The Grenada sentinel., 1906-04-21
JOHN WHITE GR|FF|S DEAD
Laid Down Life S Burdens on Mon
day Morning, April l6
HAD BEEN QUITE I'LL SEVERAL MONTHS
iEverywhere He Was Recognized as
the Stalwart Character, the Up
right Citizen, the Honest Man

The subject Of this article, John
White Gritfis, died on Monday morn
ing, April 16, at O'Clock. He had
been in i'll health for more than six
months and had sought the counsel OF
skilled specialists in different places,
but science was unable to triumph
over the malady that was Sapping his
vitality and slowly Bright'S disease
caused his life to ebb away as the wat
.ers of the ocean go out from the sea
shore. He was born few miles from
Hardy Station, now in this county,
March 3, 1876. He was the son of
-JeSSee and JaLe GriffiS, who came to
Mississippi from South Carolina in
1887. and was the fifth child in a
family of seven children. His educa-
tion was obtained at the country
schools. the war having come on at
about the time he should have gone to
college. Although quite young, he
early answered the call of his country
to arms and enlisted inCO. X, Third
Mississippi regiment of cavalry. He
was highly cOmplimentcd upon his
conduct at the battle Of Salem, Miss,
and shortly afterwards was made
lieutenant. He received shot in his
chest at the battle OF Atlanta from
which he was, confined in the hospital
at Eufaula, Ala, for several months.
He rejOined bis company at Milledge-
vile. Ga, and remained with it until
he was paroled at Lexington, Ala,
i'm 1865. When he returned home
he faced new and .untried cOndi-
tionS, but he applied himself dill
gently to the task that was before
him and his toll brought him fairly
good success On the farm. He left the
farm and began merchandising at
Hardy Station where he remained un-g
til 1872, when he came to Grenada and
accepted a position as salesman witf41
r. Mullin, who doubtless developed
more of the Spartan character in him
as merchant. After two year SER
vice with Mr.. Mullin and four in the
employ Of Lake Bros. he opened a
mercantile business for himself here
in 1879.
In 1886 he led to the ma rriage !
altar Miss Cora. daughter of Mr.. |
r. and Mrs. Mary Mullin. an excel |
lent character and splendid woman
and one who has been Il sweet COM |
paniOn to him from that scared hour
up to the time Of his death.
In 1890 the Grenada Bank was or |
ganiZed and he became it first ,preSi-
dent and remained in that capacity |
until his demise. ThMS We,have '0lief-
ly Sketched the life Of a man whose
history is indiSSOlubly interviewer
with the affairs OF Grenada and Gren-
ada county. Everywhere he was recog-
nized as the stalwart character,
the honest man, the upright citizen
and the safe counselor. He has pass
ed to the world beyond and the door Of
this life stands locked against him
With the key in the hands of the keep
er of the gates Of Paradise, but his
deeds will live after him. He planted
some flowers along life's highway that
will fan the breeZeS that will cool ach-
ing browS, and from them will come
fragrance to console those that are
cast down and diScOmfitted. Those
that knew him best liked him the
best. He had warm heart and an
ocean Of love and sympathy was rock
ed ln his bosom that the world did not
understands. He was nn-
demOnstrative, except on rare Occa.
Saons, and hence the true effulgence OF
his life was rarely perceived by the
great public. In this connection we
will state what we heard gentleman
say only few days ago that was visit
ed by Mr.. GritfiS just as he was con-
from severe and protractedI ,
spell OF fever. He said Mr., ,Griffis ,
came to his bedside and in moment !
Of seeming f0rgetfulness took him byd !
the hand and with eyes bedimmed
With tears said: II have been praying !
A. |