The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-02-05
ONE MAN IN A MILLION.
Striking Case Of Former Lowndes-
Vile Man who Toiled Twenty-Five
News and Courier.

Augusta, Ca, February 1.-John a; Bell
now OF Portland, Oregon, native OF LoWh-
desville and afterward cltlzec OF Augusta,
has demonstrated the fact that ne ls dad
among few men In the woria. ',,a awtnS svare vnre
prospect In life were ruined In the n nnanciaI
panic. He had been cashier and te ler OF tne
commercial Bank and later STOCK hnd oono
broker, handling large funds. IN the lalter
circle be had paftieularly bright prospects,
but when the financial crash came ne was or
the wrong side of the market: he la,l % aug 10
his liabilities we're between $50 w" ana s4o,oOO
He left Augusta penniless IN 1854 and notnlng
more was heard from him until 1890 John
Bell was but q victim OF circumstances, sucn
as the world has known all its years ana VIII
know as long az IL Pxists-out ne WAS uiuei
ent from Others. In 1890 letter was received
In Augusta, mailed nom Portland, Oregon.
in which Bell 9, ated that be had In those ~ :
tervenipg years been striving 10 reonllu nis
wrecked fortunes, and was than IN q positiob
10 offer q compromise 81 20 per cent To BIZ nls
creditors. This was arranged. the com plls, IS,
ton was effected, the money paid and Bell
discharged from all obligations.
Since that time many OF his creditors nave
died believing that Bell had settled With
them, but In q quiet way he has Kept tracR,
as we'll as he could, OF every claim against
MIN, and during the very recent past sums %,
money have been received mere 10 tnS ~ iuiI
amount due, after the pay ment OF the ~ PEI
cent settlement. on each OF the claims: 10
mauy instances the payment was mace u
widows and orphans. There still remained
one claim, or rather original deot. Ior 81 tns
Bell was unable 10 locate that one man. IN
the past week, through the assistance OF an
intimate friend In Augusta, that one oIo
claimant was located, the money sent 10 nlm,
and now the announcement comes from
Bells friend here hat every penny lost 10 nls
creditors In B .II's failure has been fully r. :
paid, and he dOea not owe man IN tne Worlo'
he is president and active mana or nf large
10 frnt hpa aQa Portland OREGON.
and has established himself IN the minds OF
the people OF his native home az one among
many-an honest, upright man.
ty, about 1869. IN company with Mr.. ". =.
Latiner. Both located in Augusta, and Mr.
Latimer has had q long and upinterrupteo
prosperous career. For Q time Nr. Bell Wa'
equally prosperous. b1t as ABOVE Ne s,aieo ie, "a,
Mr.. Bell settled all OF his old debts. but be has @
sent to each OF his sisters present OF SIoOO
Mrs. VIM. Moore Of Lowndesv1lle, and MRS,
James M. Giles OF Anderson, are said 70 ,
the lucky recipients Of these valuable gift
from q brother who deserves golden honors
not only from themselves but from all the
Mr.. Bell after going TO Portland, Oregon,
married lady OF Oregon possessing the most
superior Qualities. She was made fully ac-
opainted with Mr.. Bells financial condition,
and under the circumstances consent 10 the
marriage. She afterward entered fully into
his efforts to meet ms nnsnSiai Gr6iIns r.,
laC6 to visit his kinfok. On their return she
was taken sick on the train and died. Mr..
Bell is still living In Portland. Oregon.
pe a ihps IN s 5n hstops hss ses G1 Mi
them have any children,
story in fiction, than is here given in facts,
please let the world know OF It.