(1914)

Newspaper Article on Captain Ezekiel B. Slade

Captain Slade is dead.  Another true and brave soldier of Robert E. Lee has answered the final roll-call,  met the last remedy,  and has gone to join his comrades for the last sleep "under the shadows of the pines."  There is inexpressable sadness in the thought that no more shall we look upon his kindly face and joy in his pleasant fellowship.   For more than three score years and ten he has stood among us like some giant oak of the forrest, sound and noble of heart,  rugged in honesty,  and casting pleasent Slade about.  He had innumerable friends,  and so true were his guiding oars that he seldom lost a friend.   As a soldier in the ranks he is said to have had few equals and no superiors.  He was one of that gallant band under Capt. Rhinehart,  whose many heroic deeds are the cherished history of Caswell County.  In the line of obedience he stacked arms and surrendered,  but Capt. Slade was a Confederat soldier who never acknowledged defeat.  As a Mason,  in which order he was a life-long member,  he was loyal and true,  and beyond doubt on the spotless,  unseen pages of that ancient fraternity's history the angel of the Lord has written him down as a good man. and Mason and one who loved his fellow man.   It was probably in his home life that Capt. Slade's multitude of virtues were exemplified he was ever kind,  gentle,  thoughtful and self-sacrificing.  He was blessed with a large family,  and he was devotedly loved and loving.   Capt. Slade was a professing Christian,  but had never united with any church.  His loved ones find comfort that he realized his condition as Death came upon him,  and he staked his trust in God implicitly.   He was our friend,  and we loved and honored him.  There be numbers of others who can say the same thing.  The spirit has flown ,  and he shall mingle no more with us here.  Let us hope that in that land where there is no sorrow nor parting we may clasp hands again.  Until that time,  good night,  old soldier.  May thy sleep be sweet and thy waking life everlasting.