Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

To the Memory of W m Clifton. Editor Lyons Progress.—lt is sad, yes, very sad, that the grim reaper, death, that is no respector of persons, has entered into the house of the living and another spirit lias been summoned to that land where our fathers have gone before us, and from whose bourne no traveler returns. With sorrow ing hearts and loving affection we are called upon to mourn the un timely death of Hon. VVm. C. Clifton, and as a fitting tribute to his memory and fame we are glad to chronicle a few of his many vir tues which he possessed which are indelibly stamped upon the m«m ory of the writer, who has known him intimately and has enjoyed, and recognized to the fullest ex tend his confidence and friendship for more than fifty years. In 1860 it was my priviledge and pleasure to become associated with him while attending a pri vate school, for no public school systen was at that date in oppera tion in Georgia, this is to say in the rural districts. Prof. Sam An ders was our instructor, who after wards became Captain of a Con* federate Company and lost his life in battle. Col. Clifton was at that time some seven or eight years my junior, but not withstanding this fact, he even then exhibited rare and noble traits of character for a youth of his tender years', which was moreclearly developed and de monstrated in after life. Soon after the close of our civil conllict, he completed his education in Liberty county under the professorship of Douse Brad Well, his brother-in law, who was conducting a high school at Hinesville in said county. From thence he entered the law offices of Gen. P. W. Meldrim,oue of the most sucessful and practical jurist perhaps in the state, and the peer of his competitiors in his chosen profession in Savannah the city by the sea,where Bill Clifton,, aB he waß familiarly known, pre pared himself and was admitted j to the bar under the most flatter ing prospects. He located in Savannah and entered into the practice of his profession. His kind courteous and symphatbetic dis position soou won for him friends by the score. He believed in the principles of democracy, and ad vocated and labored forthe success of the democratic party long before he reached his majority or could | cast a vote himself in its interest, or for the principal he espoused. Yet he had done and was doing valiant service for the success of the principals. His generous and loveable nature soon won from his fellow citizens of Chatham county their affection, confidence and es-! teem, which prompted them to nominate and elect him to the legislature, if my memory serves i me correct, for two successive terms, an honor worthily bestowed and which he filled in a states manlike manner with honor and credit to himself and with satis faction. as he has in the past of-1 ten said, to his liberty-loving and patriotic fellow citizens. At the | close of the session of the legisla- ( ture he numbered his friends and j admirers by the thousands all : over Georgia, from Rabun’s Gap to Tybee’s light., and his popular ity had increased until he had be come one of the most influential 1 political organizers in the state, I for politics was his fort. He was endowed by nature with the happy | gift to remember the face and name of each individual to whom he was introduced and when or where ever he met him again he could call him by name, give his hand a hearty shake and greet him with the homage of his great big heart, my patriotic and liber ty-loving tellow citizen, a gift but few poesesesjand none excel or sur pass. To sav that he was am bitious is hut to speak the truth. Knowing the devotion of his close ! friends and his recognized ability and popularity throughout the state of Georgia , he was induced, after serious consideration, to be come a candidate for Secretary of state. His opponant was the noble old roman, Allen D. Chandler, who himself was a member of a large and influential family, with laurels blooming on his brow; who had defeated under the ban-, ner of democracy, the young bril* < liant, and gallant independent candidate. Emery Sp°er, now Judge of the United States Circuit Court, who was at that time oc cupying a seat in Congress as an independent candidate. The Campaign between the One-eyed plough ooy of Pigeon Roost, and the war horse of Mclntosh, as they were dubbed by their friends and ' supporters, was conducted by both on a high plan, but, it raged fast and furious Yes, it waged stupendous. Allen D Chandler was successful, defeat ing Bill Clifton in the state by some thirty votes only. No bit terness was injected in this cam paign. They were both pastmast ers in the art of politics and re mained strong friends, and when Chandler resigned to make the race for Governor of tho state. Gov. Atkinson appointed Clifton to fill the unexpired term of Sec retary of State, a just tribute to his ability and worth. Bill Clif ton was twice elected Secretary of the Senate and performed the duties of said office with zeal and affability, always courteous and kind and generous. He was also nominated and elected Senator from the second senatorial district succeeding the writer to that posi tion which he most honorable fill ed to the satifsactioi: of his con stituents. But to the citizens of Toombs county, which now embraces the late home of Col. Wm. Clifton, Sr., the home of his birth, the hills over which he roamed and played in his boyhood, recognize more fully his worth and power ful influence, when he was called upon to lead the fight for the crea tion of said county. How well he succeeded is a matter of history, and those who witnessed his crown ing efforts when he appeared be fore the committee chosen to name the counties selected for creation, and none will never forget the beautiful tribute he paid to this section of God’s moral vineyard. His magnificent form, robust and erect, his sentences well formed and chosen, his logic reasonable and convincing, and delivered with I the eloquence that marked thn statesman, conscious of the truth jof the position for which he was honestly contending, which brought the committee us well as the spectators to their feet, and he was greeted with round after round of applause. This, so far as I know, was the crowning effort of his political career, and while the writer was J opposed to the creation of said county, he willingly joined in the applause thus accorded nim by | his friends whose cause he so elo quently advocated While I am j frank to state that his ability and i usefulness has never been fully recognized as in my judgement they should have been, now when .we are called upon with grief 'Stricken hearts to mourn his un timely death, let’s throw around his foibles, whatever they may i have been, that broad sympathetic charity that his virtures claim at our hands. Perfection on earth has never yet been attained, the wise as well as the worst of men make mistakes. Suffer me then to pay | this feeble tribute to the lasting ; memory, to my departed friend, iHe carried within his heart love i for his fellowman and was true to ; his friends, kind and generous jto aid the needy and distres sed. Through his efforts thejsuffer ingofhis people, when the At lantic Coast several years ago, was visited a destructive storm, carrying destruction in its wake ! was speedily relieved by his per- Isonal appeal to the authorities at Washington City. Put alas 1 he is at rest from his labors C H. Mann. John I listened to you for half an hour last night while you were talking in your sleep. Tanks, dear for your self-restraint.—Ex. Foley Kidney Pills What They Will Do for You 1 They will cure your backache, strengthen your kidneys, cor rect urinary irregularities, build up the worn out tissues, and eliminate the excess uric acid that causes rheumatism. Pre vent Bright’s Disease and Dia bates, and restore health and strength. Refuse substitutes. ! 'BE Li °. l , be v-oOR E fc> S, MAY 5, 1911. I Shoes of Quality Made to Wear j ♦ We are Exclusive Agents for X X the Celebrated £ ♦ Peters Shoe Co. X | Ijyrjyi Peters’ Shoes j : ifjpjpfr men AND WOMEN, | ♦ They are not so high in price but they —y * T ♦ are MADE OF SOLID LEATHER I 4 give good service and they are stylish* 4 4 In fact they Jare the best value in Shoes • X on the local market* ♦ 4 Ask the lady or gentleman who have worn a PETERS SHOE j \ and they will tell you*' 4 4 t 4 t 4 Dry Goods, Notions, Farm Supplies, Clothing and Groceries. Everything new and fresh and T 4 our prices are made so that we get only a living proft. We ask a share of trade. j R. W. Lilliott & Bro., ; 4 Successors to ODOM & COURSEY. T Can You Furnish Team and Wagon? Wanted—Responsible youngmen.who are able to furnish team and wagon, to sell on commis sion to farmers, the best line of household necessities, for the oldest, largest and most re sponsible company of the kind in the world. About two thousand salesmen now working, earning on the average over SIOO per month net. clear of all expenses. Net earning of best men. over S3OO per month. Two million farmers now using these thoroughly advertis ed goods. Established 1868. Capital $2,000,000. Address.—The J.R. Watkins Co. To West lowa Ave„ Memphis. Tenn. Electric Bitters | | Succeed when everything else fails. In nervous prostration and female ; weaknesses they are the supreme remedy, as thousands have testified. FOR KIDNEY, LIVER AND ! STOMACH TROUBLE it is the best medicine ever sold j over a druggist’s counter. ■ all countries, or no foe. Wo übuuu PATENTS I ■ THAT PAY, advertise them thoroughly, at our I I expense, and help you to success. H ■ Send model, photo or sketch for FREE report ■ lon patentability. 20 years’ practice. SUR- I I PASSING REFERENCES. For free Guide I j fl llook on Profitable Patents write to p| I SO3-SOS Seventh Street, 9 ■ washington^^^l i Anyone sending a sketch and description may quickly ascertain our opinion free whether au i irtvention Is probably patentable. Communion tlons strictly confidential. HANDBOOK on Patents gent free. Oldest ngeney for securing patents. Patents taken through Munn & Co. receive l special notice, without charge, iu the Scientific American. A handsomely Illustrated weekly. Largest cir ' eulation of anv scientific Journal. Terms. $3 a I year; four months, $L Sold by all newsdealers. MUNN & Co. 36,8r0ad " a *’ New York Branch OOce. 625 K St„ Washington. D C. Is puritan] I M W *J.?S Y | m “All Right” for the family medicine chest; gs II because it’s PURE, ripe and wholesome. jg || “All Right” for the club case; because it gs has a body and a bouquet that appeals to K m fkiRIX4l ! “All Right” anywhere at any time; be- || ‘ IE [i __ VWJJ| cause it “reaches the spot” and satisfies, || S without the re g ret of “ the morning after.” ■ I KS “All Right” for YOU, who know and appre- H f If you ask for it anywhere and can’t get ft mrs> ”*Mjlil it, write direct to its distillers. ?f ; I D. SACHS & SONS I | : a ; - “Once a Year** jtft-thteL is as often as you need buy a pair of Work Shoes if you call for “Once a Year” Red Seal Shoes, Made by the J. K. Orr Shoe Co., Atlanta. They sell for three fifty and wear like seven. I 1 J. K. ORR SHOE CO., ATLANTA