Ralph Gray

Remarkable Death Record

of Covington in 1863.

Editor Commonwealth:

In looking over some old memoranda this morning I happened upon the following record of deaths that occurred in 1863 of well known citizens of Covington and vicinity. The list was made from memory the year following, and may not include the names of all the prominent citizens who died that year; but as given it is very remarkable for the large number of deaths in one year of men so prominent in business, professional, and social life as were those whose names are given below, especially in view of the fact that there was no epidemic nor unusual sickness in Covington that year. I presume a parallel to this could not be found in any one year of the history of our city. I furnish it to you for publication, believing that it will interest at least the older portion of your readers:

THE LIST. B. H. Elliston,   William Wason,   S. H. Cambron,   Chas. A. Withers,   Capt. Tom Dugan,   O. R. Powell,   Thos. O'Donnell,   Dr. J. Adams,   R. K. Summerwell,   Capt. Sebree,   Dr. W. D. Holt,   Capt. Rob't Wallace,   Joseph Andrew,   Sam'l B. Laird,   Wm. Whittaker,   Wm. H. Buckner,   Isbel G. Dryer,   Joseph Rich,   Wm. Richardson,   Ralph Gray,   Thos. Richardson.

W. E.