Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1894-07-28
HON. JOHN REASON RAY.
Stricken Will, Paralysis Which Ter
inmates Fatally.

SAdsSA<A AStutHS, dud kAC (oIu WIZ
bound him to us is snapped asunder, i
is hard so hard, to become reconciled t
the inexorable which sooner or late
befalls all mankind.
| John.R. Ray was truly good man
His heart oyerflowed with sympathy
for all mankind. A disposition SC
kind as his is rarely met with. Gen
erous to fault, he was honest and up
right in al his dealings, and horo.ee
and respected by his fellow-men.
Saturday evening Mr.. Ray was on
the main street at that place and step
ped into the office of DIR. Butler. He
tegan at once to play with the doc
tors children, who were there, and
became 20 lively that the doctor no.
tieed it and remarked that he was get
ting livelier as he grew older. This
happened at about 1890 O'Clock. Mr..
Ray returned home and in less than a
half hour Dr. Butler was sent for and
pronounced him in a hopeless and
critical condition, being paralyzed in
the right side. Mr. Ray was then un-
luscious and remained SO until death
overlook him at GAS Sunday morning.
His children were summoned imme-
diately after the doctor pronounced
his condition critical and nearly all
reached his bedside before life was ex-
tinct.
John R. Ray was born in Jefferson
County. w. Va, near Harpers Ferry,
December 4, 1899, and removed from
there to Shepherdstown thirty-three
years ago. On the goth day of De-
cember, 1851, he was married to Bar
bara Potter, of Waynesboro, Pa. Their
happy union blessed them with six
children, the Ell lest, w. H. Ray, dying
while at Mercersburg College. The
other five Mrs. James F. Thompson,
of Martinsburg; Mrs. John B. Black.
of Shepherdstown Mrs. H. c. Shull,
of Shenandoah, D. P Ray, of Altoona,
and c. F. Ray, of Roanoke, are hon
ored and respected by all who know
them. During the late period he has
served nine terms as Mayor of Shep-
herdstown, identified himself with the
business interests, occupied we'll
earned place in his church, and in the
hearts of his people secured a warm
and lasting friendship and sympathy
that will never die. When elected
to his eighth term of Office his popu-
larity was proven and manifested by
the treatment accorded him by his
friends in the way of a public demon
stration, when he was presented with
a handsome gold headed cane.
Politically Mr.. Ray was staunch
Republican, and number of years
served as chairman of the Republican
Executive Committee Of Jefferson
County. He was widely known all
over the State, and recognized as an
efficient and valuable party worker.
He was conservative and judicious,
and at no time allowed partisanship to
interfere with his every day life. He
was connected with several orders,
among which was the Order of Red
Men, and in which he has filled the
highest positions. and on various oc-
casions represented it in the highest
capacities. To his credit, above all
other connections, be it said that he
was an earnest, attentive, energetic,
faithful. and working member OF the
Lutheran Church
One Of the first persons to welcome
us to this section and wish us God
speed in our work was Mr.. Ray,
Shortly after, we had the pleasure Of
enjoying the inequalities of his home.
The two days spent with him were
most enjoyable. There his sterling
qualities were fully manifest. 1t was
rare pleasure to know him and his
friendship was of that quality which
will ever be precious memory. Dear
friend, rest in peace.
The Herald will next week contain
full report Of the Institute, collated
by our efficient reporter Mrs. Laura
0. Tabler.
The U. B. Sunday school will picnic at
Inwood Park, July %. A full attend
ance of the Sunday school Is expected.
We cordially invite the public to attend.
JAMES HESS, Supt
The Second Quarterly Meeting of Mar
tinsburg station will be held in the U. d.
Church of this place, July 20. Preach