Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1911-09-29
Death Of Col. D. A. Mum.
THE BEACON learns of the death of
Colonel D. A. Mum. a native Of Noxu-
bee county, which occurred at his home
in Crockett, Texas. August IS, 1911.

David A. Num- was born in October.
1886. at Summerville, Noxubee county.
the son of John and wife. Other sons
of that family who will be remembered
by readers of the Beacon were the late
Major E. F. Num-, of Shuqualak. DR..
Samuel A. Mum. who died at Belton.
Texas, few years since, and Floyd
Mum, who was assassinated by robber
at his store in Summerville soon after
the Civil War. David was the third of
these, Having received his literary
education partly at the widely known
school then conducted at Summerville
by Thomas S. Gsthright. and partly at
Murfreesboro, Tenn, and his legal edu-
cation at New Orleans, he received his
license to practice law from the Circuit
Court of Noxubee County, then presided
over by the celebrated William L. Har-
ris. In 1859 he was married to Miss
Helen Williams, the daughter of Bryan
t. Williams, who then lived a short
distance east of Macon, and at once
went with his bride to Texas Soon af-
ter his arrival there he located in Crock
ett at which place he lived until his
death. He was soon made mayor of
that town and by his courage and firm
ness established peace and order in
community in which, among many ex-
cellent people. there were men of des-
perate and lawless character. The out
break of the Civil War interrupted the
pursuit of his profession in which he
was already rising to eminence. Then.
as ever before and after, keenly alive
to the call of patriotism, he raised
company as soon as hostilitics became
imminent and was promptly at the front
where he remained to the end, taking
part in much of the early campaigning
and fighting in New Mexico and Arizo-
ma and. later, in Louisiana and Arkan-
sas, and always conspicuous for the en-
thusiastic but steady devotion to duty
and constant gallantry that distinguished
him throughout his whole life. Resum-
ing the practice of his profession at the
close of the war, he rapidly rose to its
front rank among men of strong minds
and rugged but enterprislng characters,
such as are often attracted to new
country, as Texas then was. The recon-
struction period was upon the South.
Those words need no elaboration here.
The need of the hour was leaders, with
wisdom and fortitude to counsel and ad-
wise, to restrain the rash, to inspirit
the despondent, to stimulate the timid,
to lead all in those measures which prom
ised the quickest restoration of normal
conditions. Such leaders were found
throughout the South. They led the
people back to their own, and are en-
titled to the enternal gratitude Of those
who now enjoy, and vi those who will
in the future enjoy, the results of their
wisdom, their fortitude, their unselfsh
devotion to their country's welfare. Col.
Mum was one of them. His towering
personality peculiarly fitted him to meet
the demands of the time and he gave to
the uttermost of his mental and physi-
cal powers. Texas, more fortunately
than many of her sisters
in the great predominance of her white
soon regained control Of her
affairs. A convention was called in 1875
to form new constitution, and to it
Colonel Mum was sent as delegate.
Here he took leading part among the
greatest minds of the state. Their work
still endures. He never afterwards
held Office, although, at the solicitation
Of his friends, he became, at different
times candidate for the democratic
for Congress and for the Of
ice of Attorney General, always receiv-
ing strong support. More than to any
other causes, his failure to secure the
was due to his being out of
with later notions prevailing,
FOR the time, in his party, which he re-
yarded as inconsistent with its true
principles. and which he characterized,
Is he viewed them, with habitual can
io~ and vigor, snd to his stern and un-
refusal to allow the use
If money to forward his candidacy in
my of the ways now SO common in cleo
Results due to such causes
lie viewed with entire compIacency. His
interest and influence in public affairs
:ontinued throughout his life. For most
# the time he was active in the advo-
acy and support of all things which
made for the upbuilding Of town, county,
tate and nation. His health began to
all few years before his death and he
vas less active than usual. His time
vas spent in attention to extensive
rivate interests and in his home with
lis wife and children with whom his re-
atoms were ideal. He is survived by E
is widow, a cherished companion of
nore than half century, by his widow.
aughter, MRS. Ccrirne Nr-r Cgf.c.
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