Lebanon News
Obituary of James Wesley Bausell

August 24, 1934 J. W. Bausell Dies Thursday Morning Lebanon was saddened Thursday morning by the death of one of its most prominent and best beloved citizen, Capt. James Wesley Bausell. Capt. Bausell, who was 89 years old, died at 7:30 a. m. after a brief illness. Capt. Bausell, the son of Thurman and Hannah Price Bausell, was born in Russell county on July 22, 1845. On September 12, 1865 he took as his wife, Miss Martha Daugherty, who survives him. Last September the couple had the unusual distinction of celebrating their 68th wedding anniversary, accounts of which were published not only in Southwest Virginia newspapers, but such metropolitan sheets as the Washington Post. If Capt. Bausell had lived another month he and his wife would have reached their 69th wedding anniversary. The following sons and daughters survive: William T. Bausell, of Lebanon; Marshall W. Bausell, of Mission, Texas; Henry F. Bausell, of Bristol; Mrs. Hannah Teets, of Lebanon; Mrs. Margaret Reece, of Las Vegas, New Mexico; and James Taylor Bausell, of Lebanon; also many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Other children who preceded him to the grave were: Charles C. Bausell, of Honaker; John T. Bausell and Mrs. Mollie Whitt, of Lebanon. Two sisters and one brother are also living: Mrs. Mary Reynolds, of Indiana; Mrs. Cynthia McReynolds, of St. Paul, Va., and John C. Bausell, of Carbo, Va. Capt. Bausell was a veteran newspaper man, having served as editor for a number of papers in various points in Southwest Virginia. He took charge of the Lebanon News in 1889, which he edited and published for 18 years. He was also editor of the Coeburn Herald at Coeburn, Va., for a couple years. His son, Henry F. Bausell succeeded him as publisher of the Lebanon News, which paper is now issued by a grandson, Elwood B. Bausell. Capt. Bausell, at the age of 17, joined the 31st Va., Cavalry under Major-General John A. McCauslin, of Mt. Pleasant, W. Va., as a part of J. E. B. Stuart's Cavalry. After serving in many battles in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, he was captured by Union soldiers and placed in Camp Chase for 9 months. He had been exchanged and parolled at the time of Lee's surrender. Capt. Bausell has served for many years as Commander of the McElhaney Camp of Confederate Veterans, a post which he held at the time of his death. Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock at the Lebanon Methodist church, Rev. E. N. Woodward, pastor, in charge. He will be assisted by Dr. J. T. Stinson, Baptist pastor of Lebanon. The list of Capt. Bausell's public services is long and varied. He served as deputy sheriff more than 50 years ago. He was mayor of Lebanon 16 consecutive years and a number of other scattered terms.

August 31, 1934 Bausell Funeral Largely Attended One of the largest crowds to attend a funeral service in the history of Lebanon Sunday witnessed last rites for James Wesley Bausell, well-known Confederate veteran of Russell county who died last Thursday. An overflow crowd packed the Methodist church to hear Rev. E. N. Woodward, pastor, deliver the funeral sermon for one of Lebanon's most beloved and influential citizens. The presence of hundreds of friends and admirers at the burial ceremony bespoke the high esteem in which the aged Confederate soldier was held. Rev. Woodward used an aged Testament, the former property of Captain Bausell as a guide during his sermon. Beautiful offerings of flowers, sent from many parts of Southewest virginia and expressive of the sorrow that was felt through the section over Captain Bausell's death, adorned the casket and later the grave of the old Confederate leader. In the funeral procession marched several of Russell county's surviving Confederate soldiers. Some of the veterans carried wreaths and laid them on the grave of their captain. The most impressive was a large flowered design of the confederate battle flag sent by the McElhaney camp of veterans. United Daughters of Confederacy units and other veteran camps of this section also sent beautiful floral offerings. Among the representatives from surrounding Confederate camps were General Julius F. Howell, of Bristol, and Lilburn Hurt, of Honaker. Active pallbearers were Millard Litton, Gordon Munsey, Arthur Settle, Dr. G. B. Davidson, C. R. Lynch, Ira Quillen, J. E. Duff, and Sam V. Jessee. Flower bearers: Miss Beulah Seacatt, Mrs. Sam Jessee, Mrs. Gordon Munsey, Mrs. E. S. Fugate, Mrs. Arthur Settle, Miss Gertrude Harmon, Mrs. Joe Duff, Mrs. Ira Quillen, Miss Mae Davis, Mrs. Reece, Mrs. J. J. Harris, Mrs. Helen Dobyns and others. Interment was held in West Hill Cemetery, Dr. J. T. Stinson assisting Rev. Woodward in the burial rites.

September 13, 1934 Tribute To Col. James W. Bausell If I could take words and do with them the things a poet can do, I'd weave them into a tribute for my friend, and your friend, Col. Jim Bausell. To those of you who knew him, and most of you did, for his friends were legionb it would be an old story, too, because you'd recognize it as pages from Southern History. All you have read about Southern gallantry, Southern chivalry, Southern courtesy, he imbodied. He was the spirit of the old South, our Southland he loved, the one he left his boyhood home to defend. The one he came back to, and watched the scars of war slowly heal thru the years. Saw a new South rise up triumphant on the ashes of the old. Saw the Blue and the Gray melt into Khaki. He was a link joining the old and the new; he brought us pages of history unstained with dishonor; he brought us an ideal, something substantial to build with. He gave us vision. He gave us a leader. Wearing his uniform of gray, head and shoulders erect, proud with a justifiable pride, he walked among us as Lee must have walked. We all know of his unfailing interest in McElhaney Camp of Confederate Veterans, of which he was the Commander for years. He was ever ready to help his comrades and their families in anyway he could. He was vitally interested in his town, his county, his state and his country. He loved his friends as individuals and he loved them as citizens of a great country. No words of sympathy and love from us can fill the emptiness in the heart of his companion for over three score years - but her prayer was answered, the prayer that she might live to take care of Jim. With her he "lived in a house by the side of the road and was a friend to man." He has gone on, leaving a monument of uprighteousness, clean living, unselfishness and fidelity, to his memory. MAY WE HONOR HIM. Contributed by the Camp Adjutant.