High Point’s Beloved
Mayor Falls Last Sunday
High Point deeply mourns the death of her chief executive, William
P, Ragan mayor, which occurred Sunday morning at 8 o’clock from pneumonia
following influenza.
For several days it has been known that Mayor Ragan’s
condition was critical, and on ‘Saturday when he took a turn for the worse his
death was momentarily expected. Thousands of hearts are sad over the passing of
this splendid gentleman and all around useful and good citizen, because Bill
Ragan was a friend to mankind, and literally lived by the roadside to do good
deeds; little acts of kindness that multiplied into a boundless ocean of
helpfulness to mankind and the world.
The night before his illness he went to the rural sections
and spoke in behalf of his beloved country for Liberty bonds, and one hour
before he went home to take his bed from which he never arose, he called by the
Review office and spoke of the necessity of all doing their full part by the
government in the Liberty Loan drive. He gave his time and his resources in
every government undertaking because he was a patriot and loved the land that
had been so kind to him, which had allowed him to become one of the state’s
foremost citizens under its great democratic form of government. High Point and
Guilford county especially feel the loss of such a man.
Surviving are wife and three sons, William, Gilbert, and
Cameron, also his mother, Mrs. Amos Ragan of Archdale; four brothers and three sisters,
Messrs. Ed L. and R.R. Ragan of this city; Horace and James Ragan of Archdale;
Homer Ragan of Thomasville; Mesdames gurney H. Keerans and D.T. Harmon of this
city, and Annie Ragan Armfield of Archdale.
The funeral services were held from the home Tuesday morning
at 11 o’clock, conducted by Rev. G.T. Rowe of Wesley Memorial M.E. church and
Rev. James A. Clark of the First Baptist church. The interment occurred here.
The floral offerings were very pretty indeed. The Elks
attended in a body. The city council, police and fire departments, and various
other city officials, augmented by other citizens, made up the funeral
procession.
The city offices were closed out of respect to his memory
and many of the business concerns suspended business during the funeral hour
Tuesday.
In May, 1917 Mr. Ragan was elected mayor of the city of High
Point for two years by a flattering vote. When High Point’s new charger was
granted, he was made the first recorder and held that position with credit to
himself and the administration until he was appointed postmaster in 1910 with
practically no opposition. Mr. Ragan was one of the state’s most prominent
attorneys. He had canvassed Guilford and adjoining counties in the interest of
the Republican party since 1894. Just after his term of postmaster expired, he
was appointed prosecuting attorney for the city and served with distinction.
His friends often urged him to make the run for a state office, but he seemed
to prefer to work for his party in his own locality among his good and loyal
friends. Mr. Ragan was 48 years old.
Oldest Resident Dead
“Uncle” John Gurley, High Point’s oldest citizen, died
Monday at his home on West Point avenue in his 93rd year. Two
children, Lee Gurley and Mrs. Sarah Peace, survive. He was a lifelong member of
the M.E. church here. The funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the
home, conducted by Rev. Gilbert T. Rowe. Uncle John came here before the Civil
war.
Promising Career Cut
Short by Death’s Cycle
A.C. Staley, a well-known citizen who was engaged in the
jewelry business on North Main street, died Tuesday morning at his home on
English street of pneumonia following an attack of flu. The deceased was 29
years of age and was prominent in business as well as fraternal circles, being
chaplain of the Moose Lodge, chief of records of the Red Men and affiliated
with the Woodmen of World and Modern woodmen.
Cliff, as he was familiarly known around the city, was the
son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Staley of Julian. Surviving are his widow and two sons;
also two brothers, Hurley Staley of Julian and Charley Staley of
Mechanicsville; five sisters, Mrs. Brown and Mrs. H.L. Clapp of Julian, Mrs.
Thad Kimrey of Liberty, Miss Jennie Staley of this city, and Miss Millie Staley
of this county.
Several years ago Mr. Staley joined the M.P. church of which
he was a consistent member and the pastor of Main Street Methodist Protestant
church, Rev. Geo. R. Brown, conducted the funeral services Wednesday afternoon
at 3 o’clock from the home on English street.
The secret orders with which Mr. Staley was affiliated
attended in a body. The internment occurred in Oakwood cemetery. The floral
offerings were quite pretty.
The passing of this esteemed citizen and lovable companion
causes sorrow to all who knew him. Peace to his ashes.
Everett E. Jordan
Everett E. Jordan died Friday morning at 4 o’clock at the
home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Jordan, two miles south of Trinity. Mr.
Jordan came home sick from an army training camp at Baltimore, recently with
Spanish influenza, which developed into pneumonia, causing his death. He was
well and favorably known.
Bessie Wooden
Mrs. Bessie Wooten, wife of W.E. Wooten, died Thursday night
of pneumonia, aged 29 years. The remains were carried to Spartanburg, S.C., for
interment. The deceased was a member of the Green Street Baptist church and
well and favorably known.
Ring
J.M. Ring of Thomasville Route Friday received a telegram
announcing the death of his son in Camp McKinley near Indianapolis, Ind. Mr.
Ring visited his son in September and left him in good health. The telegram did
not state the cause of his death but said that the remains would be shipped
here. Mr. Ring was married.
‘Ol’ Armfield
“Ol” Armfield died at his home near the city Friday night
and was buried Monday at Guilford College. He was never married Mr. Armfield
was distantly related to the Armfield family here.
Charles H. Chandler
Charles H. Chandler, aged 36 years, a well-known Southern
engineer, died at Spencer Friday afternoon of pneumonia, following Spanish
influenza. A wife and five children survive. J.W. Chandler of High Point is a
brother and the late Rev. SA. Chandler of this city was another brother. The
funeral services were held Saturday afternoon.
Mrs. James Pow
Mrs. James Pow, mother of Mrs. Sam Mitchell, died Saturday
and the funeral services were held Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell of New Bern
attended.
Troy Lewallen
died at Camp Green Monday and the remains were sent here for burial.
Mrs. John Turner
died Monday night at her home on Park street of flu. She was buried Wednesday
at Rich Fork.
Mrs. Ed Bryant,
mother of Mrs. John Turner, died Wednesday of flu and will be buried this
afternoon near Thomasville.
Mamie Hilton died
last night at the hospital, following maternity.
W.C. Creel died
from flu at Chapel Hill and the remains will be interred here.
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