The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-01
THE LATE Mr.. HENRY CLAY WALL.

The people of North Carolina will be
saddened this morning to learn OF the
| death at Blowing Rock of Mr.. Henry
Clay Wall, of Rockingham. lie was one
of the first men of the State, an accom-
| pIished scholar. a successful manufac-
turer and agriculturalist, a public-sprlt-
ed citizen and progressive leader III the
Democratic party, a friend OF education
and devout Christian-in a word a
golden hearted gentleman" who loved
his fellow man.
Mr.. Wall came of a family long noted
for thrift, courage and probity. As a
boy he left school to don the uniform to
fight for the Southern Cause. With him,
while he loved the stars and stripes an,i
was an example of devotion to the
Union, his hearts affection was ever
conferred upon the flag he followed Ia
battle. He loved the Confederate sol
der and was glad to hold communion
with his comrades. One of the last acts
of his life was, while a member of the
Legislature of 1899, to secure the pas
sage of law to publish the history OF
the North Carolina regiments. AS i
man, he loved literature, was devoted to
hunting and fishing, was fond OF writing
and wrote with classic elegance, was at
home amid the music of the spindles or
in the counting house where business
ability counts, on the stump he was Il
convincing and yote-getting speaker, and
in the church of God he was an humble
worshipper, a safe adviser, a liberal con
tributor and the friend of the man who
preached the Word In his family, he
was an ideal father and husband, gentle,
loving and full of tender solicitude.
Mr.. Wall made the first speech in 1898
in county convention that sounded the
keynote of the campaign. He was III
no sense Il politician. He was a patriot
who loved his country, and when he saw
the evils that bad government had
wrought he resolved to strike the blow
that should make the people free. His
speech delivered in May, 1S0S-printed
in full in this paper-stirrcd the peoplt
not only of Richmond county, but of the
whole State as well. He blazed out the
way and others followed his far-sighted
and intrepid leadership. They called him
to the leadership in his county, and he
accepted in the same spirit that he dom
ned the gray i'm 1861 When the names
of the men who planned and won the
victory of 1898 are placed on an imper
ishable roll that of Henry Clay Wall
will be second to none that appears on
that roll OF. honor. In the Legislature he
stood for Progress, for right. for justice
and made a model legislator.
The dead man was one of the most
modest of men. He never put himself
in the lead He found his greatest
pleasure in his business, in manly sports,
in the companionship of his friends, AMI
in his ideal home. He had passed 'un.
der the rod" and his life had been o4las
tened by sorrow. a few short months
ago his young son died of appendicitis,
and the blow was so heavy that he never
afterwards could speak of him without
tears in his eyes.
Many friends will hear of the death o.
this good man with genuine sorrow. The
State mourns the loss of a patriot who
served his country in peace and war.
His family mourn the best of husbands
and fathersN lie lived well. He dicd
well. His life Was an open book. H.
leaves record that is a priceless heri-
tage to his children, and an example To
the youth of the Commonwealth.
'.The brayest are the tenderest,
The loving are the daring"