The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1891-03-21
JAMES +. STOKES.
Bolivar Democrat.l ]

Neu unluAs uAAkiatf faAeA-S -~- '----
superabit -
Two weeks sgo it became our mel
aueholy duty to record the sudden
death of Col. Jas. F. Stokes, Of Sunny
wild. The taking away in the prime
of life Of so gifted and valued clti-
zen calls for more than 4 eursOry no.
tiee. To those best acquainted with
him, who had felt the magnetism Of
his presence and had basked in the sun
shine of his sparkling cultured mind, 1t
is indeed hard to realize that the voice
of james f. Stokes has been forever
hushed in the grave. Born on the
18th of June, 1915, Mr.. Stokes gave
early evidence that he had inherited
to u high degree the ability of his
father, Jordan Stokes, of Lebanon,
Tenn, one of the sblest lawyers in
that Stats. His career at Amherst
College, Massachusetts,, was veritable
triumph, and the classical finish of the
education there acquired was one of
MIR. Stokes most marked characteris-
tics through life. Immediately after
graduating be entered the Law School
Of Cumberland University, Tenn.
Here again he carried all before him.
No study was too abs,ruse, no law
problem too complicated for his clear
intellect to master and TO solve. Ad-
mitted to the bar in 1867, he became a
partner with his father, and after a
few years of practice was elected At
torney General, post which he filled
with distinction. On the expiration
of his term OF office he resumed his
association with his father. In 1878
came the crownlng joy Of his life,
when as the chosen one of many gal
liant suitors, he proudly led to the altar
Miss Blanche McGehec, of Mississippi,
beautiful woman richly endowed
with the graces and virtues which
tend to make married life an Elysium
on earth. In 1876 he was elected TO
the Legislature of Tennessee, but ho
resigned after serving through the
regular session, moved to Mississippi
and became planter of Bolivar couE-
ty. Unutterably happy in the price
less affection of his noble helpmate,
blessed by the Heavenly gift of bright
and rosy checked Children, possessed
of princely estate, aud OF ample
means for the carrying out of his
every whim and fancy, JAS +. Stokes
lived on at Sunnywild, with no cloud
to darken the horizon of his existence,
A more loyal, unseltish or public spir-
tied citizen never country had. Ills
energies, his influence, his purse were
ever at the disposal of good cause
As president of the Levee Board for
two terms, he earned the warmest
esteem of his fellow men. Whom the
floods of 1882 devastated the Valley,
when hope seemed to have deserted
our half ruined and disheartened peo-
pie, when the levee system had re-
celved shock which thrcaiened to
prove death blow, it was Jas. r.
Stokes who stood undaunted In the
breach. BY his courageous determi.
nation, and his unfaltering faith in the
efficacy of levee protection, he reanl.
mated our people, and his personal
influence was emlnently successful in
securing from the Government allot'
ment of that year large appropriations
for our relief Up to the hour Of his
death, Mr.. Stokes continued to be
the steadfast, unfinching friend of the
levee interest In 1883, In the midst
of the serenity of his domestic life
came the lamentable accident which
deprived him of his fondly loved wife.
IL has been said that Mr.. Stokes never
recovered from this awful aflliction,
From henceforth all was changed,
The remembrance Of that tragic night
gnawed deep into his heart, and neither
the affection of his children, the regard
of his friends, the cares of his planta-
ton nor the temptations of public
career could wean him from his silent
sorrow. lie was occasionally present
at agricultural and other conventions
As q Trustee OF the Columbus Indus
trial Institute and College, his advice
aud his judgment were keenly appre-
ciated. Less than year ago he de.
lyered at the College a stirring and
eloquent address, which was repro
duced at the time In the Bolivar Coun
ty Democrat. During the recent agl
tation with the view Of inducing the
Government TO take control OF the
levees, Mr.. Stokes was again to the
front with handsome contribution
and jealous cooperation. The last
time his voice was heard in Rosedalt
was at tho levee meeting late In the
fall, in the Court House, on which oc
casion his ringing utterances infused
new vigor and enthusiasm into the
movement.
Such was Jas. +. Stokes. Word;
but too feebly describe his many rare
traits of character. As a speaker be
was fluent, forceful aud striking. AS
a conversationalist on any subject he
was unsurpassed. His mind was O
splendid storehouse of knowledge, and
he clothed his ideas in a garb Of origi-
nallty and polish peculiarly his own
Had be gone into public life with vim
and earnestness he would have attain
ed very high position, for by reason
of his fine physical appearance, the
charm of his manner, his inherent abll-
ity and his perfect education, he was
essentially man among men.
Jas. i. Stokes has Joined the great
majority. But he is not altogether
dead. The latin poet whose line is
quoted at the head of this humble
tribute, happily conveys the idea.
"He is not altogether dead--part of
him still survives Brave as a lion,
but gentle as young girl, sympathetic,
generous and incapable of anything
underhanded, he stamped his impress
upon the annals of our time, and II Is
our firm belief that the memory of his
true manhood will grow grecner and
greener in the hearts Of the people of
Bolivar county.
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the Valley Route Under Water.