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Monday, June 30, 2014

Word Finally Reaches Community of Soldier's Death in the Philippines, 1900

 “Abner C. Farthing Dead” from the June 7, 1900, issue of the Watauga Democrat

The sad intelligence has just been received by mail from the Philippine Islands that Abner C. Farthing died there about six weeks ago. The particulars of his death and the esteem in which he was held as a soldier will be best conveyed by the following extracts from a letter written to his father by the Captain of his company.
                                San Pablo, P.I.
                                April 8, 1900

C.S. Farthing, Esq., Hattie, N.C.

Dear Sir:--It is with the deepest regret that I notify you of the death of your son Abner. He died in the hospital here today of measles and dysentery after an illness of nearly a month. He had been troubled with dysentery for some time and when measles was added to that, it proved fatal. He will be buried here tomorrow in the military cemetery with appropriate honors by his company in which he was well liked, and in which he served faithfully and will and to the credit of his country.”

Here follows the closing of the letter:
“It is impossible for me to find words in which to express my sympathy for you and your family. Suffice it to say that ou have lost a good son and I a faithful and courageous soldier.

                                Yours respectfully,
                                C.H. Hilton Jr., Capt. 29th Infty. U.S.V., Carndg, Co. B”

The young and old alike of this community have been saddened and shocked by the news of Abner’s death, not having previously heard of his illness.

The writer has had intimate relations with the deceased as a schoolboy and had a high opinion of him as a thoughtful, studious youth. He was open-hearted and frank and as a pupil I never knew him to be guilty of a really mean act. Truly a noble youth has been sacrificed to an ignoble cause. May the good Lord comfort the bereaved parents and bless this lesson of mortality to the good of the deceased, are the heart-felt wishes of the writer.
                                --W.S. Farthing

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