The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1901-02-07
HON. W. H. KlTCHIN.

rest eternal at O'Clock Saturday night.
Els health had been failing for several
wears, some trouble of the heart, but
two weeks ago pneumonia came upon
IN and thereafter none but the mem
hers of the household had any doubt
about tho end. The home physicians,
Drs. Clark and Wimberly, were re-
.nforced by DR.. Julian Baker, OF Tar
boro, and they fought for the life OF
the distinguished patient with the
stubborn courage which marks the
,rue physician and surpasses anything
ever seen on the battle field fighting
,s.:.ierly and persistentjy to the end
L, was a beautiful death. He had le1
stormy life but the closing was calm
and cioudless as the summer evening
His family of nine splendid sons and
tao daughters with the noble woman
who for thirty-seven years had beei.
the companion and helper of his labors
and trials, gathered about him while
friends and neighbors and old servants
came to minister and mingle their
tears with those OF the household.
On Sunday at 8 80 p. m, in the pres
ence of large concourse of people, the
largest, but one, that was ever seen
in Scotland Neck, all that was mortal
of him was laid to rest In the beautiful
cemetery where many of those he ten
Derby loved, are awaiting the general
resurrection at the last day.
He had been for years one OF the
most prominent citizens, as he had
also been most active and useful IN
building up the town. He spared
neither labor nor money. The rail-
road, the schools, the factories, the
churches tended to the ad-
vantage of the town-found IN him
ready and liberal helper.
About 1859 he went to Emory and
Henry college and he was quietly pur-
suing his studies when the civil war
came on. Then be came home and
entered the military service of the
Southern G onfede-acy. His first SER
vice was as member of the Granville
Grays. A little later be was elected
captain in the 18th Regiment, N. c..
Volunteers and participated with
them in the fiercest battles of the war.
With the surrender at Appomattox
he came to his old neighborhood and
began with the debris of his estate, to
carve out the extraordinary career
which covered a period of thlrty-six
years. He engaged actively in farm
ing and at the sams time carried on the
stuiy of law.
He at once took a prominent posi-
ton among the members OF the Hal
ifax bar. The large fee OF $4,000 in
gold, which he received tor recovering
an estate In California, increased his
reputation and made him easy as to
his business operations. He became a
large owner of real-estate and turned
his hand t. great variety Of enter
prises. Removing to this place he be-
came the most potential agency in
promoting its growth. The buildings
which he erected will long remain 81
lent witnesses OF bis enterprise and
public spirit.
From the first he was profoundly
Interested in politics. He saw at once
the lines on which the battle be-
tween Democracy and Republican
ism must be fought and he contin.
ued to press them. He was in
advance of the leaders and suffered de.
feat but at the last the two campalgns
which resulted in the redemption Of
the State were fought ON the lines
| which he indicated at the outset of his
career. In his thinking he did much
to shape the policy Of the party. He
was only twice in public office: once
In the Legislature of North Carolina
once in the National House Of Repre-
sentstives, and once for few months
in the Revenue service under Presiden,
Cleyeland.
He WAS a eingularly eble and intelli.
gent man a vigorous writer and one
Of the most effective speakers among
the public men of this period. He was
fearless and always bad message when
he went before the people and they
heard bin gladly.
About twenty-seven years ago be was
baptized into the fellowship of tht
Baptist church at Scotland Neck and
he was member OF 1t at the time
OF bis death. There is only one man.
N. Biggs, Esq, who gave more largely
to lay the foundations of the splendid
superstructure, material and spiritual
which is now ons of the chief glories
of the town. He had made a carefu,