MCANALLY, OSCAR FIDES - Milam County, Texas | OSCAR FIDES MCANALLY - Texas Gravestone Photos

Oscar Fides MCANALLY

Oak Hill Cemetery
Milam County,
Texas

January 29, 1854, Tennessee - December 30, 1905, Cameron, Milam County, Texas

EDITOR MURDERED
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PRINTER CUT THE THROAT OF CAMERON NEWSPAPER MAN
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Special to The Statesman,
Houston, Texas, Dec. 30.--Editor O. F. McAnally of the Cameron, Texas, Herald was killed today in his office by Wirt Terry, an employee. McAnally's throat was cut from ear to ear with one stroke of Terry's pocket knife. The difficulty is said to have occurred over private matters.

Austin American-Statesman(Austin, Texas), 31 Dec. 1905, Sun, Page 1

MEMORIAL SERVICES

Memorial services were held at the Christian church last Sunday in honor of Hon. O. F. McAnally.
The following program was rendered:
Song, "Nearer My God to Thee."
Prayer - Rev. C. J. Oxley.
Song, "Jesus Lover of My Soul."
"Mr. McAnally's Official Life" - Hon. T. S. Henderson.
"Mr. McAnally as An Editor" - Homer D. Wade of Waco.
"Mr. McAnally's Christian Life" - Rev. Simmons.
"Mr. McAnally's Christian Life" - Rev. Tompkies.
"As a Man" - Dr. Greer.
"As An Instructor" - Dr. Mowdy.
The church was crowded despite the threatening weather. We publish in this week's paper the addresses of Hon.'s T. S. Henderson and Homer O. Wade. We wish it had been so that all the many beautiful things could have been published, but some of the speeches were impromptu.
Following is the address delivered by Hon. T. S. Henderson:
" ' And ghastly' the drizzling rain
On the bald street breaks the blank day.'
"It was at such time that the gentle spirit of our friend, Oscar F. McAnally winged its flight to the celestial city.
"And we come, today, not to speak of the awful tragedy which brought him to an untimely grave, nor to utter any words of bitterness, but to pay loving tribute to his memory.
"A tender cord bound my heart and his together. Our friendship, which had its beginning in this city morethan a quarter of a century ago, was never broken for a moment, until death took him away. And my first thought of him now is as my true, tried and unwavering friend. It was my good fortune to possess a large share of his trust and confidence; this was due to our long intimacy and companionship, reaching back to the time when as young men was began to fight the battle of life side by side. But he did not withhold his affection from any of his friends, for he was no half-hearted man and yielded his heart without stint or measure to those whom he loved.
But while we love to think of him as a personal friend, and will ever cherish his memory, we must not forget that he was more than your friend or mine - he was the friend of humanity. He loved his fellow-man and had faith and trust in his goodness. His ideals of life were high. He was a self-made man. Work! Work! Was his watchword. Whatever of success he attained in life was paid for by an equivalent of labor. He never expected success in any other way - he never dreamed of a 'flowery bed of ease.' His was the true philosophy. Whatever of good we get out of life we pay value for. With such a foundation for his character, life to him was warfare; and when he exposed a cause he girded on his armor and went forth to battle with the spirit of a true soldier. He never learned the meaning of retreat or surrender. The life of such a man is a splendid legacy to his family and race, and he is worthy to have written above his name in letters of gold, 'I have fought a good fight; I have kept the faith.'
"Such is a brief outline of the character of our friend. And when we inquire into the particulars of his life we and that he faithfully exemplified these principles. As a citizen this same high standard was his guiding star. He stood for 'civic righteousness and morality.' With him the duty of citizenship was the business of citizenship to be attended to with diligence. He was always ready to promote any movement for the material advancement of this community. He considered public questions with fairness and deliberation, but having come to a decision he took his stand and stood by it without flinching. Selfish or personal considerations never influenced his judgment. He was actuated solely by a high purpose to discharge with fidelity his duty as a citizen. No man among us has been more useful and helpful to his city, county and state, and no name is written higher on the scroll of honor than his.
"He was not ambitious for public office, but when chosen by his people to represent them in the Legislature he discharged the duties of the position with that faithfulness which characterized every act of his life. He was proud of the honor, and a constituency never had a more zealous servant. Neither blandishments nor self-interest could entice him from his post; and he possessed the unique distinction of having answered to every roll call until he was stricken down at his desk by almost fatal illness. He was neither a sleeping nor a silent member, and when occasion required he gave voice to his convictions on public measures. One incident in his legislative career brought sore grief and disappointment to his heart. Je felt that he had been misunderstood and misjudged. It was in connection with a bill which he had introduced and which afterwards wrought his political defeat. The subject is familiar to you all. I do not know the origin of the measure except as he stated it. He said that the bill had been presented to him by a number of constituents with the request that he introduce it, that, as he understood its purpose, he approved it and accordingly offered it. When afterwards his political opponents assailed him because of it, some of his friends suggested that he disclaim responsibility for the measure by a statement of the facts concerning its introduction. His brave spirit refused to make the implied surrender and with kindling eye he declared his purpose to stand by it. He did not win the approval of the people for his measure, but he won their admiration for his courage in making a fight for his convictions. If the people could have looked into his great heart and could have seen the motives which impelled him, they would not have condemned him. The excitement of the hour passed away and he lived to see the people realize that they had judged him harshly and hastily. But the incident illustrates his high sense of the personal responsibility of a public officer which no political extremity could lower or weaken. He preferred defeat with honor to victory gained by base surrender.
"But it was in his chosen field of journalism that our friend won his greatest distinction and rendered his best service. Our honored visitor, Mr. Wade, himself one of the younger veterans of the tripod, will present this phase of his character. Speading for you, his home people, I feel that that I should express some thoughts, which are in your minds, concerning Oscar McAnally as an Editor. For nearly 20 years his name was at the masthead of the Cameron Herald. This period witnessed the evolution of Cameron from a straggling village of a few hundred people to a vigorous and progressive City and in this development the Herald had been a potent factor. Oscar McAnally was a liberally educated man and wielded a graceful and an honest pen. His editoral work will compare favorably with that of any writer in the State, but above all things he imbued his newspaper with his own character for integrity. Our people came to know that the columns of the Herald expressed the honest and steadfast convictions of its editor. He could not be intimidated, he could be corruptly influenced, he could not be purchased with money. He advocated no cause or an individual for pay. In these days of Commercialism when graft rules and everything has its price it is no small thing for a man to establish for his business a character for absolute integrity. There was another feature about the Herald which has during all these years, endeared it to the people of his city and county. It was a clean newspaper. No filth, no rottenness polluted its pages. You could take it into your home with a feeling of security. It stood for purity in the home, purity in politics, purity in the State.
"I have thus endeavered to speak for you on this occasion some of your thoughts concerning the man, Oscar F. McAnally. I feel that my language is too feeble to adequately express your sentiments. He was a useful man in this community, and as the years go by we will miss him more and more, we will miss his honest, friendly salutation, we will miss his influence and his labor in building up this city that he loved so well, but we must not permit the inspiration of his life to pass away. He will not be soon forgotten, there are those of us here today who will ever hold his virtues and character in loving remembrance."
Mr. Homer D. Wade of Waco paid the following tribute to the memory of Mr. McAnally.
"In this world where shams and insincerities run rife, it is a relief to know that men do live, and have lived, who are able to rise above them all, and whose daily lives are living examples of devotion to duty.
"Such a man was Oscar F. McAnally, in whose memory we have met this afternoon, and whose friendship I counted in an honor to claim.
"There is no walk of life in which men are not beset with temptations, and in the life of none is there more temptations than that of an editor. The high calling of a journalist is akin to the ministry, and when directed in the proper channels there is no greater field for usefulness. Bu the editor who does not life high his standard is a discredit to humanity, and a reproach upon the profession. The temptation to depart from the true path of journalism which is to enlighten the world is common to all in that profession, and who is able to resist is he who is honored not only by his own craft, but by the world.
"One of the greatest temptations is that of power and popularity. To this is often a sore trial, but in the person of my deceased friend was a man who never wavered, but had the courage to speak his honest conviction at all times, and upon all questions. Duty was the word that was always enthroned in his heart.
"The world honors men of this character. The world loves men of conviction and admires men of stability. This is the reason of this beautiful service now being held in this sacred place. This is why the untimely death of Oscar F. McAnally was lamented throughout Texas, and is mourned, not only by his home people, but by the people of Texas.
"The deceased was known to the press of Texas as one of its ablest workers. He was looked upon as a standard, and regarded as an authority. His courage in raising his voice against the evils that often threatened the great commonwealth of Texas has often been in inspiration to others of his own craft. It has shown then the necessity of speaking courageously and boldly upon public questions. It showed a personality, it showed a manliness, and gave courage to hundreds who had hitherto wavered.
"No journal is a great success unless there is a strong personality behind it. Herein laid the success of The Cameron Herald. What Henri Watterson has been to the Courier-Journal, what John McLean has been to the Cincinnati Inquirer, what A. H. Belo has been to the Galveston-Dallas News, what R. M. Johnston has been to the Houston Post, and many others that I might mention, Oscar F. McAnally has been to the Cameron Herald. Its popularity has been made entirely by his personality, and its usefulness gained by his great character. The imprint of his work cannot be erased, and I hope it will not be effaced. His death is a great loss to Texas journalism, and one that is irreparable.
"Besides the admiration of him by the press of Texas, on account of his great reward for principle, and the courage with which he always spoke his conviction, he was admired for his splendid fraternal spirit and progressive ideas.
"My personal acquaintance began with him ten years ago. I had just entered the field of newspaper work, and called to see him. Being a mere boy, his words of encouragement, of sympathy and fraternity, made and impression upon me that I have never forgotten, and has been an inspiration to me in trying to attain higher ideals. These sentiments are echoed by every young newspaper man in Texas who knew Mr. McAnally personally or by reputation.
"What he was in journalism, he was in his daily life. His writings were but the reflections of his own heart, and he was simply unapproachable when his mind was made up. His life has been an example for the younger generation to emulate. His rugged examples of honesty; his deep sincerity; his deep devotion to duty; will stand as an everlasting monument to him. His fearless and relentless warfare upon what he considered evils of his country, and his great efforts to at all times hold high the banner of 'duty.' His devotion to his work, to his city, and to his family, were characteristics that all admired.
"I cannot help but saying, when I glance over his useful life, that his life was a noble example o manhood, and I thank God for giving us such men as lived in the person of Oscar F. McAnally."

The Cameron Herald(Cameron, Texas), 08 Feb 1906, Thu, Page 4

Family Members
Parents
Martha Jane Stewart McFarland
1835–1884

Spouse
Ida Joyce McAnally
1869–1906

Siblings
Beverly Wayne McFarland
1860–1915

William James McFarland
1865–1943

Rosa Nell McFarland Anderson
1868–1947

Daniel Lamont McFarland
1871–1908

Children
Lelia McAnally Batte
1887–1961

A J Peeler McAnally
1889–1893

Carroll Maurice McAnally
1893–1893

Oscar Peeler McAnally
1896–1946

Dwight Howard McAnally
1900–1981

Photo courtesy of: Holly Bonorden Jentsch

Contributed on 6/20/20 by lynst.peters62
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Record #: 327221

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Additional MCANALLY Surnames in OAK HILL Cemetery

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Submitted: 6/20/20 • Approved: 6/30/20 • Last Updated: 7/3/20 • R327221-G0-S3

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