Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1902-11-12
The Old Men of ROckbridge.
JOHN Is. LYLE.

"OhN 10 Ii
What name is more familiarl'
!, remembered and dearly cherished
by the people of Lexington ant
vicinity, than that Of John B
Lyle? He was truly one of thos
persons who had kind word 70
all, and large circle Of his acquain
tances here had learned to respec
and love him as peculiarly thei
friend. There was an approacha
bility about him and Familiarity
exercised towards him, from old ant
young; and yet, lat the same time, i
was accompanied with that respect
full demeanor which always betoken
a high appreciation of the man.
1t should not be taken fo
exaggeration to say that he was on,
who lived for the churck-for tn,
promotion Of the cause of true
Instantly, and when he died the
church truly felt that it had lost
one Of its most useful and faithful
members.
The bookstore Of Mr.. Lyle will
long be remembered as sort of
headquarters for the Presbyterian
church of Lexington-a rendezvous
for the preacher, elders and mem
bers of the choir. 1T was in "a
central location, ut one time the
postOffice, and was the building
lately occupied by Switzer d He'll
broner, but much more enlarged
now than when occupied as post
office and bookstore. Here the
young could congregate in pleasant
intercourse, as well as the church
officials, and it was seldom that
any of the intimate acquaintances
of Mr.. Lyle passed without calling
in for social chat. Among those
who hOnored the establishment
with their presence, at times, We're
young ladies, but as the proprietor
was looked upon t 5 rather hope
less y confirmed BIZ chelor he was
counted beyond the winning charms
of any of the then reigning bellies
Of Lexington. He was somewhat
of Il privileged character, with II
large circle Of relations as well as
of other friends, and hence the
bookstore Of Mr.. Lyle was one Of
the popular places Of resort for
that day for many of the LeXing-
tonians.
Few, if any, of the old acquain-
tances of Mr.. Lyle could see his
name or hear it mentioned without
thinking Of him in connection with
the church music of Lexington.
He was for many years the leader
of the cLoir of the Presbyterian
church, and one who had been an
attendant at that church twenty
years ago could hardly look now
towards the seats of the choir
without having brought to mind
the familiar face and deep-toned
voice Of its old leader. He sang in
real earnest, with his whole soul
he sang because he could sing,
because it was his duty to sing, and |
because he loved to sing. John
Lyle came of singing stock, and,
like some others of his
family, round at such a tune as
''Old Hundred, " occasionally,
would serve to drive dull care away.
On one occasion, while DIR. White
was pastor of Lexington Presby-
-erian church, he was out on
preaching tour and Mr.. Lyle was
n company with him. The Doctor
was not much of musician, and
he people where he as to preach
'sked him how he managed when
in strange place and
lid not know who to call upon to
conduct the singing. "Oh, " re-
,lied DR.. White in his jocular way,
Il have an organ | carry along
With me-" After the hymn was
,iven out Mr.. Lyle struck up the
une in his ringing, melodious
dice, to the SURF rise of the audi I
nee, who were not aware that he :
1as so great a master of music, +
nd they were carried away with I
lie delightful singing. $
During the latter days of Mr.. +
.yle's life he was Frustrated ty a !
troke of paralysis and lay for -
ing while,a most patient sufferer,
the house of his bro ther-in-l law, o
IF. Graham. As in health he o
ad been great favorite, so when D
)nfined to IA bed of sickness his z
friends continued to pay /
i'm every attention. His room II
as seldom without company and 9
ind friends were ever watchful G
yer him and ready to extend u
5ery comfort that could admins. 81
II to the relief of his sufferings. y
He had Appropriated as near II
living without enen les as any o.
he could do, and though the end d
his earthly career had been :
lticipated for months before it