The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1908-09-09
RESOLUTIONS.

uedtn OF OTOIher 4. A SDrOles
beg leave 70 submit the follow
ing:
Whereas, on June 29th. 1908
it pleased Almighty God 70 send
the death angel into the ranks
OF our lodge, and call from Ia.
Dor TO rest our dearly beloved
brother, DR.. +. A. Sproles. who
Tor many years has been one of
our best workers and most hon
ored members. He was a past
Grand Of our lodge; a past chief
patriarch of Big Stone Gap En-.
oampment No. l9. and a mem.
Der high IN rank of the Grand
Encampment of Virginia. and
had II not been for his falling
health, he would long since
have been past Grand Chief
Patriarch OF the Grand En-.
campment of Virginia.
About three years ago he was
stricken with that dreaded dis
ease, consumption, and was
forced TO give up the practice of
has profession, and seek another
climate for his health. He took
ms family and wen 10 to Mon
tana for several months. with
out any noticeable improve
ment in his health, and then re-
turned 20 his old home a Ben
hams, Virginia, where he STAYED
Tor several months with his
father. Seeing that his health
was rapidly declining. he was
advised by his physician 90
again go west. He wet 10 FL
paso, Texas, where he STAYED
eighteen months, under the care
of skilled physicians. aud where
ne made a heroic fight with the
grim monster of death. but 10
no avail He was under the
care and protection of Elpaso
Lodge, /. o. o. r. during his
stay there, but was never able
TO visit it. or even 20 walk or sit
up Tor several months. Seeing
that the end was near. ne re-
quested his brother 10 20 after
HIM and bring him back 20 his
old Virginia home TO die among
his people and be buried in the
family cemetery beside his old
father, who had died since ne
went 90 FL Paso. lie was
brought back 90 his old home
at Renhams, Virginia, where
he lived but a short time. and
died June %, 1908. The Officers
OF lntermOnt Lodge No. "a went
70 Benhams and took charge OF
his remains and carried it 20 the
Odd Fellows Hall, where his fu
neral was preached by Rev.
Gillispi, OF Bluff City, Tenn
his remains was then convened
TO the family cemetery on top
Of the beautiful little hill over
looking the old home. and after
the beautiful burial ceremonies
of the Order were performed by
the officers of IntermOnt Lodge
No. 34, he was laid 60 rest, sur
rounded by a large concourse of
weeping relatives, friends and
Odd Fellows, who could only
say, in the language of the
poet, "Sleep on, Dear Brother.
Sleep, while sorrowing friends
around you weep"
In the death of DR.. Sproles. /
our lodge has lost a Jealous
brother, the country a good cit
izen, and his family a kind and
provident husband and father.
Therefore, be it resolved:
First: That while we deeply
mourn the loss of our beloved I
brother, we bow in humble sub
mission 70 the divine will of the
Supreme high Priest of Heaven
and earth, who doeth all things
well. Resolved;
Second: That the charter of
our lodge be draped in mourn
ing for a period Of thirty days,
during which time our members
will wear the usual badge of
mourning. Resolved,
Third; That a copy of these
resolutions be spread upon our
records, a copy thereof be pre-
sented to the widow Of our de- !
ceased brother, and that the
same be published in the Big
Stone Gap Post, the Bristol !
Herald Courier, and The Vir-
ginia Odd Fellow.
Respectfully submitted: