The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-12-01
N. P. Wideman Dead.

William Patton Wideman died Thurs
day November, 25th 1909, in the fifty
eight year Of his age.
The Day Of Thanksgiving had also been
made the occasion for the reception OF his
brother, j. F. Wideman, Superintendent of
Education Of Greenwood County, who had
recently married, and for the first time
was bringing his bride to the ancestral
home. Friends and neighbors had been
hidden, and surrounded as he was by these,
Mr.. W. P. Wideman, apparently in per-
feet health, was the soul Of entertainment
and geniality. He possessed the faculty of
entertaining in a marked degree. He was
a ready speaker, a delightful converse
tionalist, and he possessed a tenor voice
that has been the delight Of thousands.
All Of his powers were used for the
pleasure Of his guests on this occasion,
and at eventide the guests departed,
leaving only Mr.. J.F. Wideman and wife.
= Music and song and anecdote enlivened
the spirits Of all, and made this the hap
piest of Thanksgiving Days in that home;
but before the echo of mirth had died
away, death entered, chilling and darken-
ing the scene.
The two brothers, seated on the piazza
OF the beautiful old home, the same that
their feet had pressed in boyhood days,
lived again in the past, and looked with
renewed promise into the future. All
about them leaves were falling from the
primeval forest; those little messengers
that tell US of our transient existence.
But who reads this message for himself
especially when the crimson tide flows
strong and buoyant.
Leaves have their time to fall,
And flowers to wither at the north winds
breath,
And stars to set-bpE ali!
Thou hast all seasons for thine own,
o Death"
I'm a moment, in the twinkling of an
eye" the stealthy Reaper touched the
elder brother.
Apoplexy was thought to be the cause
Of Mr., Widemans death, and he died with
out moving a muscle. Just before death
he remarked to his brother. II feel
strangely" and then in a few seconds he
added, II feel very strange, and his
hesd fell back against the chair and he
spoke no more. Life was extinct.
Many Of the guests Of that day, who
lived near by, on arriving at home were
met with theastartling phone message
that w. P. Wideman who they had left
apparently so hale and hearty but a little
ago, had passed to the great beyond.
Mr.. Wideman leaves a wife and three
children: Misses Jennie and Clara and Mr..
Boyce Wideman, who was attending
school, In Tennessee at the time OF his
fathers death.
Mrs. Wideman Is the daughter Of the
late Rev. E. E. Boyce II. D., Of Gastonia,
NC. OF Cody parents her life reflected
the virtues and graces Of the christian
home. Coming like sunshine into the life
Of her husband, she accentuated every
pleasure, she lightened every burden.
Mr.. W. P. Wideman was the eldest son
Of DIR. A. T. Wideman, who in his day was
one of the wealthy men Of the County.
The two other children, Mr.. J. F. Wideman
and Mrs, Addison are still living. He often
served his county in conventions, and he
was at one time a member Of the State
Legislature. In loyalty to his political
friends, as In everything else, his zeal was
unbounded. |
He was a great reader, and was perhaps
as well informed on current events as any
man living In the County,
While In common with the human race
he was tenacious Of his rights, we believe
that he did not harbor malice. Whatever
storms may have swept his nature, sun
shine, It's more natural element soon fol-
lowed In their wake. |
Mr.. Wideman was buried at Lower Long
Cane, Saturday, November 9th. In con-
sequence of the sickness Of the pastor, |
Rev. R. F. Bradley, the funeral services
were conducted by Rev. II. B. Blakely,
pastor Of the Associate Reformed Church
at Troy. The large old church was we'll
filed with those who in deep sorrow came
to witness the last sad rites.
When the first funeral song was raised
sobs went forth from many hearts.
For more than thirty-fve years in this
same church, he had sung the funeral
reQuiems. When the church wa strong in |
membership and wealth he had been the
leading spirit Of the choir; and in her lat
ter years, when much Of her strength had
vanished, when many Of her members had
moved to other fields, and many more |
had crossed over the river, he vas still at
his post, loyal and faithful as Of old.
The usual attendants at the Church
could but sigh
"For the touch of a vanished hand,
And the sound Of q voice that Is STILL