The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-08-11
NEIlUAHY,


COATS. William ~. Goats was born Hov-u-
Der Goth, 1879, and died August dtn 1880
Thus is broken another link thtt binds the
present age 10 the past Mr. Coats rs born In
Tennessee, near Murtreesboro, but at an early
age emgratei 18th his parents To Alabama,
lie finally settlah down in Sumpter county,
where he lived for moIe than forGy years, and
where, by Industry, perseverance, and trct
integrity, he arnassed considerable wealth,
the war, however, swept from hin the riches
he had accu mulated, ana lef him, compare.
lively, poor max; but his energy did not
desert him; there was no repining and griev-
Ing over reverses; he 'met them like a man y
lie was member Of the Baptist church for
more than fifty years, and forty years deacon
His children having move TO Dal as, lie
lea'ed his plantation, and came here tant he
might, In his Old age, eujoy their company
and be cheered daily by their sweet converse
and III ny little <indnesses. Hsppin, D, reigped
supreme for q few short months.
IL was only a torela3te, however, If
tho paradise TO VIII ch no has now
gone, and VIII re he awaits the loved ones who
linger here yet lit while
Although Il citizen of Dallas but few
months. he made many warm, devoted friends
who were much attached to him, as was evil
dtnced by the large and imposing funeral, and
his burial with Masonic houors
| Early imbued with the vigorous discipline
offs practic age, his character was stamped
by the strongest traits Of magnanimuy, gen.
crosby and independence, softeued and
adorne by all the domestic virtues of an I'M
falling amiability, n genial hospitality and u
kindly consideration for the wishes of others.
He YVES endowed with clear aud active
mind, with good judgment, with an energetic
will, aud with an eyer-cheerful temperament
For public life and public notjriety, he had
no ambition. 1t washs choice to move in o
quiet sphere, attracting the confidence and
love Of hls 'llow men. His ambition was
bounded by his own home and tire-sids. nc
many he was not known, from
the quietuie and modesy of his nature
but we, who were his friends, who knew him
in his private walks, can bear witness to the
strict uprightness and purity of his character
his simplicity, his uuOstentatious habits hi,
fast ideli'y to friends,
over all his traits religion had shed its IL.
Illuminating and chasteuirg influence. HUI.
mility and sincerity were the leayen of his
character. No trials were so heavy lie did moi
md adequate strength in the christians
faith; no providences SO dark they were moi
penetrated by the chris,lau's hope
His fral body now Hes at tn. bottom Of the
grave, but his spirit ts In heaven Ills mem
DRY is embalmed lu the Mmost shrine If many
heart', sud Tea shall make reen the YER
dUre If his grave, while hi, rlurs shall he
the emulation, end his presentb!lss the aspire.
| ton oftGe living. y nation may weep over
one he has honored, but far more precious ale
the tears which The heart weopS ut the deoth
Of the lovely and the good--ui the diamond
outYnues the grosser crystal, or as the dew
| drop Is purer, swceter, richer than nil the
waters of the ocean. Tapestries hang round
the death couch of the great, but the spread
Of angels wings encnnopy tho bed of the
| dying righteous, aud with joyous songs they
bear him in triumph away from the embrace
OF weeping me rtals to the upper sanctuary Of
the redeemed. LET me die the death of the
righteous, and let my last end be like his q"
Would that We had some word OF com fort
and consolation for the bereaVed family
Would that we could be the instrument in al
ieSiating even one pong Of the deep anguish
now pergading n once happy social circle:
but we cannot offer cons jlatIon-we weep
even as they do. A. f.