RAILCAR GOLD Chapter 18 . . David . . Part 2
RAILCAR GOLD is a historically accurate multi-generational fictional tale of hidden treasure, primarily set in York County, Pennsylvania during the latter half of the Nineteenth Century. This is Part 2 of Chapter 18 . . . David. A new part will be posted every Thursday. Recent chapters stand alone, starting here; however new readers may want to start at the beginning.
CHAPTER 18 . . . DAVID . . . Part 2
David Etter Small died at nine o’clock in the morning on Easter Sunday, March 25th, 1883. He was aged 58 years, 3 months and 22 days.
The opening and closing of David Small’s lengthy obituary in the March 26th issue of the York Daily includes these paragraphs:
We would like to give our readers a satisfactory biography of this man, who, as a citizen and active business man, has been connected so intimately with the enterprises of our town, and as a Christian and philanthropist has exerted such an influence for the discouragement of vice and the relief of misery. A complete history by human pen of such a life as his cannot be written. We can tell of his birth and death and of the successes and honors that came between. But the sympathetic word and aid to the sufferers, the influence of his counsel and the encouragement of his example cannot be printed. Their record is in the grateful hearts of those whose eyes are filled with tears as they recount his virtues and tell of his manifold benefactions.
His death seems like an irreparable loss. But York may well be proud that it has such men to lose. It is a boom for a town, that its young men have examples like this life of David E. Small to incite them to manly effort, and to preach so forcibly of the rewards, temporal and eternal, of those who are “diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” In an age of sensuality and brutish materialism, his character is a shining light to lead those who have any aspirations up into a higher region of principle and a purer atmosphere of sentiment.
All who knew him will be better that such a man has lived and left so sweet a memory and so exalted an example.
Billmeyer & Small employees expressed their sentiments on the death of David E. Small. On Monday a committee formed to draft a tribute to their friend. The committee included workmen from all areas of the business: Edward Berry, Adam Cormany, Henry Dietz, Andrew Gotwald, William Hose, Emanuel Lehr, Peter Moore, John Raymond, Jacob Roman, Philip Rostetter, Henry Slusser, William J. Smith, John Woltz and Michael Yessler.
The draft was shared with all employees early Tuesday morning and it was adopted. All facilities of Billmeyer & Small closed for the remainder of the day so that they could attend David’s funeral in a body. Their tribute of respects appeared in the York Daily and Evening Dispatch, the following day:
The Billmeyer & Small Company—A Tribute of Respects.
At a meeting of the employees of Billmeyer & Small Co., held March 27th, 1883, the following preambles and resolutions were unanimously adopted.
Whereas, It has pleased our Heavenly Father in His Infinite wisdom to remove from Earth in the midst of his usefulness, the President of this Company, our friend and benefactor, Mr. David E. Small, whose kindness of heart, warmth of sympathy, and forbearance under all circumstances had won from us the deepest regard, and.
Whereas, By this event his beloved wife has lost an affectionate and faithful husband, his children a kind and indulgent father, the church an efficient and enthusiastic worker, and the community an enterprising business man and useful citizen, therefore:
Resolved, That we, the employees of the Billmeyer & Small Co., bow with humble submission to the decree of Providence which has bereft us of one whose manner was ever genial, whose heart was ever open in sympathy with our trouble, and who was ever ready to encourage us to look to that God in Whom he put all his trust.
Resolved, That we tender our heartfelt sympathy to the widow and children, who were wont to look up to him as their earthly stay and support and commend them to lean upon that Rock that shall endure forever.
Resolved, That our regrets go out in sympathy with the whole community which shares in common with us the irreparable loss of our employer.
Resolved, That as a token of our respect and affection, we will attend his funeral in a body.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be presented to the family of the deceased, and published in the York Daily and Evening Dispatch.
The local newspapers reported the Tuesday afternoon funeral of David E. Small was one of the largest ever seen in York.
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