Richland Co., Ohio

 
 

Misc.

 
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1865 Lexington Pamphlet

THE MANSFIELD NEWS:  03 October 1901, Vol. 17, No. 182

 
 
 

Submitted by Amy

 

LEXINGTON -- The correspondent has a time-stained pamphlet which contains a discourse delivered by the Rev. W.G. Hillman April 23, 1865, in the Lexington Presbyterian church on President Lincoln's assassination and our national calamities.  On the --- page are the names of twenty-nine persons, then living in Lexington and near vicinity, which are subscribed to a note to Mr. Hillman, requesting the manuscript of the discourse for publication.  There is also a note from Mr. Hillman, complying with the request and dated at Lexington May 16, 1865, and it is a sad commentary on the brevity of life that all but one or two of those whose names are printed have passed away to the infinite void called death.  They were men then of potent influence and prestige in business, social and educational affairs here and the publication of their names will be of sad interest to many people.  They are:

  • C.H. Beverstock
  • Dr. H.P. Anderson
  • John C. Vennum
  • H.S. Graham
  • Allen Beverstock
  • Rev. G. Frye
  • Rev. S. Shuler
  • Rev. G. Hiskey
  • L.H. McCowen
  • J.G. Walker
  • T.S. Graham
  • Henry Winterstein
  • W.F. Thuma
  • S. King
  • P. Thuma
  • John Mitchell
  • S. Bowers
  • J. Winterstein
  • C.L. Cook
  • J. Eby
  • H.S. Moore
  • P. Strasbaugh
  • E. Bull
  • D.A. Palm
  • W. Campbell
  • A. Shauck
  • T. Poland
  • W. Mahews

Of the above mentioned C.L. Cook, of Lexington, and possibly L.H. McCowen, are the only ones living.  

The Rev. Mr. Hillman died in Iowa seventeen years ago.  He left here 36 years ago in the vague and distant past and the few people yet here who knew him have a vivid memory of him as one of the most learned and eloquent divines that ever raised his voice in a pulpit here.  In eloquence, pathos, beauty of diction, his discourse on Lincoln's assassination would compare favorably with those delivered now by famous orators on the sad and tragic fate of the tender and revered McKinley, whose grave is a consecrated spot which countless patriots will wet with their tears and vow allegiance to our country and our flag.  Mr. Hillman, in his discourse, appealed to God in forceful words to stay the hand that would be raised to take the life of another president.  But how unavailing was his appeal, for twice since has the great heart of the nation throbbed convulsively with woe and righteous rage by the cruel assassination of the nation's presidents, Garfield and McKinley, the most God-fearing, the most intellectual and chivalrous of the land.


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