The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1917-02-02

Dr. James H Bilfingslea, one on
the leading and most prominent citi-
zens OF Maryland, and lifelong
resident w this city, died at his home,
East Main street, at 2-12 hNGlnGk Sun
day afternoon, after an lHIRRss w
three days lNsf
Dr. Rillingslea had been in falling
health rOr about year On Thurs
day the daE ha TacaiVad tha fatal
stroke, he was around attending to-
business lHn His usual wHy HiS LAST
visit was to tine Union National Bank
about 1I w. w., returning from there
tn hiH home. At n0dn it was seen by
the family that he was not ia his
usual health, aHn IN Was thought that
III the stroke was coming At 2-l5 p- &C.,,
as he was ascending the stairs To his
room he received the fatal stroke and
fell
Hopes were entertained that the
stroke was only a light one and that
he would soon improve, but instead
Of improving his condition grew
worse until he died without regaining
consciousness, at the above time
Dr. Billingslea was, like his father,
typical family doctor" His ser
vices were ready at all times, in All
kinds OF weather, b. it night OF day.
HE practiced his profession for the
very love OF At and in obedience tO
his desire To render assistance to
those in distress There was no
distinction between those who could
pay and those who could not or
would not pay. IT, need only h.
told that some one was In need Of a
physician and he responded promptly.
Dr. Billingslea departed this life
ON " day filled with the beautiful
sunshine of God and was laid TO
rest on one equally as beautiful.
How much in keeping with hi life
here On earth? Gathered at his bier
were representatives of families for
whose welfare he had devoted over
nifty years OF hts life His name is
4enshrined in the homes Of many Of
them Like the minister of the Cos
Del ~ well described by Oliver
Goldsmith in his poem entitled
Pictures from the Deserted Village, 4
DT. Billingslea's life was devoted 10
his fellow man.
-But in hts duty, prompt at every
call,
re watched and wept, he prayed and
felt for all.
DR. BillinGslea belonged &C. what
we call physicians or the old school,"
which was composed of men who,
disregarding alt promises or expecta-
tiOns of reward for their services,
devoted their lives to- the alienation
or the sufferings Of their fellow man.
What beautiful life? If there IL no
reward here there must be- IT. the life
beyond The old Scotch doctor de-
scribed by Ian McLaren i'm his book
entitled Beside the Bonnie Brier
Bush" was such an one as Dr.
Billingslea. No night too dark
OR too cold or stormy, no sun too hot
CIT day too long for him when fell
low being was in distress, be he rich
or poor.
TT. Billingslea was man of char
acter and decision. His friends and
associates in business and social life
recognized this and placed him at
the head Oh "a number OF financial
and industrial institutions, all of
which are, today, In a flourishing
condition His amiable and chari-
table disposition endeared him to all
hiS friends and associates. His
death il great loss to the business
circles or this city and county and
will bring about "a new alignment
in at the institutions with which he
was connected.
The large number of beautiful
floral designs placed upon his bier
were well deserved by him. Gener-
ations yet unborn will learn of Dr.
James Howell BillingsIea, the faith
ful and loving physician and Chris
tian gentleman
He was the son of the late Dr. T.. T..
Billingslea, who died many years ago
He studied medicine with the late Dr.
Joshua W Herring and graduated
from the Maryland University sue
ceeding to his fathers practice.