The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1914-03-06
MEETING OF CONFEDERATE VET.
ERANS

-
On March 3, 1914, Marion Camp No.
IS, u. C. ", met, with w. E. McGaha-
gin in the chair.
!. Chaplain Long not being present at
the time of the meeting. Comrade M.
T.. w. Christian acted as chaplain.
Comrade Long, however, came
in within a few minutes and answer
ed to his name at roll call.
The following members answered
to the roll call: j. II. Brooks, James
Badger, J. L. Beck. NJ. T. w. Chris
tian, M. P. Frink, L. NJ. Graham, II.
NJ Knoblock, T. D. Lancaster, H. w.
Long, w. e. McGahagin. A. N. McIn-
tosh, B. H. Norris, G. J. Ross, w. NJ.
Richardson, III. r. Shaw, ]. d. Will
liams, r. C. Johnson, c. C. Priest.
Comrade H. w. Long submitted a
memorial report on the death of
Comrade F. w. Bitch.
In Memoriam of Comrade Ferney w.
Bitch
Comrade Bitch was the son of
James Bitch and Martha Bitch. nee
Willis, who were married during the
year 1890, to whom were born large
family of sons and daughters, some OF
whom have become conspicuous for
their sterling worth and far-seeing
craftsmanship.
Comrade Bitch was born in Scriv-
en- county, Georgia, January Is, 1887.
His parents moved to Nassau county,
Florida, during the year 1S41, and aft
erwards settled near what then was
known as Stafford's Pond, near the
present town of Montbrook. Com
rade Bitch was educated under such
crude educational facilities as then
existed. He was a farmer and stock
raiser by profession. At the begin
ming of the civil war he joined a COM
pany and was mustered into the Con-
federate service, and being an expert
in the management of stock, was de-
tailed by Col A. J. Simmons to gather
and drive stock for the Confederacy,
which position he held to the close
of the war during 1865, when he was
honorably discharged.
During September, 1865, Comrade
Bitch was happily married to Miss
Susetta Edwards, to whom were born
eight children, the eldest of whom
died in childhood. After having liv-
ed to see all their children reared to
manhood and womanhood his devoted
wife passed to the world beyond. Her
life had been blessing to her family
and neibhbors.
Comrade Bitch was afterwards
married to Mrs. Faulkner Fl. Carter,
with whom he enjoyed his declining
years until his death on January %,
1914 During the life of Comrade
Bitch he had the confidence and es-
TEEN of his fellow citizens, and was
called by them to fill positions of hon
Noo NOuhty NOLh
missioner for a number of terms. He
was a devoted Mason, and filled the
office of worshipful master for a num-
Der of years. In early life he joined
the Baptist church, and remained an
honSred member thereof until his
death. He became a member of Ma
rion Camp, U. C. ", was prompt in
attending it's meetings, and was a
consistent member thereof.
We, your committee, recommend
the adoption of the following pream-
BILE and resolutions, to-wit:
Whereas, In the dispensation of the
God of our fathers, our beloved COM
rade, Ferney w. Bitch, has been call
ed to the realization of the spirit land,
thereby removing another link in our
numbers, therefore be it
Resolved, That to this dispensation
we humbly bow, and to his bereaved
widow and children we hereby ex-
tend our sincere coincidence in this
their time of sorrow, and trustingly
commit them to the tender care of
Him who doeth all things we'll
Resolved, That in the death of Com
rade Bitch this camp has lost a con-
sistent member, the community at
large a highly esteemed citizen, and
his bereaved family a devoted hus-
band and father.
Resolved, That copy of this me-
mortal be furnished his bereaved wild
ow, that a blank leaf be left in our
journal to be inscribed to his mem
DRY, and that it be published in the
Ocala Banner and Ocala Star.
Resolved, That this hall be draped
in mourning for period of thirty
days.
H. w. LONG,
ID rpuvU,p 1Frrr,rr