9/24/1861 [From the Rockingham Register.]
John J. Fry.
The young man whose name heads this brief tribute was a son of Judge Jos. L. Fry, and a member of that noble band of patriots - the "Shriver Greys," of Wheeling. He was killed in the bloody and memorable battle of Manassas, whilst charging upon one of the enemy's batteries. Among the numerous companies which compose the army of the South, there cannot be found a more noble or gallant one than the "Shriver Greys," of the city of Wheeling. Its members, although living in a city where scarcely a Southern voice could be heard amid the clamor of black hearted traitors, they formed themselves into a company, and left the city by stealth to avoid being captured, and marched to the defence of their native State.
Some have sealed their devotions ot their country's cause with their blood, and are now sleeping the soldier's sleep upon the ensanguined plains of Manassas. Many were the gallant ones who fell on that day, but the leaden messenger of death found a lodgment in no truer bosom than John J. Fry's. We knew him well, and lever have we known one possessed of nobler qualities of mind and of heart. Generous and affable, he was only to be known to be beloved.
After going through a regular collegiate course, he graduated at one of the first law schools in the State, and had for some time previous to his death, been practicing law with his father in Wheeling. Being possessed of a brilliant intellect, he bid fair to become a bright star in the profession. He is now calmy sleeping in death in the church-yard near the spot where he passed the happy days of youth, and many will be the tears of sorrow that shall fall on his grave. Nobly has he sacrificed his life in assisting "to raise his bleeding country from the dust and set her free." He has freely mingled his blood with that of his fellow-soldiers in their efforts to read the temple of independence. In after years, when our country shall have been set free, and when the votaries of freedom shall bow at their country's shrine, many will be the blessings invoked upon his memory. By his noble death he las left behind him a name more enduring than the marble which shall mark his last resting place. May the clods rest lightly on his noble form, and may the reflection that he met the noblest death than man can die, be a sweet consolation to his bereaved parents and relatives.
H.
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