Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1893-08-16
An interesting occasion.


In these times, when every day al
most brings unpleasant news, it may
be your readers will find variety, at
least, in the following brief account,
of a little sunshine that specks the
general gloom. Indeed would it not
be well if we did oftener speak and
write of the bright and joyous. The
sun is always shining somewhere. All
the birds that v are not hawks or buzz
yards, nor all the plants that bloom
hoarhound or dog fennell. The robins
still build their nests in the orchard,
and sing, and the jay, wearing his
gaudy coat, and the thrush in her
russell gown are still in the woods, the
primroses bloom in the corner of the
field and the hawthorn's fragrance
sweetens the evening air. But all
those things, we seem to forget, and
more. if Old Mammon but frown.
Shame On us. As If a man 5 life depend
ed on a little yellow gold. But l
started to tell of a family reunion.
The surviving members Of the family
of John and Mary H. Blair, met to day
Aug. o at the residence of John L.
Blair, six miles from Jonesboro. This
is one of the historic families of East
Tenn. John Blair (son of John Blair,
and Mary H., daughter of DIR. VIM. P.
Chester, were born and brought up in
this county. They were married about
1915. To them were born six sons and
five daughters, all of whom grew up to
be married, save one. The SOL were
William p, John L., Andrew j., Alex
ander A., Robert L., and Francis s.;
the daughters, Mary, Susan Elizabeth,
Rebecca, and Ellen Polk Of this
large household only four "a living
William p, of Ashville, NJ john L.
still a citizen, of Wash ton Co.
Tenn, Rebecca, wife of Re D Sui
Inns, Of Cleveland. Tenn, and Francis
s., of Wythville, Va. These four met
at the residence of John L., on Chero.
kee, Aug. 8. Present with them, Sal
lie Pierce, wife of Francis s., and son
Robert, and the writer. VIM. and
John are counted old men, but are
cheerful and happy, sitting peacefully
in the lengthing shadows of a well
spent life, honored by their children
and respected by all who know them.
Francis s.. is in the prime of a vigorous
manhood, senior member of the law
firm of Blair & Blair, Wythville Va.
Rebecca is a somewhat busy woman,
helping her husband manage Centenary
Female College at Cleveland; the
mother of C. c., and w. B. Sullins, of
Knoxville, Tenn, and Mrs. Rev. G. R.
Stuart, and Mrs. F. F. Dosser.
How delightful these family reunions,
when children, now no longer children,
come together to recall the hap.
Ply, sunny days of childhood, and
FURNISH anew the links that have SC
long held them together; to talk with
evident pride of loved and honored
parents, and recall some well remem
bered incidents, when ab children they
played tricks on each other. How W,
enjoyed by the hour the pleasing reel
tails, as each brother would take hi
turn and tell of some laughable occur
renee of their long age boyhood. And
how those old men with ringing peal
of laughter greeted each recital ant
were boys again, gray headed boys
But it is time for family prayers, anC
the old and sacred custom of the house
hold is still dear to these children
The writer read the scripture lessor
and led in prayer, and then we sang
Praise God from whom all blessing
flow" and called on William P. t
pray. 1t was good to be there, an
hear that old Presbyterian Elder tall
to his fathers God. witnessing to tn
faithfulness and mercy of God to al
the family living and dead; thanking
Him for the good hope they all had Of
an ultimate reunion that shall kno,
no end forever. Prayers over, tn
death bed scenes and parting words o
those of the family who had gone o,
before, were recalled, and while W
wept, we resolved to meet all in Heay
Ell by the grace of God-Amen.
r This family has been a large facto
in the commercial, political, social an
religious history of upper East Ten
nessee for about one hundred year,
Mostly Democrats and Presbyterian
with a few good M%ethodists sprinkle
. ed along. Some of the grand chi
! dren are still here, men and women
! whom any community NAV we'll
!. proud. John Blair Simpson and Mr.
DR.. Panhorst, Of your own town, bein
two of them. When they meet agai
' may | be there. ID. SULLINs.
q $25, 900 In Premiums.
f Offered by Liggett & Myers Tobacco
Co., of st. Louis, Mo. The one CUES
= ing nearest the number of people WI