Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1913-05-02
WESTERN TRIBUTES

has only been a very short zinc
since | last wrote you, | hone
you will permit me. to do SC
again. for since then l have been
informed through a friend of
the death of Sam'l d. MAY,
which was both surprise, and
shock to US all, as from the last
notices of him in the papers, he
was so much better, that we
were all in hope that, whatver
the trouble was, he was out of
danger, and l wish to add my
humble testimony to the fact
that whilst his death was a great
loss to the entire community
that it is by no means local, fol
though thousands of miles SEP.
arated us, l for one have LOST Z
friend, that would chccrsully
and willingly have assisted me,
if / should have had occasion tC
ask it. His loss will be felt be-
lieve by every one wEo knew
him.
would that l could weld tho
pen as my gifted friend, +. 7.
W., so that | would pay a fitting
tribute to one who deserves it,
for | have known him ever since
we moved to the county in 1875,
and no young man of ny
acquaintance, growing into man
hood, lead cleaner or purer
life than he, for so far as
knew or heard of it was without
spot or blemish, and to me he
lacked but little if any, of being
a model man, at least as near,
as we poor frail mortals can be.
His life was gentle, and the
elements
So mixed in him that nature
might stand up
And say to all the world,
This is a man..
In the stormy days of read
justment when the lines between
the parties was strictly drawn
and political feeling raised to
such a hight as never before
nor since, and his father, anc
mine were the County Chairmen
of their respective parties, oul
family relations toward each
other was never in the least dis
turbed, and always cherished
the warmest friendship for him.
No one that knew and came in
contact with him could do else
but like him, for he was kind
and considerable of the feelings |
of others. Every one knows
how modest, and unassuming he |
always was, never forcing his
opinions on others unasked, yet
he was man of strong personal
lily, and had the courage, to
,mintain his opinions, where ever
necessary, in a forcible manner,
without being offensive. He
possessed well balanced mind, |
(which was well stored with |
knowledge, and 1 believe his
Opinions on questions of law
were looked upon with respect
|by every member of the bar, by |
whom he will be missed.
| have been away from Taze-
well not quite five years, and it |
lis sorrowful to me to look back,
land see how many of Tazewell's
very best, and useful citizens
Bhave passed away, and long be-
fore their days of usefulness
were over, and they have been a
serious loss. The last two, S. D.
May, and j. D. HARRISON will be
missed by many besides their
families, and kindred, for they
were not only charitable and
ever ready to contribute to the
Epoor, and needy, but whenever
some humble friend wanted
9some one to go on his bond, or
contract, or to let him have some
money when in a hard place,
Ithey always knew who to go to
kthat would do it willingly and
Echeerfully, as though it was a
pleasure las it really was) for
1them to help their fellowman,
land when they signed their
names, did not do it, as though
uthey were handling apen dipped
lin poison, or making a mental
calculation Of a probable loss
Thereby. These We're. helpers
land though stilled insdeath
EThOse hands a richer need
1 shall claim
Than all that wait on Wealth
and Fame"
/ would say more, but feel that
am incompetent to do justice
lin a full measure to his memory,
las | trust will be done by some
lone who can-and will close by
gextending to his bereaved family
jail the sympathy it is in our
power to give, and / trust his
sons will endeavor to emulate