The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-11-01
Mrs. Margaret Christian McCue.


brief reference was made in our issue Of
last week, adds another TO the rapidly in
creasng number OF those who have OF late
years been summoned to their restand whose
departure has occasoned a deep and widely
felt sense OF bereavement in nearly every
class and condition OF society. Mrs. McCue
was native of Woodford county, Kentucky,
being born near the city of Lexington, 1870,
in which town she was educated, her
parents having removed from this comfy
soon after the close Of the American Revo-
luton. She was married to her relative, the
late James A. McCue, in the summer o. IS
0S, and since that time had continuously re-
sided ON the family estate, near Mt. Scion
Mrs. McCue was woman of remarkable
strength and force OF character She united
to an intellect of almost masculine vigor
and quickness, an energy that was indom
table, and firmness of purpose that no OBJ
stacle could appsll. Her mind had been
trained in school that developed it in TO-
bust strength while it polished and adorned
it. Works of fiction were never her favor
ties and with the exception Of the writings
OF Scott, we question whether she had eyel
read novel. In historical knowledge she,
however, was well versed, especially in eccle.
siastical history, and her taste led her strong
ly to the study Of controversial writing.
She was Il DEVOTED Presbyterian and zeal
GUS laborer in the congregation OF Messy
Creek from 1911 up to within q few years Of
her death. The bounds of the church were
at that time widely extended and indeed il
was hardly known as Messy Creek church
proper. She very frequently attended SER
vice at the old Stone church, distant nearly
twelve miles, going and returning with her
husband the same day. She was an expert
and intrepid horsewoman, and made durin g
the earlier days repeated journeys to Ken.
tucky and Ohio on horse back, accompanied
by her children and servant. When any
friend or relative in the limits Of the county
was seriously i'll her great desire was to be
with them. and the faithful riding horse was
equipped and at the door as soon as the in
telligence would reach her. Her preference
for this mode of travel even after the days
OF carriages and turnpikes, was singularly re-
tanned and when eighty years old she would
order her horse for short ride. to church or
to near neighbours and manage him with
the ease and fearlessness Of a girl. To the
poor and afflicted within the range OF her
assistance she was ever a benefactor and a
friend, and her spacious house was always
the refuge OF those who stood in need Of
friendly counsel, or of substantial aid. In
matters of religion, and especially in refer
ence to Sunday observance, her ideas were
rigid and any one whom she regarded as
neglecting or f.iling in his duty in this re :
spect, be he influential or humble, met her
prompt and unsparing rebuke. She had
lived and worked while two generations
grew up around her, and felt that her rela-
tions to them gave her this privilege as of
right. While stern and inflexible in her de-
meanor towards the conscious wrong doer, she
was prompt with sympathy and charity to the
lowly and Ignorant, and sought by instruc
ton and kindness to win them to the right
The long procession Of sincere mourners
| Cuut AOltOWCO aCl UD UilC ldsJ FCStltlV
place in the family cemetery, near the home
which as girlish bride she had entered sew
enty years before and where she had fou yht
her battle OF life so bravely and honorably,
attests the esteem in which she was held by
young and old, and while they sorrowed fol
her as one whose influence and example,
whose kindly heart and generous nature had
gone from them for ever, they knew she
had entered on the blessed frnition of
her holy life work, and that from age and
infirmity the hand Of the loving Mister had
released her to take her to ssthat rest''
which on the morning of her death she
yearned for, and to which she looked for.
ward with such radiant hope.
Mrs. McCue was one OF family which
for nearly century and a half has figured
conspicuously and honorably in the military
and civil history OF our country. Her father,
James Trinlble, who married Jane Allen
in this county, was captain Of cavalry in
the war for Independence, and as mere
boy participated several years before in the
bloody battle OF Point Pleasant, fought by
Gen. Lewis against the Indian chief Corn
stalk. She was niece of Lieut.. Hugh Allen,
who fell in this fight, while John, another I'M
Gle, was an officer in the provincial Battalion
that marched under Washington as Major, and
Duquesne. She was sister of the late ex-
Governor Allen Trimble Of Ohio, of Col.
VIM. A. Trimble, a gallant and distinguish
ed officer of the regular army, who was des-
perately wounded in sortie at Fort Erie,
in 1S13.a died in Washington from the eff
fects OF his wound while serving as U. S.
Senator in 1921. Maj. Cary Trimble, another
efficient officer in the army, whose consttu-
ton had been impaired by the disastrous
campaign under Hull at Detroit, died the
same year, while DR.. Cyrus Trimb.e, a
prominent physician Of Columbus Ohio,
died few months after these brothers. Mr..
James Trimble, another brother and the
virtual founder of the present fiourishing
city Of Hillsboro', Ohio, died early in 1867,
Governor Trimble survived him three or
four years. With the subject OF this memoir
all but one of this large family have passed
away. The survivor is Mr.. John A.
Trimble OF Ohio, who many years ago mar
ried Miss Lavinia Boys Of this city,a daught-
er Of DR.. William Boys, Decd, and sister
of the late Mrs. Moffett Cochran. Maj. Mar
shall McCue is the only son and surviving
child Of Mrs. McCue, her daughter, the
late Mrs. E. A. Harris, lady widely known
and. highly esteemed in the State-havine
preceded her some three years ago.
BEAUTIFU L SPECIMEN OF ART
Among the competing designs for the pro-
posed equestrian statue Of General Lee, for
the capitol square at Richmond, which will
be submitted to the committee on the 1st.
of November, will be one from this city
; the work Of Col. Gilbert r. Firth. 1t has
been finished and was shipped to Richmond
yesterday. All who have examined the
model prononce it rare work of art and
the design singularly appropriate one. l.
is about two and half feet high and rep