Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1924-05-22
TRIBUTE 10 ALEX HUN

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interesting character of IT
Alex, "The Scout" or Judge HUI
When a man is greeted by fan
and fanciful name, it is an ii
ton that there is something sanusS {
ual and appealing in his character,
commanding the respect of his ac-
quaintances. So it was with 'sUncle
Alex, through all the years Of his
useful residence in this community
He was born at Stanton, Virgin
ia, August, 21st. 1888 Shortly az
ter the civil war, he came to Philippi
where he resided until his death on
May 5th. 1924. He is survived by
his wife and daughter Anna, and by
Robert Hunter of Johnstowr. Pa.
Charles Hunter of Wheeling, w. Va.
and Nettie Hunter of Charlieroi,
Penn, children by his first wife.
Paasy", who died many years agb.
During his active years, Uncle
Alexis life was one of service ser
vice of usefulness, unstinted, an
selfish and happy. Of the older re-
sidents of Philippi, there is perhaps
not one whom he has not served.
He rejoiced with him who reioiced
and mourned with him who mourned;
he exulted in his fellowmen's success
! and lamented his adversely; he ex-
tolled his neighbor's virtue and mini
T, mized his failure, and if one were
overtaken in fault, Uncle Alex
could overbalance it by recital Of
some redeeming quality; he bore good
not evil report of man, nor did scan
dal ever find tongue in him-virtues
we all might well possess.
At one time, he was member Of
the Methodist Episcopal church Of
| Philippi and regularly attended it's
| services in company with Uncle
! Charlie Ross, devout and earnest
christian colored man who is remen-
bered by many of the older citizens
of Barbour county.
Uncle Alex was seriously i'll for
two months, during which time he
was visited by many of the people
of Philippi. He lost his speech bat
on many occasions gave signs to
those who visited him that he was
at peace with God and that he had
every assurance of the safety of his
soul. At the time of his death. he
was member of the A. M. E..
Church at "Chesnut Ridge" in which
church his funeral service was held.
attended by great throng of per-
sons. The service was conducted by
the pastor of the church, assisted by
William Male, Chas, Reynolds, Mrs
N. Nolan and others. His casket
was covered with floral tributes from
| his friends.
His body tired from honest tod
and bent by many years, rests in q
grave such as he, hundreds Of times
had prepared for others; while Uncle
Alex has gone to such reward as a.
waits man who lives life of I'm
| selfish service, who is steadiazt in
| friendship and speaks no evil of his
fellowman.
He was never known to desert a
friend or betray confidence. He
knew the secrets Of many mans
soul and the intimacies of many
household, yet he gave no voice to
them. When happiness, success and
| health attend, he was glad; ana
when distress, affection and death
tstalked loud, Uncle Alex could al
ways be found by the side Of his
friend to give comfort and service
wether it be the most meniaF task
or the tenderest ministration.
| For many years he was he sexton
of the cemetery in Philippi, and per-
formed the last earthly service for
more persons than any one man in
the community. He buried hundreds
of people, in some families, repre-
sentatives of three and even four
| generations, and in all this, he at
tended each with the Same tender
ness. and care without regard to esq
tate or position.
| There were MANY \ interesting
things in the life of this solored man,
and many stories are told OF hlra.
During. the Civil War, be was car
ried away from his masters home by
Union soldiers and acted as cook
in the army camps through the val
! ley of Virginia. Arouad these days
of hardships many stories of harrow
ing experiences were built For
years he was conspicuous figure a. 1
bout the ''old" courthouse, being jani-(
| tor and a constant attendant at courV
Here ne learned much of court prs
cedure and gathered rich store OF
legal phrases. He frequently assum-