The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-07-13

DEATH OF Two OLp AND RESPECTED CITIZENS.
-Itis our painful task this week to place on re-
cord the death of two long and worthy residents
of Staunton, with whom the larger portion Of
our citizens were acquainted Howsoever low
ly station a man may occupy-if he be
but generally known throughout a community,
moving around among his fellew citizens, and
having daily intercourse with them there being
that in his character which draws to him, all
humble and unpretentious as he is, the esteem
of the just and upright-yet, when the angel of
death releases his soul fro n its clayey tenement,
and it has gone careering away to the Immortal
Land, there will steal into the heart Of the com
muny sad regret. His immediate FRIEND and
youthful com panion, casting a retrospective eye
through the years which lay. behind him, recalls
to mind, and relates Incidents which along with
his name, will continue to have local repetition
for long years after his death, and this, too, not
withstanding what the poet may say, about the
dead being soon forgotten.
On Sunday evening, the 9th inst, at 10 o clock,
in the 54th year of his age, John Kelley, native
of Scotland, but for number of years a resi-
dent of Stanton, brcathed his last. He was
member Ct the firm of Marquis s. Kelley, which
has been' for 20 years, supplying the Valley peo
pie with tombstones. Mr.. K. was, we believe
one of the most active spirits, in opening the
Blue Ridge Tunnel, he having undertaken por-
ton of that work He was man of sound prn-
ciples, strict honesty, integrity and probity Civ
ing, in all his dealings, what was fair and
equal He united in his character many noble
qualities, and commanded the respect and esteem
of the community, but, like everybody else in
this world, he had his own peculiar fittings,
which, however, resulted in harm only to him
self. A of great sociability, and intimately
known by the mostcf our citizens and though
not wholly unexpected, Mr.. Kelley's death, cast
q shadow of gloom over the community His
funeral took place from St. Francis Church.
Tuesday morning last at 10 o'clock, his remains
being followed 10 Thornrose Cemetery, where the
last solemn funeral rites were performed by
Father McVcrrie, by long ind numerous cor
tege, in which all classes of citizens were repre-
scented.
The death of Mr.. John Finn, aged about co
years, native of ireland occurred, in this place.
on Sunday morning last, between eleven and
twelve o'clock. Mr.. Finn came to staunton, in
the vigor of youthful manhood, nearly forty years
ago, and has lived here every since. Though
al Shat time was spent in the humhlest walks os
life, he possessed those solid Qualities, in crude
state, which are indispensable to the true gentle
man and honorable citizen. Prostra ed few
weeks ago with virulent disease, his body was
racked and tortured, up to the moment of his
death, with the rhdst acute and excrucating
pains, all of which he bore ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
complainingly. In his lifetime, by his industry
and economy he acquired very nice piece of
property on Lewis street, which, he having been
a bachelor, was willed to his sister and niece
His funeral took place from his late residence on
Monday morning last, The numerous attendance
testifying to the esteem in which he was held
by his friends and acquaintance. A suitable
epitaph for his grave-stone would;be-" Here
lies an honest man.