The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1900-04-16

message to his precious
wife:" II die a Christian and hope to
meet her In heaven"
The noblest epitaph that can commem>
crate any human life, is that inscribed by
appreciative and loving hands upon the
tomb of Gen. Stephen d. Ramseur: "A
Good Soldier of Jesus Christ"
His personal friend and comrade.in.
arms, Gen. William r. Cox, sums up his
virtues 10 these short lines: mo truer
and nobler spirit has been sacrificed In
this unjust and unholy war.
At the battle of Winchester, September
10, 1854, General Ramseur's division
fought from day light until ten O'Clock,
when the other divisions came TO his
relief. 1t was in that fierce Combat that
the gallant Rhodes was killed. Then,
General Ramseur was transferred from
Esrly's old division to that left without a
Major General by the fall Of Rhodes. He
lived to command 1t but one month,
when he, too, met the death of gallant
soldier, at the battle of Cedar Greek,
October 10, 1854
In his official report of this battle, Gem
erai Early states: "Msjor General Ram
seur fell into the hands of the enemy
MORALLY wounded, and In him not only
my cOmrade, but the whole country suf-
fered heavy loss. He was most gallant
and energetic officer, whom no disaster
appalled,, but his courage and energy
seemed t" gain new strength in the midst
of confusion aud disorder. lie fell al bis
post, like lion at bay, and his native
State has reason 10 be proud of his
memory"
The old adsges about striking the iron
while 1t is hot, and making hay while the
sun shines are just MS true Today as ever.
Nay, m0re, it may be said truly mat The
pressure of comprtition and the rapid
evolution of our modern cummeICial
system make il absolute, H. ntcrssary tor
the business man to- SEIZE promptly the
happy chances as ties sIisr. The virtue
of tim-liness-IhaI j., the doug If Iht
right thing at the tight time-is Que Of
the necessary .ltmenis I'll success in nj
lines 81 human activity. In the luuI
years Of his management # these mills
Capt. W. II Watkins has not only ncIe
upon this principle. buI was sbIe :
couple with II u prophetic foresight wLicl
read far off signs Of the iimes-eyincing
u generalship Of high order-lbst would
have been as valuable 10 war, had the
occasion existed for Its exercise, as II has
proved successful Ia commerce.
Shortly after the purchase Of this mil
by the present owners, CaptsIn Watkins
who had previously been elected sheril
Of Montgomery county, moved his family
here and assumed management, which
be has exercised ever since with wis
dom, energy and marked sbility-iol,
today In the success that has character
lied his Observation-Disclosures which tn
; mills have been greatly enlarged an
: splendidly equipped with the latest 40
most approved machinery and substar
} tial buildings.
Captain Watkins Is justly recognize
e as one Of the most thorough busine
4 men In the State. His manners are cas-
A gentle and attractive, always tendir
) towards winning new and holding L"
y friendships. BY the operatives Of Il
10 mill he 10 held In the highest esteem al
u regarded with feelings that can beat
II described by two words-love and adm
m rallon-love for bis kindly nature, al
admiration for the true nobility Of b
/. manhood.