Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1925-04-23
THE PASSING OF A
GOOD WOMAN


in death, the dispositions of divine
wisdom are always right, notwith-
standing our limited vision cannot
see them our imperfect knowledge
cannot understand them; our poor
philosophy cannot explain them.
On Saturday morning of the 18th
of April just as the birds began to
sing in the first rays of the morning
light of our most beautiful spring
day, the soul of Margaret Hagaman
wife of George P. Hagaman passed
to the great silent beyond.
She had been seriously sick of the
dreaded pneumonia following flu for
some days. The town had waited with
bated breath and bowed heads, hop
ing and praying tina tit might not be
the last call.
When the news spread through the
town that the end had come strong
men stood on the streets and wept
like children. l have never before
witnessed such universal sorrow on
the passing of any one, but the rea-
son is clear-she had found her way
into the heart and life of almost ev-
cry man, woman and child in Boone
and even far out into the remotest
sections of the county.
| have always considered it one of
my greatest fortunes to have known
her Intimately from her childhood
and to have had the inspiration of
her beautiful life.
About thirty years ago, when a girl
of about twelve years of age, she,
in company with girl friend of hers,
spent a night in our home. In the
late hours of the night, about one o.
clock, we were awakened by the op-
ening of the door of the room where
they were sleeping. She entered our
room, her face aglow with a heavenly
light, like that l have always imag-
ined, played on the face Of Stephen
the first martyr as he stood before
Sanhedrin. She declared that she was
experiencing an indescribable glory
in Gods saving power and grace. She
was happy almost beyond her con-
troll Evensher physical being, as she
expressed it, felt as if it were new.
| have nevekbefore or since witness
ed such a revelation of glory in a
human soul.
have watched that wonderful life
from that day to the day of her death
and here is where | must so misera
bly, fail in attempting to speak of il
She Immediately began to make hel
life felt all about her She sought out
those who needed help, the poor, the
neglected. the children of the com
munity whose opportunities were moi
equal to the best. To those she helo
out her hand with that smile thai
she carried alway. Hundreds of yOuns
men and women, scattered far an(
wide are today remembering the tim'
the many times, when she brough
new hope and courage into their live
Her life was not an attempted SHOW
of the good, but in the humble quie
spirit she scattered deeds of love anC
kindness everywhere.
Notwithstanding her domestic du
ties and cares she always found alb
undant time to devote to the public
good. She interested herself in ever!
movement for the betterment of he
town and county. She had but on
rule of life and this she applied t.
the solution Of every problem-"I
it right?'
After thirty years of deliberatiol
l, without hesitancy say that she ha
lived the most devoted, consecrated
beautiful Christian life that l hav
ever seen. A book, large book woul'
De necessary w SOiieoii IiiS man. ,
many noble Christian acts of her lif
her faithfulness to the church ant
every good for which it stands.
1t was the passion of her life t.
help young men and women to
higher life and as the days go b,
we shall see unfolding in the live
of the young all about us the mar
, velous fruitage of the seed sowin
of this godly woman.
| Our hearts are sad. We shall mis-
her: keenly do we feel our great los
only ours.
SMITH HAGAMAN.