Thursday, January 24, 1924
GAVE INSPIRATION TO POET
Sam Walter Foss, the author of the poem, “The House by the Side of the Road,” was an enthusiastic traveler. On one of his trips through New England, he came, at the top of a long hill, to a little unpainted house set almost in the road. At one side was a signpost pointing to a well-worn path and a sign, “Come in and have a cool drink.” Following the path, he found in the side of the bank a spring of ice cold water, above which hung an old fashioned gourd dipper, and on the bench near was a basket of apples with another sign, “Help yourself.”
He found a childless old couple in straitened circumstances, with the rocky farm as their only source of livelihood. But it was rich in the delicious spring of water and an abundance of fruit, so a sign was placed guiding to the water, and from the time of the ripening of the first purple plum to the harvesting of the last red apple, a basket of whatever fruit might be in season was placed near, that anyone passing might rest upon the long hill, and refresh himself. The old gentleman explained that they were too poor to give money, so took this way to add their mite to the world’s well-doing.
The beautiful thought so impressed Foss that he immortalized it with his pen, the ideal life of helpfulness.
“… Let me live in my house by the side of the road,
Where the race of men go by-
They are good, they are bad, they are weak, they are strong,
Wise, foolish – so am I.
Then why should I sit in the scorner’s seat,
Or hurl the cynic’s ban?
Let me live in my house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.”
MARRIED
Willie H. Rogers and Susie A. Kellison, from near Buckeye, were married at the Presbyterian manse Monday evening, January 21, 1924, by Rev. H. H. Orr. After a few days spent visiting friends and relatives around here, they will go to Weston to live, where the groom is employed in road construction work.
DEATHS
B. Frank White was born in Crabbottom, Highland county, Virginia, November 17, 1853. He was the eldest son of Mr. Henry White, who moved to Pocahontas county in 1877, and made his home near Minnehaha Springs.
On April 9, 1896, he was married to Miss Mary Jane Crummitt, of Highland County, who survives him. They had eight children, three sons, Ernest, Clarence and Arlie; and five daughters, Gladys, Ruth, Lucille, Gertrude and Hazel – all at home. …
He was a member of the Lutheran Church, and he died in the faith, that faith which enables one to approach the end, endure suffering, with the full trust and confidence of the day break of eternal life.
On January 6, 1924, he passed away peacefully at his home near Minnehaha Springs. Rev. Palmer Eubank, pastor of the M. E. Church South, conducted the funeral service in the home in the presence of a number of sorrowing relatives and friends, and his remains were borne to the cemetery nearby, there to await the resurrection morn.
Mr. White was a man of many sterling qualities, and will be greatly missed in the community in which he lived so many years. He was a kind husband, a loving father and a good neighbor. …
– – –
Above the troubled elements,
Above life’s restless sea,
Dear Savior, lift my spirit up,
Oh, lift it up to thee. ~
Anna L. Price
Mrs. Anna L. Price passed peacefully away the 19th day of January 1924, aged 87 years, 6 months and 4 days.
She was born on the 15th day of July 1836, in Manchester, Virginia, a daughter of Henry Seth Ward Randolph and Deborah Perry Randolph. …
During the Civil War, she came to Lexington, Virginia, as a teacher in the Ann Smith Academy, and was there when that town was besieged and captured. There she met the late Rev. Dr. Wm. T. Price, a Presbyterian minister, and they were married near Richmond. …
In 1885, the family removed to Marlinton, where she resided at the time of her death.
The Rev. Dr. Price preceded her to the grave three years since, having lived to the great age of ninety-one years. The couple, though of mature age when married, lived together long past the golden wedding period, having passed fifty-six years in companionship.
There were seven children born of the marriage. The oldest, William Randolph Price, died at the age of four years and is buried in Rockingham County. Six children survive her: Dr. J. W. Price, Andrew Price, Dr. Susie A. Price, Dr. Norman R. Price, Calvin W. Price and Mrs. F. R. Hunter, all of whom maintain their residence here. …
