South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1873-03-21
South Brunch 9ntelligeneer.
ROMNEY, FRIDAY, MARCHED, 1873
RoMSRY, w. VA. March ls-2


Mr. EDITOR We noticed, few DAYS ago.
while passing through Indian Mound Cemetery
II handsome monument, just erected, over the
grave oil one whose faithful labours while living.
and memory, when dead, well deserved such a
tribute For, hardly any man Of his generation
left his mark upon il deeper than did the late
Kew. WM. II. FooTE, p. D., so long the pastor OF
the Presbyterian Churches Of Romney & Spring
field We had sometimes wondered why 10 stone
marked the spot where the good man lay. But
now that wonder is lost in the high appreciation
OF the thought so happily conceived and so
gracefully executed, that caused the seeming
neglect. Some Of his former pupils started the
idea of getting those who had shared with them
the Doctors instructions, TO unite with his fami-
~ in rearing some tribute TO his memory; and
as usual in every noble work, womau's love aud
woman g zeal carried that idea to successful com
pleton. Some of the Ladies of his congregation
sought the operation of their former school
mates of whom hundreds are scattered over the
land filling with credit TO themselves and to DR.
Foote, honored and useful places in the pulpi,
at the bar and in the ordinary walks of life
and gathered the offerings of gratitude and afIec-
tion which they have now laid in such beautiful
and enduring form above his grave.
Permit us to add brief description of the
Monument itself, item of interest to the
many friends and admirers OF Dr. Footc
1t is constructed Of massive blocks of marble
unusually free from veins or discolorations.-
Uron a substantial base of Masonry is set large
square block Of stone, ornaHeuted at its top with
plain mouldngs Upon one of these mouldings
is cut in relief, in large letters the name, FOOTE.
From the mouldiugs springs a shaft several feet
in height and pyramijal in shape, and bearing
upon each of it's faces appropriate inscriptions
This shaft is crowned with Capital with mould
ings little more elaborate than those on the
PEDESTAL. Above this Capital rests smaller
block, upon the eastern face of which is an open
Bible, with the words from Daniel l. 3 cut upon
Its paGos-"And they that be wise, shall shine
as the brightness of the armament and thew
that turn many 20 Righteousness, as the stars
forever and forever?' Tie whole is crowned bv
All Urn, draped.
The Eastern face Of the shaft bears this in
scription-"In memory Of Rev WV. II. Foorr.
d D born Dec 2oih, i7oi-Died Nov. 22nd
lS69-Pastor Of the Presbyterian Church in
Eomney and Springfield"
Vh the Northern face are the words-"On the
ffIieih anniversary of his first sermon he preach
ed bis lsst both from the text, For by grace
are ye saved, through faith and that not of
yourselves II * the gift of Cod"
The Western face bears the inscription "some
Of his pupils, and his family erect this t,bute of
Affection while the Southern face tells that
'In the numbers added to the Church under his
ministry, in the useful men educated by him
and in his literary labors his works do follow
and by these he being dead yet ,peakcth -
The monument is about ten feet high and
stands in the northern angle Of the cemetery
over the spot selected by tho Doctor for his
grave and looks over the beautiful and fertile
valley Of the South Branch Of the Potomac, a
morg whose people he l0oored SO long. 90 earn.
estly, so faithfully and so successfully. W.