The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12
In Menorian

More than 10 years ago the writer
was student at famous school tor
Young men in Alabama, at the head
of which was Prof ID. e. Il. Connerly,
one of the most widely and favorably
known educators in the state. Next
to Mr.. Connerly himself, the chief fac
tor in the great success achieved by
the institution over which he preSld-
ed. was the noble christian lady who,
until he buried her in Austin, last
Sunday, had been the companion OF
his life for more than quarter OF a
century. The boys who were trained
for college at that school are scattered
through many states, and there is not
one of them but will sincerely sorrow
when he learns that the gentle, dark
eyed lady, whose kind and motherly
WAYS made life so pleasant for "her
BOYS" at Stonewall Institute, has pass
ed away. AS one of those boys, feel
impeIled to put on record some slight
testimonial to the worth OF this saint
ed woman, whose untimely death
brings up in vivid retrospect Some OF
the happiest memories OF my lie
Mrs. Ellen Taylor Connerly was
native of Columbia, South Carolina,
and died in this city in the 48th year
of her age, last Sunday morning. She
was married to Prof. d. G. b. Connerly
in Alabama, where she passed thegreat-
er part of her life. Her husband, now
living in this city, and bearing up
against his loss with the fortltude
born of christian faith and a strong
vigorous character, was, prior to his
removal to Texas, for many years one
of the most. distinguished educators
in Alabama, and in his large expert
ence his own scholarship and rare ap-
titude for teaching boys and winning
their esteem, were wonderfully rein
forced by the strong sense, high char
acter and amiable qualities OF his de-
voted wife. Aside from the natural
instincts of her heart, which were ALI
good and true, she was animated by
an imperious and unyieldlng sense Oh
duty that inspired her whole lie anu
won for her the unlimited faith and
respect of all around her. She was
deeply religious without any ostenta-
ton of piety, and carried into every
relation of life an unselfishness that
was as rare as it was noble. Her
happiness was in contributing TO tne
happiness OF others, and no boy that
attended Stonewall Institute can ever
forget the thoughtful Kindness and
unfailing consideration for his COM
fort that always marked her relations
with her husbands pupils. There
was not one of us but would have eS-
| teemed it privilege to have risked
even life itself for this handsome,
stately, gentle lady, for there was
something about her that appealed to
all that was manly and chivalrons in
our youthful natures. The texture
of her character was remarkably firm,
and to her native superiority were
added all the grace5 of in
tellectual and moral curture
and most attractive personal
dignity and compoSure. Time and
many cares had given worn and sad
dened look to her noble features
when last saw her, some weeks ago,
| but she was the same refined, unself-
ish christian lady that / knew years
ago, and she was in the full ripeness
| of all the virtues and graces Of her
character. She leaves a most inter-
esting family behind her, and the
| three handsome and amiable young
ladies, now mourning their dear moth
er's loss, inherit, in a large degree, the
| qualities that made her an ornament
to her sex. To these daughters and
her four SONS, upon whom she poured
out all the wealth of her fond love
and pride, she leaves the example of
her life and character as an inheri-
lance more precious than gold. The
grey head Of her devoted husband is
bowed with unspeakable grief, but he
is full of courage and energy and
christian character, and he viii not
despair. 1t would be a great piece Of
good fortune to the boys hereabouts If
he would resume his old vocation. the
chosen work of his life, for which he
is so richly qualified, and give them
the benefit of his fine scholarship and
remarkable aptitude for teaching
young men, especially in the ancient
classics. His faithful wife is gone,
but her loving images her brood Of
darling children-are left behind. and
in these will he find his chief comfort
and best inspiration until such time
as he is called to meet his dear wife,
which pray may be very many years
yet to come.
Am OLD sroNEwALI Boz.