Pike-Lamar County GaArchives News.....A Faithful Servant November 2 1882
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Lynn Cunningham lcunnin1@bellsouth.net December 11, 2002, 8:28 am

The Barnesville Gazette. Barnesville, Georgia

A Faithful Servant

Mr. Editor,
We have in our county politics, in the present canvas, a case that has no 
parallel in my observation of political affairs. Our present Clark of the Court,

Mr. R.Y. Beckham has served Pike county for three successive terms in his 
present position and as now the time has come for nominating a man for clerk to 
serve the next time although the zealous friends of his opponents are doing all 
they can to nominate their man, they have not brought up one single charge of 
incapacity or unfaithfulness against Mr. Beckham. Is it not remarkable that his 
character as a private citizen is so invulnerable that his opponents can say 
nothing against him? Such an office[r] is exceedingly rare and the people will 
no doubt nominate him next Tuesday to be his own successor. When a church gets a

minister who suits them, they retain him as long as possible. When a farmer 
succeeds in hiring a valuable hand, he does not after a year turn off the good 
hand to try a new one, but he retains the faithful one as long as he can.

So families and communities act in reference to teachers, doctors, &c. Indeed 
the principle holds good in all the practical affairs in life. But an over 
ardent friend of his opponent says, "If you continue him (Beckham) in year after

year on account of proficiency, you had better give it to him for life." Suppose

he holds he now holds one or two terms more, and from his experience, 
administers the affairs of the county in his hands more to the interest to the 
county than any other man could do, who is the gainer, he or the county? More, 
he openly says he will abide the nomination and support the nominees, his 
opponent has not said as much. Mr. Beckham never was, nor will not be, an 
independent. Again, the money paid him by the county for his services, is turned

into a an exceedingly praiseworthy channel. By self denial and strict economy, 
Mr. Beckham, seconded at home by an industrious, saving wife has succeeded in 
saving enough from his limited salary to finish paying for an humble, though 
comfortable little home in Zebulon, at which they are trying to train up a 
family of interesting children to become good members of society, and useful 
citizens.

Mr Beckham served gallantly in the brave old 44th Ga. regiment until the third 
wound in 1864, drove him from the field. On 1st of June 1862, he was severely 
wounded in the Seven Days fight, by a minnie ball, which he still carries in the

left leg. In the battle of Chancellorsville his left arm was shivered [?] just 
below the shoulder. At the battle of the Wilderness, May 3rd 1864, his right eye

was torn from the socket. The effect of these wounds incapacitates Mr. Beckham 
from hard physical labor.

This battle scarred veteran, efficient officer, hightoned Christian gentleman 
asks the people of Pike county to make him his own successor as Clerk of the 
Court. In electing Mr. Beckham, we will retain the valuable services of his 
opponent as an experienced, valuable teacher; and of himself as a most excellent

Clerk. - [signed] Not A Politician

(Transcribed 12/10/02 Lynn Cunningham)

Note:
At Zebulon Methodist Church Cemetery, Pike County, Georgia:
Robert Y. Beckham, b. 2 May 1844, d. 23 July 1916
Laura Jordan, Beloved wife of Robert Beckham, b. 8 Nov. 1854, d. 28 Nov 1942
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