The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-03-14
Tribute to the Memory of Roscoe B. G
Cowper.

To the Editor: I beg space in your
paper to pay an imperfect tribute 10 the
memory of very dear and life long
friend.
Mr.. Roscoe B. G.. Cowper, of Gates
vile, n. c., departed this life Saturday
last. He was born on March 10th. 1884,
and died March Sth, 1902 He was the
son of William Cowper, of Gates coun-
ty, who. in his day was popular, high
ly esteemed and representative man of
his county.
At the beginning of the Civil War Mr..
Cowper was Deputy Clerk of the Coun-
ty Court of Gates county. With pa
triotiC zeal he promptly responded to
| the call of the State for troops and en-
| listed in the Gates Guards, the first COM
pany to leave the county for the war;
which became Company b in the Fifth
North Carolina Regiment. He was pro-
NOTED early in the war to the position of
a commissioned officer, and with great
loyalty and distinguished gailantry fol-
lowed the flag OF the Confederacy until
it was furled at Appomattox. He was
wounded five times during the war, and
though he suffered during his life very
his sufferings were borne With the pa
thence and unmurmuring resignation of
a hero.
Shortly after the close of the war he
was elected TO the position of Clerk of
the Superior Court and Probate Judge of
Gates county. Retiring from this posi-
ton, the duties of which he had dis
charged with ability and entire accyp-
tibility, he engaged in the mercantile
business and was a successful merchant
during his life.
AS the companion of my youth and
my friend in mature life, can command
no language which will adequately eX-
press my high appreciation of his char
acter; sincere, m-hearted, gener-
Gus, true friend. High and noble in
character, without guile and dissimula-
ton, thoroughly embued with those
great principles of divine grace which
ever led him to eschew evil and seek to
do good. Amiable in disposition and
forgiving in temper, pure and spotless
in life; Just kind, merciful and benevo-
lent TO his fellow man. His virtues
shone with the brightness of the noon
days sun, and no cloud of suspicion or
distrust ever beshadowed any act of his.
AS private citizen or public officer he
always moved with that grace and af-
fable manner which commanded the re-
spect, confidence and esteem of his con-
stituency. He had no enemies; and no
man has lived in the county who so
completely commanded the respect and
confidence of the people, and whose
oath is so deeply lamented. 1t can be
truly said of him:
His life was gentle, and the elements
So mixd in him, that nature might
stand up,
And say to all the world, this was q
man"
Mr. CoWper was a pious and devout
member of the Episcopal church, lib
erai In his religion and full of charity
to all men. He was twice married and
was most fortunate in the selection of
those who were to share his joys and
sorrows. His first wife was Miss Kitty
Calling, daughter of the late Riddiclz
Calling, Sr. His second wife W as Miss
Sue Williams, daughter of the late
Henry G. Williams, who survives him;
both being ladies of culture and refine
ihtht nClp-Hle6lS luu6eu. POSSIBLY
it has never fallen to the lot of any man
to be blessed with better wives.
The following children survive him:
Lucy g., wife of Dr. Thomas NJ. Rid
dick, of Woodville, N. c.; Blanche B.,
wife of A. E. Smith, of Bedford
Springs, Va; Annie E., wife of e. r.
Roberts: r. G. Cowper VIM. b. Cow
per, L. A. Cowper and B. Thurman
Cowper. The depth of their grief at the
loss of a husband and father so de-
voted, tender and affectionate, may be
imagined but cannot be expressed. 1t is
my sad privilege to sympathize and
condole with them in this hour of af-
Fiction and bereavement, but God alone
can give perfect comfort and consola-
ton. and to his everlasting grace aud
mercy | commend them
NJ. L. EURE.
March 18th, 1902.