other occasions. Is highly appreciated by
the property owners, and we hope that the
council may not forget to give them their e1
pected annual excursion or in some Other
way to show su ubstantal appreciation of theil
faithful services.
The origin of the fire Is unknown, but the
supposition Is, that 1t was caused by the ex'
plosion Of kerosene lamp which was lefl
burning in the room where the fire began
No one was In the room at the timer and no
one could enter 1t after the Ere was discover
ed. Fortunately the little babe had been
carried TO another room when Mr., and Mrs.
Beck with had risen from their bed. When
Mrs Beckwith discovered the fire, she was
passing from the cook room, where she was
looking after the preparation Of the. break
fast. Neighbors camein promptly, and all
were anxious TO lend helping hand.
The lot is q part of the Foster Marshall
homestead, wbose owner won repown In the
battles OF his county in Mex. co in 1S47. In
1860 Mr.. Marshall again took up arms for the
land Of his birth. In one OF the battles
around Richmond he fell. and his body now
moulders in the yard Of the Episcopal church.
He was buried as near the sanctuary as the
avs of that church would allow. He and
hls wife sleep together beneath the shades OF
the spruce and the pine which ornament the
hallowed ground. The only sign OF their
grav yes are two great iron urns which were
taken from bis own door. The Marshall
ho no estead was made historic for other rea-
sons than the owners zealin good works and
valor in war. When the war was ended, and
whe its owner was dead, and when bis
princely estate had been scattered to.the four
winds, the turbulent or unrestful condition
her Ia OK OF husbands strong arm to protect
her, ap pealed to the Captain Of the company
OF United States soldiers for guard
against possible danger. Before the removal
OF fthe first guard, which was composed OF
white men =, q coiored company came to Alb
beville and they we're put on duty. dis
turbance betw cen whites and blacks on the
street, greatly incensed the colored company
Of eh listed men. In their anger they sought
revenge. Going to the gate which opened to
the house they waited their opportunity. See
ing a man in the hall, whom they supposed
to be SOD OF Col. Foster Marshall, they fired
on him and killed him. 1t was coon learned
that they had killed the white soldier who
was there on guard. For prudential reasons
the oolored soldiers left town before the rise
of the sun.
In after years the elegant home passed into
the hands OF as faithful q soldier as ever
fought for Southern Rights, namely: Col. ]. T.
Robertson. He had shared the hardships and
dangers of camp and battle with his friend
Col. Marshall. But he lived to come home; and
again entered the activities Of busy life.
Having good credit and being Of known good
business ability, be was soon q merchant IN
the forefront.
Handsome and pleasing In address he
courted and won charming bride that was
fair to look upon, namely: Miss Eugenia
Miller. They bought the Marshall house and
were happy and comfortable In their new
home, until 1t was destroys ed by fire.
Col. Robertson, stout of heart and strong OF
arm, was not cast down. he and his devoted
wife met the fate with will to overcome
their misfortune. The result is, though they
sleep In Gods acre, their children today oc'
cupy the most elegant structure In the city
and which is surrounded by the most I'm.
posing array OF ornamental trees.
In the settlement OF the Marshall estate IN
1873 or 1879, Mr.. w. A. Templeton became
owner OF part of the lot, on which he built
the handsome home OF Mr.. Beckwith, which
was destroyed by fire yesterday morning.
Mr.. Templeton and his family occupied the
house until about two or three years ago,
when they moved to neighboring lot.
Mr.. 6. N. Nichols became the owner
through purchase at about $4,000. Later, he
sold the place to Mr.. Beck with for s6, 900. Six
thousand dollars was regarded as high
price, but since then lots have changed hands
at figures so much higher, that Mr.. Beck
with's price Ia considered low. He certainly
has good lot, though the loss Of the house
is a severe blow TO an active and thorough
going young man.
And his coming to Abbeville Ia an interest.
ing story. One Of our prettiest young women
went to to teach school. Mr.
Beck with was charmed by her beauty, bel
,t1 l.
ties which carry appreciative men captive
She recognized his manly worth and high
character, and so Miss Pearl Marlin became
Mrs. Beck with. They were living happily
with no cloud on the horizon, when their
home suddenly beca me prey to the devour
log element. But they. like some Of the for
mer owners Of The property, need not be cast
down. They are young and In good health
And we have no doubt that they will reach
out and receive the good things yet in store
for them.
Mr.. Beck with while living In town is farm.
ing on the Martin plantation seven miles
north est OF Abbeville. That farm once be.
longe d TO Mrs. Beckw forelathers, and
like the lot on which Mr.. Beckwith lived, haf
many interesting associations, but with
which we are less definitely acquainted
One story is. that before the war, storm
passed over that plantation. and, except the
mill house, blew down all the houses on the
place. and carried his plano TO the middle OF
the mill pond. where 1t went to the bottom
The owner, 30 the story goes, was irreVerenl
and very much disconnected. He raid that
"the Almighty out OF spite to him, had de-
stroyed all his bouses. except his mill house
and he felt sure II He had known where !,
was, He would have blown 1t down, too"
But he was rich, and the houses were re-
built. The owner has long since gone TO hit
apa bic 5ccoDpAopta n0w trvinp