Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1903-07-31
DEATH OF DR..
JAMES O'KEEFFE
Passed Away Suddenly Last
Friday Afternoon.

known citizens, died suddely at Mapel
Shade Inn, Pulaski City, last Friday,
about 2:3O p. m. His death was sud
den and peaceful About IL a. m. on
Friday he had an acute attack OF in
digestion. Physicians were called, and
administered a simple emetic. which
relieved him. He told his physician
that all he needed was a little sleep
His physician left him, and went
down TO dinner When he returned,
after n short time. he found DIR.
O'Keeffe lying down as he had left him.
In perfectly natural position, dead,
having passed away quietly, and ap-
parently without a struggle.
THE NEWS IN TAzEwEIL.
The news OF his death was wired
here at once, and produced great ex-
element. No one seemed able to be-
lieve the dreadful news. 1t is need
ness TO say the shock was greatest to
his wife and family, whom he had left
a short time before in apparently per-
feet health.
Arrangements were Mt once begun
for the funeral and burial service,
which took place on Sunday at IL a.
m. from the Methodist church.
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eel by the Masonic fraternity, OF which
the deceased was n member, and n
high official. The home lodge, No. 62,
had charge OF the solemn services.
They were escorted by the Clinch Val
ley Commandery, No. 20, of which DIR.
O'Keeffe was Eminent Commander.
The following neiehboring lodges
we represented; viz: Pulaski; Harman
Lodge, Graham; Pocahontas, Pearls
burg, Keystone, Cedar Bluff, and
Castlewood, in Russell county. Among
representative Masons from abroad
were: j. w. Bryant, of Crew, Va, re-
presenting the Grand Commandery of
Virginia. DIR. Geo. w. Darlington,
Grand Secretary OF the Grand Lodge
OF Virginia.
The funeral procession was grand
and solemn. The crowd filed the
streets. The church services were all
suspended, and the entire population
of the town, with many visitors and
friends from other sections, did honor
20 the memory OF one whom they had
learned to admire and respect.
Rev. Mr.. Kelly, assisted by Rev's.
Geo. Buston, w. II. Handy and Tyler
Frazier, conducted the services in the
Methodist church, which was packed TO
its utmost capacity, the doors. and
streets being packed with people un-
able TO gain admittance.
The body was laid to rest in the
New Cemetery, the services at the
grave being conducted by the Masons.
BRIEF SKETCH.
DIR. O'Keeffe was born i'm Boston.
Massachusetts, 61 years ago. II e
fought through the Confederate war.
moved from Giles county to Tazeweh
in 1882. After coming to Tazewell he
devoted his time for years TO farming
afterwards, and to the time OF his death.
he was connected with various enter
prises, and had much to do with the
development OF this section.
REPUTATION AS A MASON.
AS Mason, Dr. O'Keeffe attained his
greatest reputation. At the time ofh:s
death he was Worshipful Master OF
Tazewell Lodge, Past High Priest
O'Keeffe Royal Arch Chapter, No. 26;
Eminent Commander Clinch Valley
Commandery, No. 20; District Deputy
Grand Master, 45th. District; Grand
Principal Soioumer Grand Chapter of
Va; President Southwestern Royal
Arch school of Instruction, etc. He
was held IN the highest esteem by his
brethren all over the State
HIS LAST DAYS.
DIR. O'Keeffe left Tazewell ten days
before his death to attend a session of
the Royal Arch school OF instruction.
which met at Grayson Springs, in Cor
rell county, accompanied by w. G..
Young, J. S. Bottimore, DIR. J. t..
Cooley aud his daughter, Miss Jessie.
After the close OF the school he went to
Maple Shade Inn, in company with
prominent Masons, to confer q number
OF degrees, reaching there Thursday
| afternoon, and worked until late hour
on Thursday night, and was In his
usual robust health, until Friday abou,
noon, as stated above.