The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1915-02-10
HIRAM 7. TUSTEN

Hiram Tilman Tusten died at his
home in Abbeville Sunday, February
7th, 1915, aged eighty six years. He
was perhaps the oldest white man of
the County.
Mr.. Tusten lived all of his life in
Abbeville County, having been born
near the city of Abbeville when it was
a mere village. His father came from
Goshen County, New York, and his
people were the original settlers of
the county. A marble shaft stands at
the county seat to the memory of Col
onel Ben Tusten,- who was killed while
1epelling an attack by the Indians in
Colonial days.
Mr.. Tusten was for many years en-
gagged in the jewelry and watch max
ing business. He was the master of
his business and accumulated suffi-
eient amount to support him in his
declining years. He retired from busi-
ness about twenty-five years ago.
At the outbreak of the War Be-
tween the States. Mr.. Tusten was one
of the first volunteers. He was at first
rejected on account of his physical
condition, having suffered an injury
to- his lungs some years previous
which had kept him in bed for nearly
two years. He volunteered time and
again and was as often rejected, un-
til at last he was enlisted and assign
ed to the coast defense in the lower
part of. the State. The moist atmos-
phere Of that section proved injurious
to his health and caused him to have
several hemorrhages from the lungs.
He was honorablY discharged and re-
turned home, but after recuperating
for a while, he again volunteered. He
was sent with some important papers
to the army in the west which he de-
livered safely. On his return he con-
tracted typhoid fever which prostrated
him for several months. The South
lad no more loyal sympathizer, or
one who served the cause under more
trying physical conditions.
He was intendant of Abbeville dur
ing the year shortly following the re-
construction, he restored peace and
good order to the community. To keep
the peace then was a real problem, as
negroes had had a taste of authority
and the white people felt more or less
licensed to be law unto themselves.
A number: of young men Of the county
had been accustomed to assembling In
the City, running over the police and
terrorfzing the citizens generally.
When Mr.. Tusten came into office he
determined that this condition should
stop. The offenders were his friends
and they fully expected that they
would continue to run over the town
in the high handed manner as before.
They were duly warned, but it was not
long before they put the new intend
snt to the test. Shortly after he en-
tered his duties twelve Of these young
sasn undertook ta repeat their former
practice. Mr.. Fusten marshallsd his
police force and after an hours fight
on the public square, arrested the
whole party. He put an end to such
lawless raids in Abbeville.
In planting the beautiful shade
trees which adorn the side walks o.
the City, he contributed more to the
beauty of the town than any man who
has ever lived in it. He inauguratec
the plan, while the work was done by
the town marshall, Mr.. Kirby. These
trees line practically every side walk
End beside adding greatly to the beau
ty of the Gity, furnishes shade for
which all pedestrians are grateful In
the summer time.
Mr.. Fusten was man OF kindly
heart, though somewhat eccentric In
his views. He was absolutely without
1olicy. He did not hesitate to express
himself on any matter publicly OF
privately, and then too with blunt
f.ankness.
He loved his friends dearly and he
hated his enemies cordially. He was
kind and indulgent to his family and
loyal to their interest to the last.
For many years he was kind OF
walking encyclopedia Of things in the
distant past in Abbeville County. Il
a stranger came to Abbeville to trace
his ancestry he was referred to Mr.
Tusten. If disputes arose from unset:
tied boundary lines, he was called in
20 testify. At one time 1t was said thai
he knew more men in Abbeville eoun'
ty than any other citizen, and hf