Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1876-02-12
THE LATE n. o. KEEsEE.

B.O. KEEsEE was born in Montgomery
County, Tenn, Oct. Is, 1871, and died In
GAINESVILLE, Tenn, Dec. 30, 1875. He was
a plain, practical, earnest man. From his
parents, who We're of the old regime, he in
herited sound mind and a kind heart.
He was trained in ways of honesty. in
duStry, and economy. He began life poor,
but his energy and diligence brought pros
perity. He became rich, but his wealth
was neither boarded nor spent in frivolous
display, butt invested that while increas-
ing his own gains ii advanced the interests
of the community. He took an active
part in all the public enterprises of the
city, and gave them u hearty and SUBJ
Stantial support. GAINESVILLE owes as much
to him as to others for whatever prosperity
she enjoys. He was liberal man with his
means. In his early history, when Strug-
Cling with poverty and striving to get
along in the world, he may have husband
ed his means too closely. The desire Tor
gain may have trenched on the claims of
charity l do not know how this was. But
| do know that when success had been
achieved, and he possessed abundance,
that he was liberal in its use. He was one
of the few men have known whose be-
neYo4ence grew as fortune increased. He
was judiciOuS in his char1tieS-free to help
those who were striving to help them
Selves-he had no money to waste on
worthless men. To the strong but needy
his geneI oSity took the form of assistance.
but to the weak and dependent it was an
absolute gilt Many poor man was help
ed forward, and many helpless widow
was relieved by his bounty. lie made no
display OF MS cnHTlCl6S. nor Sought nObO-
riety by large gifts to popular causes but
he supplied the larderS of the destitute
withou their knowledge of the hand that
blessed them. But better than all, he was
Christian. His parents were of the old
Baptist persuasion, and he was reared in
that faith, but was never fully satisfied
with it. He was long unsettled in his
notions, but came at last to final con-
clusion and then acted with his usual
prOmptneSS. In my office, and at his re-
quest, one beautiful Sabbath evening, in
the presence of Il few friends, l baptized
him and took him into the Method st
Church. He was faithful member till
death. He made no noise about his re-
ligion, but he was certainly true to his pro-
ance of duty. In quiet way he tried to
meet the obligations of holy life, and TO |
stand approved OF God. He lived with re- |
ference to the future, and died in hope ola |
better world. He was sick for years. but |
no one endured affiiction with more for |
titude. He bore up bravely against en- |
disease, and was cheerful to the |
last. 1t was wonderful with what COM
posture he carried Il weight of suffering. |
Few were aware that he had a fatal disease, |
and none but his good, faithful wife of the |
restless nights of pain he endured. Tc the |
world he was no peful of recovering health, |
but have reason to know that he clearly
him slowly retiring before advancing dis
solution. First he gave up his Sabbath |
class, and went home to weep over the sad /
fact then he gave up the cherished privi-
ege of public worship and finally he was
no longer seen abroad. He was alone with |
his great Affections, and in the presence OF
Heath. But he met the final issue with
much calmness, confidently affirming the
JOS B. WEST