PHIPPS, CHARLES N. – On August 18th, 1890, at Harriman, Tennessee, CHARLES N. PHIPPS, aged 29 years, beloved husband of Cora Burd Phipps, and eldest son of James Phipps, of Towson.
Mr. Charles N. Phipps, aged 29 years, a son of Mr. James Phipps, Towson, died quite suddenly at Harriman, Tennessee, whither he had gone about three months since and established himself in the shoemaking business, in connection with Mr. William Barnawell. On Sunday, 17th, a telegram was received from Mrs. Phipps, his wife, that Mr. Phipps was dangerously ill with fever, the first intimation the relatives had here of his illness. On Monday night another telegram was received stating that he was dying, and immediately after another with the intelligence that he was dead. The shock was a great one. His disease was what is known by physicians in Tennessee as remittent malaria, and is said to be caused by turning up of the virgin earth, Harriman being a new town. Mrs. Phipps being alone and fully six hundred miles from her people and home was in great distress, but she was soon surrounded by kind friends, who did all in their power to assist and comfort her. Mrs. Phipps speaks in the highest terms of the people in the South, and especially of the kind friends at Harriman, who did everything that lay in their power to comfort her in her sore bereavement. Among those in Harriman she will ever remember are – Mr. Gresham, Dr. Gallien, Mr. and Mrs. Hunter Bechtel, Mr. and Mrs. Verity, Mr. Droun, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Adams, Mr. Durstine, Mr. McDowell; also Mrs. A. B. Grevey of New Orleans, Miss Ella Woodruff of Alabama, lady passengers who were on the train with her, and Dr. Carey Thomas, of Baltimore, also a passenger; the Conductor and other railroad officials.
Mrs. Phipps at once had her husband’s body embalmed, and early next morning started on her journey for Towson. To add to the distressing circumstances of the case the train was delayed by a wreck, which took three hours to clear away, thus causing her to miss connection at Roanoke, where she had to lay over all night. At Hagerstown she was met by her mother and brothers, Mr. Paris L. and Harry P. Ruby, and accompanied to Towson, where they arrived on Wednesday night at 10 o’clock.
Mr. Phipps was a native of Towson and esteemed by all who enjoyed his acquaintance. Before his majority he was an employee of the JOURNAL Office, and had designed to pursue the business of a printer, but relinquished it on account of its confining duties. He formerly had some knowledge of shoemaking and finished his trade with his uncle, Mr. Alfred Phipps.
Mr. Phipps had been a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was daily perfecting himself with a view to entering the ministry. He was a local preacher, having received license to preach from the Presiding Elder and Quarterly Conference of the Towson M. E. Church. He was a strong advocate of the temperance cause and used every endeavor to mitigate the evils of intemperance, and, if possible, extirpate the liquor traffic from the land. He had high resolves and was earnest in his endeavor to accomplish all in his power. He was bold and fearless in the cause he espoused, and never left an opportunity pass without saying a good word for the cause he cherished next to Christ’s.
His funeral took place on Thursday afternoon 21st inst., the body being taken to Towson M. E. Church, where solemn services were held in presence of a large congregation of friends. After the hymn “Asleep in Jesus” had been sung, Rev. Page Milburn, the Pastor, referred in eloquent terms to Mr. Phipps’ blameless life, and his earnestness for the cause of religion, and the temperance cause. Rev. Edward Hayes, of Hereford Circuit, also made eulogistic remarks. The body was conveyed to Govane Cemetery, Govanstown, and interred in the family lot, the pall-bearers being – Clarence W. McMaster, Charles T. Burns, Benjamin C. Marley, Harry L. Craumer, George E. Dewees and Joseph B. Murray, all members of the Prohibition Club, of which Mr. Phipps was President before leaving for Harriman.
There were many beautiful floral designs presented by relatives and friends – Mr. William Phipps, Woodberry, wreath and star; Alfred Phipps, Towson, star and crescent; Mr. Harry Phipps, Towson, cushion; Prohibition Club, pillow, with words “At Rest”; Mr. James Phipps, crown; friends from Chambersburg, bouquet; Mrs. Dienstbach, cross and anchor.
Among the friends from Chambersburg, Pa., (Mrs. Phipps’ native home,) were her mother, Mrs. Susan S. Ruby, and Harry Ruby, Joseph Ruby, Sara Ruby and Bessie Rubie, (besides Paris L. Ruby, Towson.) five of her children.
Mr. John Burns, undertaker, Towson, had charge of the funeral arrangements.
A few years ago Mr. James Phipps had a son, Mr. W. Harry Phipps, killed in a collision on the Rock Island Railroad in Denver. He was brought home and interred at Govanstown Cemetery.
