October 7, 1910
Death of Oscar C. Duff
Oscar C. Duff, aged 69 years, died this morning, (Tuesday, October 4th) at his home at Richlands, of Bright's disease.
He had been right feeble for some time, but no immediate apprehension was felt until about noon of yesterday, while at his daughter's, Mrs. Barrett's, he became worse. He was then able to walk to his home, some two or three hundred yards, where he was given medical attention, and every effort made to relieve his suffering, and prolong his life.
He leaves surviving eight children: Mrs. Ager, of Bristol, Tenn., Mrs. J. F. Yost, and Miss Leona, of Astabula, Ohio, Mrs. H. A. Barrett, Miss Blanche Duff, A. H., Robert E., and Charles G. Duff, of Richlands. His wife has been dead about one year.
Squire Duff, as he was so well known in both Tazewell and Russell counties, was a man of broad, fine intellect, and of strong character, and was highly respected by all who knew him. He was a member of the 45th Virginia, Stonewall Jackson Brigade, and served valiantly the cause of his native land during the entire course of that bitter struggle. He was wounded, shot through the shoulder, at Chancellorsville, the same day that General Jackson was shot, and carried the bullet with him through life. He was a man of strong likes and dislikes, and of the most loyal nature.
He served as a magistrate for twenty-one years, in the two counties of Tazewell and Russell; and, while many cases passed upon by him were appealed to the higher courts, never had a case reversed on appeal. He was also mayor of the town of Richlands for two years.
When we look around us, we can find very vew of that grand old Stonewall Brigade left among us. One by one they have answered the call, and have gone out into that great, that mysterious beyond, to answer, let us hope, the roll-call on some brighter shore, in some more glorious clime; to meet the old comrades of that lost but glorious cause, and there revel in the memories of those valiant days and their great, heroic deeds. He is mourned sincerly by family and by a large number of friends, who will greatly miss him. He was a devout Catholic, and was buried at the Hankins graveyard on Wednesday with the ceremony of that Church.
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