Obituary - L. W. Rogers

Our esteemed and long afflicted and suffering friend, departed this life at the residence of Mr. J. E. Mansker of this town, on Friday evening, July 28th, 1882, at the age of 41 years and one day. Mr. Rogers was a native of East Feliciana Parish, and was in every respect a worthy and exemplary citizen. He leaves a large circle of relatives and friends to mourn his death. These will, however, bear his loss with less poignant grief than will fall to the lot of his orphaned children, motherless and fatherless, orphans are they, indeed, and this last sad blow must cast its dark shadow over their young hears with crushing effect, as they tread their lonely way through life. The Lord in his mercy regard them with great favor, and teach them in their youth, His ways, which are ways of pleasantness and peace, and best calculated to lighten life's burdens, and turn human sorrows to good account to those who in His providence he sees fit to lay His afflicting hand upon. May they remember, that God doeth all things well -- that his ways are not as our ways, and learn to look up to Him and in all things, even in this their crushing sorrow, to give thanks unto Him to for blessings realized, and trust Him for mercies to come. He will not disappoint that trust but hearken mercifully unto the prayer of their young hearts, fashioned after the counsel of His Revealed Word.

Sympathizing with bereft "little folks," wherever found, we may be pardoned while we stop to tender to our own blood, the thrice orphaned, little darling, the bright, the beautiful Mary Alice, the first born to the young loves of her deceased parents, over whom from birth to the close of her fifth year she was the idolized foster child of our household. Bequeathed by a dying mother and niece of our blood, with the injunction, "as you cared for me in my helpless days, care for my babe." We performed that duty faithfully, in loving remembrance of her mother, until untoward circumstances separated her from us. We have watched with proud satisfaction the lovely bud just opening into the more lovely and graceful beauties of girlhood, with the fond hope that a time would come in which she would make glad our wounded hearts again by the clear ring of her merry voice. We have an abiding faith in the downfall of wanton wrong and the triumph of justice, and of the right. And in her great trouble we would have her share with us these great, hopeful axioms. We know how her young heart beats for the rapid passing of time. We know all her troubles, sorrow, and helpless grievances; all which "-- the night-wind used to tell, And still would tell if we might hear; But sorrow sleeps too sound and well To lend a dreamful ear."

With a hopeful heart we bow to the inevitable for the time, darling, and charge you. -- be true to your birth-right, discharge all obligations with fidelity, and exercise faith in the future. Time and reflection will soften human asperities; Time will brush aside the cobwebs that fetter speech, and abridge social amenities. Be cheerful, trials and sorrows will give place to gladness and joy, in due time. Thus may it be.

Brethren of Perfect Harmony Lodge No. 18, Knights of Pythias, performed the last sad obligations to a brother in giving to his remains Burial under the simple and beautiful concourse of people. The Peace of God be his, evermore.

Contributed Oct 1997 by Claude B. Slaton. "Photocopy was loaned to me by Mrs. Hampton Muse Lea and her son, Jack Lea, of Jackson, La."