The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1892-07-21
Death of Vim. II. Cheek, Jr.

4 tender chord in the public heart is
touched.
Seldom have we been called upon to
perform sadder duty than that which
we do in chronicling the death OF the
Young gentleman whose name heads
this article. There is sadness, there are
tears, there is sorrow that seals the lips
in this announcement.
Three weeks ago he was in the full flush
OF vigorous young manhood, when life
seemed to hold for him so much of use
fulness and honor and his friends little
thought that so soon his generous, noble
heart would be stilled in death. Coming
home from Rocky Mount, where he was
successfully engaged in the leaf tobacco
business, to take summer vacation, he
started on a trip to Virginia but was
taken sick and returned to Henderson,
His illness soon developed into a malig-
nant case of typhoid fever from which
he died at a quarter past 10 O'Clock
Friday night July 10Th, at the home of
his father and mother General and Mrs.
W. II. Cheek, aged about "a years.
No young man in the community was
better known or more universally es-
teemed than Willie Cheek, and his death
causes sincere regret We had known
him intimately for ten years, and wheth-
er as boy Orin maturer years when he
had reached manhOOd's estate, we never
knew finer character. His life was beau
tiful, the proud name he bore was I'M
stained by him. The soul of honor,
quiet, amiable and unassuming, his mod
est worth and perfect sincerity won for
him the warmest love and highest admi-
ration of all who knew him. A dutiful
Alnd affectiOnate son, tender and loving
hrn nd 70
friend, faithful in the performance of
every duty and true.in all relations of
life in which he was placed, brief as was
his career his example was an inspira-
ton to all who came in contact with
him. and the heritage OF a pure and spot
less reputation is the legacy he left to
family and friends.
Previous to engaging in business for
himself some two years ago, Mr.. Cheek
was in the employment of Mr.. W. E.
Gary for about eight years, and though
quite young he had the management in
large part of his extensive interests and
no one was ever more faithful or attent-
i've to his duties. Jealous and active in
business, quick and apt by nature, it
was during these years of service that
the foundation was laid which charac-
terized his success and marked the supe-
rior qualifications which his friends and
associates readily recognized in him. BY
his death what promised to be an hon
Orable and successful career has been cut
short and hosts of persons to whom he
had endeared himself by his amiable dis
position and uniform courtesy will drop
Il sympathetic tear above his untimely
grave.
The funeral was held from the Episcopal
Il, n -. II
the rector Rev. Julian E. Ingle conduct
large attesting the popular esteem in
which the deceased was held. After the
funeral exercises the procession moved
slowly toward Elmwood cemetery where
relatives and friends paid the last tribute
OF respect to the departed. The Vance
Guards formed an honorary escort and
with muffled drum and measured step
led the way to the silent "City OF the
Dead" At the grave three volleys were
fred from blank cartridges in honor of
the dead citizen-soldier who had been
a former member and an officer of the
Company. A number OF beautiful floral
offerings were sent and these were placed
by tender, loving hands on the new made
mound where was laid to rest all that
was mortal of VIM. H. Cheek, Jr.
And now the silver cord that bound
this noble young man to father, mother,
brothers, sisters and friends is broken,
and over them hangs a cloud without
CLINT of light and there gathers q sorrow
that seems unbearable For he was so
lovable, so true, so rich in all the graces
of noble, perfect manhood that his
presence was benediction and his words
and smiles a Joy to all about him. His
days We're untimely ended and at his
grave we stand mute and sorrowful.