Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1896-02-04
In Memoriam.

Died on Saturday, January is, 1896, of heart
failure, Miss MARGARET t. McGRAw, of
Harper's Ferry, W. Va, in the 3Sth year of
her age.
Never, perhaps, has this community
been so stirred or have the SYM
pathies of our people been SO profoundly
moved as by the death of this es-
Unable young lady. a few minutes before
the fatal luminous she appeared to be in the
enjoyment OF robust health and consequent
good spirits, and she wonld have been among
the last that an observer would have picked
out as likely to fall soon before the scythe of
the relentless harvester, A pathetic incident
is related of her last moments. She was much
attached to the memory of her father who
died q little over two years ago. The father
owned u horse of which he was very fond,
and, for the fathers sake, the children ave
provided for this dumb favorite aud committed
the animal to the care of u kipd-hearted
farmer on whose place it enjoys freedom and
plenty with exemption from labor. About
two o'clock on Saturday afternoon Miss Nc
Graw vas standing at her door when this
farmer passed, and she asked how her father's
pet was getting along. On being told that the
horse was doing well she said sadly, t'Poor
papa" and turned to go 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 US above related, but, besides l
relatives, there are many and very many who
will kcenly feel the loss of this amiable young
r.. .,,- .-a t.- .N,--
ity proverbial and unbounded. A few weeks
ago the writer witnessed a scene which exem-
plifed this charitable disposition of Miss Nc
Graw. A young woman travelling on the b.
Sc o. R. R., and whose destination was Gin
c%innati, lost her ticket and was obliged to APP
peal to the people of Harper's Ferry for aid to
procure another ticket. Miss McGraw handed
her something which the writer could
not see, but it was enough to elicit from the
forlorn one a paroxysm of grateful tears and
a shower of blessings, which the recording
angel undoubtedly entered 10 the credit of the
generous giver. Her whole life e1emplifed
this kind disposition. She was aevotedly at
tachcd to a brother aud a sister, who fully
reciprocated her love and who have the deep
est sympathy of our people in their bercave-
ment, and from the fuIlncss of a heart all
sorbed in the memory of a fond parent came
the last words her lips uttered.
Ignorant and short sighted as we are, we
often wonder why Providence should cut off
early so many whose lives are ben cficent and
calculated to spread h%appiness in u world as
wretched as ours, but 'Ycur thoughts are not
my thoughts, and my ways are not your ways,''
saith the Lord. He knows when heavens
harvest is ripe, and His will be done.
~ -. -. 80 -
Church, Harpcr's Ferry, on Tuesday morning,
JanuaryaIst, and were conducted by the pas
tor, Rev Father Kelly, assisted by the Rev.
Me ssrs. MeKeeisy, 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 so many of Miss Nc
Graw's kindred had preceded her. Rcquiescat
in pace. 4 FRIEND.
HARPEH's FERRY. w. Va.
January %, 1896.