The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1907-08-01
ROMUIuS H. BRYAN.
December 10, lSS2-JuIy "a, 1867

Few deaths have been 50 sad and
occasioned so much sympathy in this
community as that of our brother,
Rom. H. Bryan, which occurred IN
Denver, Colorado, July "a, 1907. |
Far away from home and loved ones,
in land of strangers, he died. No
mother near to touch his fevered
brow, to hold his dying hand or close
his fading eyes; no friends TO handle
with tenderness the shroud and
mark the casket with tear; and at
a time when our hearts were full of
hope that he was growing stronger.
From the beginning of this trouble
we had hoped he would recover. 1t
was during the early winter he be-
gan to have chills, but these were
not considered serious. About JAN
uary 10th he was compelled to give
up his position and take his bed.
The chills continued attended by a
slow fever. After some days his
physician informed him that he had
lung trouble and advised him to cor
suit a specialist. This he did and his
physicians opinion was substantial
ed. He was then advised to go
West. On the 25th of March he left
for Phoenix, Arizona. How hope
full were we as we babe him good
bye! We all trusted that he would
come back well, but, alas! that mon
ster Death has no favorites-even
the dry balmy air of the distant
Rockies could not break his grasp.
From the time of his arrival in
Phoenix he began to increase in
weight, and his letters were hope
full. Anxious hearts waited to hear
from him and rejoiced at every line
of good news that came.
After three months stay he was
advised to go to Denver, Colorado,
as the summer heat was too great
for him at Phoenix. He made this
move about July LIST. Somewhere,
somehow, he contracted malaria.
This, together with the dreadful and
and unmerciful consumption, was too
much for his strength, and on July
18th our town was shocked and a
mothers heart was broken by the
following telegram:
R. H. Bryan is critically i'll and
delirious. Wire instructions.
The feeling was, he cannot recov-
or, and yet how we did hope and
pray for MS recovery. For six days
in fearful suspense, waiting and
crushed hearts bore the mighty trial
and hoped against hope. Day by
day messages less hopeful came, and
then on the morning Of the 25th the
saddest of all messages came,
Dead" The whole town poured
out their sympathy and tears for the
grieved family.
His body arrived in Scotland Neck
on the evening Of July 10Th and at
1880 July 30th the funeral took
place from the home of the father.
A mighty host Of people followed
him to his resting place in the Bap-
tist cemetery and amid tears and
sobs from every eye and heart he
was laid to rest. His pastor con-
Quoted the exercises.
Rom. was the oldest Of seven boys
"a bright, noble, popular, godly
young man. He made friends eve
rywhere and selected the best fol-
his companions. He was tactful
efficient and competent, serving well
in every position he ever held and
surely destined to make his mark
He lived above reproach and no mar
had aught to say against him. He
had Travelled extensively for one sc
young as he, had been subjected tc
to many temptations and dangers
yet he passed through them ali un
furnished, with clean hands and 6
pure heart.
He was a consecrated christian
faithful to his church, his Sunday
school and prayer meeting. He was
a willing worker. His pastor could
rely on him for sympathy and sup
port. He had convictions and livec
up to them. He was always on the
right side of every moral issue an(
quietly lived for the glory of Goo
and the betterment Of his fellow
man.
We love to thank God for such s
. young man and are greatful that we
could number him among our friends
> What a blessed treasure to store away
in our memory this record is as we
think that he is gone! what a com
fort to mother and father that they
had reared such a boy! what call te
his younger brothers to live nobly
and well! what an illustrious exam.
pie, of true manhood and faithful
Christian character for his compan-
ions and the young men of our town