Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-02-07
Sketch Of a Late Well Known Citizen,

Sketch Of q Late Well Known Citizen.
Editors Vindicdtor
The death of Mr.. B. M. Estill has been
announced in your columns-perhaps 1t
might have sufficed thus simply to let his
many relatives, numerous friends and ac-
quaintances learn of his departure; mad
this only been done, but one Of the papers
in his native and well loved county, re-
ferred to him in manner so tlippant and
unfeelins that one who knew him and ap-
preciated his worth, has thought tit to at
tempt true representation OF his charac-
ter.
Mr.. b. M. Estill was the son OF Hon. j..
NJ. Estill and Patsey Miller, and Delng
reared III d family Of refinement ana lntei-
| ligence and having been early placed under
the tuition Of the late DR.. j. Hendlen 1t
will be understood that his early advanta.
ges were surpassed by few in this part OF
the valley. These he diligently improved,
and by bis entire manner and course OIL
| conduct at this period secured his precep-
| tors regard, confidence and esteem. Leav-
| ing this school when prepared for college,
| he entered the Virginia Military Institute
and pursued the course until he received
his diploma.
1t is known that such was then his rep
utaticn for high moral character ana
scholarship, thai it was the advice OF Ii.
Hendren that he should apply for "a pro-
| fesSorShip in some one or other OF the COL
leges in his native State or III the South.
| Why this course was not pursued, the
writer of this is not entirely able to an
swer, most probably his fathers declining
| health AMI the settlement after death or
his estate together with the care OF mem
bers of the family required bis attention.
Soon after completing his literary course
| he made an extensive tour through the
! West, and while in Missouri was prostra-
ted by disease-such was the violence or
| the attack and so protracted it's effects
| that his hitherto vigorous constitution
was much enfeeuled. This no doubt pre-
| cipitated, if 1t did lot cause the premOnl-
lions of hereditary malady-to ward of
which kept him ever afterwards from un-
| dertaking any regular employment, eX-
| cept for stated and comparatively brief
periods.
He occasionally taught school in such
communities as where his labours would
be likely to be appreciated, and the duties
were such as the state OF his health would
likely endure. When not thus engaged,
his time was spent in visiting friends and
| ICldtlVcS III Gu0 valley vi LII lUASOl JUL
neys. His health demanding the exercise
and constant change.
Mr.. Estill at a comparatively early age
made profession of religion and connect
ed himself with the Presbyterian church,
most probably at Messy Creek, Of which
church he was a member many years pre-
ceding and until his death. His chris
tlanity, though not obtruslve or displayed
for the applause Of men, yet shone, for his
friends and acquaintance knew that
christianity, the religion of the Lord jesus
Christ, which he possessed, controlled and
influenced his whole walk in life. His
Master and his Masters cause he was ever
ready to defend. Nothing was so grating
to his feelings, nothing more painful than
to hear or witness in friends or acquain-
tances irreverent OF profane expressions,
or the indulgence occasionally or habitu-
ally in any error or vice the tendency OF
which was not only to diShonor his Re-
deemer, but destroy the human soul.
Most carefully, too, did he watch for OPP
portunities of beneftting the souls of his
fellow-men. One method, which he is
known to have frequently used, was that
handling the pen of a ready writer, and
master of correct style and good COM
maEd of language his best thoughts and
the warmest expressions of his heart were
placed on paper and sent to one and
another of his many friends. Having this
end in view-tbeir happiness here and
hereafter. May these bear fruit and the
desires of his heart be rewarded. Could
these be gathered volume might be
formed.
One who knew him well and long con-
sidered him one of the most pure minded,
upright and high toned Christian gentle
man he has ever known. This opinion is
sustained We know by others.
His death-as has been stated in the no
tices published, was very sudden, and yet
he had premonitions which had caused him
to remark that he expected death to come
to him without warning. So it came.
But, he had heard the words of Him who
said. ''Be We also ready for in such an
hour as We think not, the son of man COM
eth,'' and had not postponed the prepara-
ton for diving hour.
December 26Jh 1878, on his way from
Staunton to his home at Mrs. Kyles, he
stopped at the house of W. A. CraM ford.
He was about leaving and had nearly
reached the gate-a few steps from the
| bouse-When he turned back and entered
! the house. Mr.. Crawford coming in i'm
| mediately afterward, found him on bed
unconscious. The family were summon
ed, restoratives applied, but it was of no
avail, a few struggles and the heart ceased
| to beat, ''the wheel was broken at the els
| tern, the spirit returned to God who gave
it,
On December 2Sth, just as the sun was
hiding behind the Western hills, friends
laid his body to rest in the family grave
yard at the ''Works' near Mossey Greek.
T. N. R.