Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1917-01-12
Death Of Mr. Tom Stevens.

On Tuesday, the 10th inst, arrived
at the A. & NJ. College and was toll
death had com as welcome release tt
my long-suffering schoOlmate and life
long friend. Thomas Fletcher Steven.
onl Sunday, the 7th inst. and that he
nad been buried at Fx-prairie church
by the side Of his lovedI ones on the
following day.
lhos. Stevens was born in Noxubee
county. Miss. July %, 1899, ond has
lived here all his life. first met Tom
when attended school taught by his
brother, the late Mr.. Joshua Stevens,
IN the Douglass neighborhood, about
1884 or So. Tom was one of the larger
boys and assisted in teaching the young
er children, winning their love by his
Kind attention. Ex-senator Frank S.
White lately told me that he learned to
love Tom while at this school. He was
o kind to Mr.. White and took him
-iuntlng. and this kindness had so i'm
pressed itself on his young mind that
ne had never forgotten it. He told me
TO tell Tom how much he hid always
loved him, and I wonder when and
Were will ever deliver this kind mes
sage.
In the spring of 1862 Tom joined "a
cavalry company organized by Capt.
Joel Rives, which company became a
part Of the famous First Miss. Cav,
and with Foote'S company formed what
was known as THE Noxubee Squdron. /"
This regiment was commanded by Col.
Plnson. was part of Armstrong g Bri-
gade, Jackson's division and made ia
most excellent record both under Joe
Wheeler and Forrest. Tom made a
splendid soldier. steady aed reliable.
He was made orderly sergeant and filled
that onerous and responsible position
so well that he was later elected lieute-
nant. serving in that capacity until the
close of thewar, surrendering at Gaines
vile in 1865. His comrades all loved
him, for he never told them to 20 where
ne dared not follow. At the battle of
when Hoods army was rout-
ed and was fleeing from the field in
great disc rder. his commanding officer
said: "Lieutenaut, cant's you rally |
these men?" Tom replied, 81 can
Tally one man. and Immediately rode
to tho position indicated. Soon lot of
others, seeing Ton fsing ac steady or
his, needed the cries of their General
rallying to his side, holding the enemy
in check. and thereby protecting the re-
treating army.
He came home after the surrender.
married the lady of his choice, Miss Sue
Nelson, on September 7th, 1865. Being
rugal and Industrious and having
lelpmeet in his wife, Tom soon gained
competency and made a home in the
( prairie neighborhood that was ever (
loted for its true hospitality. He was
cry fond of hunting and fishing. Many
'leasant hours have spent with him
amplng on the banks of the Bigbee,
nd no one got more pleasure out.of t
Sese occasions than did Tom. Full of {
umor and loving a joke better than !
!ost men, he was always the life of
ne crowd. He and his good wife Joined
le Methodist church early in life and t
ere faithful members of this organi- O
''tion. He was superintendent of the :,
prairie Sunday School for many years .
! loved that school with all the devo- ly
n of his life. ii
He lived in the faith of Christian, r,
hoying its blessings and has won its =,
ward. His affection twined around =.
family and to him honor was love Il
duty pleasure. This union was o,
ed.with four children, only two of
ia survive him, Nelson and Mollie
'rs. John Douglass. Tom lived to
brate his golden wedding on Sep r
'ber Z, 1915. The death, however, L
lis youngest son, Edward, in an an
accident soon thereafter, cast
low over his life that was never
lelled. In short time after Ed
AIDS death he commenced to decline
health, took to his bed and was con-
led to it, gradually growing weaker
It'll his death. He suffered but
tie. being in a semi-conscious state til
'ally all the time. His devoted wife,
e bride of his youth his youth and
8 companion of fifty long years, at M
nded to all of his wants. Nelson and AL
3 wife (who loved him like he was NJ
r own father, Molly and John did N
they could to help her, but she at
)uld bear the burden and preferred
attend to his many wants herself. la
ldom have | ever seen displayed by
y one such devotion and unwearying
d untiring attention. M
So one more old comrade, who was >,
ave and true as a soldier, kind and d
mpathetic as a friend, true and IN
thful husband, loving and devoted ~
ther, an excellent citizen, and a man q:
le to every trust committed to him,
3 gone to bis reward and we know
1t all is we'll with him.
Goodbye, my dear schoolmate, life Dy
X friend (for all of my life I have e.,
id you). Lite has lost much of its III
Ihtness for me since you were bu. mr.
away. Requiescat in pace!