The log cabin Democrat., 1914-02-26
GOV. DONACAfY
 PAYS A TRIBUTE TO LATE DIR. bICKIRSON
GIVES INSIGHT TO FINE CHAR. ACTER OF HIS DEPARTED
 FRIEND.
Editor Log Cabin Democrat:

N. Dickerson in the early part of 1881. We were then both young men and unmarried. Dr. Dickerson had just come to Conway to build up practice in his chosen profession. I was work ing at the carpenters trade.
 From our first meeting there grew up between us lasting friendship.
 We were both poor and were specu- iators Tn the future of Conway and in our own abilities to make good in grasping the opportunities which might come our way.
 One of the incidents which brought us together quite often and bound our friendship still stronger was that our brides-to-be were associated together about as closely as were we They were with each other nearly all the time and by their permission we usu- ally called together to see them. In due time these two young ladies be- came our wives, the difference in dates of marriage being only few months. Another matter which bound us together was that during this as- soeiation l undertook the task of mas terlng the secrets of Free Masonry, and after having been elected a candi- date, pr. Dickerson became my lec- turer. He took great pains in impart- ing to me the legend of the degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason. To him this a sacred pleasure. To me it was profoundly sublime. The sublimity of it is known by many, but the sincerity coupled with the depth of intellect and knowl- ledge of this lecturer made an impress sion upon my mind which has lasted and lighted my life for al lthe years since.
 Again upon one occasion Dr. Dick erson was employed as a civil en- glneer, for he was a good one, to lay out and plat the town of Sugar Loaf Springs, now called Heber Springs. He insisted that 1 go with him to help in the work. was glad to accept the opportunity, for I loved to be with him. We spent several weeks in do- ing this work, which the people of that now prosperous little city can at test how well Dr. Dickerson per formed.
 Long before my own marriage I had bought little lot on then far back street in the town of Conway. As soon as l married I moved my wife into the nearest vacant house to this little lot, for l intended as soon as I could to build on it. But we were not content to build and live there alone. We wanted Dr. Dickerson and his wife to come and live near us, and we got them to buy lot by the side of ours. Upon it they built home, the same one in which he died few days ago. He loved this home, believe, as much the day he died as he did the day he bought it. Afterwards I sold to him the lot which I owned beside this, in order that he might have more room, and bought another nearby, where l built a home for myself. After the establishment of our homes we lived for many years as neighbors, Our friendship brought us together the most of our spare moments, and from such an association I believe that knew Dr. Dickerson as no other man knew him.
 l listened to the sermon preached at his funeral, and to my own knowl- edge every word spoken of his good deeds was literal truth. Dr. Steel stated with great force the things he knew to be true. All that he said was true; but he had not the knowl- edge of all the truth, nor could he have taken the time to tell all the truth if he had known it. But if it were reduced to writing what was said by Dr. Steel would make bio- graphical history of which the many friends of Dr. Dickerson would be proud to read and keep.
 Dr. Dickerson had as strong con- victions as any man ever knew, and he was unyielding in the possession of them when once convinced that he was right, but no matter how much oppos- ed to those of other men, he was too dignified and too respectful of their feelings to give the least offense be- cause of the difference of opinion ex- isting between them. He loved all of his fellow-men-loved them as though they were his brothers. To some he n, nx. hnua noarod indi feoront nc tn