The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-03-28
GEN. W. H. CHEEK.
COMMUNITY SHOCKED BY HIS SUDDEN
DEATH SATURDAY AFTERNOON.
summons Came While He Was Yet
Apparently in The Possession of His
Usual Health and Strength Good
Man and Valued Citizen His Death
is Profoundly Mourned-A Gallant
Soldier and Chivalrous Gentleman
Fitting Tributes to His Memory.

Wan anu diuSu NllIZSh lltS DCdlu
is Profoundly Mouraed-A Gallant
Soldier and Chivalrous Gentleman
Fitting Tributes to His Me mory.
The community was shocked Satur-
day afternoon at the announcement
of Gen. Cheek death The summons
came suddenly. while he was yet
apparently in the possession of his
usual strength and vigor.
For week or more Gen. Cheek had
complained of something like indi-
eestion. He had been taking some
simple remedy for this but did not
seem to be relieved of the trouble.
About half past five o'clock Saturday
afternoon he went to DR.. Bass office
| to have him prescribe for him. Find
Jag the Doctor engaged at the time,
Gen. Cheek walked up and down the
hall several times until the patient
ia negro man, who had his shoulder
| dislocated), was dismissed, stopping
at the door occasionally to joke him
about his accident and the manner of
receiving it. He appeared to be in
good spirits and nothing about his
looks or manner indicated that the
vital spark of life was so soon to be-
come extihguished. Taking a seat
he and DR.. Bass had talked but few
minutes when he suddenly threw his
head back, gurgling sound escaped
his lips, the face blanched and the
spirit of one of North Cardinals most
distinguished citizens and illustrious
warriors. whose brilliant achieve
ments added lustre to her fame and
glory. returned to the God who gave
| it.
OF Gen. Cheeks life and character,
his career as soldier-one of the
most gallant and splendid cavalry
leaders of the Confederate army-we
cannot undertake to speak as much at
length and as are deserved. Our pen
is too feeble for the task At best we
could not do the subject Justice and
under the circumstances which we
write, brief and imperfectly done must
be the tribute we lay upon the bier of
our friend. Concerning his early life,
his military career and the pursuits
of business along the peaceful paths
of human endeavar since we must let
others speak.
Gen. Cheek was &c years of age.
He was born in Warren county and
spent all his life there, with the eX-
ception of the four years during the
war. until he came to Henderson
about eighteen years ago. He leaves
a wife and five children, three daugh-
tiers and two sons. These are Mrs
Augustus Bradley, of Burlington;
Mrs. A. S. Hall, of Oxford Miss Alice
Nj. Cheek, and Messrs. A. J. and A. H.
Cheek, of Henderson.
The funeral was held from the
Church of the Holy Innocents at 5
o'clock Monday afternoon, the rector
Rev. Julian f. Irgle conducting the
service, assisted by Bishop Cheshire.
The Vance Guards formed military
escort, the Masons also attending, as
did many of the old Veterans num-
Der of Gen. Cheeks former comrades
in arms being among the number.
The service was singularly sad and
impressive, the occasion sorrowful
and hearttouching. The floral Of
ferings were of exquisite beauty and
profuse in numbers.
After the religious services at the
grave were concluded and before the
flowers were placed in position Capt.
W. b. Shaw stepped forward to per-
form 4 duty which had been assigned
| him. The Veterans had sent a beauti-
full floral piece representing a pillow
and the Daughters Of the Confederacy
a lovely one in the form of an anchor.
Capt. Shaw was asked to present
these on behalf of both organizations
and in the name of each pay word
of tribute to the gallant soldier and
lamented dead. How we'll he did this
and apposite-a veritable gem of it's
kind, worthy of the speaker, the sub
ject and the occasion-speaks for
itself. With thu Veterans standing
on one side and the Daughters on the
other Capt. Shaw said
Friends:-May | not, in behalf of these
Scared veterans of an hundred conflicts
add an humble tribute to the memory OF
their comrade in arms? yea! may l not
speak for these Daughters of the South
these Nestals in the Temple of Liberty
and for them place a chaplet on the grave
where a hero lies buried? The COnfeder
ate soldiers one by one are being gathered
to their final resting place. AS a warrior
and christian hero. the world has offered
no parallel AS the clouds of hate and
prejudice are being dispelled by the sun
| light OF truth, and the heroes of the
South. one by one are being transferred
from the cares and turmoils of life star
by star is being added to the world
constellation of glory. Our friend was
but a type of the Southern Christian sol
der. conscious of the justice of his cause
| he became hero in $50 bloody conflicts
at Brandy Station he challenged the ad-
miration OF his superiOrs by his intrepid
valor; at Wiliamsport, Five Forks and
SpOttsylvania he eXemplifed the match.
less genius of Marlboro and eclipsed the
valor of Nelson. The immortal spirits OF
| W ollie and COllingWOOd brOOded over him
i'll these bloody conflicts and nerved him to
deeds passing all humaneXpectation. At
gettysburg, that Thermopylae of modern
times. he proved LeOnidas indeed At
| Lees Station. with an hundred of his
faithful followers. he stampeded the
mounted hosts of the enemy and saved
| the Capital City of the South; last but
not least. at Chamherlain's Run. when the
camp fires OF the South We're shedding
| their last tilckerlng rays, his intrepid
| bravery challenged the admiration of
his immortal Leader. tie glorious and
matchless Lee, who, upon the tented field
in the very midst OF carnage. promoted
him to the office OF Brigadier: too late
however for a commission; for there.
| with the shouts of victory mingled the
| groans OF defeat-the cause OF the South
had gone down.
Hero OF the South, rest from your
labors; your life and valor have added
fresh glory to your mother State. As
over the heathered hills of Scotland,
tradition still CLEANS the sword of Wal
lace, so. in the ages to come, shall the
glittering steel of this Hero and his col
leagues in arms. shed a halo of glory
around the cause OF freedom, which shall
prove a searchlight in history, by which
unborn millions shall read the names of the