Hearne History - Page 74

[Continued from page 73]

saved up their earnings and with money in hand had come to lift the mortgage. "Thank God," said she, "today we are to be free. Here’s the money for the mortgage." "Madam, I hold no mortgage against you." "O! Mr. Hearn, do not trifle with me." "Believe me," said he, "I put that mortgage in the stove some months ago; take your money, and should you need help again, call on me." The good works of our departed brother are recorded above; they were not performed before men to be seen of them.

Standing at the tomb of Andrew Jackson, some one inquired about the great hero’s religious beliefs. A gentleman standing by said: "I know his motto text," Rom. 12:11, "Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." I thought to associate this striking motto with the life and character of our departed friend."

Mr. Hearn's illness was peritonitis. It was of short duration, but attended with great suffering till a few hours before death. which he met with great calmness and fortitude, saying it was all right, that God knew best, and passed away as one in a sweet sleep. It came to light after his death that very many persons had been aided by him, that no one but themselves knew anything about it. One old negro looked on the corpse and broke down and said: "What are the poor white people and niggers going to do for coal now?" He left an estate of more than $200,000, and by will left it equally to his daughter, Mrs. White, and the grandchildren, with his wife and Mr. White executors. His wife and daughter, Mrs. White, are to use the income for the benefit and pleasure of themselves and children as they please. He willed his two widowed sisters $200 each, annually, for ten years. He gave also to State Missions, Home Missions, Foreign Missions (all Baptist) and to the Orphans’ Home (Baptist) at Jackson, Miss., each $50 a year for ten years. He began the support of a Foreign Missionary some months ago, and two years ago gave $1000 to the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary at Louisville, Ky.

The following extract is taken from page 893, Vol. I., of "Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Mississippi":

Sylvanus Lattimore Hearne, a general merchant at West Point, is also connected with the West Point Foundry and Machine Shops, a leading stockholder in and president of the West Point Manufacturing Company, vice-president of the First National

[Continued on page 75]


Notes:


Copyright (c) 1999, 2007 Brian Cragun.