Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1896-01-29
In MeniOridBi.


Died on Saturday, January Is 1896. Of heart
failure, Miss MARGARET T. McGRAW. of
Harper's Ferry. W. Va, in the 3oth year of
her age.
Never, perhaps, has this community been
so stirred or have the sympathies Of our peo-
pie been so profoundly moved as by the death
of this estimable young lady A few minutes
before the fatal summons she appeared to be
in the enjoyment of robust health and conse-
quent good spirits, and she would have been
among the last that an observer would have
picked out as likely to fall soon before the
scythe Of the relentless harvester. 4 pathetic
incident is related of her last moments She
was much attached to the memory Of her IA
Their who died little over two years ago. The
father owned horse of which he was very
fond. and. for the fathers sake the children
have provided for his dumb favorite and COM
mitted the animal to the care of kind-heart-
ed farmer on whose place it enjoys freedom
and plenty with exemption from labor About
two clock on Saturday afternoon Miss Nc
Graw was standing at her door when this far
mer passed and she asked how her fathers pet
was getting along. On being told that the
horse was doing well she said sadly, Poor
papa, and turned to 20 up stairs. These were
the last words spoken by her, so far as is
known. A few minutes after she was found
dead in her room and physicians who were
summoned pronounced her death as due to
/ heart failure.
The circumstances of this bereavement are
/ sad enough as above related, but, besides her
/ relatives, there are many aud very many who
/ will keenly feel the loss Of this amiable young
lady. for her means were ample and her char
i ity proverbial and unbounded. few weeks
ago the writer witnessed a scene which exem-
plihed this charitable disposition of Miss Nc
Graw. A young woman travelling on the B. &
/ 0. R R, and whose destination was Cincinnati
lost her ticket and was obliged to appeal to the
people Of Harpers Ferry for aid 10 procure
another ticket Miss McGraw handed her
something which the writer could not see. but
it was enough to elicit from the forlorn one q
paroxysm Of grateful tears and shower Of
blessings which the recording angel undoubt-
edly entered 10 the credit Of the generous Civ
er Her whole life exempIihsd this kind dis
position. She was devotedlv attached TO a
brother and a sister, who fully reciprooated
her love and who have the deepest sympathy
Of our people in their bereavement. and from
the fullness of heart absorbed in the memo
~ OF a fond parent came the last words her
lips uttered.
Ignorant and short sighted as We are, we Of
ten wonder why Providence should cut of
early so many whose lives are benedcent aud
calculated to spread happiness in world as
wretched as ours. but "Your thoughts are not
my thoughts, and my ways are nOtyour ways,
saith the Lord. He knows when Heaven 5
harvest is ripe, and His viii be done.
Tie funeral .eryices took place at st. Peters
Church, Harpers Ferry. on Tuesday morning,
January DIST. and were conducted by the pas
tor. Rev Father Kelly, assisted by the Rev
Nessrs. McKeefry, of Martinsburg, Drake, OF
Keyser, and Tearney. Of Falls Church, Va
The funeral was very large and the body was
laid to rest in the Catholic Cemetery in South
Bolivar, whittier 50 many Of Miss NcGrsw's
kindred had preceded her ReqGiescat in pace
\ FRlESD.