The Van Buren press., 1867-04-19
Tribute of Respect.

Alta meeting OF the citizens Of Sebastian
cou nty, held at tie Methodist church, In tie
city Of Fort Smith. on'the 9TH day of April \.
ID. 1867, for the purpose Of commemoratinS
the death Of the late Col. SAMUEL NJ. RrrHEE-
FORD.
On motion OF Judge John F. Wheeler, Mr..
George 5. Birnie was called 10 the Chair.
On motion of J. W. Davis, Esq, Mr.. Z. b.
Bright, was requested to act as Secretary.
The object OF the meeting having been ex-
, planned in an appropriate manner by the
Chair, on motion OF Col. Il. T. Duval it was
/ Res0lred That the Chair appoint commit
tee Of twelve To. report suitable preamble
and resolutions for the consideration of the
meeting.
Whereupon the Chair announced the fol-
lowing named gentlemen as said committee:
| Col. II. Duval, Gen. W. L. Cabell, John
Gardner, stephen Mcdonald, John Striker.
w. W. Fleming John Z. Wheeler j. R. Kan
nady. j. b. Latham John Euper, DR.. Nicho-
las Spring and Saml.J j. Sorrels. who reported
the following preamble and resolutions, which
were unanimously adopted: ......-
| WHEREAS, The reaper, DEATH has gathered
! into his garner our friend and fellow -citizen,
/ Col. SAMUEL NJ. RUTHERToRD. who died on
the first day of April, A. d.. 1867, at the ripe
age OF seventy years. Therefore. we the
citizens OF the county of Sebastian, who knew
him long and well, many of us for more than
a quarter OF a century, desire to give this pub
lie testimonial OF our high appreciation OF his
many virtues, and moral worth, and to share
the grief and miDgle the tears with those of
| his bcreaved family. For fifty wears the de-
ceased has resided in the State Of Arkansas,
having emigrated from the State of Tennes-
see, in 1867, to the then territory of Arkansas.
stopping first at the old Post OF Arkansas, at
that time the seat of government for the ter
ritory lie was one of the few adventures
ana enterprislDg young men, who, by the
force OF their energy, intellect, and moral
courage, made the early history of Arkansas
replete with incidents and achievements
worthy of the days of ancient chivalry. He
was the associate and contemporary of Crit
tenden, SEWER Bates Woodruff Bertrand. the
Popes Conways, and Rcctors. and others. who
have stamped the early history of our State
! with the impress oftheir genius intellect and
energy, as statesmen, jurists. and legislators
During his long residence in the State, the
deceased was repeatedly called to fill various
and important offices, both State and Nation
al. IN which capacity he contributed in no
small degree to the organization Of the State
government and the institutions thereof. His
habit was not to seek office. but rather let the
office seek him, and when acting in an official
capacity he distinguished himselfalike for his
honesty and purity; as for his efficiency, al
ways receiving the well merited plaudit OF
We'll done thou good and faithful servant. =
In the social circle of life, lie was friend
faithful and sincere, a counsellor wise and
trustworthy. As a christian, his life was a
beautiful illustration of the faith that was in
hlm. As Il citizen, moral. intelligent and So
cial; as neighbor, kind, benevolent, and gen-
erous; as a husband, deyotcr and faithful. and
as a parent, indulgent and afiectionate. and
those who knew him longest loved him most
Therefore
Resolred, That in the death of our late friend
and felloW-citizcn, Col. Samuel ~ Ruther-
ford, tile State of Arkansas has lost one of it.
Oldest and most respected citizens whose
place cannot be filled, and whose many yr.
tues command our admiration, and we com
menu nm as an example to the rising genera.
tion.
Resolred, That although the deceased at the
age gt 52ef fG9c hire st;toh score ada tt2 t2en THE tFn onGa, G
est term allowed to man. still it is with sad
ness ana regret that we bow to the decree that
Pi"'N' 'h'e oHce kHcW Hlm shall know
him now no more forever -
Resotred, That we tender the bereaycd
widow and family Of the deceased, our nm.
feigned sympathy and commisseraton. ant
commend them to the care of that Being who
tempers the wind to the shorn lamb.
;, ReSotred, That copy of these resolution,
be furnished to the family of the deceased, anc
that Wm; f.. Woodruff, Senior, be requested
TO publish the proceedings of this meeting
and that he also be requested to furnish i
connection herewith, u biographical sketcl
of the deceased ...
Resofred' That the proceedings ofthis meet
ing De published in the Fort Smith papers
and that the public journals throughout th,
State be requested to publish the same.
GEO. 5. BRINE, Chm'n.
L. B. BRIGHT, Scc'y.