Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1902-08-20

Circuit Court Clerk Il. X. Witt and
County Court Clerk a II. Shields
were among the invited guests. At
the dinner table, after counting noses,
it was found but thirteen were seated,
an omen that several did not fancy,
so w. Y. Moore, sitting ut an adjoin-
ing table was invited TO sit with them
which sweled the number beyond
the danger line and quoted the APP
prehensiOns of the timid An excel
lent dinner had been prepared for the
occasion, the expense of which was
cheerfully borne by superintendent
Johnston.
a Chapter of Deaths.
RUFF. With the oppressive
weight of Is years, Mr. William
\. Ruff laid down his burden Satur-
daylight, Aug 10th, at o'clock, at the
home of his sOn-in-law, Mr. ID. 5. Eads
of near Falling Spring church. 1t
was no unexpected circumstance, but
simply a cOnconitant Of advanced
age. The sad event had been antici-
pated by friends and relatives with Il
mournful interest and anxiety for
several weeks past. SO interviewer
was Mr.. Ruff with the religious, social
and busiI eSS life Of Lexington and
Rockbrdge, that his death will come
as a distinct loss to the community.
He was the only remaining branch OF
stately tree that flourished in Lex
ingtOn more than half a century ago,
whose memory is precious to Method
ism even TO this day a useful life
4 .. L .f DltH
Last fall he left Lexington for Blue
field, w. Va, where he spent the win
ter with his son, Mr.. j. William Ruff.
He returned to Lexington more than
month ago, and shortly after his
arrival he was taken i'll ut the home
of his daughter and continued to de
cline until for the past two weeks his
life was despaired of.
William Alexander Ruff was born
in Lexington August 2S, 1926, the
son of Mr. John Ruff, useful and
prominent citizen of his day, who
lived in the house on Main street
long occupied by THE GAZETTE.
His mother was Miss MarthaWallace,
daughter of Colonel Samuel Wal
lace. the first justice of Rockbridge
who lived near Lexington and in
whose house the first county court
was held in 1777, previous TO the in
corporation of Lexington. He was
educated at the Virginia Military In
stitute and for some time previous to
and during the war he was purveyOr
of cattle and meat for that institution.
His whole life was spent in Lexington
where he was successful as Il farmer
cattle dealer and butcher. At one
time he was president of the Rock
bridge County Fair, a charter mem
Der and director of the ROckbridge
Mutual Insurance Company, and in
other ways was identified with the
agricultural interests Of the county.
As local historian he was accurate
and entertaining, and frequently
made contributions to the local press.
He was a communicate and TO" years
was a steward and trustee of Trinity
Methodist church of Lexington, and
was one of the most liberal contribu
tors at the erection of the new church
i'm 1890. He married Miss Mary
Moore, daughter of the late Samuel
r. Moore of Rockbridge, and n few
veaIs ago they celebrated their gold
on wedding Mrs. Ruff survives him.
together with one daughter, Mrs. ID.
:. Eads of near Falling Spring church
and two sons, Mr.. Edward VI. Run of
Lexington, and Mr.. j. William Ruff
of Bluefeld, W. Va,
A short funeral service was held
Sunday afternoon at | o'clock at !
his daughters home conducted by
Rev. DR.. A. G. Buc kner. pastor of
Falling Spring church. Upon arrival
of the funeral cortege at the LeXing-
ton cemetery, burial services were
conducted at the grave by his pastor,
Rev. j. II. Light Ct the Methodist
church. A touching incident was
the singing of a favorite hymn, Jesus,
Lover of My Soul" led by his life !
long friend, Mr.. James NJ Senseney !
The pall-bearers were X. r. Witt, :. !
II. Moore, S. o. Campbell, Judge w. !
p. Houston, Col W. r. Poague, and |
Capt. j. p. Moore.
p. Hartigan, as announced in last |
weeks GAZETTE, terminated fatally |
Wednesday night, August l3, shortly
before midnight. His death was
caused by congestion of the brain,
resulting in paralys $, with |
which he had suffered for some days.
His illness was of three weeks dura
ton and during most Of the last
week he was unconscious
William Piper Hartigan was Is son
of Mr.. John Hartigan deceased. and |
was born near Lexington, December
%, 1887 Most of his life was spent |
in this community, although he at
times had lived in other States and
Travelled extensively through the west /
and south, and once male IL trip to !
the Sandwich Islands. He was an
expert mechanic, skilled cabinet
maker and in his younger days was
accounted the finest workman in Lex
ingt1n He had an honorable record rs
Confederate soldier, and served in
Company G, First Virginia Cavalry.
He was one of the few surviving
troopers who accompanied General
Stuart in his daring raid around the
Federal army in 1862 near Richmond.
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