Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1921-10-28
A. ST. CLAIR WAS
BURIED SUNDAY
Prominent Tazewen Banker and
Farmer Died Suddenly at His
Home Friday Afternoon
Leaves Wife and Number
of Children.

o'clock. The funeral and burial took
place on Sunday afternoon, from his
late residence.
This bare and cold statement COLI
veys no adequate idea of the effect
produced upon the community by the
news of his death. Not since the
death of B. w. Stras. who lived only
an hour or so after being stricken
down on the street the 9th of last
March has the town and community
suffered such shock. He had not been
in his usual robust health for sew
eral days, but no apprehension that
he was i'll at all, was even suspicion
ed by his most intimate associates.
On Friday, about 11:30 o'clock, lie
went home from the store of w. h.
Peery, where he made his head
quarters, Mr.. Peery suggesting that
he ride home in his. Mr.. Peery's car,
as it was evident that he was not
feeling well. He protested, that such
trouble was entirely unnecessary, but
did ride home, stopping by grocery
store where he bought oysters for
dinner, of which he nte heartily.
After dinner, his pastor. Rev Mr..
Lambert, called and stayed short
time, leaving pamphlet on some
phase of Sunday school work. After
Mr.. Lamberts short visit Mr.. St.
Clair began the reading of the pam.
phlet. Mrs. St. Clair, in a few mv-
ments, heard him make q peculiar
gurgling noise, and ran to him, and
he had passed away sitting in his
chair.
That there was n great outpouring
of people attending the funeral was
no surprise. The county, Bluefield,
West Virginia and Russell County,
was represented in large numbers.
The funeral service was held at the
home, participated in by the venel-
able Daniel Carr, Rev. Mr. Lambert,
Rev. G. R. Brown, Rev. S. B. Vaught,
Row. II. E. Kelso and n number
of other ministers being present. Not
only the spacious home, but the lawn
in front was filled with people. Tho
streets of the town, almost to the
cemetery, were crowded with cars.
There were at least fifteen hundred
people present. 1t was one of largest
funeral of a private citizen ever wit
messed in this state perhaps. Deceas-
ed was not only one Of wealthiest men
in the county. but regarded as one
of the best Christian men among us.
His life was singularly beautiful us
loyal Methodist and Christian. His
life was an open book. His benefac-
tions and gifts to all charitable and
benevolent causes, were prompt and
liberal.
Through nll the years, as n busl-
ness man, confederate soldier, State
Senator, church officer, Sunday school
teacher-through all the turbulent
years and scenes, he stood firm as a
rock in his integrity. and faithful in
the discharge of every duty.
On the evening of September 2eth
Mr.. and Mrs. st. Clair celebrated
their Golden Wedding. A gay, happy
throng it was, that assembled There
to offer congratulations A sad throng
it was that passed through the same
room on last Sunday afternoon, to
look upon the face of the dead. On
that occasion, great floral tributes
and cheering music, in honor of the
living. On this, floral tributes, tears
and mourning for the dead.
The influence of his life will r.-
main. His name will be spoken with
reverence and respect in years to
come. His family will remember him
as a kind husband and father, and
his associates and friends as an up
right, honest, Christian gentleman.
Burial of the remains was made
in the new cemetery in the presence
of a great crowd.
The pail bearers were. active:
Sol Baach, J. H. McNeer, DR.. r.
P. Copenhaver, Geo. G.. Peery. r.
X. Crockett, S. J. Thompson, Henry
Preston, H. P. Britain. Honorary DR..
Rodgers, DR.. Reynolds, DR.. Kirk, DR..
R. M. Witten. DR.. McCue, Charles
Wilson, Oscar Moore, DIR. G. w.
Greever, R. B. Parrish. w. A. Scott,
Judge Sanders. W.. L. Painter, Lacy
Tynes, A. G. Russell, T. R. Peery, j.
A. Leslie, J. B. Boyer, G. A. Mar
tin, Gov. Stuart. Mr.. Stringfellow,
John M. Smith, NJ H. Kiser, John
H. Smith, jeff Gillespie, Stephen
Fox, R. S. Moss. DIR. Crockett, j. Ed.
Peery, Robert Wells, Sol Carter, H.
G. Peery, VIM. E. Peery. w. C. Pen
dleton, Dale G. Stuart, DIR. T.. Il.
Peery, J. B. Graham, H. G. Mccall,
C. H. Peery, Barns Gillespie, w. b.
Morton, ]. Grat Gillespie. DR.. P. u.
Johnston, Jack Whitley, J. z. Bay
lor, J. w. Chapman, A. s. Higginbot-
ham, DR.. Hicks, DR.. Fox, w. r. Gra-
ham, Geo. w. st. Clair, G. r. Karr
M. Bloch, VIM. Shannon, King Crock.
ett, Jake Routh, Lee J. Barbee, S
M. Graham, r. o. Crockett, o. 4
Hopkins, T. C. Bowen, r. C. Chap
man, w. T. Gillespie. j. N. johnson
A. J. Steele, S. C. Graham, Jas. p
Whitman.
A brief epitome: Alexander ST
Clair was born about 76 years ago
in this county. AS a young man h,
attended Roanoke College. At Ii
years Of age he left school, and vol
unteered in a company commando,
by the late, Capt. w. e. Peery. AT
terwards he Joined the 18th Virginl,
Cavalry, Co. I. and served through
the war. Afterwards he married Mis-
Tiffany, on Bluestone, who survives
During his life he was an activ
business man. He was among tn
pioneer merchants of Pocahontas, Ia
ter state senator for two terms from
~.