The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-08-15
South River Items

IhtpOIGeu lOI bll0 lhGlN1AN
DEATH even in his mildeSt form. is a terror
When he comes slowly, giving his victim warn
ing by months of sickness; when his approach is
daily and hourly expected, and loving, sympa-
thizing friends stand at the bedside of the de
parting one, and by their tender ministrations
encouraging words and presence, assist him tc
bear the approaching ordeal with fortitude
even then death is most unwelcome visitor
but when he comes unannounced, unlocked fol
without an inStant's warning, as swift as the
wings of the wind, and violently snatches away
some loved one some household idol; then in
deed, is he the terror Of teIrors. Then, indeed,
are we prone to think upon him as cruel.
Since the afternoon of Friday, the 2nd the
most casual observer can not have failed to
notice on the faces of our people, old and young,
white and colored, traces of sorrow cOmmingled
with sympathy; for upon that afternoon little
Watson Gulley, aged ten youngest child of G.
A. Gulley, Esq, the fayorite and pet Of the
neighborhood, and the baby boy of loving
family, met with a most frlghtful death.
At O'Clock ON the day in question, this little
fellow, full of life and joy, and childish playful
ness, moved among his fellows with seemingly
as bright prospects for a happy future as any.
At six, only one short hour, his little body lay
mutilated. shapeless heap upon the railway,
while sympathizing sorrowing neighbors, with
streaming eyes and whitened faces, stood hope
lesSly, helplessly crowded about him, as the life
current flowed rapidly away, and the bright
eyes closed in death.
Tenderly, gently he was lifted up slowly, sor-
rowfully he was borne in loving arms to the
home where but an hour ago he was the light,
the life, the idol. Softly was he laid upon his
own little couch the same upon which many
a night he had slept and dreamed of happy days
to come; and there in two more hours, sur
rounded by heart broken friends and sympa-
thizing neighbors, he quietly passed away.
The active little form, SO welcome everywhere
is still forever; the happy, joyful voice will be
heard no more on earth; the bright eyes are
closed to earthly scenes, and the welcome patter
Of his approaching feet will be waited for in
vain in the desoia4e, sorrow stricken home. But
while unspeakable sorrow prevails the stricken
home, the loving, sorrowing ones are not com
FORTRESS, for by faith in the Savior, whom they
love, and whom they taught their little Watson
to love also, they are able to penetrate the
clouds that gather above them and behold their
beloved child
''Safe in the arms Of Jesus
Safe on his gentle breast,
There by His love DER shaded,
Sweetly his soul shall rest.'
On Sunday the 4th at II o'clock, a. M, the
body of our little friend was carried to Thinking
Spring church, where the funeral was preached
by Rev. Mr.. Laird text Ps. Xc Is. The process
sion from the house to the church reached
nearly the whole distance-a mile There was a
general outpouring of the people from the sur
rounding country, and the church, although
crowded to SuffocatiOn (the aisles and galleries
being filed did not hold the crowd by several
hundred. Never before has as large congrega-
ton assembled in this part of the county, and
never before has there been universal a ten
der of sympathy to stricken family
After the funeral the body was carried to a
grave in the new cemetery, and there laid to
rest until the dead are called to life. The pail
bearers were, Homer Dold, Everett Coiner,
Frank Hanger and Clarence Hamilton, besides
ten flower bearers chosen from the class to
which decd belonged in the Sabbath school.
The floral offerings on this occasion far ex-
ceeded anything Of the kind ever seen in this
portion of Virginia. The grave was literally
hidden beneath miniature mountain of the
most artistic designs in flowers, that came from
nearly every home in the bounds Of the congre
CATION. The outburst of heartfelt sympathy
manifested on the OCCASION together with the
many warm and tender letters from all direc-
lions to the bereaved ones since the accident,
have enabled them to bear up under the great
stroke as nothing else could have done.
Watson Hanger Gulley was born July 18th,
1879. Killed August End, 1885, aged 10 years and
Is days. He was most lovable, manly little
fellow, with good words for all he met. He was
particular favorite with Rover, who in offer
ing his most heartfelt and cordial sympathy
with the relatives of his little friend, commends
them to the care of a kind Savior; feeling as
sured that it faithful to the end of life, if as
spotless and pure as little Watson was, that we
in good time shall see him again, and be with
him forever,
The VIRGINIAN having already published the
particulars of the accident, will not repeat the
account. ROVER.