TANEY COUNTY REPUBLICAN--March 17, 1949
"Ben Weatherman Dies"
We have received a report that Ben Weatherman is dead. We have no information for an obituary. That is not important to us. His life is the important thing. We knew him well. He came from an old and honored pioneer family. His quiet life was marked by worth and high integrity. His devotion to the Right was no lip service but an earnest reality that sped forth to understand and to do right. The editor remembers many incidents of this worth of character and of good citizenship. Let one incident to related here to command the greater came who go forth to the duty of citizenship.Just before an election some organized effort went though the county distributing hand bills attacking viciously one of the candidates for state office. It was just at election day, almost. Ben Weatherman did not know the man who had been thus attacked; he had small time to learn the truth. As a citizen mindful of his duty to his heritage of free government he felt it a obligation to find out the facts. He made the then long trip to Forsyth over roads far from good then to see me. He was certain that I new the candidate who had been so seriously attacked and that I could tell him the facts. The man himself meant nothing to Ben Weatherman. But the question of the duty of a citizen to know truth and to vote for good men meant everything to this man. It has been the comradeship of such men that has blessed by life and has set before me a stern duty of give worthy effort. In the silence of the sleep time such incidents rise from the quietness to bless and to command. it was not alone the faith in my integrity that made and stills makes my obligation, --it was also the comradeship that lives and endures beyond the grave. Ben Weatherman has been physically weak for many years. His wife died and he left Taney County to live with a daughter. But the reality of his spirit presence was a constant and abiding strength.The mention of his wife reminds me of the tribute paid to her in the gone years. Like the husband, she had a sense of duty that made her a worthy mate for such a man. For some years she held a place of political responsibility that gave no reward. But like Uncle Joe McGill she discharged it with the utmost fidelity. And her husband was always ready to bring her to Forsyth in good weather and in bad that she might be faithful. Reverently grateful for the blessing of such comradeship I paraphrase and borrow genius to give my gratitude:Never May I commence my toll--My due to God--Who best taught faith by such as These--Except with bent head and beseeching hand--That still--despite the distance and the dark--What was--again may be.

TANEY COUNTY REPUBLICAN-March 24, 1949
Benjamin Samuel Weatherman was born to Samuel and Vicie Weatherman January 3, 1870 and departed this life March 11, 1949 at the age of 73 years, two months and eight days. He was born in Taney county and spent most all of his life in the Walnut Shade vicinity. On February 5, 1899, he was married to Hattie Cornelison and to the union were born four children. His wife preceded him in death December 27, 1943.At the age of 24 years he was converted and later was united with the Walnut Shade Baptist Church where he was a member at the time of his death.He leaves to mourn his departure, one son, Cecil Weatherman, of Walnut Shade; three daughters, Mrs, R. R. Cook, of Branson; Mrs. Albert Gray, of Spokane and Mrs. John Gladson, of Springfield. Nine grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren; other relatives and host of friends. Funeral services were conducted Monday at 1 P.M. in the Walnut Shade school with the Rev,. R. W. Fodls of Clever officiating. Burial was made in the Walnut Shade Cemetery under the direction of the Maples-Harris Funeral Home of Clever