The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-06-30
MR.. B. F. PARK DEAD
After Months of Intense but
Patient Suffering.
A GOOD MAN HAS GONE
ONE OF THE CITY'S MOST POPU-
LAR AND VALUABLE
CITIZENS.
THE END CAME LAST EVENING
A Brave and Loyal Soldier, Christian Gentle
man and Mechanic Who Honored
The Name Has Passed
Away.

Last night Ut f.oo U colch, just as th'
twilight of quiet sunny summer even
ing began falling, Il dark mantle spread
over former happy home in Raleigh
and the gentle genial spirit of the head
of that home, took its flight.
Did you know that Ben Park
was dead was asked of rich and poor
professional and working men. and the
response came 'He was one of the
best men in town." A large number of
friends repaired to the unhappy home OH
North West street, to pay their respects
Ben Park is dead" came over the
telephone and was repeated over and
over again in the stores and on the
streets of Raleigh. The sad news
came not to any particular class. Nor
was it seemingly of more interest or
concern to one class than another. Ben
Parks was everybody's friends, and the
sad tidings of his death seemed to be
deplored in the homes of the rich, the
well-to-da, the poor man and in all alike.
Benjamin Franklin Park was born in
GAINESVILLE. Va. May 3rd, 1889. and
died in Raleigh yesterday evening at
1:35 o'clock, aged 50 years, l month
and 26 days.
He was one of the best men that
ever lived in Raleigh: one of the most
upright, unassuming. amiable and popu-
lar of all the worthy citizens of the
capital city.
AS a soldiers he shed luster upon the
uniform he wore as christian gentle
man, he honored the citizenship of the
community in which he lived as Il me-
chanic he exalted and enobled the call
ing, and as neighbor and friend. he
made life brighter for those who enjoyed
his acquaintance and friendship.
Mr.. Park left his native home in
Clarksville. Va, ut II years of age. and
came to Louisburg. in Franklin county.
This was just prior to the breaking out
of the war. and when the first call for
volunteers was made, he was one of the
first to volunteer. He joined the Frank
lin Rifles. afterwards Company X, in
the Thirty-second North Carolina regi-
ment. and no Drawer man went to the
front in all that fuOr years of terrible
conflict. He went through ~ battles,
was wounded and taken prisoner at the
second days fight at Gettysburg, was
afterwards exchanged and rejoined his
regiment, and was again seriously
wounded at Spottsylvania, from which
wound he had not recovered when the
conflict was over.
In the fall of 1865, he came to
Raleigh, and was for sometime
employed in the Raleigh and CASTOR
Railroad shops. A few years later he
became the foreman of the contracting
and building firm of Belts, Allen and
Company. He held this position until
the organization of the firm. of Ellington,
Register and Company, of which firm
he was IL member He was
steadily engaged in the active manage
ment of the shops of this firm until
about five years ago. A stroke of
paralysis forced him to retire from active
work. Since then his wise counsel has
been often sought by his former part
ners and associates, but the condition
of his health has precluded any active
work on his part. Five months ago,
with his health already impaired, he was
taken with Bright's disease of the kid
neys. These five months have been
days and nights of intense suffering
but through it all he bore up like the
courageous man he was, never complain
ing, never murmuring.
On Saturday still another complication
was added i'll "a case of pneumonia.
This was more than even this resolute,
robust spirit could resist The end
grew gradually near. until yesterday
evening, when seemingly without -ain.
without scarcely Il struggle, the gentle
but courageous spirit took its flight.
He was prepared to go; indeed he had
signified his desire to go.
On Monday he said to his pastor that
for him now it was only Il step TO the
other side of the river, and he dreaded
not the taking of that step.
Mr.. Park was member of the
American Legion of Honor, in which he
had an insurance policy of $4,000. He
belonged also to Hiram Lodge No. 8, |.
o. O. f., and Centre Lodge, No. 3,
Is. Of p. He was an eX-commander of
l.. OBJ Branch Camp of Confederate
Veterans. He had been anticipating the
end and had made all arrangements even
to the purchasing Of his burial clothes.
He stated before he died that he had
lived the life of soldier and desired
that he should be buried as such. He
will, therefore, be buried by his com
rades of l.. OBJ. Branch Camp, and by
his lodge brethren.
The funeral will be held from Edentor
Street church this afternoon at !
o'clock.
Mr.. Park was married on the Goth
day of December. 1865, to Miss Fa lie
G. Beavers, of Raleigh. His wife and
four children survive him. His children
are Prof. Charles b. Park. of the A. and
NJ. College; Mrs. George S. Terrell and
John A. Park, of Raleigh. and Mrs. c.
Il. Wood, of Richmond. He leaves ais,
three brothers and two sisters. One
brother, Mr.. John A. Park. was at his
bedside when the end came.
DEATH OF MRS. THOS. PENCE.
Mrs. Anna T.. Pence died ut her nome
in this city at O'Clock yesterday morn
ing after an illness of two weeks. aget
forty-seven years. Mrs. Pence was one
of the brightest and best Ofthose gentle
women who have made up the hes
type of wifehood and motherhood in on
beautiful city. She loved her husband
her aged mother her fond brother ant