Selmer Newspaper Clippings for 1908

JANUARY 3, 1908 

Monday morning before Christmas Mattie Erwin, better known as Mattie Roberts, was found dead in her cabin in the western suburbs of town. It is thought by the doctors who first saw her that she had been criminally assaulted and probably smothered to death. Suspicion pointed to her husband Sol Erwin from whom she parted. A horse track led to and from her house, and a man's tracks led to and from the door. It had rained and the tracks were plain. She was on the bed and her cloths showed liberties had been taken, though no evidence of violence was about her throat or neck to show that she was smothered or choked. She was quite old, perhaps 65 years, and lived alone, but had moved to where she was only a few days before. Clues are being followed which may result in a solving of the mystery. It is barely possible that she may have died suddenly while in a criminating position and the party fled in terror. A rug was on the footboard of the bed with mud on it that looked like it had been placed there to keep muddy shoes from the furniture. 

Capt. & Mrs. White, of Florence, Ala. have been spending the Holidays with their daughter, Mrs. J. L. Adams and other relatives in Selmer.

THE WEEKLY POST 

JANUARY 16, 1908 

Dave Carter and family of Gravel Hill left Monday morning for Oklahoma, where they will reside in the future. Mr. Carter was a good citizen and the county regrets to give him up. 

C. A. Massingill and family have moved to New Mexico where they will reside in the future.

JANUARY 19, 1908 

Capt. Albert A. Anderson of Henderson was almost instantly killed Saturday by being caught in his gin and his arm torn from the shoulder. The shock was so terrible that he died about four hours after the accident. His death will be greatly deplored by a large circle of acquaintances. He has been in public life many years. He was doorkeeper of the United States Congress during Speaker Crisp's. He has held the position of Marshall of the Supreme Court at Jackson, warden of the state penitentiary and sheriff of Chester county for three successive terms. He was most cheerful, pleasant, affable, sincere and upright in all his dealings. His personal integrity was above question. He was a consistent member of the M. E. church. 

C. A. Massengill and family left yesterday for their New Mexico home, all wish them success and regret to lose them from our community.

JANUARY 17, 1908 

Last Friday night the city council elected J. T. Barnhill mayor to fill out the unexpired term of J. C. Houston, appointed county judge. We trust and believe that the selection was a wise one.

JANUARY 24, 1908 

E. E. Hagy and wife of Almagardo, N. M. are visiting home folks. Mr. Hagy has been there for his health.

JANUARY 31, 1908 

Mr. Eugene Whitehurst after an absence of five years in the West is with his relatives in Selmer for a few days. He is now living at Oklahoma City, Okla. 

J. F. Moore, aged 71 years, living in the 2nd district died Tuesday of pneumonia. He was the father of our townswoman, Mrs. J. H. Scott and an old and highly respected citizen of the county. 

AGED 110 years ---- The Lady Kemp living with her son - in - law, Tom Richard, two miles north of Selmer. This old lady we have referred to before on account of her age, which is unquestionably 110 years. She has been blind and bed - ridden for months and life simply passed out of the old shell mortality.

FEBRUARY 7, 1908 

After two or three weeks suffering, Mrs. Mary Williams departed this life February 1, 1908 at her home in the 1st district aged 78 years. She professed faith in Christ some forty years ago and joined the M. E. church south. She lived a consistent Christian affectionate wife, a kind mother and was loved by all who knew her labors and her work shall follow her. Though she be dead yet shall she live again. She can never come back to you, but you can go to her. Oh! may we all live as she lived and died as she died, in full triumph of a living faith. 

She was buried in Sulphur Springs cemetery Feb. 3, 1908. 

J. H. F. 

Mrs. Rosa Reeder was 88 years old last Sunday, and is the only woman known in the county who has a living son who was in the Confederate army. Capt. W. A. Reeder is her son and is 65 years. If there is another mother in the county of a soldier in either army please notify us.

FEBRUARY 14, 1908 

Mrs. J. D. Mullens has been at the bedside of her mother who died a few days ago. She has the sympathy of her Selmer friends in her sad loss.

James Paschal, Selmer's handy man for 10 years, has gone to Corinth with his aunts. The town will miss his presence and the show will have one more front seat. 

Mrs. W. S. Plunk aged 72 years died Friday, 7th, at her home four miles north of Bethel. She was buried at Liberty on Saturday, Rev. Austin officiating. Deceased was a lifelong member of the Wesleyan church and a noble woman. She leaves her husband, Mr. W. S. Plunk. She was a mother of two children, both of whom are dead. She leaves a large number of kindred, who mourn her loss. Probably the Plunk family is the most numerous one in the county and all of them good citizens.

FEBRUARY 28, 1908 

Mr. Stanford Willis lost his young baby on the 8th and Mr. J. Z. Adkins lost his two - year old baby on the 10th.

MARCH 6, 1908 

Jack Clayton and family left Monday night for New Mexico. His friends wish him success in his new home. He sold his farm to Mr. Will Hockaday.

MARCH 13, 1908 

Where as, it has pleased God in his infinite wisdom and love to have the death angel, on Feb 22, claim the mother of Sov. Sidney Shelton, who was a member of Dewey Camp, NO 78, W. O. W. 

Mrs. M. J. Shelton had reached the age of 67 years, having been born and reared in McNairy county. She professed faith in Christ in her early childhood, having been united with the Baptist church about 12 years. Mrs. Shelton possessed all the faith of a true Christian woman. She leaves children and relatives and friends to mourn her loss. 

Be it resolved, by Dewey Camp NO 78 W. O. W., that we extend our sympathy to the bereaved ones, and say, weep not for our loss is her gain. Submit to him who depth all things well and be consoled by her pure Christian character, that we may live to clasp her hand on the eternal shore, where parting no more. 

John D. Null died Friday and was buried Saturday, Rev. J. H. Curry conducting the burial services assisted by Rev. J. H. Maxedon. Mr. Null was 56 years and three months. He was stricken with pneumonia about one week ago. Being physically unable to withstand the disease his condition from the first was considered dangerous. 

Mr. Null was once in business at Falcon and afterward at Selmer, for several years he has been retired and lived a life of recluse. 

He disposed of his estate amounting to about $4,000 by will made in his last sickness. He was never married and therefore left no kindred nearer than two half sisters and a niece. He divided his property among them after directing his executors to use $1,000 in erecting a monument and caring for his grave. 

Albert Gillespie and U. S. Alexander are named as executors. 

The host of A. C. Lea's here Saturday, while he made a short stay with us. He is still at Shreveport, LA. holding down the U. S. Marshall's office.

Judge H. P. Wood arrived Sunday from his home at Sapulpa, Okla. and is spending a week with us attending to his unfinished business here. He says up to this time he is very well pleased with his Western home.

MARCH 20, 1908 

Mrs. Zena Ray died of pneumonia and was buried at Woodville Sunday, the 14th. She leaves a husband and three children to mourn her departure. A large host of relatives and friends tender their sympathies to the bereaved. It has been only a short time since her father, Mr. Jas. Moore, died. 

Last Monday Mr. Will Hatch, a man of excellent standing and a prominent farmer residing just over in Hardeman Co., but well known through the western side of McNairy, was killed instantly by a falling limb at his home and was buried on Tuesday, March 10th, at Piney Grove. A large concourse of friends attended the funeral. 

D. W. Reid, aged 69 years , died a few days ago at his home in the 9th district. He was stricken with paralysis a few days before he died. He was formerly a justice of the peace, and a man of fine standing and his loss will be seriously felt. He leaves a wife and eight children all grown. 

W. H. Beck died at his home at Guys Tuesday. He after supper, spoke of not feeling well and lay down on the bed, asking his wife to read to him from a volume he had been reading from, when his wife discovered him gasp and was instantly dead. He was aged 66 years, was a Confederate soldier and long a teacher of the county. He leaves a wife and two children. His wife is the daughter of Esq. R. S. Houston, and a sister a wife of Judge J. C. Houston. He was buried at Guys cemetery Rev. W. O. Waggoner officiating.

MARCH 27, 1908 

Mark McAfee attended the funeral of his brother, Dr. Elbert McAfee Sunday. 

Tom Boatman, an old Confederate soldier, died at his home Monday and was buried Wednesday at Sulphur Springs cemetery.

APRIL 3, 1908 

Thomas Boatman was born May 18, 1837 in McNairy county. He was reared in the vicinity of Pleasant Grove. He enlisted in the Confederate army in 1861, in which he remained a faithful soldier until the latter part of the war. In the battle of Atlanta he received a wound that necessitated the amputation of his right leg. His general deportment was such that he made friends wherever he went, who cared for him in his affliction and conveyed as an industrious and economizing man. He lived with and helped care for his mother until her death. 

Through he was never married he was attentive and cared for those who were near and dear to him. He had a rare character for he assisted in the erection of church house and the support of the Gospel. 

His remains were interred in the Sulphur Springs cemetery March 25th. The funeral services were conducted by the writer in the presence of a weeping host of relatives and friends. He leaves two brothers and three sisters and a number of other relatives and friends to mourn his death. 

J. W. Wallace. 

W. P. Baysinger, aged 84 years the 29th of last February, died at his home on Oxford last Friday evening while sitting in his chair. Not withstanding he had suffered with dropsical affection for several years, he had been in Lincoln county, Tenn. and came to McNairy with his parents in 1837 and had resided here during the 71 years intervening. 

He has been a member of the C. P. Church for about 35 years, and was a man of the highest order of moral convictions. He left two sons J. W. and W. D. Baysinger, and five daughters, Mrs. Issac Brooks, Mrs. D. M. Baker, Mrs. E. H. Garrett, Mrs. J. G. Anderson and Mrs. Sallie Holcomb. The latter since the death of her husband has made as did J. W. Baysinger, her home with him. He visited all his children last fall realizing at time that it would be his last visit, and divided with them the limited accumulations of a long and industrious life. 

He was selected at the unveiling of the monument of the old setters of the county a few years ago, to draw the curtain as being then the oldest inhabitant of the county. He died as he lived, with peace for all mankind, and his memory will long be fresh in the hearts of all the old people. He was laid to rest Sunday beside his wife in the Falcon cemetery Rev. J. H. Curry and Job Maxedon conducting the services. A large concourse in attendance of sorrowing relatives and friends. 

Wednesday night at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Lee Alexander, aged 63 years, Alfred McCullar died, of paratlsis. He had been in falling health for several months, and was stricken down the first of the week while in Selmer and was taken to his daughters, where he lingered unconscious until Wednesday night. He was a son of Alex McCullar. He leaves three daughters his wife having died several years ago. He was a man of good habits, and while peculiar in many respects had the confidence and esteem of his acquaintances. He was buried Thursday at the family graveyard near where he was born, one mile from Selmer. 

Misses Bulah and Eulelah Allen of Union City have been visiting their aunt, Mrs. E. F. Hendrix, this week. 

Dr. Lawson Jones of Oklahoma passed through here from a visit to his wife's father, C. W. McBride, on Lick creek, Saturday. 

Mrs. J. G. Anderson of Jackson, Pat Baker of Memphis, Ernest Anderson of Water Valley, and Lee Baysinger of Adamsville were present at the funeral of Mr. W. P. Baysinger Sunday. 

Mr. R. A. Garrett, formerly a citizen of Falcon but for twenty years a citizen of Gainesville, Tex. is spending a few weeks with relatives and old acquaintances of the county. He made us a pleasant call Tuesday. He is an uncle of our townsman W. H. Thompson. 

Philip Gerhart, known by many people of Selmer, died in Oklahoma recently, and his remains were brought to Savannah for interment. The deceased will be remembered as the brother of the late Mrs. Annie Thrasher and was a man of sterling worth. He married Miss Memphis K. Paine some years ago, and she survives him, although reported, dangerously ill at her home in Oklahoma. 

Vit O' Neal and family have moved to Henderson. 

Mrs. Albert Picket was seriously hurt last week by a tree falling on her, and her recovery is doubtful. 

"Uncle Pat" Basinger died at the old home on Oxford Creek three miles from town, Saturday and was buried at the Falcon cemetery Sunday morning at 11 o'clock. The deceased was an interesting character, and belonged to the old school. He was more than four score years old, and spent his life in the county. During all of his life he won and retained the confidence of the people. In his death another of the pioneers, has passed into the Great Beyond, and thinner and thinner become the ranks of our fathers. He served his day and generations with fidelity and has joined the comrades of the past in the world beyond. The death of such as he who has lived so long, watching with fortitude the coming and going of the seasons, is solemn and yet sublime. The associations of youth and young manhood had long since passed away. His mind willed along the musty corridors of the district past, and his soul yearned for another day and another home. He struggled not to live, calmly and peacefully he dropped to sleep. On the morrow his eyes opened upon a new world and his rapt vision feared upon the immeasurable riches of a new life. Rev. Curry and Maxedon conducted the funeral service.

APRIL 17, 1908 

Clarksville, Ark. 

Editor Independent: 

Through the kindness of our cousins Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Houston (God bless them) we have been weekly readers of your paper for twelve months. Will say that it has been the source of great enjoyment to us. Of course during that time we have read some things that made us feel very sad indeed. Not long since we noticed that W. H. Beck had passed away suddenly, I suppose that was our cousin, Tobe as we always called him. 

They tell me there are very few people there that I would know now, as it has been almost 25 years since we bid adieu to McNairy. It still does us good to think of the old county and the dear people. 

Spring with all its beauty seems to be with us again, although today is cold enough for an overcoat. The farmers all have their corn planted. 

This is the first season we have failed to get out early in the morning and gear up our horses for the plow for forty years. When we were with our father in McNairy we were always tying our hamstrings by the time we could see the sun. It makes us feel sad to think of these things, but still we love to think on them. 

We have preaching here all the time. We have the Presbyterian Methodist and Baptist churches. They all have preaching every Sunday and Sunday night, and great deal of the time through the week. A couple of Presbyterian evangelists held a three weeks meeting here in March and there were 140 additions to the church. I wish cousin R. P. Meeks could come out and preach for us. 

We have just passed through a very exciting election campaign. The hottest time was between the candidates for governor. 

Tell all the people "Howdy" for me. With all respects to our relatives and all McNairians. 

J. M. Michie 

Our people were sorry to learn Monday of the arrival of the corpse, and on board. It was buried in the cemetery here where lies a former little girl.

APRIL 24, 1908 

Bethel Springs 

Editor Independent: 

As I have finished reading the Independent and not seeing anything from this part of the county I thought I would write you a short letter.

Everything is moving along nicely in this part of the county. My Uncle, R. F. Sweat, whose home is in Hattiesburg, Miss., has been visiting us all recently, and he and my father, W. M. Sweat, are visiting their sister, Mrs. Smallwood, near Bethel Springs. 

This morning was egg eating time and I got my share. Hope everyone did. 

W. O. W. 

On the first Sunday in May at 11 o'clock Dewey Camp NO 78,Woodmen of the World, will unveil the monument of Sovereign J. C. Leonard. Everybody invited to attend, especially the members of the Woodmen of the World. The unveiling will be at Moore's school house, six miles west of Selmer. 

Rev. James Kirkman returned to his Illinois home Tuesday after spending Monday with his father, A. N. Kirkman. 

William Lea left Sunday for Louisiana where he enters business with a big lumber company. His family will remain here a couple of weeks. We wish him prosperity in his new field. 

Mr. R. H. Garrett, of Gainesville, Texas who has been spending a month with old friends in the county, left Tuesday for his home, accompanied by his niece, a sister of W. H. Thompson, and Mr. Thompson's mother, Mrs. Prather, who go to visit relatives in Texas.

MAY 1, 1908 

Talmage, the six year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Virgil A. Jopling, died Wednesday, April 22d. 

Mrs. Robert Stone and little child, of Jackson are spending a few days with her mother, Mrs. J. H. Scott, on Pharr Avenue. 

Joe Wilkerson and son Carl have gone to Texico, New Mexico, with a view of locating C. A. Massengill seems to be well pleased, and his sister, Mrs. Wilkerson, will go in a few months. 

J. A. Plunk aged 84, is now the oldest man born in the county. He lives near the spot where he was born, four miles north of Bethel Springs. He enjoys good health and all the enjoyable things in life. 

William Lea returned Sunday from a prospecting tour in Louisiana, and did not like the country, and has accepted an offer to take charge of a large stock from near Norfolk, Va. whither he and family are gone. We wish him success in his new field, and regret that he could not see his way clear to locate with the friends of his boyhood.

MAY 7, 1908 

Miss Verie Browder daughter of Mrs. Mary Mills, died at Bemis Tuesday of malarial fever after an illness of about a month. Her body was brought to Selmer Wednesday night and buried at Prospect graveyard Thursday morning.

MAY 15, 1908 

Judge Levi S. Wood Dead 

Judge Levi S. Wood died Wednesday at Jackson and was buried Thursday at Lexington. His death was not unexpected, yet will bring sorrow to a host of friends through this section where he had so long and ably filled the circuit court bench. 

Death of Col. T. H. Baker 

In the death of Col. Tom H. Baker at his home in McKenzie Friday morning was not unexpected. He has been in a decline for months and slowly but surely it was evident to his friends that he could not build up. He was 70 years of age. His last appearance in public was at the state republican convention, but he was only able to be out of his room at the hotel once. It was apparent to his friends then that his visit was to gratify a ruling passion in death to attend his last political convention. 

Col. Baker was a man of great diversity of talent and with all a man with many noble traits. He was a politician for the real love he had in it, as a player loves a game of chess. He was a versatile political writer and a successful mixer with people. He was the special friend and Tennessee adviser of Mark Hanna and was appointed by President McKinley, U. S. Marshall for West Tennessee, which he held four years. 

His demise brings sorrow to a host of personal friends in Tennessee.

MAY 15, 1908 

Mrs. M. J. Wilson, aged 75 years, died at her home in Bethel Springs Saturday and buried Sunday, Rev. A. H. Dulaney officiating. 

Mrs. Wilson was the widow of Col. W. C. Wilson who died several years ago. The family was one of the pioneers of the county and had always lived at or near Bethel. Mrs. Wilson was a woman much over the ordinary in intellect and that which goes to make up a strong Christian character. Since childhood she had been a prominent member of the Presbyterian church. Her home, whose hospitality we have often enjoyed, was an ideal one. She leaves two daughters and one son, O. C. WIlson, editor of the Adamsville Enterprise, Mrs. Crump Wilson and Miss Lilly Wilson, daughters survive her. To the children and relatives we extend our feeble condolence. 

Miss Vera Browder died at the home of her mother, Mrs. Mary Mills, in Bemis, Tenn., Wednesday morning at 3:10 o'clock, aged 16 years, 7 months and 25 days, after a lingering illness of about six weeks with typhoid fever. Funeral service were held at the home in Bemis Wednesday evening at 3:30 o' clock by Rev. T. F. Sanders before a large number of friends and acquaintances. Her remains were brought to Selmer Wednesday night and carried to Prospect graveyard and buried Thursday morning, May 7th, where service were held by Rev. Curry before a large number of relatives and friends. The grave was covered with beautiful floral offerings. 

Ike Cummings, a very good Negro living near Falcon, died Monday and was buried Tuesday.

MAY 22, 1908 

E. E. Hagy of Pittsburg has been visiting his brother O. C. Hagy. 

Mrs. W. D. Hagy and children left for Chattanooga, Okla. Tuesday night, Mr. Hagy is engaged in the mercantile business there.

MAY 29, 1908 

A Sad Accident 

The 12 year old son of Geo. Moore, living five miles west of Selmer, fell Tuesday on his face in the mud while crossing a little swampy place, and when found an hour afterward was dead. He was subject to epileptic fits and one struck him just as he was crossing on a rail the wet place. He was seldom allowed to be alone, but on this occasion had left the house with his little bow and arrow to shoot a bird near the house and was not missed until the dinner hour. While always an invalid the boy was the pet of the household, and the parents are sadly stricken. 

Mrs. Minnie Rogers of Black Oak, Ark. came Saturday and will spend some time with her father, Hon. P. H. Thrasher, and sister, Mrs. Geo. L. Anderson. 

Mr. and Mrs. Martin of Paris are visiting Mrs. Martin's parents Dr. and Mrs. W. T. Bell.

JUNE 5, 1908 

Killed by Lightening 

Wednesday afternoon Walter Prather, aged 19 years, son of J. S. Prather, living two miles south of Falcon, was instantly killed by lightening. He was lying on a trunk in a hall of the house and the stroke entered the back of his head, setting his clothes on fire. His mother was near by and received no damage. 

He was a promising young man and his death was a great shock to his family and many friends. 

DISTRICT NO 2 

On Sunday morning, May 17 Mr. and Mrs. Willie Dillon awoke to find their six weeks old infant dead in bed, having died during the night. The cause of its death is not known, but it is believed that it died with the bold hives. It was buried at Buena - Vista on Monday, May 18. 

Mr. Joe Foster lost his two months old baby on Thursday May 21, and it was buried at Mt. Gilead on the 22nd. The cause of its death was measles. Very much sympathy is tendered to the bereaved families. Many of our people were at Sandy Flat doing homage to the aged soldiers. 

W. P. Parrish was here Wednesday expecting to meet the body of his oldest son who died Tuesday in Colorado.

JUNE 12, 1908 

The many old friends of Judge J. V. Wright, of Washington, will regret to learn of his dangerous condition. He was stricken with mild paralysis about a month ago and instead of recovering he has gradually weakened and considering his age, 80 years the 28th of this month, his friends hold out but little hope of recovery. He and his brother, Gen. Marcus J. Wright, expected to visit their old county this summer, but his visit two years ago will probably be his last. 

Prof. James Hendrix and wife of Broomfield, Okla. are visiting relatives in Selmer this week. Prof. Hendrix is a brother of E. F. Hendrix, and has been in the west twenty - five years. He has charge of a government school for Indian girls at Broomfield. 

Thought Husband Was Burglar 

John Perkins, living near Crump's Landing, lost his life in a most simple manner Saturday night. He and wife with young baby lived alone. He desired to go to the Farmers Union meeting that night. She expressed fears at being left alone. He showed her how to shoot his pistol and told her to shoot if anyone came around. Returning in about two hours with some friends asked them to stop at the gate and he would scare his wife. He shook the window, to which she made no reply. Finally he got in the room, when she took two rapid shots at him, the second one killing him instantly. The young wife is crazed with grief. She has the sympathy of the people, rather than the thought less husband. 

District NO 2 

Mr. George Whitten's baby, nearly two years of age, died Friday, June 5th, and was buried at Mt. Gilead. The bereaved family has the sympathy of all the neighborhood.

JUNE 19, 1908 

Judge John V. Wright 

It is with sadness to many McNairians to learn of the death of Judge John V. Wright Friday at his home in Washington. As all know, he was born and reared to manhood, in Purdy. He made the race for representative in 1854 against a man know as "Hogback" Brown, and was defeated by only one vote. It was always understood Brown voted for himself, contrary to custom for opposing candidates to vote for each other. He was then taken up by the party and nominated for congress, and for two terms before the war and leading up to the time of the state seceding he held that position. His service during the war was mostly in the Confederate congress. 

In 1858 he built a magnificent mansion in Purdy and brought his young bride from Alabama. The opening of this establishment was the social event of the day. It remained intact until after the war and then passed into other hands. Its beauty gave way to the ravages of time, and only a few years ago fire swept it from the beautiful grounds. 

The war and its result financially wrecked Judge Wright. His wife inherited a large estate in slaves and Alabama plantations which both went with the war. His race for governor is well remembered. He, Wilson and Hawkins held a joint discussion at the fair grounds at Purdy during that canvass. 

About twenty - five years ago he was appointed at the head of a bureau in the land office at Washington which he held until his death. He was the authority on all questions concerning public lands, and his loss will be severely felt in the Interior Department. 

Two years ago he visited Selmer and delivered an address which we published as a historical serial in the Independent. He spent several days here and warmed the hearts of many young men who only before knew of him. He had a magnetic personality. During his whole life spent elsewhere than in the county of his birth and early manhood, he never lost interest in McNairy county and her people. In fact, we never knew two brothers he - and Gen. Marcus J. Wright - who had such an attachment for the place of their nativity. They could for hours recount incidents and personal reminiscences of people and places of over sixty years ago which to most people would have been only a forgotten dream. 

While he will rest in Washington, we doeth not his preference would be on the old hill near Purdy, where lie the bones of his illustrious parents.

JUNE 26, 1908 

Death of Gen. J. D. Atkins 

At his home in Paris, Tenn. Sunday morning the 21st inst., aged 84 years. 

This death will bring sadness to many hearts all though the 8th district. All the old voters knew personally Gen. Atkins, he has during his public life, before and since the war, made speeches in almost every district three terms in congress since the war, the last position he held was that on the Indian commission under Cleveland. The last visit he made to Selmer was as an advocate of Palmer and Buckner as a sound money democrat. 

Thus passes away one of the two survivors of the war who held membership in congress before and since the war, and was a member of the Confederate congress.

IN MEMORIAL 

Judge John V. Wright 

Obit, June 12, 1908 

The Angel of Death that had hovered for many weeks over one of Washington's happiest homes descended and bore away to the great here after the husband and father June 12. The grief - stricken wife and children sit in the gloom of bereavement because the light of his presence has been removed from their heart's throne where he sat as king. His devoted brother, the General, has received a heavy blow. In life they were inseparable friends as well as loving brothers. During their long residence in Washington's capitol they made it a point to be together every Sunday if health permitted. 

On Sunday, June 14th, Gen. Marcus J. Wright looked for the last time on earth on the features of his brother, which were hidden forever from sight that afternoon. 

To the many friends of Judge John V. Wright in this city the morning paper of June 13th brought the heavy tiding that he had passed away from all who loved and admired him here. Truly we all felt a deep sense of loss, realizing that we would not look upon his face again. A host of friends in McNairy county who were hoping to have him in their midst again feel a deep disappointment along with their grief for his death. 

Born in Purdy he grew up there to a splendid young manhood and early began a marvelous career that continued through a larger portion of his life. This has become a portion of the history of Tennessee, with which McNairians are well acquainted. I leave it to abler pens to enlarge upon it. 

The brothers, Judge John V. and General Marcus J. Wright were both prominently identified with the South during the Civil war, each being "a hero in the strife". One of the most wonderful facts in their lives was the recognition each received from the United States government after the reconstruction period, although both brothers remained firm in their political beliefs. That these emoluments were the reward of undisputed merit goes without saving. 

Judge John V. Wright was born in "flowery June", almost four score ago, and after a long active life lay down to sleep amidst its roses. 

He has awakened to the light of another day. 

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