Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-06-03
DEATH OF MAI. WELLS HAWKS.

The hand of death has again robbed
us of one of our most esteemed aud respect
able citizens. Maj. Wells j. Hawks, of this
place, Stonewall Jackson's old Commissary,
breathed his last at about 3 o'clock, P. NJ,
on Wednesday last, at the age of So years.
He had been in failing health for long time
and his death, though shock to the commu-
nifty when it did take place, was not unex~
pected.
Maj Hawks came to Charlestown in early
life and embarked in the COACH making busi~
ness, and, although a man of Northern birth,
SO completely identified himself with the peo-
pie and interests of the home Of his adoption
that he became true Firginian in every
sense, save place of birth. He was for some
years anterior to:the late war one of tho most
popular and efficient School Commissioners in
the county, andtwice represented the people of
Jefferson in the Legislature Of Virginia
served as Mayor of Charlestown, and was for
"a long time State Director in the Bank of the
Valley. At the breaking out of the war Mai
Hawks, although beyond the ordinary age for
military duty and of naturally delicate con-
st'tution, was one of the first to respond to the
call of Virginia ordering her volunteer troops
into the field for active duty. He was then
already the regularly commissioned Commits
sary of the I'd Va. Volunteer Infantry, under
the command Of Col. J. w. Allen, and when
that reg iment was ordered to Harper's Ferry
he accompanied it, having supplied himself
with such commissary stores as the short time
given him would allow, and was probably the
first commssary that issued ratious to South
ern troops in Virginia filing his first requi-
sition at Haltown. in this county. on the even
ing of the 18th day of April, 1861. From
the position of Regimental Commissary he
gradually rose until he became the Chief Com
missary of Stonewall Jackson's corps, and
served with that christian hero until he re-
ceived his death wound at ancelIcrsville
He ever erjnyed the highest confidence and
esteem of General Jackson, and the mind of
that great chieftain, even in his last dclirious
hours, reverted to his trus.y Commissary, and
gave utterance in the words, Tell Major
Hawks to send forward provisions for the
"oops- Al'cr TIE 4eitn OF Genefal u ackSOn
Maj. Hawks still continued ia his position as
Commissary, and served with Generals Ew-
ell, Early, SC until the close of the war
Returning to his home after the surrender.
he found great portion of his pro, erty
destroyed by the vandalism of Northern
soldier, aud set about repairing his lcsscs
as rapidly as his reduced means would permit.
He re-embarked in the carriage business, and
conducted it until several years since, when
he turned the business over to Messrs Stump
Hawks-the LITTER his son. Since that
time he has gradually failed in health, and
Cor the past few mouths was very feeble
growing weaker and weaker until death came
to relieve him Of his sufferings
He wa. buried in Edge Hill Cemetery on
Friday afternoon, funeral services at the Pres
bytsrian Church, his remains being accom-
panied to the grave by one of the largest
funeral procession ever witnessed in Charles
town. The stores and business houses of the
town generally, in respect to his memory,
were closed during the funeral services-a
mark of respect, as far as we know, unpre>
SS''oSA 'i wi" nc heV. ~.
q. Hopkins, who delivered the funeral dis
course on the occasion, and who was intimately
associated with the deceased in "the days that
tried mems souls," paid beautiful tribute TO
his memory, and related a remarkable coins
cidence, viz: that the hymn sung at the
funeral of Major Hawks-his favorite selec-
ton in his last days-was the favorite spiritual
song of Stonewall Jackson, and was the last
hymn which that great chieftain heard sung
on earth.
His many friends will be gratiied to know
that his last days were his best DAYS. and tina.
he died in the full triumph of the Christian
religion, assuring those around him from
time to time with the joyful expression, "All
is we'll r.
In the death of Major Haws the commu>
nifty loses of its best and most esteemed
citizens the poor friend ever ready in the
hour of need, and his Immediate family n
loving husband and fnther-but, resting as
sured that cur loss is his eternal gain we
lneekly bow to the decree of Omnipotence.
and eXclaim, THY will be DONE
&,