"But a certain Samaritan as he journeyed came where he was and when he saw
him, he had compassion on him--and went to him and bound up his wounds."
In this way we are told the tender story of the Good Samaritan.
In 1877 Dr. Francis Preston Wellford, of Fredericksburg, was living in
Jacksonville, Florida, when a scourge of yellow fever invaded Fernandina.
Almost all of its physicians were victims of the disease, or worn out with
work. Dr. Wellford volunteered for service, which was almost certain
death, fell a victim, and died, on the same day and in the next cot to his
fellow-townsman, Dr. Herndon.
"For whether on the scaffold high,
Or in the battle's van,
The noblest death that man can die;
Is when he dies for man."
Over his grave in the cemetery at Fredericksburg, there is an imposing
monument, with this simple inscription:
"Francis Preston Wellford,
Born in Fredericksburg, Virginia,
September 12, 1839."
On the beautiful memorial window in St. Peter's Church, Fernandina,
Florida, erected by Dr. J. H. Upham, of Boston, who felt that their memory
should not be neglected, one reads:
"Francis Preston Wellford, M. D.
Born in Fredericksburg, Virginia,
Sept. 12, 1839,
James Carmicheal Herndon, M. D.
Born in Fredericksburg, Virginia,
Sept. 22, 1821,
Died in the faithful discharge of their duties at
Fernandina, Florida,
Oct. 18, 1877."