Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1900-11-02
THE HAND OF DEATH
Lies Heavy Upon Lancaster
Once More

quite surprise 20 the people OF the
county. He was well-k3own throughout
the lower Rappabannock section and
WAS constant s'tendsnt upon Lancaster
and Northumberland courts. His funeral
took place Wednesday in the old family
burying ground at huntsville.
The deceased leaves widow and two
children; mother and several brothers
aud sisters also survive him among whom
are DR.. l.. G. Mitchell, of Richmond
county; II. S. Mitchell, of Irvington;
Mrs n. Il. Harrison, of Frederick sburg.
aud Miss Eliza n. Mitchell, Of huntsville.
JOSEPH GuNrnER
! Joseph Gunther, who was the lsrgest
landed proprietor in this county, and
pro babiy one of the Oldest residents, died
at his home near lexington on last Satur-
until the present year his health and
vigor bad been wonderfully we'll pre-.
served, &C much so that he used TO daily
walk for miles over some portion of his
three thousand acres of land. The
! deceased leaves three children-Misses
Kate and Bessie Gunther and Joseph |
Gunther, Jr.-the latter not yet having
reached his majority. Abrother, Mr..
Frank Gunther, also survives the
deceased.
The remains were taken 20 Baltimore |
| for interment beside those Of his wife.
Mr.. Gunther came here from Baltimore /
shortly after the war, though he was |
native of Alsace while that territory was !
yet a Province of France. His large !
estate and personal property, which con-
sists chiefly of cattle and horses, viii
probably be administered upon by one of !
his daughters. 1t is not st all improba- |
/ Bile That it will be divided up and much !
! of It SOLD
GEORGE l.. NEssfGE.
On last Sunday morning. bright !
beautiful day-the village of Iryingtou !
awakened to be severely shocked by sad |
| tidings of the sudden death of one of its |
best citizens. George F. Messick, shore |
superintendent at the Carriers Greek Fish |
Guano Works, of which his brother, |
Capt. VIM, l.. Messick, is manager and |
principal owner, had been found dead |
stances attending it were peculiarly sad
and touching. He had been at his post !
of duty until late, when he repaired |
home. There he laughed and chatted
| around his fireside with members of his |
| family and several friends who had |
dropped in, and before retiring he par
took Of food from his table. He retired |
hale and hearty and without complaint.
As was her custom his little daughter,
his pet, went into his chamber the next /
morning TO awaken papa" She re-
turned to inform the mother that papa"
wouldn't wake up for her, and was in
structed to return and try again. Fail
ing second time, the wife aud mother
went to his room. Though warm she
could not arouse the sleeper, and becom-
ing alarmed Capt. w. l.. Messick and
DIR. Newbill were hastily summoned
The Doctor found that life had been
extinct but short while, probably an
hour,presumably caused by some heart af-
| lection. y smile, as soft as & child's, was
upon the placid counteuance of the
figure that had gone TO it's FINAL sleep
The deceased married daughter OF the
late Rev. w II. Q. Long and when it is re-
called that the Long and Messick families
are the most widely connected of any of
our residents il can be imagined what
grief and conservation spread through
the community at the sudden and, ap
parently TO us, untimely death of one
who had always enjoyed robust health
and was not yet quite A. years OF age
A widow and nine children, only three
of whom are grown, survive. Captain
Messick carried policy Of $4,000 in
the A. o. L. w, of Baltimore.
The funeral services were conducted
by Rev. &. II. James, assisted by Pre-.
siding.elder j. Ii. Amiss, from the Metho-
dist church here, Of which the deceased
had long been devout member, and his
remains were Inferred in the church.
yard on Tuesday morning. 4 large as.
sembly OF friends from this and the
surrounding country gathered to pay
the last tributes TO one who was honored
and respected. Quiet, unobtrusive and
retiring, George p. Messick had walked
among the people of this community for
more than thirty years. 1t is no fulsome
praise when we say that modesty, honesty
and fidelity to every calling in life were
the most marked uaits In this man, and
no one who knew him can doubt for 4
moment that his eternal reward will be
such as the Father delights 10 give TO his
obedient children. The community
him, his family will mourn with grief
that can scalce be comforted, and his de-
voted brothers-more especially the elder
one, who contided in him and leaned
upon him as a business adiunct-and
sister will grieve for his departure, and
we know not yet how his place will be
iiliedi but, having faith in the beneficence
! of The hand that smites we believe he il
the gamer and victor in the strife. So
with sorrowing hearts but comforting
thoughts we say
All, rest thee now, FOR rest is sweet
To weary hands and wayworn fee..
What though the shadow fell so soon,
Ere breaketh forth the golden morn;
WHAT though the burden and the care
Seemed more than weal led soul could bearf
Gods hand IS laid above thy heart
And softly all its cares depart;
God looks upon thee with His smile
That Lights the path. but dim erewhiIe-
God gives, Who knOweth what is best,
Thy tired body easeful rest.
No trouble mars thy placid brow,
Nor any pain. An rest thee now
At the Fourth Quarterly Conference
OF White Stone Circuit, which met at
Irvington Methodist Church on Monday
touching tributes were paid by indlvidu-
al members to the departed Captain