The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-03-31
The Funeral OF MIR. Edwards.


Editors Of the IntClIlgcnCer
It was my intention TO send you an
account OF the funeral OF Michael Ed.
wards, which took place yesterday in
time for this mornings paper, but it was
impossible to prepare it in time for the
boat which passed our place ear y in the
evening. So this morning | will endeayor
to give few items concerning it. The
funeral was to have taken place ut !
o'clock +. NJ, but owing to the fact that n
telegram was received that committee
from York Pa, composed Of members Of
the old fire company, OF which he was
one OF the original members, was on its
way to attend the funeral, it was decided
to wait until their arrival. The commit
tee arrived at about 81 o'clock, and the
funeral procession moved at once to the
place of fnterment. The religious services
at the house we're conducted by the Rev.
II. c. Sanford, the resident minister OF the
N. Z. Church ut this place. Rev. S. K.
Wilson Of the Disciples Church was also
present.
It was elected from the remarks Of the
minister that the deceased had for many
years at one time in his life been mem
Der Of the Lutheran Church, and from
the many conversations had with him
during the last few weeks OF his life he
was led to believe that his peace was
made with his Maker. He was anxious
to listen to the reading Of Gods word,
and was especially interested in readings
from the book OF Job. We were remind
ed in his death, though his life had been
40 long-he having lived for more than
n century-that we must all meet the
common conqueror sooner or later.
The pall.bearers were Ii. McClain,
David Staley, Michael Dunn, John Fer
guson, Colonel William Alexander, ]. D.
Morris, Colonel V. L. Cockayne and l.
Bryson-alI old citizens Of Moundsyille
and vicinity. The coffin was plain but
very beautiful one.
The order Of the procession from the
house TO the vehicles in waiting was as
follows: !. Ministers, followed by pail
bearers, the two Oldest in front, four
bearing the coffin, and TWO in the rear.
9. Committee OF firemen. 8. Friends OF
the deceased, followed by all others in
attendance. The service performed at
the grave was the usual burial service OF
the NJ. E. Church, conducted by Rev.
Sanford.
Though it is no uncommon sight TO see
a funeral, it seemed that all considered
this one in different light from what we
generally view such an occurrence, and
we seem to realize the great length Of
this mans life, now that he is gone, as We
never did before. How many thousands,
yea, millions, born since his birth, have
lived aud died old men many years ago!
lie was several years older than our
country, and had he beer. permitted to
live but a few months he would have seen
the hundreth birthday Of the nation which
was ushered into existence when he was
quite lad. What emotions would have
filled his mind had he been permitted to
attend our Centennial, rs we had all
hoped he would he permitted to do. But
he has gone the way Of all the earth. His
life has run its course. lie died peace.
fully and quietly at the great age Of
nearly l09 years. His death forcibly re-
minds us OF the words Of the poet-''like
nm old clock worn out with eating time,
the weary wheels Of life at last stand
still"
The committee from York, Pa, consist.
ed Of three persons. It was not our
pleasure to be permitted to talk with
them as they remained in town but a
short time, but we learned from those
who did that on Monday, when the dis.
patch wHa received announcing his death,
the bell OF the fire company, OF
which he was u member, was tolled one
hundred and nine times, once for each
year Of his life, and before the bell had
ceased tolling the cause was known
throughout the city, Us news had been
received several days previous that his
death was expected any moment.
The bells OF the city were to be tolled
yesterday by the order otthe Mayor be-
tween the hours Of l and 4 o'clock.
I was very sorry that l did not have
the privilege Of converting with the
members OF the committee as no
doubt many items Of interest could
have been obtained from them. They are
spoken Of in the highest terms by all who
had the pleasure Of seeing them. They
were all young men Of fine appearance,
and very gentlemanly. department. Their
coming 90 great a distance to attend the
funeral Of the oldest surviving member OF
their company, shows the esteem in
. ~.