Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-02-02
THE LEGISLATURE
PERFORMED A M0URNfUl DUTY
YESTERDAY
By Taking Appropriate Action on the
Death Of George E. Ferel, Of Berke'
ley cOunty-ResOlutiors Of
fered and Committees
Appointed.
the REMARKS MADE BY ReEBt0S.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.

The Legislature Of West Virginia did
not do any business Of importance yes
terday outside OF passing resolutions oil
respect over the death OF one OF the
members.
In the House everything seemed to
wear a quiet and subdued aspect as the
members slipped in and in little knots
discussed in soft tones the sudden death
OF one Of the members OF that body,
Hon. George Ferrel.
of Berkeley county, who only the day
before had been one Of the most ener-
getic members on the floor.
The House was opened with feryent
prayer by the Rev. S. b. Barnitz, who
spoke OF the recent loss and implored
help for the widowed wife and fatherless
daughter from on high. During the in
vocation the strictest attention was paid,
the members standing with bowed heads
and the chamber being as quiet as death
itself. The death OF u member while
the Legislature was in session was un-
precedented in tbs history oi West Vir-
ginia, and this one brought with it
A Peculiar Gloom
that all felt it TO be hard TO dispel, es-
pecially in the case OF Mr.. Ferrel, who
was d whole-souled, genial Christian
gentleman, friend OF nearly every one.
After the Journal had been disposed
OF aud a number OF bills, under suS-
pension of the constitutional rules, read
a first time by their titles in order to
give the public printer work, Mr.. b. +.
Brady, Of Berkeley county, arose and
said:
"MR. SPEAKER:-l am panied more
than / can express, and | am sure that
feeling will be experienced by all the
members OF this body when | inform
them of the sudden death OF Hon. Geo.
Ferrel, my colleague, who has tor a
long time held
An Honorable Position
in our county. He was a member ofthe
Disciples Church and was honorable,
upright and just. aud this House
has lost a member that could be
trusted in any position" Mr.. Brady
spoke with suppressed emotion and at
the conclusion OF his remarks presented
the following preamble and resolutions:
WHEREAS, This House has heard with
deep regret Of the death OF the Hon.
George Ferrel, late member of the
House, from the county OF Berkeley;
therefore,
Resolred, That as a testimony of re-
spect to his memory, the officers and
members OF this body will wear Grape
on the left arm for thirty days.
Resoired, That a committee OF three be
appointed by the Speaker TO accom-
pany the body OF the deceased to his
late residence, in the county Of Berke-
ley.
RssoIucd, That a copy of these resolu-
tions be transmitted by the Clerk OF
this House to the family of the deceased.
Rssolred, That copy OF these pro-
ceedings be communicated to the Sem
ate, and that as a further mark of re-
spect to the memory OF the deceased,
the House do now adjourn.
The resolutions were unanimously
adopted and Mr.. Brady appointed to in
form the Senate while the chair appoint
ed as a
Guard of Honor
to the remains while being taken home
to the sorrowing family, Messrs. B. +.
Brady, Moses "a. Davis, and U. y. Orr.
Before this was done, however, some
very touching remarks were made by
Messrs. Grantham and Mofiett. Mr..
Granthsm first said:
Mr.. SPEAKER l rise to perform a sad
duty. Being from the same section Of
the State as the deceased, it may be ex-
pected that should second the resolu-
lions offered by the gentleman's COL
league. 1t was not my good fortune to
know the deceased until with US he en-
tered this hall to perform his duty to
his constituents. His prospects then
for long life were as bright as any, and
more than those OF many of us; but an
allwise God has ordained otherwise, and
now all that remains on earth OF George
Z. Ferrell lies cold IN the
Embrace of Death,
from whose grasp none of us may hope
TO escape. How forcibly istaught to our
minds the admonition: "Be ye also
ready, for in such an hour as We know
not the Son OF Man cometh."
His body will be committed to its
mother earth; his spirit has returned TO
the God who gave il. Ii is q melan-
choly pleasure TO know that for many
wears he had been an humble follower
of the meek aud lovely Jesus, and we
good reasons to hope that his spirit is
now at rect in the
Paradise of the God
he loved. will not enter the sacred
precincts OF his home. Who can depict
the sorrow OF that lonely widow and the
orphan children? We can only COM
mend them to our kind Heavenly
Father, who is too wise to err, and who
does not willingly stflict the children Of
men.
lie was followe: by Mr.. Moffett, who
in his usual
Elegant and Chaste
style spoke as follows;
"In the midst OF life we are in DEATH"
was never more strikingly verified than
in the decease OF the member from
Berkeley. We areapt to regard all men
as mortal, except ourselves; but another
warning comes to remind us that no one
holds certain tenure on life.
There is q vacant seat in this hall.
There is vacancy in the hearts OF friends
who loved and esteemed him.
The Death Angel
has hoyered over US and tarried long
enough to snatch away one OF our most
useful members. NV acquaintance with
DR.. Ferrell was OF short duration. Imet
him for the first time in this hall one
week ago to-day. Since then We
have served. together upon one
OF the important committees of
this body, where had an opportunity
to see something OF the fidelity and
watchful care with which he executed
the trust imposed on him. found him
to be q gentleman possessed of large in
formation with regard TO public matters.
l found him ALWAYS jealous in the dis