Smyrna times., 1890-04-23
An UntimeIv Death

The death of Charles E. Porter, one
of our young clerks, which occurred at
early dawn of Monday morning, cast
an unusual gloom over the youth of
our community. This was especially
so with those who knew him, ard
there were few who did not, for he
was of that character to challenge re-
spect and make no enemies. He had
just crossed the threshold of manhood,
not full month having passed since
he reached his twenty-first year, ap-
parently the possessOr of robust health
with unusual energy and capabilities
for business aud equal promise of use
fulness as a citizen, what could shock
a community with its untimeliness as
life thus suddenly cut of, to exist
no more but in memory? To friend
the loss of such a one is twOfOld in its
sOrrOw-grief for the individual and
grief for the loss that is sustained in
one possessing the sterling qualities so
much needed to fight for the right as
against the wrong in the battles of life.
The deceased came to Smyrna when
half-grown boy FIVE years ago, from
the vicinity of Hartly, though native
of Ingleside, Md, and entered the
store of W. A. Winford, for whom he
clerked three years, the remainder of
the time being spent in the store of
Edward Beck. Mr.. Winford says of
him, "he was the best boy l ever saw.
He never forgot anything in the line
of duty that was told him, had an eve
strictly to business, gained the conf
| dence of the customers, and, said he,
''six months after he came into the
store could go away and leave my
business in his care with perfect as
surance that it would be attended to
right"
His increasing years and experience
only added to his value, and Mr.. Beck
says, "if he had fault do not know
it," and himself and family feel his
loss as keenly as his young comrades
who were bound to him by the tender
est ties of affectionate regard. He had
always lived a good, irreproachable
life, but he felt this was not enough {:
he wanted the credential of living,
apprOpriating faith that would entitle
him to the best there was in life here.
and the fruitiOn there is in the life
beyond, and two years ago under the
ministry of Rev. VIM. s. Robinson he
became a penitent at the altar, OBJ
tanned that for which he sought, AID
united his name and purposes of ex-
lstence with the church. His life was
like young plant in fertile soil, -
growing both by day and night,
steadily fulfilling its mission in the
most quiet way.
He was thus ready to takea a part in
all the affairs that seemed to him to
offer an opportunity to do good, being
one OF the most steady members of the
society of Good Templars, and was
likewise a member of the Young
Peoples Society of Christian Endeavor,
and its treasurer.
His illness was violent from the first,
seeming to fasten itself on his vitals
with force that Iforeboded its fatality.
He had apparently stronger vitality
than ordinary, except a predisposition
to rheumatism, and his friends had hope
from this fact, though the life current
should run on the brink of danger.
that he would pull through; but like a
torrent sweeping down a river that is
already at the danger line, in reaching
an obstruction there is a sudden tu-
multi, then a creVaEse-the barrier is
broken, the current runs out-life is
extinct.
As before stated his illness was vio-
lent, but five days, from an unusual
complicatiOn-double pneumonia, pleu-
risy and pericOrditis. By careful doc.
torIng and nursing the crisis of the
pneumonia, which had cOngested both
lungs, had apparently been passed, the
fatal and sudden stroke coming from
the heart trouble, what is technically
called embolism. The day before he
died when he seemed better, his mind
free from the delirium of fever, and
his friends had hope in a favorable
change, he called his companion. ].
Ed. DeFOrd, who stood closer than
Sny other one except his younger
brother, who was also clerkIng in this
town, and gave him full directions
down to the most minor details as to
what he wanted done in case of his
death, which he had the fullest conf
dence in meeting.
In accordance with this wish the
funeral services will take Tlace at 9
O'Clock this afternoon, at the NJ. E.
Church, conducted by Revs. Wilson
and Roe. The Good Templars and
Society of Christian EndeavOr will 90
in body, to unite with Sunday School
scholars, relatives and friends in ac.
companying his remains to the Odd
Fellows cemetery. The last that could
be done by those who feel so keenly his
death was in tributes of respect, which
was manifested in beautiful floral de.
signs from his Sunday School class, the
society of Christian Endeavor and the
Good Templars.