The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1902-12-19
DEATH CLAIMS A BRIGHT victim.
Joseph Priest, of Fort Mccoy, Sue
cumbs to Pneumonia.

leTlenceO SO great a SHOCK az Wneu, on
the morning of December 10th, the
swtul news Was sent forth that Mr..
Joseph Priest WAS no more. Although
il was generally known that he had
been suffering with typhoid fever, no
one could conceive the fact that he,
SO recently the ideal of physical young
manhood, the embodiment of life aud
beauty, lay still, cold, lifeless form.
We could not believe that one 80
young and so strong had succumbed
20 disease, which others, hot 50 well
able to battle against it, had success
fully resisted. Ne could not realize
that life 20 bright, 80 vigorous, 80
full Of promise and delightful possihil-
tiles had been thus prematurely en-
ded.
But the truth, crushing though 1t
was. had 70 be recognized. The fun
eral services .sere held at Fit. Mccoy
Thursday. December u. Rev. n. {.
Martin preached the funeral sermon
90 the great crowd which had gather
ed to pay their last tribute to the be-
loved dead. Business was abandoned
work on the farms checked, and
schools suspended in honor To the one
SO near and dear To ali. It WAS easy
to see the deep and heartfelt grief
prevailing the entire assemhiage, ont
never before have the boys Of TT Me-
Coy been so severely stricken. They
felt that they couldn't give him up.
A sad, though beautiful scene it was
when the casket with its precious
burden was borne into the church toy
the bows of JOe's class, showing, a.
we'll they might, their unfailing love
for their fallen comrsde.
The remains were deposited in the
Fit Mccoy cemetery along side those
of the other son, Oscar. The floral
offerings. Notwithstanding the season,
were profuse, and were certainly typi-
cal of the life so beautiful and 80 brief
The deceased was the youngest son
OF Mr.. and Mrs. G.. Priest. He had
always lived with his parents, cheer
fully doing for them the things his
hands found to do. His place in the
home must ever toe at most, but partly
filled. for he seemed especially fitted
by nature To be stay for his aged
parents and protector and guardian
for his sisters.
The young men have lost a com
panion whose absence viii be soreiy
felt. a friend most loyal and true. He
was ever first in healthful, harmless
spc--, and was trusted and honored
header among the younger generation
OF 1t. Ne. 'ov. OF healthy, robust,
physical nature, he was always fir-t to
champion the cause OF the helpless,
friendless, playfellow, and woe to the
bully vino took not due cognizance OF
the fact
His patience, fortitude and con~id. |
crate, thoughtfulness for the comfort |
OF Others were never shown 10 better /
advantage thau i'm hi~ last illness; |
thyggh he lay on bed of pain through /
dsv~ ami nighte and weeks of torture, /
not "a murmgr escaped his lips, not a
word. not "a grosn did he utter, and /
when hi~ lime came to die, he met
hi, fate like the ira. hero that he was .
without flinchinS.
Though NOT a professor of the /
christian religion, NO one who knew .
him doubts that he had it. He didn't /
wear his pirty pinned to the lapel of 4
hi coat for everyone To gee at and .
admire. That waS not hi~ nature.
NeS, NE feel sure OF his reward. Can .
il b- THAI he who was 80 courageous 4
in defending the frleudless playmate. /
50 ready To all the aged father, 80
tender i'm caring for the frail sister. -
eager to relieve, cheer, and comfort .
the weary mother, - brave. - Kind.
80 true. can miss crown celestial set
with the most precious jewels that /,
the Golfers OF heaven can produce: /.
No, no, our God is not only just, but
mercitul. 4 FRIEND.
In his Thanksgivins day sermon,