The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-10-18
w. GILMORE SIMMS
HAS PASSED AWAY
Sterling Citizen of Barnwell Dies Sud
denly-Casts a Gloom Over Town.
Honored and Respected by People
of the Community-Eldest Son of
Famous Carolina Author.


Famous Carolina Author.
Balnwell, Oct. 15.-Barnwell town
an dcounty was greatly shocked this
morning to learn of the sudden death
of William Gilmore Simms, clerk of
court for this county, at his residence
on Marlboro avenue, after brief
illness of one week. Last Monday,
while at his Office, he was seized with
a chill, and upon the advice of his
doctor, went home. Fever followed
this attack, but it was thought that
he was well on the road to recovery.
This morning at about o'clock he
complained of nausea and his physi-
clan was summoned. Mr. Simms was
apparently much better at 9 o'clock
and was talking with members of his
family when turn for the worse
came. At 9:15 o'clock he passed
away.
The news of the death of this son
of old Barnwell spread rapidly, cast
ing gloom over the town in which
he had spent so many years of his
useful life, and for whose moral and
social uplift he had striven so earnest
ly. Many eyes were dimmed with un-
shed tears and in the hearts of none,
white or black, is there aught but
sorrow that the great, good heart is
stilled, the generous hands folded,
the kindly eyes closed in the sleep
that knows no awakening.
Mr.. Simms was born at Charleston
60 years ago. His parents were Will
liam Gilmore Simms, the author, and
Chivelette Roach Simms. To this un-
ion Is children were born, Mr..
Simms being the eldest OF the sons.
When the War Between the Sections
began, he was a cadet at the Citadel
in Charleston, and was one of those
who left school to offer his life for
his beloved South. He served from
his enlistment to Appomattox, and
at no time during those years did he
fail to answer the call of duty. He
was in many bloody battles and re-
esi~.si-~-
always returned to his command at
the earliest possible moment. He
rose to the rank of lieutenant and was
only prevented from being promoted
to a captaincy by the ending of the
war.
After the close of that bitter strug.
gle, he returned to Barnwell county
and gathered together the broken
threads of life made desolate by the
ravages of war. He was one of the
organizers of the Red Shirt campaign
of '76, and no man did more for the
redemption of the State from carpet
bag rule than did William Gilmore
Simms. He, together with Col. George
d. Tillman and others, met Chamber
lain and his cohorts in joint debate
and defeated them in the presence of
their negro followers, filling the
negroes with contempt for the gov
ernor and his officials.
In 1878 Mr.. Simms was elected
Judge of probate and served one term.
He was later appointed master of
Barnwell county by Gov. Thompson.
He resigned this Office to succeed Maj.
j. j. Brabham as clerk of court in
1888. He has served continusly in
this capacity since that time, mis- nom-
ination over two opponents in the re-
cent primary making the eighth con-
secutive term to which he has been
elected. The record that he made
in public service is above reproach
and is one to which his friends will
point with pride as vindication of
the confidence placed in him.
Mr.. Simms married Miss Emma G..
Hartzog, daughter of Samuel j. Hart
zog of Bamberg. Several children
blessed this union, five of whom are
living. Besides his wife, Mr.. Simms
is survived by one sister, Mrs. Donald
Rowe of Charleston; one brother,
Charles Carroll Simms of Barnwell;
two sons, w. G. Simms, Jr., and Har.
old A. Simms; three daughters, Mrs
r. Boyd Cole and Misses MAY and
Annie Lee Simms, all of Barnwell.
The funeral will probably be held
tomorrow afternoon, but owing to
the distance at which some of Mr.
Simms' reatives live, the hour coulo
not be definitely stated today.
! An