The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1903-12-09
Little ConIev TiIford.

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memory, as much as to the friends OF
Mr.. Tilford along the Branch and main
line of the L., II. and St. L. railroad, as
to little Conley's relatives.
Jesse Conley Tilford was the oldest
son Ct ]. J. and NJ. L. Tilford. He was
born March 7, 1887, and died March ID,
1901, of spinal affection at the age Of
fourteen Twelve of these years he was
afflicted with that painful disease which
terminated his young life.
From a small child he was remark
ably fond of military display. He de-
lighted to see the glittering uniforms of
the soldiers, and nothing pleased him
better than for military man to visit
him in full uniform, and to hear an old
soldier talk of the battles OF his youth,
and those that had read il were remind
ed of the poem of the farmers son, who,
Born TO wear uniform.
Hear drums and see battle"
He liked the music of the snare drum,
and the Grand Army men used to please
him with music on that instrument.
For some years he was a prominent
person in his hsnd-carriage on the
streets of Fordsville; aud, during the
Spanish-American war, to please him,
his father bought him uniform on the
order of the fatigue uniform of soldier
of the United States army at that time.
But this was too tame clothing for him,
for what he wanted was full uniform
like that of the commander of the
Grand Army Post at Fordsville. At
that time, young as he was, he didn't
talk like boy, but like we'll informed
man, on the general topics of the times.
He was OF an even temper of mind
and, during the years l knew him, l
never saw him other than in a good
humor, and never saw him relax from
that st :rn dignity of strong and COM
handing mind. To the many who
stopped to speak to him, as he sat in
Lis carriage on the public thoroughfares,
he answered their questions politely,
and always said that he thought his
health was improving. Months before
his death he was confined to his room
and, though gradually growing weaker,
his mind was as strong as in good
health. To note the passing events of
the day, he had his bed moved to front
window, where he saw all that passed,
and at night his notes of tine days oc-
currences were like they had been col
lected for the public press. He was we'll
posted on all public affairs, and his bed
was nearly covered with the latest pa
pers.
He was fond of military paintings,
and portraits of military men were taken
to his room aud hung on the walls,
where he could see them At times he
would tell his visitors some interesting
event and at others he would whistle as
merrily as farmer at work in his field
and in this manner he lived till the last
moments of his life. and was conscious
when the summons came. All that
medical skill, fond parents and kind
friends could do for him was done, all
of which he appeared thankful for.
J He died on that awful night to the
people OF Cloverport, and as he breathed
his last the northern horizon was lit NJ
with the glare of the burning of Their
| heautiful LITTLE CITY
Though little Conley, as he wa.
called, was fourteen years old, he wa.
hardly as large as a boy of half tina
Sge. He was very emaciated and ther,
is no doubt that his strong spirit, which
contended so long with his fatal disease
prolonged his life for a number of years
His funeral was the most impressiv,
ever witnessed in Fordsville Conduc
tor Tilford, his father, spared no mean
to have his little sons funeral as i'm
posing as he had been esteemed whei
living. His casket was made to orde
-. by the Louisville Coffin Co the hears
= and other funeral equippage was tn
best to be obtained at that time, an
the religious exercises were very pa
. thetic, and, as the countless thron
. gathered around the grave, they wer
: reminded of the following lines of Di
Watts hymn:
Unveil thy bosom, faithful lamb
Take this new treasure TO thy trust,
And give these sacred relics room
To slumber in the silent dust.
q The remains were laid in a brio
= vault the brick being the best article c
: Cloverport brick, and the vault wa
made water-tight with hydraulic GENE nj
Little Conley's grave is but a fey
steps from the entrance of the Fords
Vile Cemetery, and near the tall monu
ment of John NJ. johnson. His gr,v
is marked by a beautiful nionumen
!, from the noted marble works of J. Z
: Keith & Son, of Cloverport. Thes
4, gentlemen spared neither labor or mean