Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1891-06-16
And Drops Tears Of Alice
ton Upon His Bier.
A MEMORIAL MEETING.

The LEAF CHRONICLE yesterday
announced the death OF Dir. a. ID.
Sears, which took place precisely at
3p. m. Truly great man has pass
ed away. Loved and venerated by
all, as he was, the whole city is cast
down with Sadness, and nothing
else is talked of to-day save his
sublime character and the incidents
of his last days and dying hours.
People always want to know how
such men die. The accident that
led to the shortening Of his matured
but yet active and useful life has been
explained in these columns. Strange
fatality, that with all of his careful
ness in moving about, he should
have been thrown by the turning OF
a little block, producing injuries
which, with other complications,
resulted in his death. The vitality
he displayed to the last supreme
moment and the tenacity with which
he clung to life indicated that he was
good for dozen years more of life
and reasonable activity, but for the
Intervention of this seemingly I'M
timely accident.
The surviving members of his fam
lily, his wife, and daughter, Mrs. Ma
rietta Major-his only living child
and grandchildren, are Frustrated
with grief. And not insignificant is
the sorrow of the old col. servant, An
ME Bryan, who has been with the
family twenty-six years.
The writer has been intimate with
the deceased for many years, loved
him as "a father, knew much of hi
life and character, and has written
many things about him, but at this
moment his pen falters in undertake
ing 10 portray in single sketch the
true character of such n man:
BlotkA IliI.AlIs
Rev Achilles De Grasse Sears, u. D. was
born in Fairfax county, Va January |, 1904,
of Norman descent. AT the age of - years
he settled in Bourbon county, KY, where he
ne studied law and entered into the
practice with the promise of success, His
handsome appearance, courtly manners,
generous nature and bright intellect made
him popular in all circles and his way to sue
cess was clearly marked. 1t is difficult to
write q biographical sketch OF this remarlSa-
Bile man without assocatiug with it the
name of his mob lie wife, who has truly been
his helpmeet ali through his brilliant
career. -Four years after beginning his law
practice Mr. Sears was united In marriage to
Anna Il. Bowie the loving wife who survives
him at the age of 81 years. This happy
union occurred on the 25th OF March, 1928, "a
beautiful, bright day. and for over sixty
three years they have walked together in the
fullness OF matrimonial bliss, and what is re-
markable in this connection, every marriage
anniversary since, except the last one, has
been bright day.
Mir. Sears was reared under deistical iutlu-
ences, and his ambition to defend that doc
trine aud controvert christianity led him to
read the Bible and enter into an invostiga-
conversion. After becoming thoroughly sat
ished, himself and wife united with the
church and were baptized nj the same time
by Rev. Ryhnd 4, billiard, at Rryants sta
ton, In Elkhorn river, on the 18th of July,
1888. DR.. Sears has often related how solemn
ly he was impressed with the beautiful figure
of resurrection, by the form of immersion,
given ia n church ordinance, and from that
moment he felt impressed with the duty of
preaching the Gospel and determined To pre-
pare himself for the ministry without letting
any one know his purpose before he was
fully ready for the work, But 1t seems that
some how the church became impressed with
the same idea, and without waiting for any
preparati on ON his part to his surprise, he was
very soon called upon To lead i'm public prayer
and exhortation, was soon voted license
To preach, and in n few months after was or
dained to the ministry by preSbytery, com
posed of Revs. Il. II. billiard, Edward Darnaby
and Josiah leake The ordination took place
nj n special call meeting at Dayid's Fork, in
February, 1910, and since that time nr Sears
has heen a constant, Jealous, untiring laborer
m the Lord 'svineyard, devotlng over 81 years,
and unto the very hour OF his sad accident, to
nreachinx the gospel, making himself
= shining light in the ministry. This long
ministerial career is no more wonderful
,,,an brilliant He possessed a strong
ana active intellect, and his soul SEEM
~ u he lighted by spark from heaven. lie
yns magnetic In his utteRnces, ehaste and
slayant in language, driving directly 10 his
nnint and frequently rising 10 lofty elo-
anAnea as IL by inspiration, always holding
,na attention az his audience even little chill
',sa,, becoming enraptured By the power of
~ gosnel declaration. He was really pushed
80 ,be ministry before he was fully pre-
arad n,,t his zeal, earnesiness, devotlon and
p 80 a,,,licaiion made him ail-poweFful in
the Masters service.
Four DAYS after his ordination he engaged