Newspaper Page Text
Vol 20. No 51
IN. C. Napier, Editor of Vidalia
Advance Claimed By Death Mon.
By A. F. Sawyer.
For the second time in tne newspaper experience of the
writer it has become his sorrowtul uuty to write a memorial
to the editor, of the paper upon which lie was employed.
The Great Sorrow has come to the houselioiu ot the Ad
vance; the Grim Reaper has seen fit to lay his awful hand
upon the head of a household —a father.
On Monday morning at 1:30 o’clock, after an illness of
three weeks, the gentle spirit of N. C. Napier, affectionately
known to his intimates as “Jack”, student and philosopher,
was touched by the Master Hand that moulded it and wafted
into the Great Beyond. With; stealth and terrible cunning
was he snatched from our little home circle in the office, and I
a hand that has guided the destinies of the Advance for the [
past three years is stilled forever; a face that we had learned I
to love has been removed from our sight and we will know I
him no more on earth.
But how much more awful it is when we contemplate the I
desolation, the heartache, the appalling and enshrouding gloom I
that has cast its shadow upon that widowed and orphaned lit- I
tie household out on Jackson street, where his loving counsel I
I and tender solicitude for his loved ones will be known no more. I
I How measure the depth of woe into which these loved ones s
have been plunged, how sum up the sorrow and suffering of E
hearts that try to forget but will not be able; how long the fi
days must seem, how sad and dreary the nights; how awful |
the shadow that has been cast by death’s cold hand.
But they sorrow not as those which have no hope, for g
just as surely as a just God sits upon his throne is theirs the |
sweet assurance that their loved one has gone to reap the g
reward of the faithful, has gone to dwell through all eternity E
with the “Babe of Bethlehem in the city beyond the stars.
Terribly sad is the passing of a human life under any cir- I
cumstance, but when death comes to those in the very prime I
of life and usefulness, when little children are left without the I
helping and guiding hand of a father, then indeed is the human I
heart made to overflow in sympathy for the bereaved ones ij
and in thanksgiving with those who have not felt the cruel B
barb of the Reaper’s scythe- But there is ever shining be- I
fore our vision a rainbow of hope, bright colored and full of I
promise, and looking beyond it we can see the benign counte- I
nance of the giver of every good and precious gift.
Look upward, ye heart-sore and sorrowing ones, for that j
same God who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb and who I
notes the fall of the sparrow, will lay his gentle hand upon I
your hearts and wipe away all tears from your eyes.
Death has claimed the editor of the Advance, but he still e
lives in the memory of those with whom, he labored, and so I
lcpig as life shall last will there be a spot within our hearts a
sacredly dedicated to remembrances of the many pleasant I
we spent together. “Jack” Napjjpr has gone from among us, B
but the influence of his personality still remains, just as the I
perfume from some lovely indoor plant lingers long after the I
flower itself has withered and vanished away.
“’Twas man’s first disobedience and the fruit of that |
forbidden tree that brought death into the world, with all .
our woes.” But we thank God that the redeeming blood of |
Jesus Christ was sufficient to re-unite the severed cord that I
bound man to his maker, and that through him we are per- I
mitted to seek surcease from our sorrows and sufferings from I
the Great Father who gave and who has taken away, cheered I
by the promise that our friend has gained for himself a dwell
ing place in that mansion not built with hands, and that some I
day we will be permitted to greet him again in the city of |
the New Jerusalem. Though the clouds are lowering and
dark now, the sun still shines, and a better and brighter day
will dawn for those who follow in the footsteps of the ‘ Lamb
of Calvary.”,
Mr. Napier had been suffering from an attack of pneu
monia developed about Thanksgiving Day, and though every
thing possible that the skill of able physicians and loving hands
could accomplish was done for his relief, and though he strug
gled valiantly against the dread reaper, he fell at' last before
the onslaugh of the enemy of mankind and closed his eyes to
the things of this world in the awful hours between the turn
of the night and the coming of the morning-
He has been snatched from the arms of his loved ones
and has been borne away into a condition we death, but
which, according to the teachings of the Gentle Nazarene, is
only the beginning! of the real life that awaits those who
trust him and live according to his holy example, for
“We shall sleep, but not forever;
There will be a glorious dawn,”
and in the dawning of that glorious morning we will meet
him again in the promised land of those who walk in the paths
of righteousness.
Nathan Campbell Napier was born in Walker county,
‘Georgia, about forty-three years ago, and had devoted practi
cally his entire life since reaching man’s estate to journalistic
work, with the exception of about three years, during which
time he served as private secretary to. Congress Gordon Lee
and resided in the City of Washington. He had received spe
cial instruction, both practical and theoretical, in newspaper
work, and had developed a splendid style of expression pecu
liarly his own, being a master of English rhetoric and writing
fearlessly and forcefully of the matters he chose as subjects
for his pen but always according to those who saw things in
a different standpoint as his own a right to their opinion.
A little over three years ago he bought the Vidalia Ad
vance and on December Ist. 1920 assumed the editorship and
management, throwing in his lot with the people of this sec
tion of South Georgia and taking at 1 all times a lively interest
in the affairs of his adopted home, its civic, educational and
agricultural well-being always finding in him a ready cham
pion. He was gentle and courteous in his manner toward all
men, kindhearted and true in his friendships, open-handed and
I generous toward those in need, upright and honorable in his
I his death will be universally regretted by all who knew him
I and claimed his friendship. He was a loving nd thoughtful
| husband, a kind and indulget father, a faithful and loyal friend
I and many are the hearts that are saddened today on account
I of his untimely death. 1
I business dealings, a true Southern, Christian gentleman, and I
The Lyons Progress
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF TOOMBS COUNTY
LYONS. GEORGIA. THURSDAY. DEC. 20 1923
fdf
1 About two years ago he purchased the Lyons Progress j
I and since that time he had devoted a goodly portion of his j
time and talent to. an effort to unite the people of Toombs
I county in one solid body for the advancement and progress of
I the county-
Os his immediate family there are left to mourn him his
wife, one daughter, Frances, two sons, James and “little” Nath,
and to these sorrowing ones all the sympathy of those who
have themselves experienced the great sorrow wells up in an
endless tide-
Other relatives are three brothers. Geo. M. Napier of De
catur, Dr. Leroy 1 Napier of Lumber City, Rev. A. Y. Napier,
a misiionary to China; four sisters, Miss Carolyn Napier of
LaFayette, Mrs. Early Adams of Philadelpha, Pa., Mrs. S. B.
Ledbetter of Decatur, Miss Alice Napier of Milledgeville.
The writer was intimately associated with Mr. Napier for
a period of three years, and> we can say in all sincerity that
never have we known a more conscientious fulfillment of the
duties devolving upon the followers of the meek and lowly
Nazarene than was portrayed in the life and conduct of this
modest Georgian. True and steadfast in his friendship, ready
and anxious at all times to extend ai helping hand to those in
affliction or distress, he will be missed in the home, in the of- I
fice, the church, and the community, where he labored and I
where his influence was felt and appreciated. I
With those afflicted one we would mingle our tears, nd j
join in the hope that sometime, somewhere, we shall Hi be I
united again in one great household, where there shall be no I
A more death, no more heartaches, and no more partings, to
dwell eternally in that Isnd that is fairer than day.
Mr. Napier was itiember of the Methodist church, and
was faithful in his attendance upon its ordinances, living in a
manner to illustrate in his daily life and conduct that he was
sincere in his beliefs and lived according to his professions.
He had attained to the degree of a Shriner in the Masonic
order, was president of the Vidalia Kiwanis culb and a moving
figure in the affairs of his home town and community.
The funeral services were conducted from the Methodist
church Tuesday afternoon at 3 o’clock, Rev. J- E. Sampley,
his pastor Rev. J. T. B. Anderson, pastor of the Vidalia Bap
tist church, and Dr. J. G- Patton of, Dublin officiating. The
funeral sermon was preached by Dr. Patton, after which Mr.
Sampley spoke for a few minutes upon the subject, “We Shall
Miss Him.” An especially pathetic feature in this connec
tion was his allusion to the male quartette, organized and per
fected largely through the efforts of the deceased, and imme
diately after the conclusion of Mr. Samplev’s remarks the
three surviving members of thq quartette, E. T- Mcßride,
B. W. Godbee and A. C. Tenkins. rendered the beautiful hymn,
“Tesus, Saviour. Pilot Me.” followed by the singing by the
choir of “Somtime We’ll Understand.” I
Immediately following the funeral services the remains I
were borne to the Pinecrest cemetery, where interment was I
made, the beautiful floral offerings and the large concourse of .
sorrowing'friends that accompanied his body to its rast nlace 6
of rest proclaiming the love and esteem that was his in life. I
CARLOAD OF CALCIUM
ARSENATE IS SOLD HERE
County Agent Garner reports hav
ing made up an order for a carload
of calcium arsenate for the farmers
at ll%c delievered to Lyons. Some
people say wait that the price might
be lower later. At this price the
farmer can afford to use the dust
on his cotton and will be glad to use
it. So the order was made up. If
we waited until the price of every
thing went up or down before buy
ing, we would never get anything.
The important thing is to get the
material in the farmers hand and
ready for use next year.
XMAS DAY TO BE OBSERVED
HOLIDAY BY RURAL CARRIERS
On December Ith, the Postmaster
General issued an order authorizing
i rural carriers to observe Christmas
I Day as a holiday; therefore, no ser
! vice will be performed by the rural
carriers from Lyons post office
Tuesday, December 25th. |A little
forethought on the part of Chirst
mas mailers will prevent an incon
venience or disappointment result
ing from this action. It is believed
that the plan to allow rural carriers
to have the day at home or with their
friends as other citizens do, will
meet with general approval, and the
Post Office Department is glad to
show such consideration to these 44,-
000 faithful employees.
To our local rural force we say,
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
STRAYED OR STOLEN— One
male pointer dog, white with 2 liver
spots, had collar on with words en
graved on collar, S. Russ, Port Wen
worth, Savannah. Named “Jimmie.”
$5.00 reward if returned to Ed Clif
ton, Lyons Georgia.
-
ANNOUNCEMENT
There will be a box and pie sup
per at Marietta §chool house Friday
night, December 21st.
Everybody invited to attend.
Subscription SI.OO
|A. J. RfVNOLDS
TAKENBY DEATH
AFTER SUFFERING ABOUT 3
WEEKS WITH PNEUMONIA
AND RHEUMATISM OF THE
HEART.
■»
Mr. A. J. Reynolds, manager of
the Elberta Hotel of this city for the
past four years, died at the hotel
Sunday night from pneumonia and
rheumatism of the heart. Mr. Rey
nolds was 62 years old and had suf
fered from rheumatism for years.
He came from Cartersville to
Rochelle where he ran a hotel for
twenty years, coming frou» there to
Lyons four years ago. During the
last twenty years he has been almost
an invalid from rheumatism.
Funeral services were held at the
hotel here Tuesday morning at 9
o’clock, which were conducted by
Rev. Theo Pharr. Interment taken
place at Rochelle Tuesday afternoon.
Mr. Reynolds is survived by his
widow, three daughters, l&rs. J. W.
Perry of Rochelle; Mrs. L. S. Wat
son of Madison; Miss Helen Rey
nolds of Lyons, and one son, Eugene
Reyondls who is at Tietsip, China,
with the United States navy. He
leaves many friends here and at the
places he has formerly. He is the
youngest of a family of seven, one
brother and six sisters.
SPECIAL NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that Fi Fas
for unpaid City Taxes for 1922 and
prior years have been issued and are
now in the hands of City Marshall
for collection. If not paid by Janu
ary Ist 1924 levies will be made as
provided by law.
By order Mayor and Council, this
12th day of December 1923.
F. F. GODHAD, City Clerk.
DR. DMflllEßf
EASTSATURDAY
AT THE CITY HALL TO LARGE
NUMBER OF FARMERS—TOLD
HOW TO CONTROL THE BOLL
WEEVIL.
Last Saturday, Dr. R. J. H. De-
Loach spoke at the city hall to a
large number of farmers from all
over Toombs county. He told how
they had been able to control the
boll weevils on their farm with 920
acres of cotton averaging % bale to
the acre. 75 acres made 75 bales of
cotton.
His plan is to start dusting when
the first squares appear and dust
every four days until the first
blooms appear at the same time
picking up the squares. There is
20 days from the first squares to the
first bloom and if properly dusted
there will be few squares to pick up.
That will practically win the fight if
the surrounding cotton is dusted
too. But if now then it will be nec
essary to continue dusting. He
plants his cotton at a
able planting time, not trying to get
in ahead of the other fellow, so that
his cotton grows off well. Then in
the fall they put their plows in the
field to turning the stalks by Octo
ber Ist. and destroy all the stalks
and trash that the weevils hide in
for winter.
Dr. DeLoach’s talk was practical
from start to finish and showed a
practical method of controlling the
weevils. When asked about the
mixtures he said ask the company to
guarantee you that a certain amount
will do the work and that if that
amount does not do the work make
them pay you back. He prefers to
use the dust altogether and said that
he was pble to get most of his ten
ants to use it sucessfully by telling
them to start right with the first
squares. w j ,<