McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1914-10-30
Death Of The Most Prominent
Citizen OF Selmer, R. D.
Anderson

Saturday morning at $3.50 death
came to R D. Anderson. For several
days bis physicians held out no hope
for bis recovery. His malady had so
preyed on him that destroyed func.
tions poisoned the system. All rem
edies were unavailing. He peaceful
lg passed away surrounded by his de-
voted wife, son and daughter and
brother as well as other relatives.
His body was prepared for inter-
ment by Corinth undertakers. A
beautiful copper lined casket con-
tanned the stalwart form of the de-
ceased.
The funeral was awaited until 8
o'clock Sunday, that his aged sister,
Mrs. M. j. McKiuze, of Chico, Texas,
could reach here. She came from
Corinth in an auto and arrived in time
for the services. The body was car
ried to the Christian church, which
was crowded to it's utmost capacity.
Rev. J. A. Houston conducted the
services by reading appropriate
Scripture. Rev. ]. W. Carnell led
the prayer. A brief review of the
life and character of the deceased
was made by the speaker. He touch
ingly told of his devotion and services
at his church. During the 23 years
Of the church at this place he had
missed but three services unless he
was absent from town--a marvellous
record for mans devotion to church
attendance. His brother, Rev. J. G.
Anderson, made a short and pathetic
talk, stating that if their places were
changed he believed his brother would
say something over his bier. Short
expressions of sympathy and venera-
tion for the deceased were made by
j. W. Purviance and ]. W. Prather.
The music was sweet and impressive
as the large congregation passed to
view the face for the last time, which
j for so many years had almost daily
been among them.
Mr.. Anderson was no ordinary man.
He belonged to that large class of
plain, large Drained and soft hearted
citizenship characteristic of the last
generation. He was IA years old the
9th of last February. He was born
in Tippah county,, Miss, and when a
lad removed with his parents to Nc
Marry, where he has always lived. At
the age of manhood be entered the
Confederate service in the artillery
and was in many engagements, until
the war closed.
He married Eliza Kerr in 1866,
and to the union were born one son,
W. R. Anderson, of Memphis, and
Mary, the wife Of G. S. Archer, of
Balwyn, Miss. These children and
the widow survive him.
In 1882 he was elected to the state
legislature, and in 1892 was elected
county court clerk. He also served
as mayor of Selmer several terms.
He never sought Office. He was open
in his condemnation of anything in
politics which was colored with dis
honesty. He was a democrat. but
of the Independent order and strong
advocate Of temperance and law en-
forcement. He always could be found
on the right side of every moral
question. He served only his con-
science and God. The high esteem
of his neighbors and friends were at
tested by the lavish flowers which
were banked high on bis coffin and
grave; but the many silent tears
dropped by stalwart old men as they
gazed on his dead face spoke more
eloquently of their deep grief.
After a friendship of forty years
the editor of the Independent keenly
feels the sad blow. Long association
coupled with much business connec-
tion and dealings establish to him the
fact that he was a man of fine judg-
ment and matured intellect, at all
times based on the rock of Truth and
Right.
To the stricken family our heart
goes out in sincere sympathy for
their great loss, and humbly point
them to the renewed family beyond
the skies.