The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-06-28


tai even. And vet to few persons did
he communicate the secret that he
carried with him daily. He COM
planned not but with hero's heart
course and performed his duty to the
last.
Dr. Cheatham literally died in har-
ness. 1t was his wish often express
ed that he might so die. II it was
Gods will he did not want to linger
upon bed OF suffering. God granted
his wish and called His servant from
labor to rest while the field was yet
ripe and he was almost in the very
act of garnering. Indeed, he had but
a few hours returned from visiting
some of his patients and had Just
reached his home in the buggy which
was ordered for this purpose when
the summons came.
One of the last things DR.. Cheat
ham did was to visit barber shop
and get his hair cut. He was prepar-
ing to 90 to Richmond Monday and
expected to take three of his little
grand-sons children of Mr.. w. L.
Cheatham, Jr., and DR.. Arch Cheat
ham) with him, saying he and the
boys were going to ''have a time to-
gether." He needed rest he said and
he thought the trip would do him
good. 1t is believed though that his
real object was to consult with his
friend Dr. Hunter Mcclure about his
condition.
But alas. Man proposes and God
disposes. Going home with anticipa-
tions OF pleasure in the Richmond
trip-pleasure to be derived by Civ
ing pleasure to others-he scarcely
reached the house before he was
stricken. Going in he went direct to
his room. At the door he met the
servant and told her to tell Miss
Jennie his daughter to come to
him at once. When she reached his
side DR.. Cheatham was lying across
the bed. He was still conscious but
speechless and made some sign by
which his wish was understood and
obeyed. In few minutes he breathed
his last passing away as calmly and
peacefully as if falling asleep for an
afternoon rest.
His son DR.. Goode Cheatham was
phoned for and hurried to the scene.
The vital spark Of life was extinct ere
he arrived. however, and this good
man who had done so much for others
was beyond the reach of human aid
The news quickly spread and our
people were shocked and sorrow
stricken. 1T must be a mistake, ~
some said, II was talking with DR..
Cheatham on the street only a short
while ago" 1T cannot be-" said
others still hoping the report was I'M
true.
The sad news soon verified though
and palt-like gloom overspread the
community. Sorrow was in every
home and shadow in each heart.
DIR. Cheatham was universally loved
and esteemed and the death OF no
man perhaps outside of an immediate
member Of the family would have
been felt so much as a personal be-
reavement in the hearts and homes of
large majority of our people. rich
and poor. white and black, as his.
The community. the medical profess
sion. the world at large suffered a
distinct loss when the spirit of this
noble man passed into the Great Be-
yond.
DIR. Cheatham was Justly regarded
as one Of the foremost physicians in
the State. Nor indeed was his repu.
tation confined to the State. He was
known and his ability recognized
abroad. His opinions had been quoted
and his writings published in foreign
lands. He had high order of intel.
lect and although denied the advan.
tages of collegiate training few men
surpassed him in mental equipment.
He had q we'll stored mind and a
ready command of pure and vigorous
English. either in speaking or writing
He read much and had wonderfully
retentive memory. He rarely forgo,
anything. He was a close observer
of men and events and profited by
what he saw and heard There was
little of the theoretical about him.
He was eminently practical in all
things. He despised a sham and
hated hypocricy.