Oxford eagle., 1902-06-12
Death of Hon. sad. Russell.

who was known to the admlrlng
world wherein he welded his wide
influence, as genial s'Jud RUSSELL
In the very prime of his vigorous
manhood, with his Intellectual pow
ers, his professional skill and his
mental culture in full and splendid
fruitage, his earthly career was cut
short.
1t is as though one should write
"fnis" in the middle of noble
book, leaving half the pages empty
of the beautiful story that ended all
too soon. Like a knight of old, Sssans
peur ct sans reproche," clad in full
armor, with lance in hand, he has
fallen at the height of the fray, ere
time could tarnish the chains of his
superb armor, or foe had bent his
lance. No stain was ever found up
on helmet or breast-plate, though
his shield had oftantimes been
bruised in the battle Of life.
The story of the life of Adoniean
Judson Russell-of his boyhood,
youth and manhood, with their
struggles and victories-are now fa-
miliar to our readers, as the story of
his 2Kift-going hence. This time
since go he must-seemed fitting, in
that it was at the close Of his elo-
quent words to the young men OF the
University. That scene was a bril-
liant one, and his commencement
address, delivered in the familiar
chapel of his beloved alma mater, to
boys who, like himself, had received
iife's training there, was a triumph
of which any Mississippian might
well be proud. Few men so soon at
tain the eminence whence he spoke
to his young fellow citizens in famil-
lar surroundings, mongst hallowed
scenes, with memories of auld lang
syne making bright and sweet the
flying hours.
But this day, with its joys and its
gladness had gone into history when
there came another-a woful day for
us and Mississippi-in the solemn
peace of whose early dawning, while
the birds vet listened for the echo of
angels singing, and the first faint
rays of light were lifting the curtain
of night, this knightly soul put off
the mortal, and put on immortality.
The commencement exercises
(Senior Day. We're suspended. and
memorial service was held in the
chapel in honor of the distinguished
dead. Governor Longino, Chief
Justice Whitfield, and other promi-
nent Mississippians, paid high trib-
ute to the brilliant career and the
patriotic services of Mr.. Russell,
and Prof. Leavell, among others,
gave touching testimony of the
beauty of his private life and the
strength and purity of his friend
ships.
The remains were carried to his
home in Meridian for intel .nent, and
large party Of Mississippis best
men escorted the honored dead (on
a special trainl back to the desolate
home, to the stricken wife and chill
dren and to the people and the city
of his love-Meridian. There his
funeral occurred, Friday,gwith all
the ceremony and marks of honor
due to one who had risen to such
eminence in his profession, and who
was bound by such strong ties to all
who had the privilege of his friend
ship. As attorney for the Mobile@&
Ohio railroad, and as Speaker of the
House of Representatives, Mr.. Rus
sell had proven equal to the most ex-
acting demands, and had demon
strated his ability to adorn the high
est place in his peoples gift. Had
he been spared he would have at
tanned exalted honors at the hands of
his fellow men.
Shall we rebel that he is called to
infinitely higher honors by Him
"who knew him best, and loved him
most ?"
Holly Springs has organized a
business league-the Marshall Coun-
ty Business League-and started out
wisely by choosing Morris Blumen-
thai as president. 1t ought to ac-
complish great things for the town
and county under this excellent
management.
A marvellous tale comes from Fort
Gibson, of negro who, on his way
to church Sunday night, met a II
foot alligator crawling up the biz
ron mile and a half from the
river. Either there is joker
abroad in the Hand, or this negro
must have met so many ssbllnd
tigers on his way TO church that
everything he met looked like beast
of SON, sort. Hence Inc silgtaor
tale.
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