Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1921-06-02
HARRY Ii. LEE.
BY ]. o. Knott.

Quateiy OF Kew. Harry IS. Lee. now that
he has passed into the sphere of the
higher existence, requires pen as
poetic and as original as that Of the
late Franklin B. Lane. But | feel con-
strained to say something of my early
recollections of him.
His gentle personality was Sc
strangely dominant that of all the
teachers | had at the old Reinhart
school-house, Mrs. Sallie A. Beasley
and Harry b. Lee remain distinct and
apart Mr.. Lee came to our neighbor-
hood when was old enough to
measure to some degree a teachers
ability and force of character. He left
upon me and upon us all an impress
sion of what it meant TO be cultured
refined, manly and Christian. He left,
il | may so express it, a deposit OF
refined manhood in every susceptible
heart in the school that developed with
life and abides today. He was simply
incapable of doing or saying anything
which would offend the finest feelings
or inspire the highest inspirations. On
the other hand, his life as we'll as his
words continually fed what was fine
and holy in those under him, and
breathed into more sordd spirits some
thing Of his spirit until they too felt
that to be other than pure was TO be
unlike Harry B. Lee. and this was 4
strong impetus for good living.
The personal appearance Of DR.. Lee
comes clearly to my mind as ! write
i refer to his appearance as | first
remember him His pallor was the
first feature | noted. had never
seen q man with such complexion.
He was tall, spare, well-made, but
of delicate mould. He suffered much
from headaches in those days. AS he
rode horseback from Shepherdstowr
every morning, no matter how cold the
day, he was frequently almost chilled
beyond control OF himself. recall on
one very cold morning the boys had
neglected to make fire, and the teach
er came in from his severe ride to hold
out his thin hands to a stove which
gave forth no heat. He said only
this: "What, no fire." Those words
burn my very soul unto this day.
DR. Lees voice was one Of his outA
standing characteristics. Those who
knew him we'll would know that voice
il they had not heard it for years and
heard il when they had no thought of
the speakers presence. There is in
certain voices such individuality that
some persons are missed more than
others is due to this quality Certainly
when the voice of Harry B. Lee was
silenced | can feel for the loved ones
of his family their sense Of strange !
loneliness. When he as my teacher |
once stood ever me and said while |
was making some COPY in my copy. |
book: "1ohn you have improved more
IN your writing than any one in the |
'chOol,"l had thrill NJ his pronuncia-
ion of my name which may seem
strange to record. but his praise. in
lis voice, and his way Of saving
'John"-all were bound I'D in my VEN
Grafton for the man. In after life
vas as anxious to hear him call me nv
nv first name as ever, Just 10 get his
His popularity was universal Not
,nly did our people love him because
lie was so CLOSELY connected with thu
great southern chieftain. but for him
self. His smile, showing wcll-kept
md beautiful teeth, and lips tina, vera
the very soul Of good breeding, his
bright blue eyes, that danced As ,
have seldom seen eyes of light cClcr
dance, his evidently sincere cordialitv
M goodness. won everybody. The
Reinhart bows called him "Harrv.'
md he was rs much at home with rs
Ill as though he had been born in
our neiChborhood. Yet | know now
hat much in the neighbOrhoOd art in
he conduct of the school must have
impressed him as crude. But his
rentlemanly instincts dictated good
natured adaptahility. During his ad-
as teacher. the Rcnhar,
School-houSe debating society was
originated. Some time ago | wrote Of
this famous organization. ha'
word indirectly from DR.. Lee to write
il.
saw him last when preached
before the Sherhcrd COLLEGE students
and faculty a commencement sermon
IN about 1909 He was on the rostrurn
and expressed afterwards his delich,
in having 4 once ouDil Of his pre"cr
the eosrel. No one hut the W.T.
knows what he'd tn suffer in the ve-~
soon after. when ! had to think o'
Harry 3. Lee a possibly won ic-ing
at my course in life. NV consolation
Their was that he must have known
there was some mistake.
Somehow it was appropriate that he |
should fall asleep at the a0oroachir"
m"wTr'H' dav occasion His Sri-;t |
will o2rv9tc I'll that is said and do7o
1T the Confederate memorial service n .
SherherdStown, where lie was to have /
made the address Those who knew
him end loved him (ard this meas |
the whole cOmmua;tv) will hear aga'n ,
N vivid recollection his voice and src
his winning smile. Let the son who /
bears his fathers full name s9eak fc-
the father, who in the higher sphere
hut not far of, will rcar and know an