| Transcribed by Norma Knotts Shaffer from microfilm
of the Calhoun Chronicle dated 11/27/1969.
Another Old Clipping Relates County History
Can you imagine transporting the dead body of a man from Grantsville
to Glenville in the canoe?
How times have changed since 1885 was brought to light in discovery
of clippings in an old ledger belonging to the late John M. Hamilton of
Grantsville. Last week the Chronicle reprinted the obituary of Michael
Stump, founder of the Stump family in this area, who died in 1883.
Also preserved in this same ledger was the account of the death and burial
of one William L. Stevenson who practiced law in Grantsville, who died
in 1885. His obituary, evidently in the Glenville paper, The Crescent,
was saved by Mr. Hamilton, and since it's an interesting part of the history
of Calhoun county we are publishing it here. The book was loaned
to The Chronicle by Victor Hamilton.
Death of Col. William L. Stevenson
(Published in 1885)
News reached us Friday last of the death of Col. William L. Stevenson,
of Grantsville, which sad event occurred Thursday night, at 11:30 o'clock.
As is well-known by many of our readers Col. Stevenson, has for a number
of years, been severely afflicted with asthma, and on former occasions
his life has been despaired of when he was ceased with a violent attack
of the disease. The sudden and severe attacks have had much to do
with reducing his physical condition and to generally debilitate his system.
The disease finally mastered its victim.
The subject of this memorial was born in Spotsylvania county, Va. in
September, 1822, and was consequently over 63 years of age. He came
to this county, in the year 1851 or 1852 and began the practice of law.
In 1854 he was married to Elizabeth H. Sleeth, sister of Mrs. W. H. Snyder.
Two children bless this union, one, a daughter, his dead; the other, a
son is left, with the widow to mourn their loss.
For a number of years Col. Stevenson was a successful practitioner in
the courts of this and other counties, and at the time of the formation
of Calhoun county, or shortly thereafter, he moved to Grantsville and there
began the practice of law. At one time during his practice in that
county he attended to the business of Prosecuting Attorney of the county.
The same he performed in a highly creditable manner. In the practice
of law he was more successful and always commanded the deepest respect
and fraternal feelings of the court and bar. In a criminal case he
was a host within himself, and had the power of winning the sympathy of
a jury towards his client.
His remains were conveyed to Glenville in a canoe, manned by Messrs.
Stallman, Dulin, Johnson, and Campbell. Messrs. Will Stevenson, John
M. Hamilton and Ed Martin came overland, reaching here shortly after dinner,
Saturday. The boat arrived about six o'clock, the remains conveyed
to the parlor of the Ruddell House, and during the evening were viewed
by a number of our citizens. The features were natural and lifelike,
more like one asleep rather than prepared for the tomb. The funeral
took place Sunday morning at 10:30, the remains being followed to their
last resting place, beside the daughter in the graveyard at this place,
by a large concourse of our citizens and many persons from the surrounding
country. |
