The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1877-02-15
Death of a Pioneer Settler.

IQaI bON1&,--AQii III CllOTdtlNc Oh Tile
life and virtues of one of the oldest
and most highly-respected citizens
of Giles county-Mr. Charles c.
Abernathy-whose long and useful
life was closed on the 2nd of Janu
ary, ult. We knew Mr.. Alternately
from our very childhood, and now,
after that we have passed the meri-
dian of life, we can remember WV
idly how much he impressed US the
first time we ever encountered his
presence. 1t was while he was
| Clerk of the Circuit Court, and had
his Office in little brick room just
north of where the Court House of
Giles county now stands. We had
been sent by another county official
to carry some legal papers that had
to be returned previous to the be-
ginning of the Court, of which Ed
mund Dillahunty was then Judge.
1t was cold day, and when we
stopped at the door of Mr.. A. S Of
fee he addressed US in the most fa-
therly and affectionate manner,
hitched our horse, and then replen
ished the fire with more fuel to
make us warm. The papers being
delivered, and the time having ar
rived for us to start home, he babe
US swarm good;" and then bringing
our horse up to the doorsteps as
sisted US in mounting, fixed the
blanket under US properly, (for,
then boys did not ride on saddles, J
and, delivering message for US to
curry back, said, "good by" appa-
rently feeling as much concern as if
we had been his own child. We
wonder il there have been many
county officials in Giles, or any
where else, since then, that would
duplicate this good mans conduct
under similar circumstances!
The death of Mr.. Abernathy calls
to our mind afresi the life of our
own dear father who was contem-
porary with him, and who passed
over the River ere we reached the
years of manhood. They were
both natives Of Brunswick county,
Virginia, about the same age, and
immigrated about the same time to
Middle Tennessee. OF course they
encountered many of the privations,
and were prime actors in much that
relates to pioneer life, and makes it
both thrilling and romantic to those
who live in more advanced and per-
haps better cultivated periods of
life. They were warm, personal
friends, and, as far as we know, en-
ioyed uninterrupted confidence of
each other from early life. or this
fact we remember hearing our father
state that on one occasion he said
to Mr.. A: 81 want you to go on my
note-a thing l would not ask any
other man to do" The request was
granted, and at subsequent time
the favor returned in the same way.
They were both public officers in
the county for number of years,
and each, at different times, took
the Federal census of the same,
which necessarily gave them all ex-
tensive acquaintance and friend
ships that were broken up only by
death. Father was perhaps few
years younger than Mr.. A, but, if
we are not mistaken as to dates, he
settled in Giles two years before the
latter did-he having moved there
in 1908. Precious men! they have
served ther time and generation, but
have left the SAVIOR of good name,
a priceless inheritance, to their pos
terity; and while they rest in that
undiscovered country their mem
ory and goodly deeds are embalmed
in thousands of hearts, where they
will be fondly cherished while life
shall last.
Giles county our ancestral home!
made sacred to us, because, under
meath its sod silently sleeps the
dust of parents and other forms
dear by reason of a thousand ten
der recoliections and associations,
we can never forget you nor alien
ate our love; and when these limbs,
weary of life, snail cease and be
gathered up in death, we would like
to lie down in the unadorned and
almost unmarked cemetery. side-by-
side with our departed, but not for
gotten, parents, to rest until sum-
moned to the beatitudes of the
all-glorious and immortal above.
There, as it is everywhere else,
only a few links remain that binds
the present to the past. When Un
Gle Tommy McCandless, and per-
haps few other veterans are re-
moved, none will be left to tell the
story of the hardy settlers and he
roic men of the earlier, and, if not
better, the more eventful times. May
their children, and their children's
children, be as honored in life and
as lamented in death as the fathers.
Decatur Neacs.
So soon as this matter is settled
and with somebody as president we
get into smooth water, the first bus
mess of Congress should be to take
up the question of president, as SEN
ator Morton has so long urged
should be done, and provide reas-
enable, intelligent, comprehensive
and coherent plan--[N. Y. Tribune.