Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1899-06-23

L
Believing rs I do that we should
honor the living rs we'll as the dead,
and for the qualification OF his many
admirers, wish to give your readers
partial history and express my high
appreciation OF my esteemed aud ven-
cradle friend and couotyman, X. B.
Woods. In attempting this. however,
| realize my unworthiness. We OF this
generation have cause TO be proud OF
our achievements, or rather OF our sur
roundings. but let us not boast, for we
stand upon the shoulders OF the past.
The subject OF my sketch Is a repre-
sentative OF q past, and shall say ola
better age and OF sounder, purer social
and religious methods than now exist?
He was born Aug. 10th, 1914. on Dix
River. six miles above Shelbyville,
Bedford county, Tenn. He lived ut
that place until % years Of age, 1t
which time he went TO Nashville where
he remained two years, part OF which
time he attended school In what was
then known as the cooperative school
In that city. commencing, as he says at
baker" After this he accepted
proposition 10 20 back 10 Bedford coun-
~ and engage In running a hemp fac
tory, where he remained three years
and then removed TO Pulaski county,
where together with his brother, 4. II.
Woods, he engaged In the coal business
for eight years. 10 this he was quite
successful and accumulated consider
able money. Later he formed part.
nership with DIR. Walter Owsley.
In 1851 Mr.. Woods married Miss SUI
san Fisher, granddaugh ter OF Ephraim
Pennington. Five children were born
10 them, OF which only one survives
Mr.. T.. =. Woods-who has been most
devoted son 70 noble father. In 1859
Mr.. Woods bought the beautiful home
where he now lives. and has ever since
been actively engaged In farming and
trading In stock. At the time he be-
gan trading. hogs brought ~ per hun
dred and mule colts which cost him s75
sold at the end OF year for sll0 TO
sl20. When his son. +. Il. Woods, be-
came 81 years OF age, his father gave
him a half interest in this business and
together they have been most success
full. But let us turn from the business
side OF MIR. Woods life and look at him
from religious point OF view, for not
10 speak OF "Upci, Bob" las he is atrec-
tionately called by his triends) from
this view point would be to leave out
by far the most interesting part OF the
character OF this fine old gentleman.
At the age Of Is he was convicted OF
sin and professed religion, but did not
connect himself with the church for
quite number OF years. On the I'd
day Of April, 1869, he and his wife were
baptized and received into the Baptist
church at this place by Rev. A. ID.
Rash He is a most devoted Baptist
and is a great student OF the Bible. He
knows IL SO thoroughly that he can
fuobc aiihoos ""y P"oo"Se VI N'iPs"''
that you may ask for. He is a born
theologian aud can get at the bottom of
knotty theological problems a. quickly
and clearly as half the preachers who
have had years OF training In seminary
and college. Nothing so delights this
good old man as To have a number OF
his friends TO dine with him in his
hospitable home and after dinner TO
seat himself with these chosen spirits
under the shade OF tree and there
while away an hour or two In friendly
talk and argument about some mooted
point In theology or doctrine, and woe
be unto the unwary young theolog or
the ill-prepared man OF whatever call.
ing, when he attemps TO run against
Uncle Bob" He will wish he had
been better posted. He said To the
writer that he used TO depend upon the
preachers for his Interpretation Of
scripture, but now he depends upon the
Bible itself, and his faith grows
brighter day by day as he grows older.
In his church Mr.. Woods Is very much
loved and honored and is looked up TO
as quite a nestor. No innovation Is
ever attempted without first getting
his opinion and judgment. He is q
man Of fine natural sense and had he
had the early advantages OF some 9TH
ers he would Undoubtedly have made
his mark In the world. He has mas
sive head of the Henry Clay type and
with the opportunity world have made
u statesman OF no mean calibre. He
has been very faithful 10 every relation
OF life and may this valuable life be