The Osceola times., 1885-01-24
An Obscure, bu: Elero;c
Life.

In our issue Of the 10th inst, we
made brief mention of the death of
Mr.. John Humphreys, who died on
the 9th inst. At that time we were
not in possession of facts concerning
him, which have since come to our
knowledge, and which we deem of
sufficient interest to place before our
readers. True, John Humphreys
was young man who had passed
his life in obscurity, but still, his
life was a noble one and his death
heroic.
The character men leave behind
them with those who know them
best is the true critirion by which to
Judge the question Of the nobility of
Il mans life; aud while Mr.. Hum
phreys was not scholar and had
seen but little of the world, there
were but few steadier business men
IN this community. In fact, he had
a natural aptitude for business, and
hut for his un,ilnely death, would
uuqucstionably lave become one Of
the leading men of this county, if
not Of the state. Knowledge of
men; acquaintance with business;
an uncrring moral sense Of what was
just; an hilexihlc resolution to
manntain it; courage and fortitude-
moral as well rs personal which
nothing could shake; anatural cour-
tcsy Of manners and deportmcnt, al.
ways sustained without effort or
prctensiun; these were some of the
good and inborn qualities, which,
had he lived, would have placed him
high in the general estimation Of
men, and he wonll have been one
of the many examples Of the truth
that, no matter what disadvantages
may hedge the pathway of truly
noble soul, it will at last fight it's
way valiontly to its true position in
the world.
His death was caused by an at.ac!.
Of pneumonia, brought on by expos
uye during The cal. ..ad inolv,Gc cnt
weather just preceding the Christ
mas holidays, aud when he returned
home, it was but too evident, to tie
searching eyes of affection, that
death had marked him as its victim,
From the Grst attack of the disease
he believed that death only would
relieve his suffering. The eyeuirg be
fore he died he announced, in quiet,
steady tones, that he believed death
was at hand, and that he hal but a
short time to prepare for it. 81
believe" said he, to lis attending
ply sician, and the friends and rela-
tives who stood by lis bedside,
"that | am going to die; and | want
to make my preparations" and no
argument by physician or friend
could change his fixed opinion, that
he was about to die, Later in the
night he called his mother to him
and said to her, "Mother, you know
that ] love you better than any one
else, I'm dying; it will not be long
until we will meet again, and / know
that it will be in better world than
this" Then he called his brother
and sisters one by one to his bed
side, spoke kindly and ailcctionately
to them; gave them good advice
and asked them "to meet him in
heaven" Thoughout these differ.
ent interviews, with weeping rela-
tives and friends, he was as calm
and unmoved, apparently, by the
prospect of death, as a traveller set
ting out upon an earthly journey.
The only thing that seemed to dis
turb or agitate him was the grief of
his mother, and doubtless with a
view of comforting her, he said that
"he did not wish 70 live, but wanted
to die" No tear dimmed his eye,
but lac faced death with the htroism
of brave soldier on the field of
battle. 1t was remarked by all who
attended him, that he seemed to look
upon death merely as a gate or pas
sage through which he was passing
from this life to another personal state
of existence. Up to within a few
moments Of his death he recognized
and repeated in whispered tones the
names of every man, woman or child
who came into his presence, and
seemed, though palpably struggling
with death, to euter into and sympa-
thize with the feelings and emotions
of those who surrounded him. We
wish that we had space for more
minute account of this last scene of
one of the most promising young
men of our county, but we have
said enough to convey this truth, 10
thinking minds, that brave, heroic
soul always meets death heroically,
, and builds in that sad hour, its
hopes upon life, free from pains,
sorrows and parting, beyond the
! grave.