The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-05-31
VETERAN EDITOR DEAD.
col. Thomas IL. Crews PASSES AWAY
After inncSS of Four WcckS--His
Career.

died shortly after 1 o'clock last night
at tie home of his daughter, Mrs.
John q. Bolt, after an illness Of about
four weeks duration. He suffered
from heart trouble and as his illness
progressed complications developed.
ON Monday last he experienced
change for the worse, and TO friends
VINO called to See him and to mem
bers Of his family he expressed his
absolute faith and hope Of the future,
saying that while his life had been
far from perfection, he relied on the
promises of God and had accepted
them.
At o'clock this afternoon services
were held at the homo of Mr. and
Mrs. John f. Bolt the Rev. L. p.
McGce, pastor Of the First Methodist
church, # which the deceased had
been member for more than half a
century, ofiiciated, assisted by other
minister's of the day. At the city
cemetery where he was laid to rest
beside the graves of his wives, the
last rites We're conducted by the
Masons. \ tremendous throng was
present. AmonS those from other
points proscn, included Coy. Blcasc.
Col. Wylie Jones and James \. Hoyt
Of Columbia; Col. f. II. Aun IF New
berry ami senator Tilman.
Col. Crews was twice married his
first marriage being to Miss Eugenia
+. Hancc, October p, 1856. Forty
four years ago yesterday she passed
away, leaving besides her husband
three sons, William r.. James T. and
Edgar II. Crews, and one daughter,
Miss Sallic, now the wife Of John +.
Bolt, clerk of court of Laurens
county.
Col. Crews was one Of the oldest
editors and publishers in South Caro-
lima, having continued his connection
in newspaper work since 1S45, con.
tinuousy, with the exception Of the
four years given to Southern cor
federacy, up to the time Of his death.
H. served one term in the state leg
islature in the SOS and afterward rep
resented Laurcns county in the State
senate four years. In 1898 he was
appointed postmaster at Laurcus Lv
President Cleveland. serving a term
Of four years. At the time of his
death he was a members If the board
Of trustees of the soldiers home.
commander of Camp Darlington. t..
G. V, and a member Of the state cN-
equity" committee from I.aurens
for a number of years. Politically
he was one OF the leaders i'm this
county.
Thomas BisScll Crews was son Of
Thomas and Mary Crews and was
born at RutherfordtOn, y. c.. June
I, 1892, and therefore lacked only 10
days of completing his 18th year. He
al y,
having attended the schools in his
home town when not at work in his
fathers wagon and buggy shops. He
entered the office Of the Messrs. God
man, then prOprietors and editors OF
the Laurens Herald, completing his
apprenticeship two years later. Later
he worked as State printer for some
time, and then came back t. Laurens
10 work on The Herald Just before
the war he accepted the position Of
foreman of The Banner of Abbcyillc.
When the War Between the Sections
broke out he enlisted with Company
~. First South Carolina cavalry.
IIamptOn's brigade. Army Of North
crn Virginia. He succeeded to the
first li"utenancy of his command and
frequently led his company as cap
tain. He was engaged in many Of the
important battles.
vt the close of the war COL Crews
returned to LaUrcns ana with a local
company purchased the Laurensvinc
Herald. I'm 1872 Col. Crews became
chief editor and proprietor ana thus
continued his relation to the paper up
to tho present time
while LIVING i'm Atlanta MIR. Crews
Joined am expedition ami proceeded To-