Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1902-02-20

Prof. Joseph McMurran, the vener-
able and beloved educator, died at his
home In this place early last Friday
morning. HIS death is a public ca
lamlty-a loss not only to the COM
mumty to which the best years of his
lte were given, but to the educational
Interests Of the State in general.
His illness dates from last fall, when
an affection OF the heart from which
he had suffered more or less at inter-
walls became acute. He had a very
serious attack several months ago, and
although he rallied from it and was
able TO give some attention to busl-
ness, it was only by the use OF power
tul heart stimulants that he was able
to keep up. Another attack few
week ago left him still more feeble,
but he would not yield, and visited
his store for part of each day.
Thursday he was down town until
evening. About three o'clock Friday
morning he took his medicine at the
regular time, but it failed to relieve
him, and he became very i'll. AS he
grew worse DR.. Grove Was summoned,
but the call had come for Mr. Nc
Murran, and between FIVE and six
clock he passed away quietly and
peacefully, resigned to the will of his
Master whose faithful servant he was.
The news of his death was received
with great sorrow by all the people,
for he was loved and respected by the
entire community. As mark of re-
spect to his memory Shepherd College
and the Shepherdstown Graded School
suspended their sessions for the day.
The funeral was held in the Pres
bytenan church Sunday morning, the
service being conducted by his pastor,
Rev. Charles GhiseIin, D. D. The
Confederate Veterans Association,
the United Daughters Of the Confed-
eracy, the Sons OF Confederate Veter-
ans, the Shepherd College Alumni AS
ISOLATION, the faculty and students OF
Shepherd College and the teachers
and students of the graded school
were present, while his old students
aud friends from various sections Of
the county were in attendance. The
large church Was filled in every part,
upstairs and down. DR.. Ghiselin' S
remarks were impressive and beautl-
tul-a feeling talk such as one might
make in the sacredness of the home
circle, for indeed it seemed as fit was
a great family gathering that had as
sembled to honor a beloved brother.
The speaker referred to Mr.. McMur-
rams usefulness in the church and his
faithfulness to duty as deacon, elder,
clerk of the session, Sunday school
superintendent and ever bel pful mem
Der; Of his great service as an educa-
tor and teacher, evidenced by the stu
dents of the institutions for which he
had labored so long and successfully,
and the graduates under him from
Shepherd College who now paid tribute
10 his memory-lawyers, physicians,
merchants, business men, bankers, and
successful and respected men and
women who had learned of him and
IN whom his own high character was
reflected; Of the honor in which he
was held by the comrades with whom
he had borne the shock Of bat
tie from 81 to '65; of the esteem in
which he was held by all the people
as a citizen of our community; and OF
his personal worth and spotless life as
man and Christian. DR.. Ghiselin
pal I fitting tribute to the life OF this
good man. and the touching story Of
his unselfshness and nobility drew
tears from many eyes.
At the conclusion of the service IN
the church the body was borne to
Elmwood Cemetery, escorted by the
Veterans and the Sons of Veterans,
and in peaceful corner of Gods acre
it was committed to the earth to await
the resurrection ofthe just. The pail
bearers were w. n Lemen, Z. Hess
Reiuhart, Thos. F. Jones, r. l.. Bill
myer, D. Frank Billmyer and S, NJ.
Huyett,