MR CHARLES E. BROWN.
Death of a Good Citizen and Old
Soldier—Devoted to His Children.
The Journal regrets the death of one of its old friends, Mr. Charles E. Brown of Wingate, who died on the evening of the 9th, after a long illness. He has been a patient sufferer for several months and for several weeks had realized that the end was near. He faced death calmly, and expressed willingness and readiness to pass into the beyond. Mr. Brown was 68 years old, and had spent most of his life in the Wingate community. He served in Company W in the war between the States and made a good and faithful soldier. In his boyhood he united with the Methodist church and lived a consecrated Christian life. He was happily married to Miss Mary Frances McBride and to this union were born twelve children, eight of whom survive. The sons are Messrs. John T., Walter, Howard, Charlie, Benton, Elisha and Paul, and the daughter is Mrs. J. C. Pyron. His devotion to his children was beautiful and it was always a pleasure to him to talk of them as he watched them grow into useful and honorable manhood. To say that Mr. Brown was a truly good man expresses the opinion of all who knew him. Funeral services were conducted by Revs. Messrs. J. A. Bivens and E. C. Snyder. The pall-bearers were Messrs. Bryant Williams, George Pounds, J. A. Bivens, Harrison Liles, W. M. Perry, J. W. Outen, Y. M. Bogan, W. A. Chaney, J. W. Bivens, Archie McLarty and S. W. Hinson.
The Monroe Journal, May 21, 1912, Tue, Page 2
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The Testimony of an Old Comrade for His Dead Friend,
Editor of The Journal:
I am not much given to writing obituaries or pronouncing eulogies over my dead friends, but in this instance I feel duty bound to contribute this little sketch of the life and character of my late lamented friend. Charles Erastus Brown, who passed out of this life on the 9th day of May, 1912, at the age of 68 years, being of the same age as the author of this sketch. In our boyhood days we played together, worked together, went to the same schools, taught by the same teachers in the same log huts of the olden type. We enlisted in the service of the Southern cause in that awful strife between the two sections of our country, as members of Company I, 53rd N. C. Regt. We camped together, we marched together, followed the same leaders, fought in the same battles, suffered together all the hardships incident to the awful struggle. In the providence of an allwise and an almighty God, we were permitted to survive the conflict, to return to the old dilapidated home of our former days, and have lived neighbors most of the time since and that upon the most intimate terms. Be it far from me to claim that Charlie was without fault; he would not dare to do so himself. But I will say this: If Charlie Brown ever committed an act unbecoming a Christian gentleman, the writer never knew it.
As a play fellow, be was always agreeable, honest and fair. As a school boy he came near the ideal of the master: diligent in his studies, subordinate to his teachers, kind and courteous to his schoolmates, and beloved by all. As a soldier his valor was proven on many a bloody field. His bravery and courage was not the kind exhibited by the wreckless bravado, but that of the true soldier. He could keep cool and selfpossessed under the most trying circumstances in the very thickest of the battle he was able to take cognizance of what was taking place about him so he could tell with greatest precision where and how his comrades fell, more than forty years ago. He loved the cross for which he fought. He said that he never surrendered, never was whipped, but wore himself out fighting the "scrapings of creation" and a few yankees that he had never forgiven them and never intended to until they repented and made apologies.
In his home he was a model husband and father, harmony prevailing at all times. His efforts and success with his boys and girls are too well known by those interested as to need any comment from the writer; but will say, however, they have all made good and all occupy honorable positions in industrial and professional lines: three railroad conductors, one preparing for the ministry, one contractor and two farmers. They were Charlie's delight. His Christian life and walk was an epistle read by all who knew him. He tried to do what he could; he wanted to discharge the full duty of man: "Fear God and keep his commandments." And O, what a blessing came to him as a result of such a life! The only comment I make is that I pray the good Lord will permit me, when I am called to join my dear comrade, to face the call with as much faith, calmness and recognition as did Charlie. I cannot conclude this bit of history without saying one other thing about my dear friend, he honored his father and mother. Tears bedim my eyes as I write this for I know so well that the statement is true, and it affords me joy and pleasure as I have always loved and respected that trait of character in any boy or girl. As proof, in some measure, of his devotion and the thought for the comfort and happiness of his parents, I will, if permitted by the kind editor, reproduce a little story which appeared in The Monroe Journal some years ago over his own signature.
Here is the story:
THE EFFECT OF A LITTLE TOKEN OF LOVE.
At the beginning of the Civil war our soldiers drew a daily ration of raw coffee. In our company there was a soldier boy who, knowing that his mother was a great lover of coffee, resolved in his heart to save up his ration, and when he had an opportunity to send it home to his mother. So he stitched up a little bag and each day's ration of coffee he stored away in the little bag. So after a time when he had saved a good bit there went a good old man from home out to the army to visit friends and relatives. After remaining a few days he was getting ready to return to his home. Some were sending home extra clothing when our soldier boy brought out the little bag of coffee and asked the old gentleman if he would take that to his mother. The old man, with a beaming smile on his face, replied that he would. After the war had ended and the boy had returned to his home again one day the good mother brought out that little bag and told her boy if that he had gotten sick and died or had been slain in battle that she would have kept that little bag as long as she lived. The mother and the old man have long since crossed over the river and the boy is now an old man and will soon cross over where he hopes to meet that mother on that bright and beautiful shore.
Wingate, N. C. Aug. 19, 1910.
C. E. BROWN.
The boy referred to, or the hero in the story, was none other than the loving son and faithful soldier, Charles E. Brown. The old blue back speller which he and I used to study together says, "We are sorry when a good man dies," and so we are. All the excuse I have to offer for the tediousness of this article is that I couldn't stop shorter and clear my conscience.
Submitted with profound respect. H. P. MEIGS
The Monroe Journal, Jun 11, 1912, Tue, Page 3
MR CHARLES E. BROWN.
Death of a Good Citizen and Old
Soldier—Devoted to His Children.
The Journal regrets the death of one of its old friends, Mr. Charles E. Brown of Wingate, who died on the evening of the 9th, after a long illness. He has been a patient sufferer for several months and for several weeks had realized that the end was near. He faced death calmly, and expressed willingness and readiness to pass into the beyond. Mr. Brown was 68 years old, and had spent most of his life in the Wingate community. He served in Company W in the war between the States and made a good and faithful soldier. In his boyhood he united with the Methodist church and lived a consecrated Christian life. He was happily married to Miss Mary Frances McBride and to this union were born twelve children, eight of whom survive. The sons are Messrs. John T., Walter, Howard, Charlie, Benton, Elisha and Paul, and the daughter is Mrs. J. C. Pyron. His devotion to his children was beautiful and it was always a pleasure to him to talk of them as he watched them grow into useful and honorable manhood. To say that Mr. Brown was a truly good man expresses the opinion of all who knew him. Funeral services were conducted by Revs. Messrs. J. A. Bivens and E. C. Snyder. The pall-bearers were Messrs. Bryant Williams, George Pounds, J. A. Bivens, Harrison Liles, W. M. Perry, J. W. Outen, Y. M. Bogan, W. A. Chaney, J. W. Bivens, Archie McLarty and S. W. Hinson.
The Monroe Journal, May 21, 1912, Tue, Page 2
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The Testimony of an Old Comrade for His Dead Friend,
Editor of The Journal:
I am not much given to writing obituaries or pronouncing eulogies over my dead friends, but in this instance I feel duty bound to contribute this little sketch of the life and character of my late lamented friend. Charles Erastus Brown, who passed out of this life on the 9th day of May, 1912, at the age of 68 years, being of the same age as the author of this sketch. In our boyhood days we played together, worked together, went to the same schools, taught by the same teachers in the same log huts of the olden type. We enlisted in the service of the Southern cause in that awful strife between the two sections of our country, as members of Company I, 53rd N. C. Regt. We camped together, we marched together, followed the same leaders, fought in the same battles, suffered together all the hardships incident to the awful struggle. In the providence of an allwise and an almighty God, we were permitted to survive the conflict, to return to the old dilapidated home of our former days, and have lived neighbors most of the time since and that upon the most intimate terms. Be it far from me to claim that Charlie was without fault; he would not dare to do so himself. But I will say this: If Charlie Brown ever committed an act unbecoming a Christian gentleman, the writer never knew it.
As a play fellow, be was always agreeable, honest and fair. As a school boy he came near the ideal of the master: diligent in his studies, subordinate to his teachers, kind and courteous to his schoolmates, and beloved by all. As a soldier his valor was proven on many a bloody field. His bravery and courage was not the kind exhibited by the wreckless bravado, but that of the true soldier. He could keep cool and selfpossessed under the most trying circumstances in the very thickest of the battle he was able to take cognizance of what was taking place about him so he could tell with greatest precision where and how his comrades fell, more than forty years ago. He loved the cross for which he fought. He said that he never surrendered, never was whipped, but wore himself out fighting the "scrapings of creation" and a few yankees that he had never forgiven them and never intended to until they repented and made apologies.
In his home he was a model husband and father, harmony prevailing at all times. His efforts and success with his boys and girls are too well known by those interested as to need any comment from the writer; but will say, however, they have all made good and all occupy honorable positions in industrial and professional lines: three railroad conductors, one preparing for the ministry, one contractor and two farmers. They were Charlie's delight. His Christian life and walk was an epistle read by all who knew him. He tried to do what he could; he wanted to discharge the full duty of man: "Fear God and keep his commandments." And O, what a blessing came to him as a result of such a life! The only comment I make is that I pray the good Lord will permit me, when I am called to join my dear comrade, to face the call with as much faith, calmness and recognition as did Charlie. I cannot conclude this bit of history without saying one other thing about my dear friend, he honored his father and mother. Tears bedim my eyes as I write this for I know so well that the statement is true, and it affords me joy and pleasure as I have always loved and respected that trait of character in any boy or girl. As proof, in some measure, of his devotion and the thought for the comfort and happiness of his parents, I will, if permitted by the kind editor, reproduce a little story which appeared in The Monroe Journal some years ago over his own signature.
Here is the story:
THE EFFECT OF A LITTLE TOKEN OF LOVE.
At the beginning of the Civil war our soldiers drew a daily ration of raw coffee. In our company there was a soldier boy who, knowing that his mother was a great lover of coffee, resolved in his heart to save up his ration, and when he had an opportunity to send it home to his mother. So he stitched up a little bag and each day's ration of coffee he stored away in the little bag. So after a time when he had saved a good bit there went a good old man from home out to the army to visit friends and relatives. After remaining a few days he was getting ready to return to his home. Some were sending home extra clothing when our soldier boy brought out the little bag of coffee and asked the old gentleman if he would take that to his mother. The old man, with a beaming smile on his face, replied that he would. After the war had ended and the boy had returned to his home again one day the good mother brought out that little bag and told her boy if that he had gotten sick and died or had been slain in battle that she would have kept that little bag as long as she lived. The mother and the old man have long since crossed over the river and the boy is now an old man and will soon cross over where he hopes to meet that mother on that bright and beautiful shore.
Wingate, N. C. Aug. 19, 1910.
C. E. BROWN.
The boy referred to, or the hero in the story, was none other than the loving son and faithful soldier, Charles E. Brown. The old blue back speller which he and I used to study together says, "We are sorry when a good man dies," and so we are. All the excuse I have to offer for the tediousness of this article is that I couldn't stop shorter and clear my conscience.
Submitted with profound respect. H. P. MEIGS
The Monroe Journal, Jun 11, 1912, Tue, Page 3
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