Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1907-04-24

Bu0na Vista the county OF ChlckasaW
loses one Of its foremost citizens. He
was well know throughout the County
and II can be safely said that his death
was real source Of sorrow to q vast
number OF the best citizens Of the
County.
There are to be iolnd in all com
munities two types Of men = the one
that give nothing to the public and gets
every thing in bis reach, the other that
give all that he has and gets nothing
10 return. DR.. Murdoch was of the
latter clats He gave himself body,
mind and soul to the upbuildlng of
pioneer country and received no reward
from q materialistic point of view.
Yet allreward is not Of gold for q
greater one was his, the affection and
confidence of his fellow citizens.
In the Spring time Of his life he left
the "Old North State" and came to
Mississippi bringing with him the
heritage of an honorable ancestry, "a
moral and mental training that was
the best of the day. a sine qua non Of
the sons Of Caledonia Kirk, (the
Church of the fathers who for free
dom's sake settled in the Carolinas),
physical constitution that was to be
worn and weary through four score
years In the service of the suffering
and last but not least aperrennial foun-
tain OF good cheer and human kindness.
With these qualities he came into
the County of Chickaeaw in 1846 and
for 81 years his abundance was for all.
He gave all that he had, physical,
mental and spiritual, unsparingly and
without stint. No man or woman,
boy or girl, bond or tree, ever came
within the sphere OF his influence
without sooner or later, to less or
greater degree sharing in his bounty.
His first service in the County was
as school teacher, be was well prepar-
ed for the work, for he was highly
educated in the arts and sciences
being a pupil of the celebrated Ney OF
North Carolina. HE instruction and
enthusiasm quickened many minds in
and around Okolona to seek higher
education. His interest in education
as means toward the devebrated of
perfect manhood never creased.
He was largely instrumental in the
establishment Of the Buena Vista
Normal College which for many years
was the Alma Mater Of scores of stud
ents from all sections of the state.
This institution conferred upon him
the honorary degree Of Master Of Arts.
After teaching for some time be
entered the Louisville School of Med
icine. After graduation he located at
Buena Vista in 1851. Here he spent
the remainder OF his life In the active
practice OF his profession. For fifty
or more years he was highly respect
ed physician of this community. He
controlled the best practice in what
was perhaps the most cultured COM
munity in the county. He was pract-
icioner for rich and poor and never
spared himself inthe arduous duties Of
country practice. In this practice
he was remarkably successful and
manvcures of despairing patients are
credited to him. He was often called
In consultation byother physicians OF
the county.
The Growing phase Of bis life was the
moral. He was clean man. By life
and lip he exemplified the life OF the
Christ. He was an humble disciple
of Jesus the Christine delighted to
acknowledge him as his personal
friend and saviour. He was Presby-
terian and loved the great doctrines Of
grace as taught by that church. His
church honored him with every gift IN
it's ecclesiastical economy. He was
deacon, elder and representative to
Presbytery, Synod and General Assem-
bly,. In his relations with christians
OF other denominations he was broad
minded and tolerant. He loved the
Methodist and Baptist Churches Of his
community and supported them with
his time, money and moral influence.
He was comparatively strong and
active man mp to year before his
death when after q severe attack Of
the LaGrippe he began to decline
On March 18th, 1907 Gin his eighty
fourth year, in full faith 10 Jesus and
hope Of the resurrection, with love t.
God and all mankind he breathed hii
last and departed to be with the redeem
ed in the City u Light and Everlasting
Life.
| He died at the home Of his adopted
daughter, Mrs. 8. g. Eadler Of Okolonl
Miss. Here in the home Of recipient
Of his sweet benevolence he received
in his last days the tender attention.
Of those who loved him. His children
and kindred and friends watched over