By the time the Democratic Banner published the news of the death of Col. Lorin Andrews, everybody in the county probably already knew of it and his funeral had already been held.
That’s the way it goes with a weekly newspaper.
The Banner’s obituary for Andrews ran at the top center of what we would call the editorial page. It began:
“With feelings of heart-felt sorrow, we this week are called upon to announced the death of Col. Lorin Andrews, which occurred at his residence on Gambier Hill on Wednesday last, Sept. 18th.
“The demise of this truly great and good man will be received by his wide circle of warm personal friends throughout the county with profound regret. For:
‘None knew him but to love him,
None named him but to praise him.’”
The long obituary began by recounting how, before Sumter was fired upon, Andrews volunteered his service “in any capacity” to assist in defending his county. He then went immediately to work raising volunteer companies and even enlisted as a private in what became Company A of the 4th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
He was immediately voted to be its captain, but the governor plucked him from the ranks to serve as colonel of the regiment. He led the regiment through the West Virginia campaign until being felled by the camp fever that eventually killed him.
