Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1890-07-10
OOxHARs.
K. L. Fort and Wife Pass the Golden
Milestone of their Welded Life.
corre.pondence Ieaf.onronicle.l

Milestone of their Welded Life.
Correspondence LeaE-Chronicle.l
On the east side OF Red river, near
Port Royal, on an eminent hill stands
a spacious house, fashioned in its
style and structure nearly century
ago. 1t has porch running the full
length OF the house, with six or more
massive columns, measuring almost
the height of the second story frame
house. These columns stand out in
bold relief and present a state-like
appearance. In this house resides
Mr.. f. l.. Fort, more familiarity
known as Uncle Lawson, and his
venerable wife. Fifty years ago to-
day Uncle Lawson, in the bud of
manhood, led to Hymen's altar Miss
E. ID. Dancy, second daughter of
William Dancy. They were mar
ried in Florence, Ala. Their bridal
trip was made on horseback from
Alabama, with an old-tashioned
''carpet-bag" hung on the side-sad-
die of Mrs. Fort that contained her
bridal trousseau. What a vast diff
ference in now and then! Now to
think that a bridal chamber, with
the handsome fixtures of modern
hotel, arranged in sleeper for every
comfort and luxury, is strong con-
trast to the slow transit fifty years
ago. Uncle Lawson sprang from
splendid parentage. His father,
Sugg Fort, was Baptist preacher,
an intimate friend and associate
of old Father Ross; was pastor Of
Red river Baptist church until his
death in 1929. 1t might be well TO
state here that this church was or
ganized in 1871 by Uncle LAWSON
grandfather, Elias Fort, and other
pioneer Baptists, 1t is the Oldest church
In either Bethel or Cumberland AS
sOciations. Uncle lawson, like his
father and grandfather, has made
the world better by living in it. He
is now nearing his nineties; was
made a Mason when he was 81, and
Is the next oldest Mason in Tennes-
see, Robert /. Chester being the
Oldest. He was an ardent supporter
of Henry Clay and his doctrines
Being large slave-owner he believed
in gradual emancipation, thereby
preserving the Union, and up to
this day his wise expressions and
timely advice are quoted, spoken by
him while the distant mutterings OF
a cruel war were heard approaching.
He deprecated the idea of secession,
and to-day, had the South voiced
his sentiments in those fearful days,
we would have been spared the
Onerous debt OF war, pension grab
bers, the now pending Infamous cleo
ton bill, and nameless other evil eff.
fects of the war. or course he was
in sympathy with the South in all its
troubles, but his convictions were
honestly and courageously spoken,
although very unpopular.
He and his Christian wife have
lived a happy married life that any
couple would do well to emulate.
Their marriage was founded on
truth, confidence and love, and every
year has erected a milestone on their
happy journey that today stands as
a monument to whisper in silence of
some good deed done, Of some kind
word spoken, of some fragrant
flower planted, all proving that sit is
better to live and die where love is
king than live forever where love is
not"
Now as the shades of night are
fast gathering around them, they can
look back through the dim twilight
of well spent life and behold gar
ners filled with blessed fruits that
tell to them in prophetic words OF
that beautiful home beyond, "where
the rainbow never fade and stars are
spread out before their gaze, like
islands that slumber on the ocean,"
The world is made purer by such in
fiuence. CHAs. H. FORT.
Gadlnraarilla Tnnn Inlu z 1900