The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1897-10-30
SATURDAY Der. 80, 1897.
A FRIENDS TRIBUTE.
Lafayette Gazette.

~ 10 Jul oosy w eeeOUSS - /
The readers Of The Gazette the death Of
Charles A, Thomas. who died In st. Mar
on Saturday morning last. We
cannot make this sad announcement
without expressing something Of the
sorrow which this intelligence has
brought to his friends, and we offer to
our readers a plain tribute to the life
and character Of man. who was for a
long number Of years and to the time OF
his death, a friend as dear to us as life
itself. As will be remembered by many
of our subscribers, Charles A. Thomas
was one of the founders OF this paper.
He 1t was who wrote the modest saluta-
tory which made known to the public
the humble part the paper would endea-
vor to play in the industrial. social and
political life of this town and parish.
That salutatOry was characteristic Of
the man who wrote n. 1t contained the
views of a broad-minded, sincere and
fearless man. expressed in clear. I'M
Ostentatious language. He meant every
word, and what he honestly conceived to
be right, he did not hesitate to say. No
one who knew him ever charged him
with insincerity. Every word that he
wrote came from his heart. the prompt
ings Of which were always honest and
pure. No mercenary motive eyer caused
him to prostitute the noble procession Of
which he was but an unpretenti0us
member. Although constant sufferer
from disease, he performed the duties Of
the journalist with cOmmeDdable ener-
gy, and let 1t be said to his everlasting
credit that he never, at any time. used
his pen in a revengeful spirit, 0rsto
would the feelings of fellow man with
whom he might have differed on quee-
tions of a public or personal character.
All his acts, to the smallest detail In his
intercourse with his associates. formed
an unbroken lesson of good will toward
men he believed in. and practiced the
broad PHILOSOPHY Of universal brother
hood. 1t is not necessary for US to speak
here of his religious belief, but suffice
to say that he possessed as big heart as
ever beat in mortal frame, and In his
broad charity he looked beyond the mar.
row bounds Of creed. He was profound
ly conscientious in all his dealings. sin
cere in his affections and truthful at
all times. He abhorred hypocrisy and
pitied the hopocrite. He lived AZ he
died, true to himself, to his conscience
and to his God.
Charles Thomas was inherently q
good man. Those who knew him felt
the currents of his generous heart and
his loving soul. No one in his position
in life had more disintered friends and
fewer enemies. All those who :came In
contact with, and understood him, soon
became attached to him.
Although sufferer for perhaps more
than decade. none thought that his
end was 30 near. and it was but day or
two before the fatal hour. he spoke to
his devoted sister Of the terrible separa-
ton with courage born only of a fer
vent soul and a brave heart. He bore 1t
all hercically, and enterested into the
shadow Of the valley Of death with the
eontentment which ID alone the result
Of well-spent life.
Happy in his death is the man who Is
followed to his marrow house" by the
spontaneous tributes Of his fellow men,
whose tenderness Of memory. bUrn Of an
intimate acquaintance. throws halo Of
saddened sentiment over his grave. far
worthier than "stOried urn or animated
bust"
Charles Thomas was kind, symps-
thetic friend. devoted, tender brother.
Free from bigotry. true to his convic-
tions. he respected the religious belief
and political views Of everyone.
No further seek his merits to disclose.
Or draw his frailties from their dread abode :,
There they alike in trembling hope repose-
The bosom of his Father and his God.
NuoNpERFUL are the cures by
W Hoods Sarsaparilla, and yet they
are simple and natural. Hoods Sarsa-
p'r' rn'.les PURE BLOOD.