The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1899-03-04

His entrance into this new field
was sudden, and not of any pre-
meditated seeking or preparation.
In 1876 and for some time prior
he was and active member Of the
Grange, farmers organization.
His friends soon discovered that
in him lay great worth. They
recognized and honored his ster-
ling qualities by electing him, in
1877 to the legislature of his ma
tive state, a position that he held
continuously, barring one term,
until he entered the halls of con-
gress. During his legislative
career additional honors we're
showered upon him by an ad-
miring constituency by his being
elected in 1890 as a delegate to
the constitutional convention Of
the state.
He was ambitious, but it was
of a high and worthy character.
His political life was marked by
wonderful energy, purity of char
acter, and rapid progress-rising
as he did from the humble walks
OF life to the highest honors I'M
the gift Of his people. He was a
strong debater, and had few su-
periors as stump speaker. In
his political and private life he
carefully cultivated those virtues
which SO gracefully adorn the
character of Christian gentle
man. Excellency of character,
a pure and clean life, together
with sunny disposition, marked
conspicuously his whole career.
Yes, he was honest, sober, indus
trious, and kind hearted. His
CHEEKY disposition gave him
friends wherever he went.
He had the ear and confidence
Of his people, and justly so, for
he had q perfect code of morals
and fully realized that the essence
Of every achievement is energy,
By. these adornments he grew,
year by year, stronger and
stronger, gradually winning the
the hearts and praise of his fell
low citizens. So honestly, so
faithfully, and with such true e.
deity did he serve his people that
he became a tower of strength
with them. So thoroughly was
he schooled in the principles OF
morality, and so closely did he
walk with his God, that he was
steeled against the enticing whis-
pers of the serpent Of temptation
that so frequently clusters around
and destroys so many of ourpub-
lie men. In his long public ca
reer-be it said to his honor-he |
lived sober, pure, and virtuous
life, and man thus crowned is
the FINEST fruit earth holds up to |
its Maker. !"
Soon after entering political
life he married Miss Julia Raiford,
of Liberty. Miss, who, with her
beautiful and intellectual daugh-
ter, survives him. 1t is permis-
sible in me to allude to him as a
and father, or, as / might
term it. as saw him in the home |
circle ''Here is the heart 8 |
garden. It's sunshine and flow
ers are here" Truly / can say
of him he planted and cultivated |
love, peace, and happiness in his
home. But how could it be other
wise with man who nourished |
virtue and fostered and sustained |
the commandments Of his God?
He was faithful to the trusts
to him by the people. II
feel sure that the members Of this
House who were nearest to him
will bear testimony to this. AL
more faithful and painstaking
representative the Sixth Con-
gressional district of the state Of |
Mississippi never had. Could he |
have lived, he surely would have
developed into one of your strong
est and most useful men. He
was not star, nor genius; but
he was Industrious, painsfaking. |
and energetic, and these qualities
often win where genius fails.
In religious belief he was a
Baptist. He loved his church. |
He freely contributed to it his
time and money. He served his
church faithfully, but all good |
men were his brethren. He moved |
and acted upon broad plane, |
feeling that all good men were
Christians.
Having lived an honored, use-
full, and God-fearing life, COM
manding the utmost respect from |
all, grand success was his re-
ward.
He had lust won the coveted |