The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1907-03-22
Death of John ID. mcCIuskey.


The friends and aequaintances Of Mr.. John D.
McCIuskey. in this city. county and state. were
gTieyed to learn Of his death which occurred at
his shome at Vernon. Alabama, last Saturday
night. and his remains were brought to his for
Tner home for interment Monday afternoon.
The passing Of this splendid man brings 70 the
minds Of those who knew him intimately here IN
Aberdeen. the excellent qualities which he pos
sessed and the many interesting scenes in which
ne was a central figure during a long term Of
years Of residence among as. At the close Of the
Civil War there returned to this city coterie Of
congenial souls who had fought vailiantly
throughout the struggle. 70 assume the avoca-
tions Of peace and begin life under new condi-
tions Ia that band Of heroes were Bergie'
Beckett, Z. n Bristow. Fred Barry, John d.
s1cCluskey and probably others, but the vicissi-
tudes Of war had so devastated the country that
there was small opening for employment, so that
for time they were reduced to the necessity Of
renting a room and messing together for
economy's sake. after the fashion OF army life 10
which they had become injured. The fatalities
Of battle and field service had also greatly dec
mated the ranks of the commands that went
forth from the county, which together with the
general desolation wrought by the war. produced
at its close great volume of litigation, and this
afforded timely employment 10 our hero band as
dition Of chaos following the strife and the
changing and cIearing-up Of titles to real estate
required a great army Of clerical help all over
the South and explains the abnormal crop Of
lawyers that soon appeared They were SO
numerous that there arose q popular cry against
the youth Of the country flying to the professions
and resulted in the establishment Of various and
sundry agricultural schools and colleges for in
dustrial training Of the young men OF the land.
These positions were accepted in the Offices Of
sale. Phelau & Dowd Houston & Reynolds
Gholsou & Davis and other prominent legal
firms Of the day and in course Of time and the
prosecution of their labors they studied law were
admitted to practice and became brilliant mem
beers Of the bar. each receiving his tutelage and
initial practice in Aberdeen. Mr.. Beckett's fame
as a lawyer is national; Mr.. Bristow at the time
Of his death was on the top round of the profess
sion in this state, Mr.. Barry. later removing to
West Point. served several terms in the state
senate from Clay County, afterwards a term in
Congress. and win again enter tine state Senate
Mr.. McCluskey after many years residence here
removed to Alabama where he established a fine
practice. Being elected to the legislature Of that
State he served on the most important commit
tees of the House, and was member Of that
body when called away.
In conjunction with other citizens and vet
Grams our quartette took active part in the
struggles Of that darkest and trying political
era. the Reconstruction period, and were potent
factors in all the contests especially the 'revo-
luton Of 1879 " when our county and State were
redeemed from alien and mongrel rule A5so-
ciated with these men and IN the same cam
paign Hon. John H. Baukhead. the dean of the
Alabama delegation in Congress, experienced
his debut into political life and while a clerk in
a local business house rendered signal aid as a
speaker during the canvass
Mr. MCCluskey was gentleman never To be
forgotten once his friendship was acquired. The
possessor Of a rich drollery Of huDlor and the
most genial Of Compartments there was always
sunshine in his presence and one felt the better
for his association A brave soldier man of
the strictest integrity and constant friend an
ornament to his chosen profession and a patri-
otto whoIesouled citizen, his death is mourned
by all VINO ever enjoyed his acquaintance.
The awning frame in front Of the odd Fellows
building has attracted much attention since it
has been put up 1t is seventy-eight feet long
and was constructed by Mr.. T. r. Warburton Of
Aberdeen the new Observation-Disclosures Com
merCiaI.