The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1939-06-30
FUNERAL SERVICES AT
KEYSTONE OF tom"
WHITTICO
BY DIR. J. f. Brown


: ing those which were Held at the
tamilys homestead in Henry
county. Virginia. took place in
the Presbyterian church of this
city ON Saturday morning at ten
o'clock, a. m. Long before the
scheduled hour for the services
to begin the doors of the church
were thrown open to the public
TO avail themselves of the OPP
portunity of Viewing all that re-
manned mortal of West Nir-
ginia'S unique institution,
known throughout the state to
thousands of every race and
creed as Tom" Whittico.
His many friend from every
walk of life and from every
county of the state ScnScd the
capacity of the gathering seem
ly on this occasion and before
900 A. NJ. the streets bore out
the fact with crowds of strange
faces which had not been seen
in the city for years. All com
ing to pay their tribute of last
respect to Tom" and his family
in one of keyStonc's Saddcst
hours.
When the hour came to begin
the services the little church of
his heart was filled to capacity.
White and black, rich and poor,
good and bad, lame and blind,
pressed steadily for u point Of
vantage, willing to stand any
where, satisfied to see and hear
the eulogics of friends over ono
who had lived and died rs he dar-
ed without fear.
There was no sermon preach
ed on tbs occasion. Tom" had
done this well for 80 years as Il
citizen of Keystone; culogies
were delivered by Hon. 7. G.
Nutter OF Charleston, Harry j.
Capehart of WEIGH, William
Kelly of Landgratf, Prof. Bas-
sett Carter of kimball, a class
mate of Toms; Hon. w. w.
Sanders, of Charleston, DR.. }.
E. Brown and Hon. f. G.. Ber-
nard City Sergeant Of Key
stone. .... -.
Throughout the entire pro-
h,
theme of thought from each
speaker was the great bcncVo-
lent and charitable spirit which
characterized this great citizen.
Always a spirit of Malice to-
wards none but charity 10 all,
"a expressed so beautifully by
Mr.. Bernard wac so true of the
life OF Tom Whittico. He never
had much of the worlds goods
to give his less fortunate
brother but in the spirit and
words Of his Master Such as
he had, he gave freely unto those
who needed His every thought
in times of need being who
more than ne did The entire
church was a vcritablc flower
garden of every known bloom
seemingly. The aroma of which
filed every noStril of breath
with and without he Cdiilcc
where the overflow crowd had
gathered BY the hundreds. II
as one Of the eaddo,t spectacle
we have witnessed in many year,
his political friends and other"
who could not forget his will
ingncss 10 boost every worthy
cause sat with moist eyes a.
Toms favoritc hymns were
chantcd by Mr.. Startling Of Gary,
a young man in whom Tom had
more than usual interest.
Two beautiful solos were rem
dered by Prof. =. Ahmed Wi
liams, director Of music in the
Excelsior high school, with NJ.
IStaring at the piano, in q most
| touching manner jll' CLOSING
musical selection was don" most
creditably by Mr. Hogan Of
Williamson.
Immediately after the close
Of the ceremonies al the church
the funeral procession formed
and the family IN company Of
many friends occupying long
line Of cars started ON TO Ridge
way, Va, whore the final SER
vices were to BE- held and the
remains placed in tho family plot
along side Of the loved ones who
had preceded TON to Their
final resting place.
The Councilmen Of the city
Ihad directed Officers King and
knight 10 look after the traffic
regulations during and i'm
Imediatcly after the services, ow-
Ing to the large number Of cars