The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-05-13

to the sea- There is not a hidden
pathway in the valley which, step by
step, does not lead up to the heights
The Whole creation talks to him who
knows how to lend an ear.
THE LATE ROBERT NJ. FURMAN.
The many friends of Mr.. Robert NJ.
Furman were shocked yesterday
about noon TO hear that he had died
suddenly at Beaufort. Only his most
intimate friends and associates knew
that he was unwell and none but ms
family and physician knew that ne
had gone to Beaufort for the change
of air and scene demanded by fail
ing health. The ceaseless grind of
work on daily newspaper had told
upon his never over-robust constl-
tuition, long hours of confinement in
his office with no vacation or rest
sapped his strength, and few days
ago he had an attack which. alarmed
his family and friends. Rest was pre-
scribed as essential for restoration TO
health Accompanied only by his
1l-year-old daughter, he looked for a
brief respite from toll in the salu-
brious climate of Beaufort. There is
no climate more delightful and balmy
in the spring than that of Carteret
county. There is no view grander or
more sublime than the far away bill
lows of the ocean that can be seen
from that delightful old town. An
over-worked man could find no pros
pect more pleasing. There could be
no place so sweet to die as near by
the breakers, as they make solemn
music as they break upon the shore.
Sunset and evening star
And one clear call for me
O, may there be no moaning OF
the bar
When | put out to sea-
Mr.. Furman was a native of Frank
lin county and as a youth enlisted
from that county in the Confederate
army. After honorable service, he
embarked shortly after the close of
the war in the newspaper business in
Louisburg. From that place he came
to Raleigh in the early seventies and
was on the staff of the Raleigh Sen
tinel for a time. About 1872 he moved
to Asheville and with the late Col.
John d. Cameron and Jordan Stone
established the Asheville Citizen. 1t
was a strong and influential news
paper, devoted to the upbuilding of
the mountain section of the State.
While there he was chosen regularly
for many years Chief Clerk of the
State Senate At the same time Col.
Cameron was also chosen regularly as
Principal Clerk of the House of Rep
resentatives. 1t was rare thing to
have two editors of the same paper
Principal Clerk of each House of the
General Assembly. They were con-
tinuously reelected until Mr.. Furman
was made State Auditor and the Flu
sionists carried the House when Col.
Cameron was denied a reelection.
AS Chief Clerk of the Senate, Mr..
Furman was capable, accommodating,
popular. He learned parliamentary
practice and was often called upon for
advice by the presiding officer of the
Senate He exerted no little infiu
ence. by reason of his long service and
familiarity with public affairs upon
legislation. He was always courteous
to old and new members, helpful to
new Senator's, affable to all, and en-
joyed a large degree of popularity. 1t
was because, while serving in that ca
pacity he had made many friends in
all sections of the State, that lie So
cured the nomination for State Audi
toT in 1892 ever an pIOuuent and Don
ular gentleman. He served as State
Auditor for four years and was Il
capable and popular official.
Mr. Furman was the Oldest journal
list in the State in active seevi.e, tx
cept the venerable Col. Cree.y. lie
was perhaps the only survivor Of tie
company of editors who organized The
North Carolina Press Association. lie
loved newspaper work, he was famil-
lar with conditions in all sections OF
the State, and had wide acquaint-
ance. He was always amiable, coUr-
teous. acconlIno dating, and never hap
pier than when he was doing some "a
vor for a friend. He had not an ena-
my in the world Those who differed
with the policy of the paper with
which he was connected never attribu-
ted to him personally any unkind or
unworthy motive. There will be in
every circle and among men of all
shades of opinion sincere regret at
his death, heightened by the sudden
summons that came to him away from
his home.