West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1895-07-25
DEATHS DOINGS

many in this county, died of dropsy
at the residence of Mrs. Elizabeth
r.. Conner, near Tunnelton, at 4
O'Clock, p. M, Sunday, July IA,
1898. lie was a son of Michael and
Jane Conner, and half brother of
the late Joab Conner. He was
born IN 1918, and was therefore in
the seventy-sevonth year of his age,
though remarkably well preserved
for a man of his years. His remains
were inferred on Monday, July 10,
In the family burylng ground on
tho Joab Conner farm, In the pres
ence of large company of relatives
and friends. BY request w. Scott
Garner pronounced an Grafton at
the grave. He spoke as follows
"Words are cheap and weak. But
lew OF them are needed above our
dead. The two facts Of life and
death-both present here-arc
more impressive than any words
ever used by man. Nature in all
her parts is tho handiwork of God.
and if we live honest we are always
near to natures heart, and never
nearer than in death. In this way.
we believe, lived the man whose life.
less form we now commit to the
sacred keeping af peaceful grave.
That there were defects in his char
acter and weakness and errors in
his life is probable-indeed is GER
taln-for no human being is per-
feet. But that he possessed many
OF the Spartan virtues which men
and nations have delighted to honor
is equally sure. For three quarters
of century he faced the rugged
facts of life and made his way In
the world without imposing on his
fellow man, or levying tribute on
the toll of others. So far as / have
heard or know, IN all those years
no human being ever suffered
wrong at his hands. While his
life was quiet and his career un-
marked by any great event, his pecu-
liar characteristics and kindly ways
have enshrined his memory in the
hearts ola wide circle of the common
people who knew him we'll. Gifted
with wonderful memory and great
good sense, he was for years a kind
of walking cyclopedia for his
friends and acquaintance. A fact
once known by him was never for
gotten, until his last illness weak
ened the fabric of his mind, and if
he could have received collegiate
training, and had possessed ambi-
ton, his name might now rank
with the learned ones of earth.
Always quiet. peaceable, dignified.
and considerate of others, his life
exemplilied many of the qualities
esteemed among men and honored
by heaven.
What his religious views were no
man can say. Always reticent in
regard to personal matter. he was
peculiarly so in in this. lie seemed
10 think his relations to God and
The hereafter were things that con
cerned only himself and his creator.
AS he lived so he died. He evinced
no uneasiness, and died as peace
ful as a babe.
so fades the summer cloud away;
30 sinks the gale when storms are DER; !
SO gently shuts the eye of day;
80 dies wave along the shore"
There is every reason to believe
that he felt reconciled with God, |
and was troubled by no fears for
the future. Man tries in vain to
eno1c what lies beyond the dreaded !
gates Of death. Only white winged !
Faith may pierce the portals of the
tomb and sec the radiance
that glorifies the city of light. |
That life and death walk hand i'm
hand is sure, and both are messen-
gers Of supreme power. One opens
all doors-the other shuts them.
Whoever has breathed the breath
OF life is by that fact made the sure
heir of death. This wreck Of life
awaits us, one and all, and soon or
late shall still the proudest heart.
If when it comes it finds our life.
work fairly done, then we may feel
that all is we'll. 1t is but little we
can do at best, but God is better
than we know. "Shail not the
) Judge OF all the earth do right?'
Into his infinite hands we commit