Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1872-09-19
9eatbs.
DIED !.

In this county, on Mulberry Sunday, 18th
inst, Of Inflammation of the brain, Miss
ELIZABETH WAGGONER, aged II years
In this vicinity, near Markum's mill, Fri
day, 18th inst, Mrs. ANICE BIGGS, aged
about 70 years.
IN MEMORIAM
Died at his residence, near Fort Smith. Sc
bastian county, Arkansas. Of congestion of
the brain, Mr.. REUBEN A. MCDONALD,
formerly of this county, on the 18th ultimo
The subject of .his notice was born in
this town on the 22nd day of June, 1915,
and continued his residence in this place
and vicinity from the date of his birth I'M
til the spring of 1871, when he and family
/, removed to the State of Arkansas. His lie,
therefore, is interviewer with and part of
the history Of this county for more than
fifty years past. But few men were ever
reared in this State who surpassed him in
many striking peculiarities. He was a man
OF large and comprehensive brain, indomita-
bic energy, and his financial skill and abili-
ty almost unequalled among men. From
comparative poverty in early life he rose
by the dint of his own exertiOns to a posi-
ton of wealth and influence that was known
and felt far beyond the limits of bis own
State. No man perhaps, than he, eyer sway
ed mole completely the entire monetary at
fairs and destiny of the county for series
of years. With that generation of sturdy
nen-now rapidly passing away, he lived
and labored, and the finger prints of his
untiring industry and unerring Judgment
gave shape and certainty to many othe 7
massive fortunes than his own. We all
well remember the might, the strength,
the power that ever accompanied his name,
and how men acted upon the spur of his
decision with readiness akin to infatuation.
| Capitalists knew to heed anxiously the wis
dom of his counsel, and the banking COM
munity respected and honored his demands
for fabulous tn ousahds. But like hundreds
of Others his amassed wealth--the toll of
years, became the wreck of an hour. He
built huge gamers and filled them-splen-
did Golfers and loadeI them, and the unre-
lenting torch of war laid waste and con-
sumed them. And in the memorable year
of 1865, when the thrice desolated South
was granted respite to reckon her loss, X.
| A. Mcdonald too was ruined man. Upon
, this discovery he executed trust deed Tor
| the protection Of his creditors, and in a
| few months later aVailed himself of the
! rational bankrupt law. And thus ended
the remarkable financial career Of this ex-
t,csordinary man.
We icve to reverence the dead, and then
always steals round their m"mory silence,
a stiffness, so tranquil, so serene. that we
fain would wrap their virtue about item
and forget that fallen man had r9ult. The
shades Of death obliterate the stains OF lie,
but the noble attributes of human nature
are cherished and remembered. Those
who knew the deceased found in him con-
geniality, hospitality, generosity-always
sincere in his uttersnces, truthful in his delib-
erations, open, frank and honestin his deal
ings. And numbers of the poor Of this
county can well attest that he ever had
tears for pity, and that his hands were as
open as day to melting charity.
Mr.. Mcdonald leaves widow, one child,
"a boy of six years, bearing his name) and a
large circle of friends and acquaintances
to mourn the loss.