The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-03-18
MEMORIAL TO TWO GREAT MEN

The following beautiful tribute to |
the lamented BENJAMIN E. McLin and
Alonzo Church Groom was written by
Miss Jefferson Bell, who enjoyed their
friendship and confidence for years, |
and had unsurpassed opportunities for
observing their work for the people of
Florida.
Tallahassee, Fla, March 1e, 1912.
The tattered flag that floats over the
state house swings sat ha1f-mast in
token of mourning for the distinguish
ed men whose deaths followed so close
together that the official period of
mourning was heightened to sixty
days instead of the usual thirty.
1.-The old Greeks believed that high
err than all the gods and goddesses
were the three weird sisters known as
the Fates who controlled human desti-
MES. Not even Jupiter himself could
change the plans of the Fates. When
q child was born into the world one
sister began to spin the thread of his
life. the second decided the length of
this thread and the third, when the
destined hour came. cut the thread.
and Of all who walked the face of the
earth there was not one whose life
was not subject to their will
Whether we call that higher will
that shapes our ends fate or by some
eother name, as in the days of the old
Greeks, swift as the fash of lightning,
when the appointed hour falls we go
forth to that underground world, the
home of the dead. without word Of
farewell. So il has been in the recent
deaths that shocked and appalled, the
whole state. when within a week Of
cath other Mr.. McLin and Mr.. Groom
answered the last call
For the past ten years these two
men stood shoulder to shoulder, bear
ing the brunt of every fight through
the years when every move made by
the states administrative officers was
the subject of bitter denunciation and
criticism. Together they fought until
public sentiment changed and set the
seal OF approval upon the work that
had been done.
Mr. McLin was a man of great and
tender heart, full of love and sympa-
thy for all who needed il. The I'M
fortunates in the state prison camps
were his special charge and in his
death they have lost their best friend.
Mr. Groom was a man of unusual
force OF character and intellect. In
his veins there seemed to have
mingled the strain of Vikings and
heroes and the blood of Presbyterian
ancestors which made him brave and
noble and to his death a Presbyterian
In faith. which was as deep as his
very life.
Faithful to his ideals, he gave the
best of his life to the shaping of the
states policies to his will, and al
though he died with his work but half
accomplished, the splendid purposes
he wrought will live in the statutes
that were enacted embodying his
ideas and the high standing and credit
the state attained during his admin
istratfon.
Realizing the greatness and power
OF the man, one Is. appalled, at the
wicked. wanton waste of death tina,
could claim life like. his while cum
berers continue to pollute the earth
and air with their existence
The truest tribute to him as a man
was paid by those who have served
him daily. the clerks in the comptrol-
ler's Office. Enveloped in an atmos-
phere of love he has spent the ripest
best years of his life with them. ex-
tending to each a fathers interest
and consideration and radiating an
atmosphere of love.
When the news OF his death came
hushed voices. wrapped in a sorrow too
great and too awful for words
Mr.. Groom was a man of singular
modesty and assumed no credit for his
achievements, his greatest joy was in
being kind and helpful to others. He
was "a still. strong man in a blatant
land" He was like sturdy oak in a
barren waste where birds of hope
built their nests and sang of the COM
ing Of spring and under whose shade
weary pilgrims found rest and re-
freshment and renewed their strength
for the blistering marches that lay
ahead OF them.
He was like the searching voice OF
God. speaking through starlit silences
He was like the martial music of the
golden stars breathing courage and
hope to the children OF men. He lived
close to nature and learned many OF
her secrets and loved all the bright
beautiful. pure things that make life
wonderful and he went to meet his
doom with the same courage that he
shouldered his musket in 1851 and en-
dured the hardships of four years OF
terrible war. Soldier, statesman and
Southern gentleman, his memory will
live long in the. hearts of those who
knew him and loved him for what he
was