The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-14
SHERIFF JOHN 7. ROMAN DEAD.
ayr END CAME PEACEFULLY YES
TERDAY MORNING.

III for Weeks and II Was Known
rb,t His End Was Ncar-Was
sheriff of Chatham County for
.e years and One of Its Most Hon
,r,d and Respected 0hicials-A
,,.u of Kind and Genial NATURE
o,d beloved by All Who Knew
t,im-Was One of the oldest Mem
hers of the OgIethOrpc Light In
foptrv-HiS Funeral Tomorrow
Afternoon.
Sheriff John T. Roman died at his resi-
dspce on Habersham street a few min
,,tss after Z O'Clock, yesterday morning,
fr7n Rrights disease. For months Capt.
Roran had been in gradually declining
ts9lth aud for almost this entire period
of time. his death had been hourly expect
ed Ii was thought that it might be de-
,ayed for a few weeks or a few months,
bnt it was realized that in the end there
was no hope and that the fatal malady
with which he had been suffering, would
al last claim the victory.
A month ago Capt. Roman was at the
po.n, of death, and even at that time it
was feared that he would expire at almost
any moment To the surprise Of his ply
sicians and every one who was familiar
with the nature Of his disease. he rallied,
and for time was greatly improved in
spirits end health. For two or three weeks
he was al Lithia Springs, and though tenn
porari,v his health improy%H, it was soon
perceived that this improvement was but
transient and evanescent. and that it could
not be continuous and permanent. The
sheriff came back to Savannah, and since
his return has been at his home.
Each day his general condition became
worse. There would be a rally and then a
RELAPSE, each return of the malady leaving
she patent weaker than he had been in
the beginning IL was understood that
after series of these rallies and relapses
there would come time when the sheriff
would not be able to withstand the strain
upon his constitution, and that he would
sink into condition Of collapse from
which he would be aroused only in another
world This final collapse came on Thurs
day when Capt. Roman sank into the
s.umber that preceded his final sleep.
From that unconscious condition he was
never aroused and yesterday morning,
surrounded by his family ana friends,
those whom in life he he'd held most dear,
Be passed peacefully away.
The end was typical of the man. With
out aI3vado, as without fear he passed
quety and bravely and fear.essly from
this into another world. Conscious of
HE spent in rectitude, with malice towards
none and charity towards AL, he laid him
self down to rest. Charity had been the
watchword Of his life. There are many
who have been in the common jail of the
county, who mourn his memory and bless
The lime when, through his influence, they
were enabled to begin better and purer
life. There is scarcely man with whom
he has been thrown in contact that did
not love HIM; there was scarcely a child
who did not feel irresistably drawn to-
wards him. He was gentle and Iowa
o'e man. Obeyng the injunction of the
poet, he approached his grave. "As one
VINO wraps the drapery of his couch about
MIN, and lies down to pleasant dreams"
The funeral viii take place a $3.50 o'clock
tomorrow afternoon. 1t has been the wish
Of his family ANA friends to keep the body
with them as long as possible and to sur
render il to the tomb, only when they
must The interment will be in the Ca
thedral Cemetery. The funeral will be
attended by the military and the civic so
1ietes Of which the deceased was mem
bln
Although expected, Capt. Romans
ueath VIII bring grief and sorrow
70 many. Chatham county had no
better citizen ana no better Of
heia, than John T. Roman His
death removes a highly respected official
ana man who was widely and warmly
owed Few men have remained in public
iie SO long as Sheriff Roman and aroused
50 niue antagonism. In fact, it is to be
doubted if he had an enemy. His
cary political successes were not won
mI.nout hard struggles. and yet such was
W. warmth of his genial nature that
ms former political opponents
oecane IN after years among his warmest
1I''nds. Who'll -soul5d genial and COM
lou4 H3tl', he wa man who made warm
.'eHas ana Kept them. Hundreds who bore
no olatr rela Ion 10 i'm hsn that of friend
"4H pc sad al Lealt to-day because of his
Cealh open hearted and honorable ia an
ms ltalnss, he suspected evil in no one
Gnu lis TOO trustful nature often cost him
uedIiy where his confidence had been
misplaced. Yet so kindly was his nature
lual ne never mentioned these defections
y 'Ne part Of those who had deceived
Il III nor spoke ii Of those who had abused
MS coAhdence. His was a rare nature, and
oue mat won The friendship of all who
Oalne N contact with him.
ny esteem and confidence in which he
vas was hefd by the people Of Savannah and
latnam county was weh frustrated by
we cohslancy with which he was re-elect-
CA 10 hls high office. For twenty-six years
~ had he'd the office Of sheriff continue
ousiy and for almost a score Of years with
ou. opposition. The record is one seldom
.luaied m public life, and is in itself a
s'o4s testimonial Of the high character
-. 'he deceased and the confidence in
1n"Nn ne was he'd by his fellow citizens.
. o. az His long term of office no breath of
C''iuai was ever raised against him, and
e ouaIge was ever made against his Of
b Iehecting the slightest degree upon
,,o etsonai character. He displayed rare
- 49, ana good Judgment IN remaining aloof
KIN t1e political broils, which have en-
b ar, local politics, ana to this per-
, ,.epS' Is largely due the fact that for many
ibe esl no one has dared openly aspire TO
~, OI'ee which he held.
va lHe deceased was 81 years of age and
bo,.s native of Savannah, having been
IN r." az Ferry ana West Broad streets.
w.: parents came from Ireland, but had
9'eu IN Savannah for number of
i.rott'.. lie was one of large family of
io''lets and sisters, of which but one sur
go Sa MN. In his youth he attended The