Graham guardian., 1895-05-11

AS the sun sank behind the
mountains of the west last Sunday
evening, May 5th, DR.. NJ. S. Coff-
man, of Solomonville, closed his
eyes in that solemn and endless
slumber--death. His illness was
of ten days duration, and on Sun
day evening the anxious friends
who assembled around his bedside
knew by the fluttering pulse and
heart, that the life, just in its full
est bloom of manhood, must soon
pass to that "Boarn from whence
no traveller e'er returneth." His
was a brilliant future, after years
Of endless study and labor in the
line OF his profession. Truly it is
said that ''life is uncertain" and
this fact was deeply impressed up
on the hearts of those, who, with
fearful eyes watched at his bedside
when his soul passed to that high
er tribunal His anguish, when
fully aware that life would soon
close, must have been deeper than
words can portray. Yet never a
sound escaped his lips; with an iron
will he suffered for ten long days,
having the full faculty of reason.
Everything was done by his friends
to allay his sufferings, but their
labors, so freely given, were vain.
Drs. Porter, Hoeffer, Goodfellow,
Pease and Dudley were in atten-
dance at different times.
For 48 hours his life was kept
in his body by means of drug in
jections, and as the last was about
to be administered he raised his
hand, saying: "Don't give me any
more, it is of no use." For half
an hour he lay, supported on one
side by his brother Jesse, and on
the other by friends, and just as
the shadow of the setting sun fit
ted through the room he gave a
/
few gasps, convulsive movement
of the body, and with arms out
stretched as if reaching for some
hidden support the band of life
was snapped and DR.. Coffman was
no more.
Too much praise cannot be given
to members of the family of Mr.. l.
e. Solomon, who from the time of
his first illness were most constant
in their attentions. Mrs. Frank
Neese and Mrs. Judge Hyatt also
rendered their best services in his
behalf. Messrs. Chas. f. Solomon
and III. B. Fox were constantly by
his side, doing all in their power
to make his last days on earth as
comfortable as possible.
On Monday afternoon at the
hour of two o'clock the funeral
services took place. Rev. D. Rob-
erts, of Stafford. conducted the GER
emonies which were short and i'm
pressive. The pall-bearers of the
wreath covered casket and its re-
mains were Judge Goodwin, Harry
B. Fox, Charles Solomon, Wiley
| 4. Jones, Manuel Leon and 6. A.
Conklin.
| After the casket had been de-
posted in its last resting place the
services concluded with a briet
prayer.
DR.. Coffman had resided at Sol
omonville but little over a year
and although of a rather quiet and
retiring disposition he had made q
host of friends, who, with his rela
tives mourn his untimely death
Peace to his ashes.
Slowly Ger the distant mountains
sinks the glowing sun to rest,
Gliding with its lingering splendol
the horizon Of the west,
And the twilight softly falling ovel
forest, field and hill,
Brings the hour of peace and com
fort, bidding all the world be still
Scarcely had the lingering shadow
from the mountain passet
from sight
When a soul from earth to HEAVIER
Gentle winged its silent flight;
Upward to the gates of heaven, ant
perchance it enters there,
Where no sorrows dim the portal
of that wondrous land so fair.
~ 4