The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-07-12
SUDDEN DEATH.
Demise rof an Eminent
Free-lIason.

Il-,It is our sad duty to record the
death Of the venerable Colonel JOSIAH
BIaELow, which occurred OF his late
residence, in this place, on tho night
/ Of the 7th inst. He had bsen ailing
for some years, and frequently spoke
Of his belief that he would soon "shufie
az this mortal COLI but none Of his
intimate friends supposed that his end
was 80 near. After dark on the night
Of his death, he seemed unusually
cheerful, and talked with several gen.
tlemen. He lived alone in small
house on Second Street, on Mr.. Raj
ston's property aud about 10 o'clock,
some Of the latter gentlcnan's family
heard the Colonel opening q fruit'cau,
but as he was rather eccentric in his
habits, no notice was taken Of the
Noise. On the morning Of the 9Th.
however, when young colored boy
went to take him his breakfast, he
found him lying dead upon the floor.
Drs. Dent and Simpson were immedi-
ately summoned, and after au examin-
alton Of the body, they gave it as their
opinion that he had died suddenly from
congestion-and that his death had
been SO sudden that he never knew it
er suffered any pain whatever. He
had evidently died without o struggle.
Colonel Bigelos was so years Of age
in December last. He was Pennsyl-
yanian by birth, and was a gallant SOL
der in the war Of 1872. having served
as Q sergeant during that struggle in
tue sod United States Infantry. In
1879 be came TO Virginia, and re-
NAMED two years in Richmond, from
whence he moved to Winchester, where
\ 10 became member Of Hiram Lodge,
| IA. r. and a. NJ. AT tue time Of his
death he had been Mason 81 years
About 1921 Colonel Bigelows was Of.
Tered and accepted position in the
Faculty Of the University Of Virginia,
where be remained some years and
later o .scjourn in some Of che more
lsoutheru States, he returned to Char
llostesyille,, where he became Master Of
The Charlottesville Lodge. BY his de-
.iyosion 10 the tenets. Of Masonry, and
.ihis rare talent "a an Instructor in the
work, be became o leader in the Fra
and after holding the position
iof District Deputy Grand Master, he
was honored for many years BY the po-
lsition Of Deputy Grand Master Of the
I state. In 1s4s he removed to Buck.
hhnnon, then in Lewis county. but
subsequently came to this place. After
lltbo formation Of the new State, he be.
!. dime to West Virginia Masens what
!, Dove has been to the Fraternity in the
Old Dominion. Had be not promptly
declined to serve. he would have been
,he fret Masonic Grand Master in
West Virginia. He was too modest to
seek high position, but cont nted him
self with working to secure the advance.
ment Of the best interests ofthe Order
10 loved so well, and the happiness and
prosperity Of his brethren. In this
portion Of the State, no man was so
much revered among Masons as Colo.
|hel Bigslow. The Lodge at Philippi
Ills named after him; while the mem.
|bers Of the fraternity at Buckhannon.
Beverley, 0larksburg, Shinnston, and
other points looked upon him almost as
4 ID father. His opinion was standard
l|sathority in matters Of Masonic jdris.
prudence !; and by his death is swept
hway probably tho Oldest (aud certainly
he most expsrienced) member Of the
Fraternity ives. Of the Blue Ridge.
Colonel Bigelow had never married.
Hao was essentially a literary man; and
Delighted more in The pleasures of study
ban in the gayities Of life. He had i
xssn sense Of the beautiful; and was
he most accomplished musician, before
pldIagc robbed him Of his vigor, thst
vas known in this or the old State.
a As . citizon he was QUIET and unob,
.|trasive-as o man be was pure and up
hight. He leaves behind him hosts o.
borrowing friends, and not q single en-
hny.
How few there are who die so well
ht peace with The world!
Ihe remains we're inferred on the
nofhiDg Of the 9th. in the beautiful
graveyard on the farm Of Jacot
! lBu]her, ESQ.,, near town, alta spol
wbiSh the Colonel bad long ago 50
'eesSd as his last resting place. The
ceremonies were conducted by The
Weston Lodge, Of which Colonel Bige'
! lovlwas \ member, assisted by mem.
bert ofthe Fraternity from ncighborinl
tosns.
Ey ITEMS FROM wEDsrER-Friene
Eqjiadin IL suppose the readers o
( Jour good paper would DO glad to heal
from the Independent. State Of Web
:ater, as II has Been some time since
baye attempted to write, 10 the FRS
place I would say that hope your