Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1911-11-30
Crossing the Dark River.

Crossing the Dark River.
Mr.. Jacob M. Kephart, one of Jefferson
county's old and well-known residents,
died at his home near Duffields last Thurs
day very suddenly. Although he had
not been regarded as being seriously Ill,
he had not felt well for some days, and
his growing feebleness caused the family
some concern. Thursday morning while
seated in chair he had an attack OF heart
trouble, and in few moments had pass
ed away. Mr.. Kephar was born and spent
all his life on the place where he died, ex-
cept for the time he served in the Con-
federate Army. When the Civil War
broke out he enlisted in Company H at
Duffields, and served for two years in the
infantry and cavalry forces. Mr.. Kephat
was a man of many excellent qualities,
and had humorous friends who regret his
death. Up until short time ago ne
maintained his strength and vigor to re-
, markable degree, considering his advanc-
ed years. His age was 76 years and 3
months. Surviving him are his wife and
three sons, Walter A., Arthur B. and Elmo
Kephart. The funeral service was held
Saturday morning in the Southern Meth
odlst Church at Uvilla, and the body was
inferred in the graveyard adjoining. Rev.
c. Sydenstricker conducted the service.
Col. Thomas B. Davis, a well-known
West Virginian and brother of Hon. Hen
ry g. Davis, died last Sunday at his home
at Keyser, aged SO years. He had been
in falling health for several months past
and his death was not unexpected. Col.
Davis was a native OF Baltimore, but
moved to West Virginia some sixty years
ago, settling at Piedmont, where he en-
tered the service Of the B. & o. Railroad.
Later he became a merchant, lumberman,
banker, coal operator and railroad builder.
Although active in politics. he could sell
dom be induced to run for office. He
served one Term in the Legislature, and
in 1905 was elected to Congress from this
district, serving one term. His home
was in Keyser, where he kept up an old
fashioned house and where he had line
stables of race horses. He was never
married. The funeral was held on Tues
day and he was buried in Elkins. Col.
Davis left very large fortune.
John Robert Cookus, son of Charles F.
Cookus, and a grandson of Robert Cook
us, formerly OF the vicinity of Shepherds
town, died recently at his home near
Broadway. Va, from tetanus. The young
man, who was IS years old, had stepped
on nail a couple of weeks previously,
which pierced his shoe and inflicted a
slight wound on the side Of his foot. He
paid little attention 10 if, and lock-iaw set
in, resulting in his death. He was young
man of excellent qualities, highly regard
ed by all who knew him, and his untime-
Iy death has brought much sorrow to his
family and friends.
Not quite a wee after the death OF her
sister, the late Miss Mary Ann Small, last
Wednesday morning, Mrs. Jane Sperow,
of Spring Mills, Berkeley county. passed
away at her home Tuesday morning, at
the ripe cid age of 81 years. Death was
due to the infirmities OF old age. She was
the widow of the late J. Brown Sperow,
and was born in the vicinity OF Hedges
vile. Five children survive, George H.
and Luther Sperow, Misses Ida, Mollie
and SalIie Sperow. The deceased was
long a member of St. Johns Lutheran
Church of Martinsburg.
Word has been received here by H. L.
Wintermoyer of the death OF William Nc
Bee, a former resident of Shepherdstown,
who passed away on November 10th at
his home in Monroe City, Illinois. The
deceased, who was son OF the late
George McBee, left here many years ago,
and has not been back for long time.
He was about 55years ofage. His brother
Frank is the only one now left OF the
family.
Louis Otto Pbilippy, well-known B.
& o. engineer, died at his home in Mar
tinsburg on Monday from paralysis, aged
81 years. He ran one of the helper en-
gines between Martiusburg and Keameys-
vile and was popular and respected
man.
Mrs. Virginia Lee Harrison, wife OF J.
B. Harrison, formerlya merchant at Sum-
nit Point, died recently in Greensboro, N.
c., aged 4S years. She is survived by
her husband and two sons.