DIED DOING HIS DUTY

TRAGIC DEATH OF MR R P MAYRANT THIS MORNING

While Ringing the Fire Alarm Bell In the Tower He Expires of Heart Disease-All Alone He Was

At 12:15 o'clock this morning an alarm of fire was sounded from Box 44 and it ws the death knell of a most faithful servant of the city of Columbia, Mr Robert P Mayrant, who has for some time held the position of towerman. Mr Mayrant was a member of a widely known South Carolina family and though a large and powerful looking man, had reached the sixties and was not so strong as he seemed. The sad story of his sudden death is necessarily brief.

when the alarm came in Mr Mayrant went to the tower to ring the general alarm with the lever when the electric aparatus ceased to operate. This requires considerable exertion. That he rang the general alarm all who were listening know. Suddenly it ceased. As it did not start up again, Police Officer Boland, who was housekeeper in the stationhouse below, suggested to the sergeant in charge that he go up in the tower and assist Mr Mayrant. He went up and upon reaching the bell room was shocked to find Mr Mayrant laying on the floor with his head towards the east, apparently lifeless. He ran back down to headquarters and reported this, returning to the tower immediately. He threw water on Mr Mayrant's face and rubbed his limbs. In a few moments Dr Philpot arrived and informed the officer that death had come suddenly, evidently from heart disease, while Mr Mayrant was ringing the bell.

The remains were soon removed from the top floor of the tower and borught down into the towerman's room on the floor below. The coroner was then notified and an officer was sent to convey the sad tidings to Mr Mayrant's relatives in the city.

The man who sent in the alarm with the false key, as stated elsewhere, thus has the life of this faithful public servant to answer for, morally but not legally.

Mr Mayrant was at one time very prominent in Columbia. he leaves a wife and three children to mourn his loss, living at the corner of Henderson and Pendleton streets. Mr Mayrant married a Miss Lynch, a sister of Mr James Lynch. Mr Lynch took charge of the remains and they will be removed to the late home of the deceased as soon as possible.

May 6, 1896 The State p8
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MR MAYRANT'S FUNERAL

Yesterday afternoon at 5 o'clock the funeral services of the late Mr Robert Pringle Mayrant were held at St Peter's Catholic Hurch, being largely attended by the friends of the deceased. The services were conducted by the Rev Father Haggerty. The passbearers were Messrs Fred Schmidt, John Crowley, W McB Sloan, J F Walker, Charles Narey, Joseph K Alston, John S Verner and U R Brooks.

May 7, 1896 The State p8
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A TRIBUTE FROM A COMRADE

Another soldier has gone to answer the last roll call. This time it is Comrade R P Mayrant, known by his friends as "Bob." He enlisted in January, 1861, in Co C, 2nd SC calvary, and served until the end of the war. He was a good soldier, and as brave as the next one. He never failed to do his duty when called on, and fought in the army of Virginia for four years. At one time Mr Mayrant was very well to do, but after the war returned home to find that all he was possessed of was burnt or taken by Sherman's army. He had two brothers killed in the army. One, William Mayrant, was shot while planting the colors on the breastworks of the enemy at Secessionville, SC; the other, Jack, was killed in Virginia, being the youngest one of the family in the army.

"Bob" was a good fellow and had many friends. He had his peculiar ways but was always ready to help a friend in need.He was elected two years ago to the bell tower, and re-elected in 1896, and was at his post when he died. He leaves a widow and several children to mourn his loss.
--A Friend and Member of his Co.

May 21, 1896 The State p2