The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1897-07-09
IT'S HOT!
DEATHS HARVEST.
Col. j. w. S. Ridley.

When he had lived little longer
than the three-score years and ten
allotted to man; after an eminently
successful, useful, well-spent life;
his work finished, his mission done,
his life already rounded to happy
close ripe and ready as the golden
grain for the sheaf, loved and hon
Ored, surrounded by friends, kim
dred and loved ones, trusting aud
confident in a christians faith, Col.
Ridley was permitted to lie down at
home last Tuesday afternoon and
enter into life eternal.
What a glorious privilege it is to
be allowed to finish the fight and to
win such "A victory as he has won.
In such an ending to this earthly
career, Death, indeed, is swal-
lowed up in victory"
The departure of Col. Ridley is an
irreparable loss to this county.
There has never been a man who
occupied just such position as he
did. There have been as good
farmers, as good financiers, as good
stock dealers, as good bankers, as
good citizens, as good men, as he ;
but we doubt if in the history of this
county there was ever blended in
one man such a combination of
these virtues and to such degree.
Some better farmers than he, are
mean neighbOrs; while with him, it
enhanced the value of land to adj
| Join his. Some better judges OF
stock than he, are cheats; and their
regulations cheat their talents
while with him, the confidence in
| his word, no less than his judg-
ment, brought him both buyers and
sellers. Some better financiers than
! he, have no compassion in theil
souls, no pity for the poor; while
with him, it was part of his life's
creed that neither man nor beast
should suffer near him. Some rich.
er men than he. by and through
their very wealth, have been curses
to their community. While witt
him, his manner of getting wealth
his industry, his fair dealing, his
husbandry, as also the quiet, genteel
hospitable, liberal, yet careful, con
servative spending of it, are alike
worthy of commentator.
And his good example has no.
been IN vain. How many men have
learned to buy and sell their mu les
like Col. Ridley. How many mel
have learned to build barns an(
house their stock, and feed like Col
Ridley. How many have learned
when to plant and how to sow ant
when to gather, like Col. Ridley
There is no calculating the goo
done by his example.
Col. Ridley stood so PROMINENT.
tall among his fellows, that il
emergencies he was relied upon
He was not politician in the gen
eral sense, though a pronounce
Democrat, and one who always tool
a lively interest in party policies
Upon a memorable occasion whe
the party was divided in this coun
ty, when they needed a leade
whose personal character wOul
command a following, he was give
the nomination for the Senate. Hi
health was delicate at the time an
he declined the honor. Upo
. another occasion when the bank
all toppled and fell, Webb Ridley
name was upon every tongue as tn
man who could bring order out {
chaos. And he did. Not for tn
hope of gain, but from "a sense {
q duty, he gave his time and his nam,
his credit, his capitol and his il
fluence to organizing a financial il
stitution upon which the Very life ,
this business community, at tbs
time, absolutely depended.
Thus in public acts as well Q
private living, his life stands as
glorious monument to his memory.
:. The funeral was held in the Fir
Presbyterian Church-of which IL
$ deceased was a Ruling Elder-We C
+ nesday afternoon at 1 O'Clock; Re
!. f. b. Webb officiating, and beir
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