Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1901-07-04
Death of John William SpOttS.

Death of John William Spotts.
On last Saturday telegram came to
Tazewell announcing to relatives that Mr..
John William SPOTS had died the morn
ing of that day in the city hospital at
Roanoke. For several months he had
been in i'll health, but the seriousness OF
his illness was not known to his friends
here until the message telling of his death
arrived.
The deceased was little over ffty-four
years old, and the only son of Washington
and J. l.. p. SPOTS. He was born and
reared at Tazewel, and was, therefore,
well known to our people, though the last
seven years Of his life had been spent away
from the place of his birth.
Mr.. SPOTS was lawyer by profession,
and the first few years of his early man
hood were devoted to its practice. When
the Southwest Virginia Improvement
Company began its developments at Poca-
hontas, before the railroad was built to
that place, he entered the service of that
company, filling various positions with
marked ability and fidelity, among them
that of cashier. He would frequently
have to cross the mountains carrying
large sums of money, unattended, but this
he did courageously and successfully.
About seven years ago he entered the
service of the Norfolk d Western K. K.
Company in the capacity Of claim agent,
which position he filled most acceptaby,
being pronounced the most efficient and
capable man in that department Of the
companys service.
Among the other positions of RESPONSE
bility held by Mr.. Spots we recall that he
was the first mayor Of Pocahontas, and
was also for term mayor of Tazewell.
For time he was editor of the Bluegrass
Blade, which was the predecessor of the
Tazewell REPUBLICAN.
For a number of years the deceased had
been member of Tazewell Lodge, No. 62,
A. +. & A. NJ His father was one OF the
cherter members and the Second Master
of this Lodge. The deceased had also
been a member of O'Keefie Royal Arch
Chapter and Clinch Valley Commandery,
X. T., since their organization.
knowing his deep attachment to the
Masonic Fraternity and having heard bis
expressed wishes for Masonic burial, his
stricken mother requested the Lodge OF
which he was member to take charge OF
his remains and bury them according to
Masonic rites. In response to this request
Dr. Jas. O'Keehe, Worshipfnl Master,
went to Graham on Saturday afternoon
and brought the remains from that point
to Tazewell on Sunday morning. A COM
mittee from the Lodge met the body at
the station and conveyed it to the home
of Judge S. G.. Graham, where Mrs. SPOTS,
mother of the deceased, resides. Services
were held there by Rev. w. w. Ruff, con-
sisting Of reading of scripture, prayer and
singing of hymns. This service was held
on account of Mrs. SPOTS being a'helpless
invalid, and, therefore, unable to attend
the services held afterwards at the church.
At 2 o'clock the Masonic brethren
marched in body from the Lodge room
to the residence of Judge Graham, and
again took charge of the remains and con-
veved them to the Presbyterian church.
At the church funeral services were held,
conducted by Rev, w. w. Ruff, assisted
bv Rev. j. S French. A large and sym
pathetic congregation of relatives and
friends attended these services.
The remains were then taken to the
East End Cemetery and buried with full
Masonic honors. An unusually large
number of Masons attended the services,
Joined in the procession and participated
in the ct tremonie. These ceremonies were
very beautiful and impressive.
The active pall-bearers were Masons,
while the honorary pall-bearers were from
the intimate boyhood associates Of the de-
ceased. The latter were as follows; Messrs
]. w. and E. V. Spots, S. D. May,
A. P. Kelly, J. W. Chapman and b. W.
Stras.
The deceased was man of excellent
mind, fine atiainments and splendid bus
mess capacity. He is survived by his In
valid and sorrOwing mother and one SIS
ter, Mrs. A. J. May, Jr., to whom we ex'
tend our sincere sympathy.