Ben and Elbert

Today's post is about something that is as ephemeral as it gets, a napkin.  This particular napkin is embossed with the names Ben and Elbert.  In today's society it isn't unusual to see the names of men linked together but I was positive one of these people was NOT a man.  I was also positive that I would never know who Ben and Elbert were but actually I was able to smoke them out rather quickly using Findagrave.  I searched Sunset Cemetery with the first name Elbert and was rewarded with three hits: Elbert Lee "Skinny" Call, Elbert Hoyt Hutcherson and Elbert Thomas Reavis.  A quick look at each profile and I was able to determine that the Elbert on the napkin was Elbert Thomas Reavis whose wife was Benjamin Virginia Loyd!  E.T. Reavis opened a dry good store in Dresden in the 1890's.  It's still there today.  Say hi to them on Facebook.

Elbert (E.T.) and "Miss Ben" were married December 23rd, 1895 by Pastor A.J. Meadows at the Methodist Episcopal Church South.   I would imagine that some, if not all, of the Moran's would've attended the ceremony unless mourning customs decreed that it was too soon to be in public.  Sophia Moran, the matriach of the Moran family, had died in October of that year.

I'm going to make a guess here and imagine that this napkin was probably from the 50th wedding anniversary party of ET and Miss Ben which would've been Dec 23rd, 1945.  Miss Ben passed away the following year.

It just goes to show that even a napkin can be a connection to the past.

And just as I suspected, this napkin was saved from their 50th anniversary party because I just now came across this newspaper clipping:

Mr. and Mrs. Elbert T. Reavis of Dresden, Tenn., observed the 50th anniversary of their marriage at their home Dec. 28.  Mr. Reavis is a pioneer merchant of Dresden.  Mrs. Reavis is the daughter of the late T.E. Loyd.

Obituary and Funeral Notice of J.W. Moran, 1912

Last year marked the 100th anniversary of the death of  John W. Moran.  Since last years anniversary blog post I have come across more items relating to his death which I would like to share today on the 101st anniversary of his passing.  

Although I've posted this picture of him before it remains my favorite and so I wanted to share it again for those who may have missed it in the past.

Here is the Funeral Notice of John W. Moran.  I have included a bit of information and links when possible about the pallbearers.

Funeral Notice

C.H. and J.H. Moran request the

presence of the friends of their father,

J.W. MORAN

at his interment on the afternoon of 

Sunday, April 14, 1912.

Services at the Methodist Church in 

Dresden, at 2 o'clock p.m., by Revs. J.W. Irion and R.C. Douglas.

PALL BEARERS

   Active                   Honorary     

J.E. Jones            E.C. Lyon

G.S. Boyd           S.P. Scott

Shobe Smith        J.J. White

W.R. Bobbitt       T.E. Loyd

W.A. McCuan     G.W. Martin

T.A. McElwrath   Elbridge Wright

The Active Pallbearers:

Joseph E. Jones was the judge who presided over the famous  Night Rider Trials in Union City.

George Scott Boyd was a relative of the Moran family and a farmer and the cashier at the Bank of Dresden..  In 1928 he moved to Kingsport TN.

Shobe Smith was a dentist in Dresden.   W.R. Bobbitt was the druggist in Dresden and also was the proprietor of the Smith Hotel which he acquired in 1905.  He was also a one time suitor for the hand Fannie Moran, the eldest daughter of J.W. Moran.  I'm not exactly sure about W.A. McCuan yet.  I believe he may have been a tobacco farmer due to some correspondence I found relating to that topic.  I do know he owned The Kozy moving picture theater in Dresden but sold it in 1918.  Thomas Allen McElwrath owned a dry goods store in Dresden.  He eventually moved to Mayfield Kentucky.

Honorary Pallbearers:

Edward Coleman Lyon served as a Registrar in Dresden in 1904 and had served in the Confederate States of America.    Stephen Preston Scott served in the CSA and after the war was a miller in Dresden.  He was also a relative by marriage and I did a post on his daughters Cecile and Farrar sometime ago.  J.J. White had  served in the CSA alongside S.P. Scott in Company H, Russell's regiment.  T.E. Loyd was the Mayor of Dresden.  G.W. Martin has many accomplishments but the one I'll mention here is that he was the President of the Bank of Martin. Elbridge, which might actually be Eldridge, Wright also served in the Confederacy and was a farmer in Weakley County.

The following tribute was published in vol. 20, no. 6, 1912, of the Confederate Veteran.

John W. Moran

That no worthier man wore the Confederate gray than John Moran will stand all tests.  He was born in Dresden, Tenn., March 20, 1840; and died in a Nashville hospital April 12, 1912.  His father, James Moran, was a merchant of Dresden, and his mother was Miss Harriet Harris, of McLemoresville, Tenn. He was educated in the schools of his neighborhood.  He was of philosophic temperament; and while performing the duties that were incumbent upon him, his humor was proverbial and he was entertaining to his associates.

He was about ready for business life when the War of the States began, and he, together with a younger brother who soon surrendered his life in the cause of the Confederacy, enlisted in Company I, 31st Tennessee Infantry, in the brigade gallantly commanded by Brig. Gen. O.F. Strahl.  His first battle of importance was that of Perryville, Ky., in which the army and his company suffered heavily.  It had perhaps the largest percentage in killed and wounded of any company in that sanguinary battle.  He was wounded in the battle of Chickamauga.  He was again severely wounded in the battle of Franklin, and was long a sufferer in the hospital.  He frequently told a good story of his experience in the battle of Resaca.  he had captured a rabbit, which he secured in his shirt bosom, and of course had fond anticipations of a feast after the fight.  The battle waxed so hot, however, and his heart became so generous toward "Molly Cottontail" that he gave her freedom. He may have been author of the Zeb Vance story in saying: "Go it, Molly Cottontail! If I had no reputation at stake, I'd run too."  At all events, when the battle was over he regretted not having the rabbit for supper, as he had more appetite then than during the battle.

The funeral was conducted by Rev. J.W. Irion, assisted by the regular pastor of the M.E. Church, South, Rev. Mr. Douglass, and Rev. G.T. Mayo, pastor of the Baptist Church of Dresden.  It was largely attended.

Joseph E. Jones in an interesting sketch of Mr. Moran states that "he succeeded along all the lines of life that are worth while.  His business methods were open and above suspicion.  As possessor of a large fortune at his death, there was not in it all an unclean dollar."

Mr. George W. Martin, a life-long friend and a man who has long given liberally of his time and his means for the cause of education, paid high tribute to the deceased at the funeral and complied with the request of the Veteran in sending the manuscript that follows:

"The late John W. Moran, who died recently at St. Thomas Hospital, Nashville, on his way from Florida to his home in Dresden, Tenn., was one of the most prominent and best known citizens of his county.  His father was one of the early settlers of Dresden, and for many years was a leading merchant of the place.  John spent his entire life where he was born and reared, with the exception of four years in the Confederate army.  When not at school he was in the store assisting his father, and had just arrived at manhood when the War of the States began.  He volunteered early in the struggle, remaining throughout the entire war, and from the record given by his comrades no one performed his duties with greater fidelity and bravery than he.  He spoke often of the war, but claimed little for himself.  He took great pleasure in commending the noble acts of others, as he was accustomed to do through life.  He was a man of remarkable courage, but he used it with great discretion and justice.  He had excellent self-control and possessed decided opinions on all subjects, but expressed himself reasonably and rationally and always with a view of being just and truthful.

"As a successful merchant and banker his integrity was above reproach and never questioned by any one who had business relations with him, and he performed every duty put upon him with noble fidelity.  His integrity was of such high order that if I had met him in the most remote part of the world and he had been on his way to Weakley County I would have been willing to intrust (sic) my entire fortune, great or small, to him to deliver in Weakley County without the slightest fear of his failing to comply with my request literally.  His individual wants were few and easily supplied, but he spent his life in honest toil to supply the wants of his family and to fulfill his duty to the public, which he did admirably.

"John Moran was a well-developed and an 'all-round' man.  As husband, father, citizen, soldier, neighbor, he contributed well to all these relations.  He had the misfortune to lose his wife when his children were young, and his devotion to rearing and training them cannot be commended too highly.  If there is anything that can lighten the grief and sorrow for the loss of this valuable man it is to know how well his life was spent and all his duties performed.  The influence of his life will long remain a benefit and a blessing to many."

While frugal in his personal affairs, he was diligent for the public, and served most efficiently as chairman of the Democratic committee of his (Weakley) County as well as publicly in many other usefull ways.

In his early thirties Mr. Moran married Miss Sophia Gunn, whose father, Dr. Gunn, formerly lived in Nashville.  She preceded her husband to the better land seventeen years.  Their five children are, Fannie (Mrs. J.B. Ezell (sic)), Ida (Mrs. W.G. Timberlake), Marion (Mrs. C.H. Cobb, Harold (sic), and James. The latter of the two sons succeeds as president, while Harold (sic) takes the place of their beloved father on the directorate of the Bank of Dresden.  He is survived by an aunt, Mrs. Virginia Wood, and a sister, Mrs. Aggie Irvine.  Not only those loved ones but the entire community sorrowed in his death as if all were of close kin to him.  The testimony at his funeral of a life devoted to uprightness and love for his fellow men was well worth his struggle for seventy-two years.

Valda Carline Boyd and James A. Evans

Todays newspaper clippings are about the 50th wedding anniversary of Valda Carline Boyd and James A. Evans.  Valda's parents were George Scott Boyd and Martha "Mattie" Rogers.  Valda's sister was Marguerite Boyd and her brother was Eugene P. Boyd.  George had worked as a cashier in the Dresden Bank which was owned by the Moran family.  When the depression hit there was a run on the Dresden Bank.  No longer employed he moved his family to east Tennessee and began working for the Eastman Company along with his son-in-law Herbert G. Stone.

The events took place November 11 1958.

EVANS ENTERTAINED

Mr. and Mrs. H.G. STONE of Kingsport, Tenn., entertained Dr. and Mrs. James A. EVANS, Mr. and Mrs. J.A. EVANS, Jr, of New Orleans, Mr. and Mrs. W.R. PITCAIRN, also Mr and Mrs. E.P. BOYD of Memphis, Tenn, at a dinner party on Thursday night at the Buena Vista Motel dining room.  Mrs. STONE is a sister of Mrs. EVANS; she and Mr. STONE were here for the EVANS' golden wedding anniversary celebration.

****

Mr. and Mrs. E.P. BOYD of Memphis, Tenn., entertained Dr. and Mrs. J.A. EVANS, Mr. and Mrs. J.A. EVANS, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. W.R. PITCAIRN, Mr. and Mrs. H.G. STONE at a dinner party on Friday night, at the Friendship House. Mr. BOYD is a brother of Mrs. EVANS, and he and Mrs. BOYD were here to attend the 50th wedding anniversary of Dr. and Mrs. EVANS.

H.G. STONE is Herbert Given STONE.  He married Valda Carline Boyd's sister, Josephine Marguerite BOYD.  

Mr. J.A. EVANS JR, is the son of Valda and James EVANS.  He married Mary K. PATRICK.

W.R. PITCAIRN is William Ross PITCAIRN Jr.  He married Alice V. EVANS, the daughter of Valda and James EVANS.

E.P. BOYD is Eugene P. BOYD. He is Valda Carline BOYD's brother.  At this time I don't know who he married.

OUT OF TOWN GUESTS AT EVANS GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Our of town guests for the Golden Wedding Anniversary celebration of Dr. and Mrs. James A. EVANS were:

Mr. and Mrs. W. A. GABLE and Dr. and Mrs. Gerald P. GABLE, Hattiesburg, Miss.;

Mr. and Mrs. I.C. DIMMICK, Mrs. W.B. THOMPSON and Mrs. T.C. MOODY, Lake Charles, La.;

Mr. and Mrs. E.P. BOYD, Memphis, Tenn.; Mr. and Mrs. H.G. STONE and Mr. and Mrs. Flem DOBYNS, Kingsport, Tennl;

Mrs. A.A. HRUSCHKA, Alice and Albert HRUSCHKA of Goose Bya, Labrador;

Mr. and Mrs. W.L. COATS, MR. John P. COATS, Miss Robyn WILLIAMS, Fort Pierce, Fla.;

Dr. and Mrs. S.L. HOLLINGSWORTH and MR. James HOLLINGSWORTH, Columbus, Miss.;

Mrs. Fred PREU, Washington;

Rev. and Mrs. Chas. SCHULTZ, Eula Margaret and Herbert SCHULTZ, Lucedale, Miss.;

Mrs. W.E. SAMPSON, Mrs and Mrs. S. H. Dunlap, Mr. W. Dunlap JOHNSON, Houston, Texas;

Mrs. Chas. RATCLIFFE, of Mobile, Ala.;

The Rev. and Mrs. C.C. CLARK, Jackson, Miss.;

Mrs. E.A. ALLEN, Mr. Howard LETISSIER, and Mrs. Rosalind COOPER, Pass Christian;

Mrs. Chas. S. Gainer BRYAN, Texas; 

Mrs. Charles s. PIPKIN, Beaumont, Texas; 

Mrs. Tom FORD, Columbia, Miss.; 

From New Orleans, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. EVANS, Mr. and Mrs. Troy HARKEY, Mr. and Mrs. J.K. Sadler, Mr. and Mrs. J.A. EVANS Jr. and children Tom and Cathy; Mr. and Mrs. Rufus WEBB, Mrs. Alma GALLE, Mr. and Mrs Rudolph VORBUSCH, Mrs Lester F. ALEXANDER, Mrs. Paul George LACROIX, and Mr and Mrs. W.H. RUSSELL.

Dr. and Mrs. Evans Observe 50th Wedding Anniversary

Dr. and Mrs. James A. EVANS celebrated their golden wedding anniversary Tuesday, November 11, at their home on 610 North Beach Boulevard.

Dr. Evans and the former Valda Carline Boyd were married in the Methodist Church in Dresden, Tennessee, November 11, 1908.

They have one daughter, Mrs. W.R. Pitcairn, of Bay St. Louis and a son James A. Evans, Jr. of New Orleans and four grand children.

Dr. Evans came to Bay S. Louis in 1905 upon completion of his dental studies at Tulane University, New Orleans, and Mrs. Evans came as his bride in 1908.

The honorees received their guests in the reception hall of their home, where they stood in front of a large French mirror and heirloom in the Evans family.  A table fronting the mirror held a tall arrangement of large yellow mums flanked on either side by brass candelabra holding lighted yellow tapers.

Receiving with Dr. and Mrs. Evans were their daughter and Mr. Pitcairn, their son and Mrs. Evans, Jr., Mrs. Evans brother.....continued on Page Seven

Unfortunately we are missing page seven.

100th Anniversary of the death of John W. Moran, Dresden TN

Today, April 12 2012, is the 100th anniversary of the death of John Williamson Moran.  He was a man of many hats and many accomplishments.  He was a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and more.  His family was very important to him!  He was an educated man and successful in business. He opened a Mercantile Store in Dresden Tennessee in 1875.  Later he opened the Dresden Bank of which he was the President until his death.  His son James Henderson Moran III became the President after the death of his father.

He was a member of the Methodist Church giving his time and financial support to its success.  He loved nature and planted many tree's himself on the church grounds.

He was a generous man giving financial support to friends and relatives in need.  B.D. Irvine had given land for a Moran family cemetery but J.W. Moran went further.  He set aside a portion of the land so that others who needed a final resting place had somewhere to be buried.

John W. Moran died at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee.  These people didn't know him and the report is minimal.  Their records indicate Mr. J.W. Moran passed away on April 11, 1912.  He was male, white, 72 and a widower.  Born in Tennessee, died at St Thomas Hospital signed by a Dr. Bailey and recorded by W.F. Hunt.  How easily they dismiss a life and death into its simplest form.

However another death record was issued in Dresden by people who knew him. Doak A. McWherter made the report.  The McWherter's are an old family in Dresden.  As a matter of fact Tennessee Governor Ned Ray McWherter lived down the street from the Moran home.

Doak listed him as he would a friend, John Moran.  Here is where the discrepancy comes in.  The date of death is listed as April 12, not 11, of 1912.  He was male, white and 72 years old.  Another discrepancy occurs because he is listed as married, not widowed.  Anyone who knew John W. Moran knew how much he adored his wife Sophia Riley Gunn who predeceased him in 1895.  They knew he never considered himself a widow, to him he was still married.

He's listed as dying in Nashville.  The cause of death which was absent on the previous death record says "impoverished blood."  These people knew he was born in Dresden and was a banker, the Nashville people didn't know and apparently didn't ask.  The report lists Dr. Basil Mayo as the attending physician on the last sickness.  The Mayo's lived nearby and were friends and Dr. Mayo was most likely his regular physician and knew his health more than anyone else.  Claud Hobson Hilliard signed as the county clerk.  His father W.H. Hilliard carried John Moran off the battlefield at Franklin when he was wounded and many years later Claud's son would be in the same graduating class as J.W.'s grandson, Nathan Harrell Moran.  Class of 1936, Dresden High School.

John W. Moran
Mar 26, 1840
Apr 12, 1912
Soldier - Citizen - Friend

John Williamson Moran
31st Tennessee Regiment
Co. I. C.S.A.

The Dresden Enterprise published an article written by Joseph E. Jones entitled Recollections of John W.
Moran. Here is the full text of the article dated April 26, 1912:

John W. Moran was born at Dresden Tennessee, on March 26, 1840, and died at Nashville, Tenn., at St. Thomas hospital while the clock was striking twelve, on Friday night, April 12, 1912.  He resided here all his life except a short interval before and during the war.  His father, James Moran, was a merchant at Dresden and his mother was a Miss Harriet Harris of McLemoresville, Tenn.

As a boy, he led the life and possessed the playful characteristics that were common to boys of antebellum days.  The common, or public school, had no existence at that time.  His education, which was a practical one, was obtained at the private schools in Dresden, and at old Bethel College, at his grandmother's home. (His grandmother was Elizabeth Battle Perry Harris)

The writer has enjoyed many hearty side shakes, as he has heard Mr. Moran tell the anecdotes of his boyhood life with circumstantiality and detail, always accompanying the words with fine mimicry and real, first class acting.

Early in life he decided to become a business man, and after leaving school, started his career as a clerk in a store at Hickman.  Hardly had he gotten at ease behind the counter, when the great internecine, conflict between the North and South was precipitated.  A brave heart beat within his bosom, and his every impulse and motive was loyal to the cause of his beautiful Southland.  At twenty-one years of age he volunteered, together with his younger brother, Jimmie Moran, to fight the battles of the South.  His brother, a gallant young soldier, soon was slain and John never ceased to mourn for him.  Mr. Moran fought in many of the important battles of the war, and, as I remember, was desperately wounded on one or more occasions.  His record as a soldier and leader of men was made at Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Perryville, Franklin and other battles.  Wounded at Franklin, He was carried from the field of carnage by W.H. Hilliard, father of our county court clerk.

Did space permit, many pages could be written relating his gallant, courageous and soldierly conduct.  When I remember the sacrifices he and his associates in arms made, and the burdens, hardships and tribulations they endured unto the end of the war, in order to save our homes and our liberties, it causes me to rejoice that a monument of marble has been erected on the public square at Dresden, to commemorate the deeds of valor and glory performed by such as he.  His happiest moments in later life were spent in talking and reading about that bitter four years, and calling to mind little incidents and loving remembrances that were treasured in his heart, and will remain there until he and many of his comrades meet with Lee, Jackson, Gordon and Forrest in the land where there will be no more war, and no more struggling armies.

When the flag of the South was folded and the arms of Lee were laid down at the surrender, John Moran came home to find himself in comparative poverty.  With intelligence and pride he took up the fight as a citizen and manfully battled with difficulties and prejudices until success crowned his efforts.

Speaking now, while he lies buried in the old family cemetery on the hill, I do not exaggerate when I say, he did succeed along all the lines of life that are worth while.  His business methods are well known, and were open and above suspicion.  The possessor of a large fortune at his death, there was not an unclean dollar among them all.  Others have spoken, and are more competent to speak of him as a financier, and of his eminent success along these lines.

The war had not been over many years until the young merchant, then in his early thirties, and still engaged in the financial struggle, found in the western part of Weakley county, she who was afterward to share his joys and sorrows.  His wife was Miss Sophia Gunn, a daughter of Dr. Gunn, formerly of Nashville, but who died here in the early nineties at the home of his son-in-law and daughter.  Mrs. Moran lived until September, 1895, and was the mother of five children, to wit:  Fannie, now Mrs. J.B. Ezell, of Newsome; Ida, the wife of .G. Timberlake, Jackson; Marion, wife of C.H. Cobb, Union City, and Harold (Harrell) and James H. Moran.  No woman ever more richly endowed and blessed her husband's life than did Mrs. Moran.  Her children were not all grown and none of them were married when God called her away from this world.  How well do I remember that beautiful, but exceedingly sad September day, when we all, husband, children, relatives and neighbors, stood by the bedside of dear Mrs. Sophia Moran when her eyes closed on this world forever.

His love for here was so intense that, strong man as he was, the watchers at his bedside were apprehensive that he would die from grief.  During his married life he forsook the ways of sin, and became a pupil and a lover of the Man of Gallilee.  From the time he joined the church in middle life, he was a constant supporter of her institutions and a worshiper at her altars.  For years he was an official of the Methodist church, South, at Dresden, and in all things was a save, sane, conservative counsellor.  Before his death all the members of his the members of his family had become members of the M.E. church at Dresden, wherein his deceased wife had so long been a pillar.  Mr. Moran, in the days of health and vigor, was not easily moved to enthusiasm, but calmly and coolly thought out every question for himself, and acted upon his own judgment of right.  His influence over his friends for good was very pronounced.

Socially he was a charming man, and was fond of the society of the young.  Not being trained in music, he was still quite fond of instrumental and vocal music, and so remained until the angels called him home; and me thinks, that on the other shore, he may have already opened those eyes upon the form, and heard the beautiful voice of the one who used so sing and play so perfectly for him in the old Dresden home.

He never grew tired of visitors and gave the glad hand of welcome to all.  Much experience and observation in life, with frequent reading of books, and a reasonable amount of travel had made him an educated man in the largest sense, and prepared him at all times for an enjoyable companion.

In politics he was a democrat of the old style; was fond of Gov. Porter, Clint Atkins, Isham G. Harris, Wm. B. Bate and James B. Frazier.  The first time I ever knew him, he was chairman of the democratic executive committee for Weakley county, and had prior to 1884, as I understand, taken an active interest in party matters.  At all times and places he was without reservation a temperance advocate.  The cause grew upon him as the years passed by.  He was the devoted friend, personally and politically, of Senator Carmack, and his grief over the untimely death of the Senator was as genuine and sincere as that of any friend he had in the state.

When Hon. George Winstead, then a citizen of Dresden, was nominated by the republicans for governor in 1892, as the competitor of Governor Turney, we gave Mr. Winstead a non political reception at the court house, on his arrival home.  Captain Moran was selected as presiding officer, and he did the honors of the occasion gracefully and grandly.  As president of the bank, he presided in a gracious manner over the board of directors and stockholders, and his name is written in the hearts of them all.

His charity was always well directed and unostentacious.  No bugle was blown when he did a good deed, or said a good word, to advertise the act.

One of the bravest and most knightly of all the soldiers in gray, he rarely ever attended a reunion, because, as his friends thought, of the pomp and show incident to such occasions.

Not having been favored with early opportunities for education, he readily determined educate his children.  Each of the five had his or her day at the higher schools or colleges.  Before his home was broken it was a lovely and cultured one.  Father, mother and children all in love with each other, and I thought their conduct, each to the other, was delicately beautiful and worthy of example.

As I write this, my poor and unworthy tribute to my dead friend and neighbor, and as the tears stream from y my eyes, I recall, as it were yesterday, when my wife and I and little boys moved to Dresden, and became his nearest neighbor, how he and Mrs. Moran came to our home, became acquainted with the family, who were strangers here, and said, in substance, "Come over and we will divide what we have with you.'  Then, with a heart full of love, do we recall that dark, cold December day in 1894 when our home and all of its contents was totally destroyed by the savage, devouring flames.  We were not allowed to sit down and nurse our grief, violent as it was, but John Moran and his family, though living in a small house, at that time, gladly took us in and made us members of their household for days and days, without money and without price.

These are acts to me that out weight all the gold of Ophir or the cattle on a thousand hills.  This occurrence is nineteen years in the past, but my heart cries out at this late day to the Eternal One to bless his and her sacred memories, and to bless all their children and grandchildren.

What I have related of this personal kindness has been extended to many others in town and country.  A thousand hearts have been made glad because he came this way.

His sister, Mrs. Aggie Irvine, and his aunt, Mrs. Virginia Wood, are growing old, and he was a treasure to them. "may he who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb" give them comfort in their bereavement.

Through protracted illness he was carried by loving hands and loyal hearts with the hope of restoration to health, far away from home, down in Dixie, to the land of magnolias and orange blossoms.  From his resting place there he could hear the hoarse anthem of the ever surging sea.  However, his affliction was such that no professional hand could relieve, and no balmy atmosphere could allay.

It was at St. Petersburg, Florida, that it was made clear to his bedimmed vision that death was at hand.  In that hour he longed to see the face of his old friends in Weakley county and his business associates again, and to gaze on the setting sun here once more.  By letters sweet and pure, breathing his affection for them, he emptied his soul of all fear, envy and unkindness.  It is a great thing when a man seventy two year of age comes to die who has been heavily engaged in business cares, can peacefully go to sleep with good will to all and malice towards none.

As the end approached his son and daughter, who were with him at his request, placed him on the fast train and with rapid speed made their way to dear old Tennessee, and to Nashville; and there the heavenly shadows fell on him.  He was brought to Dresden with folded hands, closed eyes and a silent pulse, covered with costly and beautiful flowers, tokens of love and friendship.

Is it possible that flashing eyes will be strained at the old windows to watch for his coming but that he will never come again?  Shall we sit and listen for the familiar footfall that will never be heard again?  The kindly voice is hushed in silence of the grave, but we will believe until we see him again that when the trumpet is sounded and all of the dead in sea and earth arise no whiter, purer, more exalted soul will come up through the storm and conflict to the "Father's many mansions" than the friend and neighbor we knew in Dresden, Jno. W. Moran.