Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1888-06-15
GEORGE W. JAMES.
A Tribute to His Memory BY One Who Knew
Him Well.

After lingering illness OF months qtthat
mysterious disease known ~ disease of
the heart. q. W. James died ON Friday,
June the Sth, aged ~ wears. He had
been sufferer Tor more than 20 years
from heart trouble. ut times with greater
and at others with less degree OF intcnsi-
". But about four month, ago the in
silious maladv fastened its hold upon
him with cruel aud determined grip
that batiicd the skill oi the ablest and
most experienced members OF the medi-
cal profession and he knew Tor weeks
before his departure from the scenes al
earth that that event Was hut question
of time. lie talked OF deathas he would
ui a matter oi business. and was anxious
To- be gone, his departure being tingcd
with regret. only because of the dear
ones he WIS leaving behind. His death
though long expected by himself and
friends, when it dilcoinc, came very sud-
denly. The cruel monster walked nois-
lcs-ly into his chamber aud going up to
hi- bed. with cold and icy fingers un-
loosed the heart strings and almost with
out u pang the immortal spirit oithe ben
eiactor of the poor WAS with its God. II
il exceedingly difficult to do justice To-
tn. character oi the deceased without
the appearance ri extravaganza. To say
that he was one OF the mcs: respected
ami useful citizens of the county would
convey but iain, idea OF his real worth.
While respected and appreciated by the
public generally. with whom he came in
contact in the various affairs oi every
day life. only those who have been near.
est him in intimate and confidential ne
lations. are best prepared Ia speak
of him and bear testimony oi those great
qualities of head and heart which dis
tinguishcd him ~ q good man. His
kindness 10 friends and Ia the distressed
poor was with him a principle. inhcrcn,
in his very nature. The plaudits oi the
world were not considered by him when
obeying that which he conceived 10 be-
his duty. sterling integrity. Kindness 10
relatives aud friends, gratitude and hen.
evidence were with him instincts Of his
nature. These great qualities clothed
his actions as with garment. not fash
toned To please the eye. but 10 protect
and help warm those promptings Of his
heart which he lowed 90 obey. Those
the hes, acquainted with him know how
strictly he observed Justinians motto.
Live honestly. hurt nobody and render
Ia every one his dues
Like Justinan. To- these three grand
precepts he reduced the whole doctrine
oi the Law in the daily walks OF life. >o-
her, temperate, moral in every respect.
there WAS not the shadow OF stain upon
his character in all the varied relations
of life in which he appeared to and dealt
with the public.
A. dealer in stock. A. miller. rs
farmer, a. a merchant hc was the same
truthful. upright, honest man. When n
partner in the firm OF >igler II James
heard an old family black woman say II
rather trade with Mars George than Mr..
Sigler, for Mr.. Siglcr would not give YOU
a nickel to save your life aud Mars
George would not cheat YOU out OF one
10 save your life" On one occasion he
sent one OF his boys out 10 buy calves.
The boy came in; the father looked NJ
the calves and asked. what lid YOU
pay for certain calf" The boy said
$40 The upright old father said that
was not enough and when lac saw the
man who had sold the cali he gave him
- more This il but one instance among
thousands of his strict integrity and fair
dealing. An unfortunate man could 90
10 him with the milestone al Insolvency
about his neck and tell him true story
of his misior,unes and he would lend
him his aid and his name and his means.
nor would he desert him till he could
swim alone or wade out OF his financial
troubles. lie often Endorsed when hr
knew he would have the debt 10 pay.
He often loaned with no expectation of
ever receiving back again, liar act
ed fair and honest. although he might
be deserted by fortune, yet George James
never forsook him or withdrew his help
ing hand. There are perhaps not ~
men in this end OF the county who do
not owe the deceased from - to $1,000
lie has had the pleasure OF stretching
forth the hand of muniticence and say,
ing many sinking man, who was going
down in the vortex OF financial ruin
The feeble, withered hand OF want wa,
never stretched out to him in vain. y,
hungry beggar ever went away from hi
door unied. While on his dying bed
heard poor man say OF him, "He is tn,
only man know in the county 10
whom the gates OF heaven are standin,
wide OPEN heard another one say
IF that man had not one spark OF relig
ion he would 90 straight to heaven TO
his kindness to the poor" But he ha'
not only spark OF religion. but hi
whole heart was ablaze with that divin
fame. His heart was an altar on which