Okolona messenger., 1902-06-11
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,1l%T continueth not"
But the good man is not forgotten.
The journey of life, under the most
favorable circumstances, and with the
most successful results, leaves its
pangs and heart aches in every home.
In the days of health, surrounded by
our loved ones and all the pleasures
that wealth and station can afford the
thought of departing this life is often
not entertained, until the cold hand Of
death is laid upon us. How many of
Us indeed realize that there is an end
to all the pleasures and social sur
roundings in this life, until we are face
to face with the grim monster be-
meath our own roof, and then oh how
hard the blow falls, how suddenly
real life and its earthly termination.
Nor Is this unwelcome visitor any re-
spectOr Of persons, for so sure as man
10 born so sure is he destined to pay
the penalty, so called, of passing into
the unknown beyond.
When the wires on Wednesday
morning last flashed over the State Of
Mississippi the sad intelligence that
A. ]. Russell, the popular speaker Of
the legislature and friend Of all in the
state, had suddenly died at Oxford,
every head in the state was bowed in
grief. For all knew Jud Russell, and
loved him.
He had accepted an invitation to de-
liver the Commencement address at
the State University, and went there
practically a we'll man and free from
any thought of the approach of the
dreaded monster, death. On the
morning Of the day he was to address
the graduating class, Mr.. Russell COM
planned that he had caught a cold and
was suffering pain like rheumatism.
He declined to abandon the object Of
his visit and made his address, one Of
most masterful and entertaining and
instructive ever delivered at this
University. Throughout the delivery
bis listeners realized that he was suf-
fering much, and when he had COM
pleted he returned to the home OF his
friend, DR.. Leavell, and at once retired
to his room. Later in the evening g
physician was summoned, who re-
manned until midnight, leaving his
patient asleep and apparently free
from pain.
At Ave next morning DR.. LOavell
went to the room of his guest to be
shocked by finding him cold in the
embrace Of death. He had not chang
ed position on the bed in which the
physician had left him.
The remains we're prepared and
carried by loving escort to his home
Meridian, where on Friday they we're
laid to rest, the services being con-
Quoted by various civic orders Of
which deceased was a member and at
tended by sympathizing citizens from
almost every town in the state.
To know Jud Russell, as everybody
familiarly called him, was to be made
feel better and stronger, for he was
the soul Of cordiality, frankness and
nobility Of character. He was known
to every one who met with him as
that grand piece of Gods handiwork,
an honest man, whose every pulsation
throbbed in sympathy with his fellow
men, his country and he rejoiced in
the spirit Of the age in which he lived.
To see such q man called away at
such q time and such an age, is to al
most cause us to question the wisdom
OF Providence. Mississippi has need
Of such men in the advancement it is
making, and his qualities had made
themselves manifest to so many resi-
dents of the state, that had he lived
there could have been no question Of
his promotion step by step to the
highest pinacles Of renoWn and honor
within the gift of the people.
To those near and dear to him, It is
easily understood that no words of
coincidence can heal the wounds made
BY bis sudden and unexpected demise.
All that can be said is that IL they
have lost a kind, loving, indulgent
companion and protector, all the peo-
pie Of Mississippi have by the same
act Of nature lost sven more, one up
on whom everybody looked with the
brightest hopes for the future and with
the assurance that no trust which
might be assigned to him would ever
be betrayed
STOP THE ooUoH