Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-02-29

Il is lust now and then man is called
from the physical to the regions OF the
spiritual life, whose going occasions that
sense of loss to community that the
death of Jacob M. Kephart has caused.
He had such an outstanding personality,
such peculiar influence over those who
knew him best and loved him, that they
scarcely know how to adjust themselves
TO his not being where he can greet those
whom he met in social life with manner
which was wholly his own. He was a
man who so impressed himself upon his
friends that none have any difficuity IN
visuaizing him. For years to come those
who appreciated what nuggets OF wisdom
and originality fell from his lips, in his
more serious conversations, Will quote
his sayings and laugh at his witticlsms.
His father, John Kephart, was man OF
originality and impressive personality.
Independent to almost haughtlness, ne
was the philosopher sort OF walking
phlosopher-of the community in which
he lived. Men feared his sarcasm, and
were oh ry how they argued with him.
II he ever dubbed man by by one OF his
epithets, that name would likely stick to
the man to his dying day. His son, A.
cob, inherited much OF his fathers phil
osophizing tendencies and ready wit. .
Such man as Jacob Kephart belongs
to that rugged, unconventional class OF
American citizens whose passing seems
TO leave in our more cultured, Suave So
cial life of today distinct longing Tor
more directneSS, more candor, more orig
inalty. Could Mr.. Kephart have had The
advantage of careful college training, and
had he retained in his education his can
dor and freshness, he might have been
power before any audience or have very
largely influenced the world by his pen.
Ever appreciatIve of what was best IN
speech or literature, he would frequently
bemoan his lack of that training which
might have, and doubtless would have,
placed him among those moulders OF the
thought of mankind-to what extent, no
one knows. Surely a strong spirit strug-
gled for utterance in his breast, and pa
thos and sentiment moved him as ! have
seen few men moved. He was one OF
the men among the non-college class
whose conversation never wearied me,
and whose appreciation of the best was
equal 10 almost any one to whom have
had the privilege OF talking closely. He
was TO his last days fresh and vigorous III
mind, without the suggestion OF im6ecill-
ty:
While he was known as man OF vio-
lent temper, he was man offorgiveness,
gentleness and consideration. No mat
Ter how harsh had been his words, all ne
demanded or required OF any man was TO
see or know that there was desire to be
friendly and forget-and at once the tear
would start in Mr.. Kephart's eye and that
never-to- be- forgotten hand-shake would
convince any man that all difficulty was
at an end. "You must keep your tenn
per-" said to him one day: keep my
temper! Keep my temperp he said, i'm
petuously, al keep more temper IN an
hour than you do in month"
Mr.. Kephart'S religious impulses, which
towards the end of life ripened into al
most enthusiasm, showed distinct con-
quest OF grace over naturally hard spir-
il to control. II he who conquerS his
own spirit is greater than he who takes
city, then this man after all was the real
conquerer.
Because could not possibly be at his
funeral, lay on his wintry grave, at this
late day, this simple token OF love that
has always been his and will not be less
when we meet again.
]. o. KNOTT.
36ll 14th st. N. W., Washington, d. c.