The Ligonier, PA "Echo" issue of 21 June 1893

Old-time Recollections, No. LXXIII

Mr. Editor: I will yet write briefly of my medical experience with ministerial and church matters. When I first practised medicine I was paying regularly my annual Subscription and riding two miles and doing much practice in a good sized family of the minister without charge. The congregation fell behind in the stipend and one of the good elders came to me for money to help pay the arrearages. I said, do you think doctors should be called on for such help by a rich congregation when they do not charge preachers any fee. The salary was only 400 to 600 dollars in those times and rich farmers and others only paid from 5 to 10 dollars annually. He said my practise for nothing did not help the congregation in meeting arrearages. I said the question was whether a poor minister or rich congregation was entitled to the most benevolence. I did not say I would not help but the good man left and no further discussion of it. I give another item showing a want of appreciation by the people of the immense amount of business doctors do without any prospect of pay, a thing not expected in any other learned profession. The summer of 1865-6. There was a wonderful epidemic of dysentary and typhoid fever that I could not got along with only for help of a very bright one course student. Among the many poor was a large family four miles from town, that dysentary and typhoid both went through and our bill would be about 200 dollars. A rich farming neighborhood went to the poor directors for a living support of victuals supposing we put in part of our bill. They gave us an order for $25, I am not sure if we lifted it, none of them died, neither of all the others we attended, but one old man and child. I must yet to do justice mention John W. Dever and the Humbird boys, natives of the valley that have arisen from very small beginnings to very distinguished position of wealth and usefulness by their own honest industry and economy, good judgments and discretion in business. Also with these distinguished men I should mention the Hon. John Covode that without much education not only arose without help to great wealth but eminent in politics and noted as stump speaker during the exciting campaigns and often carried the 21st congressional district for the Republican party when but few other men could. Also was once well spoken of as candidate for governor of Pennsylvania. Above all a good Methodist and reader of the bible and often quoted scripture in debating in Congress surely a very rare thing in those times of North and South controvercies. I will add that of Mr. Dever that he is also a good Methodist and very prosperous man in business, now living in Blairsville yet in the prime of life and lately elected president of their new bank. Will say no more of this living, live man lest it be thought flattery.

John Humbird, the older brother, died a few years ago after being city mayor of Cumberland many terms; also with the brother Jacob doing many heavy contracts for R.R. Co's that other men would not agree to undertake in the U.S. as well as South America.

Of Jacob Humbird and the younger sister Jane I will quote briefly from a paper kindly forwarded me of the funerals, both members of the Presbyterian church, remarks by the pastor, Rev. J.E. Moffat, "It is not often that death seems to us as timely, and well ordered as in this case of our departed friend whose dust lies before us. He lived beyond the period of life usually allotted to man. Though he had retired from business yet his interest in things had not abated. He still was able to advise, counsel and direct in business matters, and had the keenest satisfaction in improving and beautifying his country home. His death is timely, before age becomes a painful burthen. I have only known him in the last 15 years. In his relations to his fellow men, as a successful man of business, he was always kindly, fair, just, honest, truthful and liberal, and if need be, charitable, in relation to his God, meek, lowly, trustful and believing. Sixty years ago he came to this city and began his life work. A man of few words, gentle and of kindly disposition, nor given to demonstration. He received religious training in youth, that made its impression upon him through life, and was greatly aided in his life companion who feared God and loved his holy name." By a child: "I don't believe father ever went to bed without reading the bible and prayer." "He was very liberal in support of the church."

"Two days after the brother, Jane, the youngest sister, died. Mrs. McKnight was an active member of the Presbyterian church; also which she joined in her youth. She was foremost in all church work and zealous in all spiritual matters." Losing their mother in childhood they were raised our close neighbors by Elder Thos. Wilson who I heard my mother say that "he never failed to pray in society most devoutly for the children and youth, although had none of his own."

I wish to write of the great change of manner and expense of burying the dead within my remembrance. In olden times the graves were prepared mostly by neighbors without charge. The coffins cost $2 to $6 or $8, and no hearse used -- a Dearborn wagon if people themselves did not convey the corpse to the burying ground. Now everybody knows the expense. The first funeral I attended with solemn interest was in my youth, and that of a dear cousin, David McConaughy; was full uncle to John H. Dever, called for our parents, grandfather, and a very amiable pleasant boy, about 13 or 14 years of age; was attacked with dysentery and only lived a few days. Doctors then, as indeed often now, do not give does to control that disease. He expected to die and was much interested in religious things. Father brought Rev. Swan to talk and pray with him; many others also, read scripture and prayed with him, and good hope was entertained that he "passed to the goodly land." We took the corpse in our high wagon, with a few young friends in it, and some on horseback, six miles to old Fairfield church, and laid him beside his mother's grave, who was buried only a short time before, having died from cancerous breast.

A NEIGHBOR