Death of Alonzo D. Slay

Transcribed by Bradley Jeffreys, February 5, 2017
The Meteor (Crystal Springs, Miss.)

1921, December 2

Judge A. D. Slay Goes to His Reward

   The popular and highly esteemed citizen passed from time into eternity Tuesday morning, the 29^th instant, at 9:40 o’clock, in the 74^th year of his age.

   It is a sorrowful editorial duty to be called upon to chronicle the demise of a citizen who has occupied a luminous and influential position in town life and affairs, but the sorrow felt is tinged with the pleasure derived from lauding a life and character so preeminently honorable, exemplary and useful.  He was not esteemed for the position he occupied but for the virtues he exemplified – integrity, high mindedness, rectitude of conduct.  In all the relations of life, in the family, in the church, on the bench, he was the same of fable gentleman, genial, kind hearted, well-poised.  He was a fine type of the old school of Southern gentlemen.  He towered high in the councils of his church and for more than two decades presided over the destinies of the Sunday school.  The infirmities of old age forced him to relinquish a position which he filled with singular appreciation by the children whom he directed in the way of Christian life.

   He was seized with an affection of the heart Thanksgiving Day.  This attack was complicated with other serious maladies, which caused him to sink rapidly, the end coming Tuesday morning.  He recognized that “Death’s but a path that must be trod, If man would ever pass to God,” hence he did not dread the great adventure that all must make sooner or later.

   An idea of the popularity and esteem in which the deceased was held may be inferred from the fact that he was serving his sixth consecutive term as justice of the peace of this district – an office which he held against all comers, the duties appertaining to which he discharged with that judicial poise of mind that distinguished his career on the bench.  He was a born jurist and had he had the advantages of an early education he would have been an outstanding figure in expounding the jurisprudence of the state.

   Business was suspended Wednesday with the result that an immense throng assembled at the Baptist church to render homage to the virtue of the dead citizen.

   The interment took place in the city cemetery.

   Peace to the ashes of the dead comrade who wore and adorned the grey.

    Out of respect of the memory of the late Justice A. D. Slay, circuit court adjourned for one hour and a half Wednesday morning.  Judge D. M. Miller, District Attorney Hugh Barr Miller, Sheriff Henry E. Ramsey and Circuit Clerk C. B. Rae attended the funeral services in the Baptist church, where a capacity congregation heard the sorrowful funeral rites pronounced over the bier of one of the county’s most exemplary and useful citizens.