McGehee, W. B. The Vidette - December 20, 1894 Death of Sheriff W. B. McGehee Once again the people of our town have been called to perform the solemn funeral rite to one of her most prominent citizens. Last Friday morning, December 14, at 25 minutes before four o�clock Sheriff W. B. McGehee fell into his last and dreamless sleep. He had suffered twenty-one days of typhoid fever and at last succumbed to the malady, notwithstanding the anxious and careful attention of physicians, friends and relatives. His funeral service was conducted at the home of the family by Rev. Mr. Parks, of Corinth. His remains were then taken charge of and interred at the cemetery under the auspices of the Masons and Knights of Pythias, of which orders he was a loved and honored member. The great throng of people who followed his body to it�s last resting place gave token of the high esteem in which he was held by his friends and fellow citizens. Mr. McGehee was born in Tishomingo county, near Burnt Mills, on the 18th day of June, 1850. His father died when he was only two years old, and his older brother, George, died in the year 1862, leaving him at the age of 14 to support the family. He made farming his vocation until 21, when he began to teach in the public schools of the county. About this time he joined the Presbyterian church and was elected elder. In 1874 he married Miss Alice A. Heffington, who made him a most estimable and affectionate wife, and still survives him. He followed teaching as a profession for about 12 years, when he was appointed Deputy Sheriff under Mr. Wash Mobley. When Mr. Mobley�s term of office expired he was employed by P. W. Patterson as Deputy Chancery Clerk. After this he kept books for Dr. Tankersly�s mill, 12 miles south-east of Iuka. In 1889 he was elected by an overwhelming majority to the office of Sheriff of this county, and two years later succeeded himself, receivi! ng more votes than all his opponents combined. This office he filled up to the time of his death. He leaves a family of eight children, a loving wife and an aged mother. He also has a sister living in Texas to mourn his loss. He died trusting in the merits of the blood of the Savior and hoping to meet his loved ones and friends beyond the river. He was a loved and loving father, husband, brother, son and friend, who will always have a green place in the memory of all who knew him. If the Vidette were asked what it conceived to be his greatest virtue, we should answer without hesitation, his devotion and fidelity to friendship. He believed one who could betray a friend could prove false to his country, his family, and his God. May his crowning virtue be commemorated and engraved in marble and perpetrated in letters of Gold. --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages!