The Dickson County herald. (Dickson, Tenn.) 1907-1979, 1916-12-15
In Loving Memory OF
Samuel Elias Brigb:

much loved citizens, irefer 10 Sam.
usl Elias Bright born in Greenyil,e.
Mercer County. Pa. March :, 1899.
and died al the home oil Ralph A.
Freeman. on Market ST.. December
), 1916, at the ripe and web matur-
ed age OF II years. 5 months and
rs days.
As the notice referred to made no
mention whatever OF the many &C.
complishments and the beautiful
characteristics which sarted 20 make
up life, which to his friends was
highly Interesting, the writer avaiis
him .elI ~ the pleasure Of ctlhng n.
tcrti0n 10 remarkable ana IN
many respects n most wonderful
personality. Uncle Sam, a. he
was usually called. was possibly
little known even in this his own
tosu, owing to the fact that Tor
more than 70 years he was so pSdiy
crippled up with rheumatism 6e
rarely ever went out. Uncle sam
was u man OF books. He wa,
great reader. but never would allow
himself to read anything light or
tru-hy. lie loved literature, bat ht
sauld have nothing hat the. uhot.,-
est. Very few people, even u the
younger generation, kept up more
closely with the events OF the day,
or took keener interest in current
events. He was great historian
aud had the most perfect knowledge
Of the world history OF any man |
have ever known. A few hours con-
yrrsaiion with him on this one OF
his fayorit, topics would seemingly
bring you into very close touch with
many Of the nations OF the earth,
lie was natural horn maihema,i.
clan, and yet he learned but little
of mathematics in the school room.
lie had the largest and most mex
haustable vocabulary of the most
beautiful English words of any per-
son | haye ever been associated
with. He was a man of rare ahil.
lty, but ALWAYS appeared TO be Who'll
ly unconscious of his personal at
tainments. :.
Prior TO his being stricken down
with rheumatism. he wac widely and
favorably known in fraternal circles,
having become a 32nd degree Ma.
son, and in 1896 attended the 26th
conclave OF the Knights Templer in
Boston, Mass. III loved Masonry
and contended that NJ one could
become a iirst,clsss Mason without
the religion o. Jesus Christ. and that
the principles of Masonry, if proper
ly regarded and lived, would enable
Il man to the laore easily live his
religion. He had for several years
prior to his death been close stu
dent Of the Bible. He read it care
FULLY and painstakingly and with
the sole purpose of knowing the
truth concerning God and His re.
iation TO the human soul. He found
The BIRD Psalm to be great conso.
lation and comfort during the last
t~~ hasss sl ,lsia iiiee-l .,saetsuy it, VI
number OF times from the beginning
10 the end.
Notwithstanding he had been b
constant sufferer Tor more than 20
years, he made beautifully mani
lest that Christian gface--pa,iencc,
He seemed to imbibe the mind and
spirit o! James, when ht'said. Let
patience have her perfect work F"
tie was not only patient, hut he
was grateful. | think have. never
seen anyone SO fully possessed Of
the spirit OF gratitude than was he
From the time he became conscious
that the end was drawing near, he
talked constantly Of the many deeds
OF kindness and love Of which he
had been the grateful recipient. HIS
last words 10 the writer OF this article
a few hours before his death gave
expression of his gratitude and love
to DIR, Wiley Walker. his attending
physician, and to Mr.. and Mrs
Ralph a freeman. who had FOR six
years 80 constantly. loyingl, and
ant'rIneiy minlstered to him in his
almost helpless condition.
Let this be my closing thought: |
To my mind the most beautiful
characteristic OF his life was that Of |
his deep humility He was one OF
the most humble men i have ever
known Was not this one Of the
most beautiful characteristics OF the !
life Of our Lord and Master while
here in the world' Uncle Sans
body now sleeps in Union Gene.
terry, where il nov awaits the resur.
rection-to.wit its redsup.ion; and
though the sun, moon and stars be |
buried oui u existence and the
things Of time cease to be, then will
the soal-tbe real man-be bloom
ing in youth, then full tiedged, like