Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1902-11-27
sILAs WILSON.
A Correspondent Writes of His Life
and Death-Another Pioneer
Has Passed Into the
Great Beyond.

The funeral services over the re-
mains OF Silas Wilson were held at the
residence on West Liberty street
Wednesday afternoon, conducted by
Rev. John Anderson, of the NJ. L.
Church, South, followed by a few re-
marks by II. Q. Turner.
The pail bearers were B. L. Locke,
]. j. Steele, ]. P. Dobyns, Charles e.
Stokes, II. Hall and Arnold Hughes.
Speaking of the biography Of the
deceased, which he prepared by re-
quest, Mr.. Turner said:
'Silas Wilson was born In NorthCar-
olina rs years ago, having reached the
age of three score and ten nine years
ago and, by reason of a strong consti-
tuition, yet with weak and deformed
body, had almost reached the four
score mark. Yet how true it was the
last score was labor and sorrow, as
the Scriptures declare.
"Ile came to this county nearly so
years ago, and because of his splendid
education and intellectual powers he
at once took rank in the best society
as an active and influential citizen.
"He was one Of the pioneer officers
OF Audrain county, having been chosen
to number OF positions of trust,
among them Circuit Clerk and Re-
corder.
"He had been married twice, but
leaves no children, they having pre-
ceded him to the other world. His
last wife, whom he married about 81
years ago, survives him. 1t was her
sad lot and irksome duty to admins
ter to the deceased during the last
years of his life when be was as help
less as little child. She performed
this duty possibly more faithfully and
with greater patience than many of us
would have done, and let US hope that
by so doing she has laid up treasures
in Heaven where "moth doth not cor
rupt nor thieves break through and
steal" | believe can truthfully say
that the life of the deceased was filled
with some Of the saddest experiences
which ever came under my observa-
tion. When the war came on he
was man Of money, property and
friends, and, as he admitted to me on
his dying bed, he paid too much at
tentlon to things of this world, but,
OH how earnestly did he seek place
Of repentance, and l believe found it
because the Scriptures say though
your sins be as scarlet they shall be
white like snow; though they be red
like crimson they shall be as WOOL.
ellis opinions and oft time ill-tem-
per brought him down from the pin
nacle of public favor, even to the poor
house, but thanks be to the few
charitable ones, including his widow,
be was rescued from this sad place.
But trust that these light Affections
may WORK fur MIN a far more eSceeu-
ing and eternal weight of glery.'
perhaps it was necessary that he
should pass through this firery fur
mace that he might be better prepared
to meet God and enjoy eternal bliss.
Yet In view of all this / believe that
If he had not disobeyed the spirit of
God he would have averted many of
his Affections, and in his talks with
me he took this view Of it.
Anyway, l prefer to look at his
sutferings not as punitive, but as cor
rective, as Bishop Marvin said. IG
would not do for Us to be hurled into
the presence of God without a mo-
ment's preparation. Let the living
hope that while he rests under the
shade Of the tree of life that we may
take lesson from his experiences and
be prepared to meet God.
Death, the poor mans dearest friend,
The sweetest and the best,
Welcome the day my aged limbs are laid with
thee at rest"
II.