The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-07-10
Mrs. Mary Briscoe Donaghe.

ones from our midst, those whom sorrowing
friends have followed with sad hearts to
their last resting places, and around whom
they have gathered to hear with reverence
the impressive words OF the church and TO
drop the tear of natural grief as their bodies
have been committed ''earth to earth, ashes
to ashes, dust to Dust" to 'sawait the gen.
eral resurrection at the last day." At such
times, the virtues OF the departed shine
forth as stars in the night, whilst their fol-
bles, if any. are hid amidst the shadows OF
the tomb.
There are occasions when the scene ceases
to be one of sadness, when the laying away
of our beloved ones seems to be merely COM
hitting them to repose, ''full OF the hope OF
a blessed Immortality" Such was the burial
that took place in Thornrose Cemetery. near
the bright sunset hour of the last Sunday in
June. Friends who had loved and honored
her, bore gently,an reverent!y placed in the
grave the remains of Mrs. MARY BRISCOE
DoNAGHE, who died on the 2Sth day oil
June, in the sVh year OF her age, and not
one of those around her for moment doubt
ed that it was of such as she those comforting
words were spoken: "And SO He gveth His
beloved Sleep" In the time OF earth's har-
vest she was sseathered to her father's." and
the sheaf of yellow wheat borne upon her
coffin and laid upon her grave, was fit en-
blem of her, who was ready for the angel
reaper, ripe for the heavenly garner. She
was truly rare woman; one whose life it
were as difficult to tell OF or to portray, as it
would be to describe the pure air we breathe
or the blessed light that gives us daily Joy,
To say that throughout her long life she had
been as daughter, wife, mother, grandmoth-
er and mistress, all that woman could be :
daily comfort and blessing to all, g living
wise words and good things to others and
seeking nothing for herself humbling her
self as the lowliest, whilst doing the deeds
of the most exalted; always rejoicing with
tempered gladness when the sunshine OF
prosperity fell upon her and hers and when
the dark clouds thickened around her, as for
many years they did, ever looking through
and beyond them and catching the light from
above, and so making darkness light about
her pathway; and when she was the chief
sufferer herself, being the comforter and stay
Of those afflicted with her; to say such things
of her were but to put in words what all
who knew her felt and understood and could
perhaps have said as we'll.
But those words would convey but a faint
idea of her true womanhood andeXcallence.
She was not only woman OF the best "pat-
tern of earth's mould" but she was imbued
with the faith, the hope and the warm love
of the christian Gods spirit had sanctified
her whole nature and had brought every
faculty into captivity to the law of her
Saviour,-a captivity, however, which to her
was the most precious liberty. In her daily
life, almost more than in any one the wri-
ter ever knew, she seemed to live as if heaven
was near her, and to 90 on with her hand in
her Savior's 'swalking with Cod" She was
scrupulous and most sensitively conscientious
as to every duty. To the last she follow
ed with loving earnestness her Master in do
ing good. Only few weeks before she died
she wrote oneof her peculiar christian letters
to friend, and sent tracts and book for
that friend 5 husband, whom she strove to
bring into the church and around whom her
prayers still linger in holy influences. All her
life. through some physical infirmity. death
was fear to her; but short time before
the messenger was sent for her, she said,
with smile of sweet Joy, to her daughter,
ssthe burden has been removed, the fear OF
death is all gone, all is peace" And so
with her Fathers face in unclouded
brightness resting upon her, she was gently
borne away and went to sleep to wake in
Heaven.
DEATH OF HON. HOWELL FIsHER.-By
letter addressed to Capt. R. H. Catlett. of
this place, we learn that Hon. Howell Fisher
died at his residence, in Pottsvile, Pa. on
Thursday last, Of paralysis. Mr.. Fisher,
with his family, resided in Staunton, during
the years of 1872 and 1878, experimenting
the education OF his; children. Two OF his
daughters were pupils at the Virginia Fee
male Institute, and his son graduated with
distinction at the Virginia Military Institute,
Lexington. Mr.. Fisher was an educated, &C
complished gentleman and of great force OF
character. He manifested much interest in
the material development of Virginia and
West Virginia, and was, from personal and
pains-taking examination, we'll acquainted
with the wonderful natural resources ofthese
States. During his residence here,he formed
many acquaintances, and won to himself
the esteem and friendship Of all With whom
he came in contact. Last year he was can
didate for Congress in the Pottsville Dis
trict. and although Republican, wanted
but few votes of overcoming the large
democratic majority with which he had to
contend.
Mr.. HENRY L. SHoUP, useful and
prominent citizen of Rockingham, died at
bis residence, near Cowan's Station, in that
county, on the 3rd inst, of cancer of the
stomach, aged about so years, leaving a
wife and four small children, a sister in Mis-
souri,, Mrs. DR.. Rust, and On aged father, to
mourn his loss. He was true man, gener-
Gus, brave and just, and actively and prom
inently filled the sphere in which he moved.
OF late years he had given serious thoughts
to the subject of religion, and died profess
ing faith in the atonement. A feeling and
appropriate sermon was preached on the oc-
casion of his funeral by Rev. D. L. Wilson,
of Broadway, and the burial ceremonies were
conducted by the Masonic Fraternity, of
which he was member.
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