The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1897-11-18
THE HENDERSON GOLD NOVEMBER
DEATH OF DR.. DEBNAM.
One of Henderson's Oldest and Host
Honored Citizens Passes Away.

Death has claimed another of Hen
derson's old and honored citizens.
DR.. Thomas G. Debnam, whose crit
ical sickness has been mentioned in
these columns, died at his home in this
place about 9 O'Clock Tuesday morn
ing. While not unexpected the intel
ligence that this good man had breathed
his last carried profound sorrow to the
heart of every one who knew him, aud
the news rapidly spread over the town.
DR.. Debnam had not been in good
health for year or more and that he
was gradually declining was painfully
apparent to his friends. He was a
great sufferer yet patient and uncom-
planning, often remarking that he
thought others had troubles enough Of
their own without being burdened
with the Affections and affairs OF their
neighbors, for which they were not re-
sponsible and could not help.
About three weeks ago DR.. Debnam's
malady assumed such serious nature
that he was compelled to take his bed.
At first his physician and friends
thought little of it and hopes were en-
tertained that he would soon be able to
be out again. But he grew worse
until about ten days ago when it was
apparent that he could not recover.
His trouble was due to complication
Of diseases and no one knew better
than himself the alarming symptoms
developed. But withal he murmured
not and bore his sufferings with quiet
resignation and Christian fortitude
that was we'll nigh sublime in its nature.
The best that medical skill could de-
wise and all that loving hands and the
most careful nursing could do were I'M
availing to stay the hand of death; and
in the quiet of the early morning hours
the summons came and the spirit of
Thomas G.. Debnam left its tenement
of clay and returned to the God who
gave it.
DR.. Debnam will be greatly missed
in the community. He was man of
gentle nature and charitable DISPOSE
ton and did great deal of good as
opportunity presented itself. He did a
large charity practice and to white and
black, high and low he was always
helpful and considerate. For a man of
his means his bounty was large and
his soul sincere. AS friend and neigh
Dor he was the ideal gentleman. He
was man of kindly nature and gen.
erous impulses, warm hearted and sim
cere; and the world is made sadder- by
his passing away, as it was richer by
his living in it. More than all this he
was an honest man and Christian gen.
tleman.
DR.. Debnam was in the 10th year
of his age. He leaves a wife but no
children. He had large family con-
nection in this and other States.
The funeral was held from the Meth
odist Episcopal church, Of which de-
ceased was a member, at 10 o'clock
Wednesday morning. The pastor Rev.
A. McCullen conducted the service his
remarks touching the life and character
of the dead being peculiarly feeling and
appropriate. A large crowd was pres
ent the attendance at church and the
long procession that followed the re-
mains to the cemetery attesting in
mute but eloquent terms the love and
esteem in which the noble dead was
held in the community.
The floral tributes were profuse and
very pretty, some of the designs be-
ing sxquisitely wrought. The grave
was literally heaped with flowers when
the last work of loving hands was fiu-
ished.
And there in the hushed stiffness Of
the silent city of the dead we left our
friend, his body committed to mother
earth, his spirit with its God.