Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1905-05-03


over his sudden taking off, All over the United
States where he enumerated his personal friends by
the hundreds the news of bis death will create sOr
row, while even in foreign lands where he was known
and admired by many both for his high traits Of
character and for his record as a soldier, patriot
and citizen, the death Of Fitzhugh Lee will be
learned with regret. In Virginia where he was born
and reared he was ''Our Fitz." The people Of the
Old Dominic knew him; he knew them; they found
pleasure in honOring him. Perhaps no man in the
United States had more personRl friends. He was
Of distinguished name, and came OF distin-
gushed ancestry, and came OF q family Of soldiers,
statesmen and patriots. He was q man Of courage,
Of the highest character generous man, broad.
minded man. His fellow citizens loved him; he
loved his fellow citizens. he was devoted hus.
band, kind father, a genial and loyal friend.
''Ftz" Lee was a man Of whom it may be truly said,
he knew not what it was TO have an enemy.
General Fitzhugh Lee was born in Virginia in
1885. he graduated from the United States Mil
itary Academy at West Point with honOrs and after
seeing service in the United States army, resigned
his commission to cast bis lot with that Of Virginia
In the Confederate service in which he accepted
commission as lieutenant-o0lOne. By his splenid
military service, during which he took part in a
number Of the most important battles in his native
state, and was severely wounded, be was steadily
promoted UNTIL he became major general. he was a
daehing cavalFyman, and knew not what fear was.
General Lee was governor OF Virginia from 1886
TO 1890, and Virginia never had more popular
chief executive President Cleveland recognized
his ability Ia public liie and appointed him consul
general 10 Cuba. All through tho trying days that
preceded the Spanish American var General Lee
acquitted himself with rare ability and established
high record as an able an lar-seeing diplomat.
So satisfactory was bis service at Havana that Pres
ident Mckinley retained him in the position and
spoke in the highest terms Of bis management Of
this country's interests in the island during deli
cate and very serious condition OF affairs.
General Lee served in the Spanish American war,
and il 1901 he was commissioned brigadier gener-
al Of the United States army and retired Since
that time he engaged in private affairs and also
accepted the presidency Of the jamestown ExpOsi.
au which in 1907 will celebrate the three hundredth
anniversary of the first permanent English settler
meat in this country. In this work General Lee
va deeply interested, and it is believed that the
stroke Of apOplexy which resulted in his death was
capsed by exerton in hehalf of this movement.
General 'Fitz' Lee was nephew Of Robert 2.
Lea. This fact alone would have much influence in
en- caring him to the people Of the South. But
'F.tzn Lee was himself a very lovable man. He
was big hearted, generous and loyal. He made
friends everywhere and kept them. His personality
was especially attractive and he drew people to him
s'Fitz' Lee was a high-toned man, true example
Of the old Virginia gentleman. Need more be said
OF himi