The Van Buren press., 1872-01-23
Tribute of Respect.
DOVER. ARK. January 9th, 1874.


At q meeting Of Dover Lodge, No. II, OF
Free and Accepted Masons, Brother Jshn X.
ii. Scott announced the death Of Brother
Samuel NJ. Hays, enc Of the original charter
cd members ofDovsr Lodge, and paid the fol-
lowing tribute efrespsct to his memory:
WoRsHlPrUL MASTER
1t 10 with feelings of pain and sorrow an
nounee to you and my brethren, the demise OF
one Of my lifelong cherished frisnds, Brother
Samuel NJ. Hays who was one of the seven
original Chartered Members Of this Lodge,
and at the time Of his death member of our
sister Lodge, No. 6, at Van Bursn, Arkansas.
Brother Hays departed this life at his resi-
dencs, near Van Buren, In Crawford County,
Arkansas, at 3 o'clock Sunday the 24th day Of
December, 1871 aged about62 ysars.
Ii was my pleasure to have been associated
with Brother Hays in my boyhood, living to-
gether in my fathers family for many years,
commencing as far bach as the year 1927,
period ofnear As years, during which time,
cemented in the warmest and most friendly
relations we had journeyed life's pilgrimage
together as doubly brothers.
Te ms, this Dispsnsation is truly aiilictinR
but little short Of that 80 deeply felt by the
dear wifo and children Of his bosom and nu-
merous relatives. Associated as we had been,
publicly and privately, Is bosom friends, ~
Masons, as inmates of the same family, shell
tered by the same roof, occupying the same
bed for many long years. you may readily
conceive tho anguish and sorrow with which
this sad calamity fills my heart.
Many OF my brethren here, present Tonight,
" ill remember with pleasure the happy ana
Joy ful smile which ever marked his counte-
nance the unbounded good humor and So
ciability Of his conversation in days gone by,
who, now. with me most deeply lament and
depore his loss. Brother Hays WAS truly a
devoted husband. kind father, faithful
friend his hospitality knew no kound his
house was over open to those he loved.-and
none knew better than he, how to receive.
welcome and make comfortable those who
visited him. The latch string of his door y
was ever on the outside-you had but to pull,
enter and meet his joyous smiling welcome.
Brother Hays had filled with credit and
honor. many important public trusts. lie
was elected and reelected to the office of
Sheriff of Pope county for many years. AT
tervards elected as her Representative in the
Legislature Of Arkansas and subsequently
was appointed United States Marshal Of the
Western District Of Arkansas by President
Pierce.
In his death, the partner Of his bosom has
sustained truly heart rsnding csiamlty ms
children whom he idolizsd with all FOND
fathers devotion, loss which is irrspaTS9ie :
his aged fatherin-law, and brothers-lh- !aW
here present, with a numerous and extensive
crcls of relatives and friends, deeply mourn
his exit-and our Fraternity and this Lodge.
loss ofa worthy and esteemed brother who
aided in establishing and organizing 1t, and
within whose sacred walls his manly form
and genial and noble heart so zcal0uSlv ana
truly displayed the beauties Of our Order.and
who cannot but feel the deepest and most
profound regret.
A. 4 tribute of respect TO his memory, !
Hould therefore mos: respectfully move that
committee CT three be appointed to draft
suitable prsa,lble and resolutions expressive
Of our regret as Masons and our sympathy
with the family OF Brother Hays Al his death.
Brothers John X. II. Scott John McFaddin
and Lewis ", Davis being appointed said
committee, made the following
REPORT.
WHEREAS, 1t hath pleased our Heavenly
Father 10 remove BIZ death from our frsterni-
ty, our much esteemed and worthy Brother
Samuel NJ. Hays who departed this life at his
residence, near Van Buren,, Craw ford county,
Arkansas. at 3 o'clock Sunday, the gath day
of December, A. ID. 1871 aged about 62years
BE il therefors ResolUed That in the death
of Brother Hays this Lodge has been beraft
of one Of her chartered members aud one of
her most valued and worthy companions; his
family and relatives. \ devoted husband, a
kind father and atfcctionate relative. and tho
at large, q much esteemed friend
and valued citizen.
Resolred. That We tender to hls wife, chill
dren and relatives our heartfelt sympathy
and sorrow in their severe sfiliction and grief
Resolred, That this Lodge be dressed IN
mourning and the brethren wear the same for
80 days
JOIN r. II. SCorT,
JoHN MCPADDIS,