The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-09-04
Communicated.]
CAPT. j. -. DONSALLY.


ing the telegraph brought us the sad
news of the death of our ertswhile fell
low parlshioner and townsman. Capt.
John Bailey Donnally.
On that day he passed away at Pass
Christian, after short illness, the cul-
mination Of disease of long standing.
In this community for which he
always cherished a warm attachment.
and where he was so generally es-
teemed, and had SO many friends, his
death deserves more than passing
notice; for which l know your space
has but to be asked to he granted.
With his life during the twelve
years that he was citizen of our par
ish, and with his career since he left
here in 1889, to assume the office of U.
S. Marshal at New Orleans, under
President Harrison's administration,
we are familiar.
In 1861, when the bugle rang out its
call to arms to the sons of the South. it
would have been almost an impossi-
bility for one as brave and impetuous
as young Donnally to have remained
idle; and though but mere lad. he
promptly enlisted beneath the stars
and bars of the Confederacy.
He was mustered in. a private; he
surrendered out. n commissioned officer;
promotion won by gallantry on the
| field.
But as the New Orleans papers, the
day after his death, contained sketch
of his life, it is not the purpose now to
recte the details of his active and STIR
ring career; but simply to bear de-
served testimony to the high characters
and the warm and kindly nature of the
man.
The writer knew him from boyhood;
and knows whereof he speaks. when he
| says that truer, kindlier and more
tender heart, never Nbeat beneath
manlier bosom.
OF warm and impulsive nature.
he was naturally courageous, and
quick to resent an insult or an in
jury; but malice had no place in his
soul; and as sthe bravest are the gent
lest" he was as quick to forgive aud
forget.
His charity and benevolence we're
proverbial; and oftentimes extended
beyond strict justice to himself. No
cry of distress, no plea for help, fell
upon deaf ear, or was passed un-
needed; but the open purse and prompt
hand was his ever ready response.
Friendship was an Unborn quality OF
his nature. With him it was no mere
sound or pretense; but an active and
actuating principle that influenced his
daily life.
Many are the instances we might re-
late of his practice of this rare and
precious virtue; but when we say that
he was peculiarly that kind of a friend
that the great bard of Nature has adj
vised us ito graphic to our souls with
hoops of STEEL" we only describe the
man as appreciated by those who knew
him friend.
The seeds of the great principles Of
Friendship, Charity and Beneyolence,
sown around Pythian affairs. never
found more congenial or receptive soil,
than in his responsive soul.
But, Mr.. Editor. 1t was perhaps in
the domestic relations of life. that his
kind and gentle nature shone forth the
more brightly; and it is enough to say
that as son, brother, husband and
father, he was the idol of his family.
In his reverence for his parents, was
literally filled the command, to "honor
thy father and thy mother;" while for
sister and brother, no service has been
too onerous, and no sacrifice TOO great.
Most deeply and passionately attach
ed to his wife, he suffered not "the
winds of heaven to visit her face too
roughly" and the pure and devoted
affection plighted in his young man
hood at the nuptial alter, only grew in
depth and tenderness, as the years of
welded life passed on.
, One child only, was vouched to his
union; n son, at once his pride and his
hope; and upon whom be poured a
wealth of paternal care and affection.
J This beloved wife and son survive.
!, to lament in bitterness the loss of .as
tender and devoted husband and
father as ever gladdened the family
circle, or proped the family altar.
), Could we commun with their strick-
en- souls in the depths of their great
grief, how gladly would we offer the
consultations of profound sympathy;
but oh, .when the heart is full; and
bitter words came crowding thickly up
for utterance, human sympathy is all
too poor; and the bursting heart must
"pour itself in prayer"
Bailey Donnally has passed from
time, to solve the realities that lie in
the eternity beyond the tomb. And as
we bid him farewell, we lay this friend
ships Offering upon the altar of his
memory: rest in peace, great heart; the
earth that holds thee dead, bears not
upon its bosom living, n truer man,
a more generous OF gallant gentle
man..
HIS FRIEND,