The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1911-06-02

MS WORTH as puDllC-SplTlJ6Q cIJIZoIl,
able and conscientious editor and true
friend, and man in whom the milk
of human kindness flows almost di-
vine, and a liberality of thought and
feeling that | know of truth, but 1
forbear, lest that delicate sense of
modesty which is Unborn in my friend,
should cause him to draw the blue
pencil through these lines.
But | must express one opinion of
the many admirable traits in Mr.. Har-
ris' character, that | have never wit
messed in as great degree as he pos
sesses in any other person whom
know No matter what provocation
and bitterness of feeling engendered
by personal controversy or alterca-
ton and a seeming justification for
revenge, he never took advantage Of
it, but, on the contrary, the greater
his Indignation or bitterness of heart
the quicker he forgave and forgot. He
went further to meet an enemy to
reconcile a difference than any man
/ ever saw, and resentment, malice
and revenge found no Judgment in his
heart. 1t was a trait so noble in him
that | know ! am his debtor for the
example he gave me.
ut is needless to add that Mr.. Har
ris and | part friends-in fact, | look
upon him and feel for him as though
he were my brother, and in my heart
am conscious that he reciprOcates
that feeling He has done noble SER
vice for Marion county in his long
newspaper career. He deserves well
of her people, and no honor they can
confer viii ever repay his services to
them.
THAT the Banner shall continue to
prosper, as it deserves, and to wave
in the future as it has in the past, is a
feeling near and dear to my heart, and
l appeal to my friends of Marion
county to stand by the paper as it
has stood by them in the advocacy of
the hest interests of it's people, ire
spective of race, color or previous con-
dition''
Here is his last printed utterance
after his return from Tallahassee:
I'VE desire to express our deep
sense Of appreciation for lovely bou-
Gret from our editorial friend, Frank
Harris. The unexpected is the thing
that always stirs our mind and touch
eS our heart. In fact, we felt so death
" sick with a combined attack of bill
i0uSncss and malaria that we had
about lost thought, but the announce
nlent had such a cheering effect on
mind and body that through the re-
naming troubles it remained ever in
eve and heart a blessed ray of hope
We want to assure our old-time friend
thst it has strengthened the tie that
binds and increased the life current
of fraternal feeling, grounding us in
broader vision and deeper aDprecia-
ton Of the beautiful, amicable rela-
tons that shall characterize our acts,
thoughts and feelings toward our es-
teemed contemporary"
Mr.. Bittinger and Miss Helen Mich
OILS were married in this city in 1890.
AS both had been teachers in the pub
lie schools, and their aspirations and
ambitions were along the same lines,
their married life was an exceedingly
Happy one. Two children blessed this
union. One died in infancy and the
other, Miss Adele Bittinger, was re-
Gently graduated from the Randolph
y. aeon College in Virginia, and reach
ed home only last Friday, but in time
TO have her father recognize her and
bestow upon her his benediction.
Mr.. Bittinger has only answered a
summons that sooner or later must
come to Us all, and sometimes it
seems merciful in it's coming. 1t
comes sometimes as a surcease from
toll and ceaseless effort. 1t comes as
a rest well earned and well deserved.
While the deceased was active and
vigorous, and up to the very day that
he was taken sick was still perform
ing the round Of duties that had be-
come q part of his being, still he had
nearly reached the biblical limit of
three score and ten. We sometimes
feel that it is best to go that Way-go
while we are still in the full posses
sion of all our faculties; before we
become a burden and a charge upon
our loved ones.
AS ne was tolerant in his political
opinions Mr.. Bittinger was likewise
tolerant in his religious beliefs. He
respected all religions and creeds. He
believed that the pearly gates would
be closed upon no one if truly sin
cere and devout. So sunny tempered,
so guileless, so favoring all things of
good report, those who knew him tru-
ly believe that his soul has passed
through those gates and that he is
now robed in the glorifed garments
of Immortality.
FIRM CHANGES NAME