Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-08-21
THE RIPENED HARVEST.

Another old citizen gone" How often
does this caption meet the eye without pro-
ducing aught save momentary pang of
regret to any but the immediate friends
and family Of the subject of the notice or
eulogy whichever may follow, yet what
train of saddening thoughts it must sug-
gest upon reflection. Each time it is writ
ten, it tells that some ancient landmark
has passed away--some patriarchal tree
has been uprooted-some page in the his
tory of generation has been blotted out.
Youth dieth as the flower. The death of
age is like the crumbling away of some
venerable pile-the effacement of some
monumental shaft. A retrospective glance
over the past eighteen months shows that
the reaper has not spared us. Lawyers,
physicians, merchants, farmers, members
of all departments of our social CONSTITUTE
ton, one after another have dropped from
the edge Of time Some to leave memories
of the rostrum and the bar, others of the
stir of business, and others still of the
quiet flow, full and ebb of the tide, yet all
leaving an equal void. New scenes rise up,
flowers overgrow the track of the sickle,
and for a summer season deaths havoc Is
forgotten. But reflection comes like the
winter the flowers wither and fade away,
and the scar of the reaper, as he gathered
the ripened harvest, is still there; a con-
tinuous shadow beginning with time and
stretching aWayr1htil it is lost in Eterni-
ty5 pointing it's moral at every step, hold
ing up examplars and reminding lis Death
comes to all that perishability is written
upon all things earthly. Among those
whose death we have had to chronicle with
in the space of time alluded to, and whose
names live as landmarks OF their various
pursuits in the city and country, are near
a score. John B. Baldwin, orator, lawyer,
statesman and invaluable citizen, whose
name is honored throughout the State, is
the first to rise to memory, and recall other
familiar forms such as Thomas J. Niche,
whose brilliancy was acknowledged When
ever his name was mentioned. Orlando
Smith, the embodiment Of public spirit
and leader of every public enterprise that
could rebound to the benefit of his fellow
citizens. William HI. Tams, whose ability
in charge of public institution, made
him power in the advancemento OF the in
terests of the community. William Cald
well, stern of principle and pure in every
relation of life. Samuel B. Finley, whose
quiet, easy life made his influence but the
more powerful John HaWpe, James
Crawford, Abram Freed, types OF that
sterling merit that upheld the social struc-
ture. DR.. Isaac Hall, a physician whose
success was only equaled by his worth as
a citizen. John Hartman, true man, and
respected by the whole community. Dan,
iel Crist, one of the Oldest settlers OF the
county. DR.. Francis I. Stribling, man
whose history must ever be coupled will
the word Humanity wherever it is under
stood: and to close the imperfect list, the
venerable Jacob Baylor and j. B. Watts.
over whom the grave will have closed ere
this meets the public eye. This is par
tial record of what death has claimed
from us from amidst the bearded grain i'll
less than two short years, and yet the reap
ing goes on, none knowing when OF where
the reaper cometh next--hoW long to the
end of his pilgrimage. Let us learn oul
lesson from these events, and listen to the
voice of the wind that bends the rlpelee
field of life, ever intoning, 'Be ye there
fore ready also for the Son OF Man comet
at an hour when We think not"