The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-06-29
MAJ. j. l.. CCNER DEAD.
one OF south Cardinals Leading Git
izenS SucCumLs ut Home in Harts-
vile.

lima is called upon to mourn The loss
Of one Of hcv most useful and di5tin-
suishcd citizcns--onC whose long l;fc
was ever pure in its purpose and
strong iii it's striving. Maj. James Lido
Cokcr died at his home here this az.
ternoCn ut o'clock. The end was
rot unlocked for although it came
suddenly. For some few Years Majo.
Cocker had not taken active detailed
III; naGemert of his large and var:cI
tus'r IS interests but his active in
.crcst and influence was felt in his
aHairs. Generally he discussed the
details regularly with his sens and
ieutcnants and made many sugges-
tons rs to their management. Al
:Aost daily reports and conferences
were held with his sons
Major Cocker was in his usual health
until last Thursday when attacks Of
Inconsistencies came again He did
not rally from this condition which
was not at first more alarming than
previous ones. Monday night he grew
worse and it was evident that the cnl
WGS approaching. He iapSed into q
scmi-consciOus condition, CROWN
weaker until the end came ut o'cloc,.
Utsday. All members of his family
were with him except his daughter.
Mrs. l.. +. Watson of GrecnvjlIc and
one son, DR.. W. G. Cofer Of Chap2!
Hill, y. G. HIS surviving children
are j. l.. Coker Jr., ID. r. Coker w.
&. Cokcr, c. w. COkcr and Mrs. r.
F. Watson. The funeral will be held
at the Hartsville Baptist church We'd
nesday at 6 p. m.
Major Coker died in his SIND year
and this long span Of honored years
made lifo record which can only
come TO spirits of strong purpose and
Of the purest mould. In peace and III
war he served his country rs a brave
and useful son and his life has lcrt
!ich heritage Of noble ideals, a con-
;ribution to his State and his country.
He organized the Har;sville Light In
fantry and was captain Of this COM
lany throughout the war. lie was
made major after being severely
wounded ct Lookout Valley in 1868.
This wound inca pacitatcd him for fur
ther active war service, but he was
sent TO the Legislature again to serve
nis state. AS a business man With
ability 70 see and accomplish large
things he was we'll known. He built
;he town OF Hartsville, equipping ii
with railroads, banks, churches, fac
tories and an educational institution
which bears his name, Collcr College.
This monument is one which would
confer distinction and honor uron any
founder and yet it is one of the many
realizations of his noble ideals
The life Of Maj. James Lide Coker
has been one of inspiration and moral
uplift to more than Darlington coun-
ty of which he was easily the fore
most citizen. He WAS gentle ami
brave, modest and pure, strong and
tender, patriotic and true. and his
work and influence will give cloquenl
speech through years to come to tho
life and the man who has done az
much for his native state.
.ajor Coler was born at Society
iIill, January 8, 1897. He was oducat
co at st. David's Academy, the South
Carolina Military Academy, and al
Harvard University, whore he Htudict
chemistry and botany. ON March 28
iSc0 he was married to Miss Susan
"t"Ct Of AiahnE,a. IN the fall Of
1850 he cTt;;.niZcd the i!lrtsvi!lc I.ilyh
Infantry; as captain. he commanded
tnat company in several battles. He
was in command Of his company at
Fredericksburg, Elackwater ana SUI.
folk, and was specially mentioned il
orders, by General Jenkins, for con
duct in these campaigns. He was
wounded very severely at Loohou
Valley, Tennessee. He was born,
from the battlefield TO private house
where he had 90 remain for siH
months in the meantime the cncm.
occupied the country and he fell int,
their hands, but was afterwards pa
rolled and sent through the lines as
disabled and unfit for active service
Early in 1854, he was promoted t.
major OF the Sixth South Carolin;
volunteer Infantry.
tie succeeded in bus,n ss in Uorts