Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1914-02-24
DEATH OF MR.. JAMES COOPER.
Beautiful Tribute to This Pioneer
Citizen and Christian Gentleman
by Friend.

When on last Thursday late in the
afternoon 1t was telephoned from
home to home, and from country tC
town, that James Cooper had sudden
ly died at his home in the country
there was never greater shock nor
surprise to all the people of the whole
county, nor any one thing that caused
a more universal and genuine sorrow
Long before the city of Bryan had
been thought Of, or the Houston &
Texas Central Railroad had been
built, or a steam whistle had been
heard in the county, or the virgin soil
had been marked by the tires of the
pioneers wagon, aye, before civiliza-
ton had scarcely begun her master
full handiwork in this section of the
State, the name of James Cooper has
been the best known name in all the
county and has remained SO until
this day.
There never was a more picturesque
parsonage and ruggedly honest char
acter than he. Being of very large
stature and man far above the aver.
age in general intelligence, he had
come nearer leaving his imprint on
everything and everybody in the
county than any other man ever had
done. Ever since Bryan has been a
town his great stalwart figure has
been the most familiar and the best
known, there being scarcely a child
that did not know him.
He was born in Washington County
81 years ago, moving to Brazos Coun-
ty with his parents when a small
child. He served through the civil
war, being a member Of Company l.,
under Captain Wilson, in the Twenty.
first Texas Regiment, under Colonel
Carter. His comrades say he made
valiant and faithful soldier.
Mr.. Cooper was a man of affairs,
having accumulated very fine estate
by his own energy and personal effort
His estate is left to his surviving
widow and two daughters, Mrs. Lula
McMichael and Mrs. Ed CARL, both of
Brazos County.
His country home, situated on a
haautifuI aninanca IN tba Iovyar odoa
of Rock Prairie, is the very type of
genuine Southern and old-time Texas
hospitality, and is one of the most
beautifully located and arranged
homes in this section OF the State.
His frineds always felt at home there,
and there was no place where his
neighbors and friends had rather visit
and congregate. He was known every
where as one Of the truest men to his
friends that ever lived, and many of
his neighbors will attest to his great
friendship by his aiding and helping
them in substantial ways.
He was a consistent, useful and
very active member of the Christian
having been converted during
the great George Stewart revival that
was held here several years ago. He
was an ideal husband and father, one
Of the most indulgent and kindly
1eartee that ever lived.
Mr.. Cooper always took great inter.
est in local and State politics. He
thoroughly in, and always
stood four square for what he was
pleased to call clean politics, and no
nan in the county ever welded great.
,r individual influence in that direc-
ion than he. He was a strong pro-
libitionist and worked for its advance
nent without ceasing. He attended |
he mass meeting at the court house
IN the 14th instant and was elected
delegate to the eliminating conven-
ion at Fort Worth to be held on the
list, and had made all preparations
D attend, and it is very much regret.
ed by his friends that he did not get
D go and know of and enjoy its great
uccess.
Now, in conclusion, will say that
re, the citizens of Brazos County who
re among his good friends, will miss
i'm more than we could have missed
ny other man, but we are thankful
n his great life and the many good
,ings that he had leading part in
Ding, for his great ear and heart
ere always open to the cry OF those 4
no were trying to do the better
lings for this country.
A FRIEND.