Late Isaiah W. Wilson
Was Great Worker
In Temperance Cause

From Early Manhood He Was
Identified With Temp-
erance Societies And
Wrote a History

Isaiah Woodworth Wilson, probably one of the best known citizens of Digby County, died at his home in Smith's Cove last Friday evening at the advanced age of 82 years.*

Mr. Wilson was born on "The Ridge" and has lived in this county, principally at Smith's Cove all of his life.

Early in life, just after he passed his 21st birthday, he became interested in temperance work when he joined a lodge of Good Templars at Hill Grove, and in that capacity he has become known to thousands. He retained his membership in the Good Templars until the last, although not actively identified with any particular lodge. But it was in the order of the Sons of Temperance that he became best known. He joined the order some years after he became a Good Templar , and as the Sons have been the more aggressive order in this county, where the Good Templars died out years ago, he was a very active member. A regular attendant at Division and a deep student of the literature of that order. He was probably the most outstanding authority on constitutional usage and practice in the ranks of the Sons of Temperance and was posted in the work of the order throughout the world.

Handicapped all of his life by poor eyesight, being able to read only by the aid of drugs dropped in his eyes, he never accumulated any great wealth through the labor of his hands, and the fact that, blind as he was he became such an authority on temperance and historical matters speaks marvellously of his pluck and persistance. He wrote Wilson's History of "Digby County" a work calling for much research and labor, and hundreds of copies are to be found in Digby County homes.During his lifetime he gathered together what is probably the best temperance library in Canada, and the most complete collection of Sons of Temperance and International Order of Good Templars journals and papers in existance. That was his hobby and he was writing for missing numbers of journals as long as his hand could guide a pen.

He was always until the death of his wife last winter, very active, being a great walker. Immediately following his wifes death, grief stricken he started to walk through a blizzard in an effort to forget.He was picked up at North Range practically unconsious and near death. Kind neighbours looked after him for a few weeks when the wanderlust again struck him, and he was again picked up. This time for his own safety he was put in the County Home, an institution of which he had great dread, and was detained there for some time where the authorities were able to secure the services of Rev. C. L. Snow to look after him, and he was returned to his old home, where he died. The shock of his wifes death, followed by the irksome confinment, no doubt hastened the end.

Here in the Courier office we know him well as it has been the practice of all the editors of late years to allow him the privilege of reading the exchanges and clipping therefrom the items that interested him, a privelege for which he often expressed his gratitude.

The funeral took place on Monday under the auspices of Home Division, Sons of Temperance. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. W. G. Hiseler. The Grand division was represented by W. B. Snow of Chebuto Division, A.J. Westhaver of Hope Division and John Smith and J.J Wallis of Home Division, all Grand Division members, who acted as pallbearers.

*actually 80 years

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