The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1921-04-15
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pRCMi!%ENT LEXINGTON FARM
EH FOUND DEAD
Funeral Services Held Wednesday
Near Homc-Ever UnseiGsh
and Self Sacrificing


The State
Hmo, April l1.---Heber Z. Dreher,
prominent: Lexington county farmer,
tool; his OWN life at his home, few
miles from Irmo early this morning,
cutting his throat with a razor while
his brothers living with him were
asleep. Temporary mental derange-
ment, brought on by dependency oc-
casioned by the loss of his home and
recent financial conditions, is thought
to be the reason for his act.
The first change in Mr.. Dreher's
condition was noticed last January
when the Dreher homestead, in which
he had been reared and had lived all
his life, was destroyed by fire. Mr..
Dreher was awakened at 10 o'clock at
night to find the stately residence IN
flames, the fire having even then pass
ed beyond control. The shock of the
loss of his home changed him from
a man of buoyant spirits, leaving him
depressed, melancholy. The period Of
financial depression followed, serving
to add weight to his dependency.
Mr.. Dreher, although in very COM
Portable circumstances himself, was
keenly sensitive to the sufferings OF
his neighbors, his tenants, their prob
lens becoming an obsession with him.
Brought on by Worry
Growing markedly worse his fam
i!y planned to relieve him Of his du-
ties and worries. arrangements being
made 20 put the plan in action today.
Sunday night he retired as usua! and
Monday morning MS body was found.
Some time during the night ne had
gone into the dining room adjoining
his bedroom and had there taken his
life.
lir. Drener would have been 53
wears cid his next birthday, July 23,
and had never married. 4 man OF
broad interests and unselfsh almost to
a fault, Mr.. Dreher had made himself
during his many pears residence at
the home, where he had spent his en-
tire life as fame, almost indispe2-
a3lc % c;.cry ma? in the section. Es-
sea.aN. l:fe of service was his. Ev-
c. cay a@@ always willing in case of
.,ouble to proffer his assistance, ne
numbered his friends by his acquaint-
ances. Ali who knew him, these
were his friends.
Five Brothers Survive
Surviving him are six brothers:
julius D. Dreher, for 25 years presi-
den, Of Roanoke college and now
United States consul at Colon, Pan
ANA; Ernest S. preher, formerly sup
erinterdeat OF the Columbia city
schools: ". c. Dreher, representative
of the New York Tribune in Berlin,
Germany; Edward L. Dreher and
CnavIes 3. Drehe:. both of lrmo, and
Sachn1a. /. Dreher Of Branchvllle.
!2.:::.?cst S. Dreilc- was his twin bro
the. Many otheG relatives through
cut South Carolina also survive him.
The funeral viii be held at 4
O'Clock Wednesday at St. Michael's
Lutheran church, of which Mr.. Dreher
had been a consistent and self-sacri
iicing member since childhood. The
funeral services will be conducted by
the Rev. r. P. Sewers, pastor of st.
Michael's church. assisted by the Rev.
H. =. Mccullough, pastor Of St.
Paul's Lutheran church, Columbia.
Interment VIII be in the churchyard,
where others Of the family now lie
buried.
Pallbearers will be:
Honorary: D. F. Efrd, S. E. Low
man. John E. Dreher, D. F. Lorick.
T. VI. Watts. p. B. Barr. John A.
Dreher, Dr.. j. w. Wessinger, Gustaf
Sylvan. Dr.. J. L. Shuler. D. t. Weed,
E. w. Parker.
Active: J. X. Swygert, J Frank
Shealy. C. 3. Lindler, John J. Low
man, Z. a. Ballentine: James Bick-
lev, Grady Shuler, c. West Caugh-
man, S. F. Bouknight and Werner
Buckley.