The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1874-12-16
DIR. John w. paxton.

/
vile last Wednesday morning, will bring
sorrow to many hearts Never was 1
community more startled and shocked
than Knoxville was as the sad new!
spread over the city He had been SUI
fering several days previously from rheu
matism, but none of his friends felt Sc
rious apprehension Of his illness. He
rested comfortably Tuesday night, and
"Wednesday morning ate hearty break
fast and seemed almost well. About half
past ten O'Clock, a. "a, he walked out in
his yard, and after few moments, re-
turned into the house and reached the
parlor door which he was about to open
when he was seized with a paroxysm of
coughing which increased in violence
until he sank in spasm upon the floor.
Physicians were especially called, but alas!
human power and skill were impotent,
and in a few moments life was ex-
| tinct
/ We shall attempt no panegyric to the
memory of John w Paxton. Formal
expressions or elaborate encomiums are
petty ana insignificant before the shockOf
this sudden ACKNOWLEDGMENT of loved re-
lations. We can command no language
fittingly TO commemorate his nobleness
of manhood and his generous heart, nor
to express the poignancy of our sorrow
at his untinely death. For more than
thirty years have we known him as COM
rade, friend, physician, brother In
every human relation he was a man in
whom there was no guile DR.. Park,
who knew him well, says truly, of him !:
HE was strong in his attachments,
and he who won his confidence and
friendship was sure Of a friend in need
whenever it might come. To appreciate
him it was necessary to know him. A
stranger was likely to suppose he was
childish and unsympathetic-that he
was lacking in genial and social qualities,
and severe and abrupt in his manners;
but those who knew him will testify that
kinder heart they never knew, and
more genial companion would be hard
to find.
DIR. Paxton was an enthusiastic Free
Mason. He held for year after year the
presiding position in all the Masonic
bodies of Knoxville. In 1869 and 1870
! Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of
Tennessee, and was a Past Grand High
Priest of the Grand Chapter. and Past
Deputy Thrice Illustrious Grand Master
of the Grand Council Probably no Ma
Son IA, tho Gtato hos ray, F.,,-rod .,,oro DO
grees than DIR. Paxton. He studied the
history and principles of the society with
an unceasing interest for many years
past. He, more than any man the writer
ever knew, endeavored to carry out the
good features of Masonry in all his con-
duet, and seemed mortified by the con
duct of any brother Mason when it seem
ed inconsistent with the principles of the
brotherhood. AS a Mason he was widely
known among the fraternity throughout
the State. He was not only what is
termed bright mason, but was a Mason
of the highest order Perhaps no other
man ever did as much to build up the
order in his community-andh he has adj
vanccd to the highest degree known, it
is said, in this country. He Away in
sisted that There was - close connection
between Christian ethics and and chart
ty and the principles of Masonry when
Pi"Po'y 'ii'''' S'oo'' '''i'i oiiSCiel'io"Siy
practiccd.
Friend and brother, farewell Thou
art at rcsf from thv Lahore and tb1-
works will FOLLOW, tbce In tho I.,,,,,,.cr,.
of thy favorite and loved hymn
Thou art gone to the grave, but we viii not deplore
thee;
Tho sorrow and darkness encompass the tomb;