Southern Obituaries

Sudden Death of Mrs. Lee Jordan (1891)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 23:31:00 +0000

Columbus Daily Enquirer (Georgia)
31 December 1891
(Viewed online at GenealogyBank.)

SUDDEN DEATH OF MRS. LEE JORDAN.

GRIPPE AND PNEUMONIA CLAIMS A BRILLIANT VICTIM.
The community will be startled this morning by the announcement that Mrs. Lee Jordan, one of the most brilliant and attractive, as well as the most extensively known women in the South, died very suddenly at the residence of her mother, Mrs. Fannie Hurt, at Wynnton, last night about 7:30 o'clock. The terribly sad event was so unexpected that the very few who learned of it last night were greatly shocked, and the immediate family are completely prostrated by the calamity.

Mrs. Jordan was in the city on Sunday, in her usual fine health, and attended church. That afternoon she visited the family of Mr. Lloyd Bowers, in the neighborhood, and remained sometime in conversation. The supposition is that she took cold Sunday night, as the ground was quite damp, and on Monday morning had a slight attack of the grippe, which compelled her to seek her bed and secure the attendance of a physician. Dr. Hurt responded and found indications of pneumonia, but with careful attention and good nursing no serious apprehensions were felt. Yesterday morning Mrs. Jordan was quite bright and last night she was apparently doing so well that the family, including Dr. Hurt, who was present, retired to the dining room to supper, Mrs. Hurt, her mother, alone remaining with her. Shortly after she had a swooning spell, from which she recovered very weak and the physician just having come into the room again she had a conversation with him about her condition, but seemed in no way alarmed and spoke very pleasantly and rational. In a few seconds she had a slight coughing fit and expectorated a little blood. Turning over on her side with some remark to the doctor, she immediately expired. Her death was so easy and sudden that for a few minutes those in the room could scarcely realize it. The cause was acute pneumonia superinduced by grippe.

Mrs. Jordan was Miss Julia Hurt, the only daughter of the late Joel Early Hurt and Mrs. Fannie Hurt, and was born near Wynnton about 1843. In 1861 she married Colonel Peyton Colquitt, (brother of Senator Alfred H. Colquitt), who was killed in the battle of Chickamauga. Col. Colquitt was at one time editor of the Columbus ENQUIRER.

In 1868 she married Col. Lee Jordan, a prominent planter, and resided most of her time in this city, spending portions of the year on their extensive plantation in Southwest Georgia, near Albany, and also in Atlanta.

Mrs. Jordan was a remarkably brilliant and fascinating woman, and was beloved by all who knew her, and her sudden death will sadden with sorrow hundreds of hearts.

Notice of the funeral will be given in our next issue.

Die In Fire! (1905)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:03:00 +0000

Seattle Daily Times (Washington)
15 January 1905
(Viewed online at GenealogyBank.)

DIE IN FIRE!
NEW YORK, Saturday, Jan. 14 -- The entire family of William T. Mason, a lawyer, with offices at 63 Wall Street, perished in a fire which completely destroyed his residence at 2 o'clock this morning. The bodies of Mr. Mason, his infant child and two servant girls who were sisters, Nellie and Annie Wells, have been recovered.

The bodies of Mrs. Mason and Marian, the only other child, three years old, were not recovered and were supposed to be completely incinerated in the rear room on the second floor, near the door of which Mr. Mason's charred body was found.

White Man Slays Negro (1906)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:49:00 +0000

The Atlanta Constitution (Georgia)
25 July 1906
(*Viewed online via Ancestry's Historical Newspaper Collections)

WHITE MAN SLAYS NEGRO
Arthur Guy Kills Wiley Jones at Ellaville
Ellaville, Ga. July 24 -- (Special) -- Arthur Guy, a young white man, killed a negro named Wiley Jones this morning about 9 o'clock seven miles from town. Guy claims self-defence [sic] as the negro was advancing on him with an ax. Hie mother corroborates this statement. The trouble arose over some work that the negro was instructed to perform and hot words passed. Coroner Teel has summoned a jury and will hold an inquest tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock.

A Bundle of Bones (1890)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 10:50:00 +0000

The Atlanta Constitution (Georgia)
3 January 1890
(*Viewed online via Ancestry's Historical Newspaper Collections)

A Bundle of Bones
The Tragic Death of Annie Martin, Who was Burned to Death
A House That is Well Known to the Police Department is Burned to the Ground - A Notorious Woman Perishes

Burned to a crisp!

That was the fate of Annie Martin last night. She perished in the burning of her home on Railroad alley, between Calhoun and Butler streets.

It was a tragic death, and the cause of it remains a mystery. It looks like a case of arson.

But nobody knows.

Kittie Stribling, a negro woman who lives not far from the scene of the fire, happened to look out and saw the flames bursting from the roof of the house.

She ran out, and then she observed a commotion in the east room nearest Calhoun street; while watching the progress of the fire she saw a woman run out of the room, and as she reached the hallway, fell to the floor.

A man ran to the door and broke it in, but it was too late. The fire was then bursting through the doors and windows, and the man staggered backward and gave the alarm.

Patrolman Pat McCullough pulled the nearest box. The department responded, but before the engines arrived, there were five hundred people standing on the railroad embankment looking down on the scene.

Front and rear and on every side men rushed to and fro trying to save buildings adjoining. And the cry went up: "A woman is burning to death in there!"

Soon as the fire department got water on the building the flames subsided, but the smoke was startling. Chief Joyner entered the house with the hook and ladder men, and amid the blinding smoke he discovered by the flickering light of his lantern a ghastly sight in the form of a human skeleton stretched at full length on the floor.

The body was burned to a crisp. There was no flesh on the limbs; no flesh on the body; the skull was as bare as marble, and there were no features left to even hint at the terrible story of the last moments of the unfortunate.

The fragments were removed by order of Sergeants Moss and Cartright, and four stout negroes bore the half-burned shutter on which they were laid. They were carried up the steep embankment and to the house of Willie Burton, on Collins street.

Undertaker H. W. Patterson was summoned and prepared the body for burial.

Annie Martin was well known in police circles. She kept as assignation house, and for ten or fifteen years was prominent in the criminal annals of Atlanta. Among the later crimes charged against her was the inveigling[?] and abduction of young girls into her house for immoral purposes.

She is said to have come to Atlanta from Athens, Ga. She was forty-two years old, and has borne a dark reputation ever since her advent in Atlanta.

For two or three weeks she has been ill, and most of the time she was confined to her bed. Nobody lived with her, consequently there is no witness to the beginning of the catastrophe. It is supposed that she was too weak to escape from her room when she saw that the house was on fire.

The origin of the fire is a mystery, and likely to remain so. There are many theories. It might've been the explosion of a lamp, or many other small accidents that fequently cause disastrous accidents.

But there is a strong suspicion that the house was fired by somebody through revengeful motives, and a desire to put a stop to the nefarious practices of her who lived there.

The unfortunate woman has neither kith[?] nor kin in or around Atlanta, and Willie Burton only took charge of the funeral out of compassion.

The house was worth about two or three hundred dollars.

Death of Mrs. Martha Greer (1915)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:43:00 +0000

Daily Herald (Mississippi)
5 March 1915, page 6
(Viewed online at GenealogyBank.)

DEATH OF MRS. MARTHA GREER
Mrs. Martha Greer died at the King's Daughters Hospital this morning at 1 o'clock after an illness of several weeks. She was a native of Mobile and came to Gulfport about four months ago. Besides her husband, J. J. Greer, she leaves three sons, A. F. Greer of Mobile, P. E. Greer of Hattiesburg and W. J. Greer.

Woman Dies in Blaze (1948)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:22:00 +0000

Seattle Daily Times (Washington)
1 November 1948
(Viewed online at GenealogyBank.)

Woman Dies in Blaze
FAIRBANKS, Nov. 1 -- (AP) -- A week-end blaze of undetermined origin took the life of Lillian Neary, 47 years old. She suffocated while attempting to escape from her flaming two-room home.

Masked Child Dies in Denver Traffic (1948)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 13:47:00 +0000

Seattle Daily Times (Washington)
1 November 1948
(Viewed online at GenealogyBank.)

Masked Child Dies In Denver Traffic
DENVER, Nov. 1 -- His vision obscured by a Halloween mask, James Lanford Jr., 7 years old, was killed last night by an automobile at the same intersection where his sister was injured fatally last May.

His two-year-old sister, Margaret, was injured at the same place last May 15 and died five days later.

Final Services Held for Coleman Brantley (1924)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 17:52:00 +0000

The Atlanta Constitution (Georgia)
23 May 1924
(*Viewed online via Ancestry's Historical Newspaper Collections)

FINAL SERVICES HELD FOR COLEMAN BRANTLEY
Funeral services for Coleman Brantley, former Atlantan, who died suddenly Wednesday at Anniston, Ala., were held at 3 o'clock Thursday afternoon from the Baptist church at Forsyth, Ga. Interment was in the family burying ground in Forsyth.

Mr. Brantley, who was 41 years old, was born in Macon, moving to Florida when a small boy, and later coming to Atlanta. While here, he was a traveling salesman for Shredded Wheat company until entering the hotel business several years ago. He accepted a position with the Alabama hotel at Anniston, and went there three weeks before his death.

He is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Harry Haynes, Mrs. Jesse Wilson, and Miss Holt Brantley, and four brothers, Burden Brantley, of Atlanta, J. E., C. W. and R. A. Brantley.

Farmer Eats Dinner And Then Kills Self (1914)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 07:41:00 +0000

[Originally posted at the Southern Graves blog.]

Arthur O. Biffle
Son of G. K. & M. C. Biffle
Dec 12, 1875
July 20, 1914
How desolate our home,
bereft of thee.

The Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia)
Wednesday, 22 July 1914:
"FARMER EATS DINNER AND THEN KILLS SELF
Lawrenceville, Ga., July 21 -- (Special) -- Arthur Biffle, aged 35, who lived near Snellville, shot himself with a single barrel shotgun Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock.

Biffle was despondent over his ill health, having suffered for years, and had stated that he would not live out the year 1914. He lived by himself and was a painter. After he had eaten his dinner at noon he sat down by a tree and pulled the trigger of the shotgun with a wire. The load of No. 6 shot tore out his right lung. A justice of the peace held an inquest and the verdict was suicide."

Arthur was one of ten children born to G. and Mary C. Biffle. He rests in Snellville Historical Cemetery at Gwinnett County, Georgia.

Death Claimed Mr. W. A. Juhan (1893)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 08:41:00 +0000

[Originally posted at the Rose Hill Cemetery blog.]

From the Macon Telegraph (Georgia), 5 December 1893 edition:

"DEATH CLAIMED MR. W. A. JUHAN

An Esteemed Citizen of Macon Has Been Called to His Reward.

DEATH CAUSED FROM LA GRIPPE

At 8:15 O'clock Last Night the Summons Came While Surrounded By His Sorrowing Family -- Funeral This Afternoon.

Mr. William Alexander Juhan, one of Macon's oldest and most highly respected citizens, died at his home on Second street last night at 8:15 o'clock of la grippe, after an illness of one week.

Just one week ago yesterday Mr. Juhan attended the funeral of Dr. E. W. Warren, who was his bosom friend and pastor in life and from the long exposure to the damp atmosphere at the cemetery he contracted the grip, and on returning home went to bed feeling very unwell, but not anticipating serious sickness, both he and his family thinking he had only contracted a severe cold. They soon discovered that he was seriously ill, however, and a physician called, but his strength was not sufficient to withstand the ravages of the terrible disease which terminated in his death.

Mr. Juhan was in every sense a good citizen and enjoyed the respect and esteem of the community. As a Christian gentleman, he was loved by all Christian people and respected by the worldly minded for his consistency and integrity. As a business man he enjoyed the confidence of the public and admiration of the commercial world. As a husband and father he was loving, indulgent and patient, and his chief aim in life was to make his home and the lives of those around him happy and contented. His death is a loss to the community that will be long felt and mourned.

Mr. Juhan was born in Jones county in 1827, making him 66 years old at the time of his death. When a young man he conducted a general merchandise business in Clinton, Jones county, and while thus engaged he was married to Miss E. J. Caldwell in Clinton. To them several children were born, four of whom, Messrs. W. J., C. J. and Louis Juhan and Mrs. C. W. Gnice of Eufaula, Ala., survive, together with his wife. His aged father and a sister are living and reside in Texas.

In 1872 Mr. Juhan moved to Macon and became a member of the wholesale dry goods house of J. B. Ross and S. T. Coleman, which was at that time the largest wholesale dry goods house in the state, if not in the South. After remaining with this firm for several years he engaged in the retail dry goods business in Triangular block under the firm name of W. A. Juhan & Co., Mr. C. B. Ellis being the silent partner. This business, of which he was at the head, was conducted successfully for a long number of years, and was one of the largest retail dry goods stores in the state. Several years ago the firm failed, but it was regarded by everybody as an honest failure. Afterwards, when Messrs. C. J. and W. J. Juhan engaged in the retail dry goods business, he became associated with them, and up to the time of his last illness he was actively engaged.

The funeral will take place from First Baptist Church this afternoon at 3 o'clock. Rev. George Braxton Taylor and T. W. O'Kelly will conduct the services.

The following gentlemen have been requested to act as pallbearers:

Holmes Johnson, J. H. Williams, R. W. Bonner, George R. Barker, H. V. Napier, J. G. Medlock, Dr. Polhill, W. J. Moore."

W. J. Juhan, Prominent Georgia Merchant, Dies (1924)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 22:21:00 +0000

Dallas Morning News (Texas)
19 July 1924
(Viewed online at GenealogyBank.)

W. J. JUHAN, PROMINENT GEORGIA MERCHANT, DIES

By The Associated Press.
MACON, Ga., July 18 -- W. J. Juhan, Sr., 65 years old, president of a large department store, died Friday. A brother, Charles Juhan, lives in Dallas Texas.

William James Juhan was widely known among Dallas department store managers and buyers although he never visited here. For more than a quarter of a century he had been among the most respected and competent of the hundreds of thousands of merchants in the Eastern market.

His brother, Charles J. Juhan of Dallas, has long been connected with A. Harris & Co., and until recently was head of the silk department. He was made general representative at the first of the year. Mr. Juhan said that his brother was 62 years old, and is survived by his wife and five married children.

Charles J. Juhan will not go to Macon, Ga. for the funeral, owing to the serious illness of Mrs. Juhan.

Note: William J. Juhan was buried in Riverside Cemetery. His tombstone states his name as "William Jefferson Juhan."

The Dastardly Murder of Mr. James Orr (1858)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 20:38:00 +0000

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer (Georgia)
15 April 1858
(Viewed online at GenealogyBank.)

The Clayton Banner (Barbour county, Ala.) records the dastardly murder of Mr. James Orr, a highly respected citizen of that county. He was called from his bed at night by some one outside, and was shot down dead at his door by an unknown person. Suspicion rests upon one of his own negroes and a white boy named Bailey, lately discharged from employment by Mr. Orr.

Mrs. Annie McGee Dies (1946)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 22:13:00 +0000

Dallas Morning News (Texas)
25 December 1946
(Viewed online at GenealogyBank.)

Mrs. Annie McGee Dies
Special to The News.
GAINESVILLE, Texas, Dec 24 -- Funeral services will be conducted at St. Mary's Catholic Church Thursday for Mrs. Annie McGee, 74, who died at a Sherman hospital. A native of Germany, she came to the United States as a child with her parents. For the last fifty-three years she has been a resident of Cooke County. She is survived by a brother, Fred Stephane, of Olmstead, Ill.

Died From Her Burns (1898)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 22:53:00 +0000

The Sun (Maryland)
27 June 1898
(Viewed online at GenealogyBank.)

DIED FROM HER BURNS

Mrs. Annie McGee Fatally Injured In A Fire In Which Her Baby Was Killed.
Mrs. Annie McGee died at her home, 2219 Jefferson Place, Saturday evening, from the effects of burns received by her clothing catching fire from a gasoline stove Friday night. She was the wife of Thomas R. McGee, a saloonkeeper, and was cooking on a gasoline stove when her clothing caught fire. She was carrying a five-month-old son in her arms at the time, and the flames spread to its clothing. The infant was burned so badly that it died a few hours afterward, as was stated in THE SUN.

Mrs. McGee was badly burned about the arms, body and legs. She suffered intense pain until her death. The last rites of the Catholic Church were given her Friday night by Rev. James Nolan, of Corpus Christi Church.

Mrs. McGee was thirty years old, and before marriage was a Miss McGary. Besides her husband she leaves two sons and a daughter.

Burned to Death in a Boarding House (1892)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 09:21:00 +0000

New York Herald
21 March 1892
(Viewed online at GenealogyBank.)

BURNED TO DEATH IN A BOARDING HOUSE

Servant Mary Quinn Unable to Free Herself from the Flames in Her Room.

The occupants of Mrs. Lizzie Blum's boarding house, at No. 130 East Fifty-ninth street, were aroused about five o'clock yesterday morning by cries of "Fire!" and the shrieks of a woman, loud at first, then becoming fainter.

The cries came from a room on the top floor, occupied by Mary Quinn, maid of all work, in the five story brown stone boarding house. The girl had worked late the night before, not retiring till nearly midnight. That was the last heard of her until her cries aroused the inmates of the house.

The first person to reach the room was Mr. Dimond, one of the boarders. The girl's room had no gas burner and was without a lamp, the only night light coming from a gas burner in the hall. Dimond says this gas jet was burning when he reached the girl's door. Her room was full of smoke and flame.

Mr. Dimond says he shouted "Fire!" and then called to the girl to come out.

"I can't come out," was the faint reply.

"Can you see me?" asked Mr. Dimond, who stood in the light outside the door.

"Yes," gasped the girl.

"That was the last word she spoke," said Mr. Dimond. "When I saw she couldn't get out and that the smoke was too thick for me to go in I went away."

Some one had sent in an alarm, and when the firemen had put out the flames they found Mary Quinn lying near the bed dead and frightfully burned.

As to the cause of the fire, it is that the girl lighted a match to see what time it was, dropped the match on the floor and fell asleep, to be awakened by [t]he smoke and flames.

Mrs. Blum only knew of the girl that she had said she had relatives at Coney Island. She was Irish, twenty-five years old and reticent. She never went out and said she did not care for "days off." A letter was found among her effects which led Mrs. Blum to believe the girl's real name was Mary McCabe.

Dr. Conway gave a permit for the removal of the body, which was taken to the Morgue. If it is not identified by Wednesday it will be buried in Potter's Field. There will be an inquest.

Doctors Mourn at Craig's Bier (1905)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 08:42:00 +0000

Boston Journal (Massachusetts)
17 March 1905
(Viewed online at GenealogyBank.)

DOCTORS MOURN AT CRAIG'S BIER

Impressive Funeral Services on Body of Dr. Albert B. Craig, Who Gave Life for Friend.

Borne to his last resting place by brother physicians who had loved him during life, the remains of Dr. Albert B. Craig were yesterday afternoon interred in Newton Cemetery. Brief but touching were the services over the body of the man who died last Monday in Philadelphia, a victim of cerebro spinal meningitis, contracted while attending a friend suffering from the same disease.

Rev. Franklin S. Hatch, acting pastor of Eliot Congretional Church, officiated, and he referred in impressive terms to the untimely death of the young hero, of his full consciousness of the risk he ran when he was summoned to the bedside of his friend, Benjamin S. Park, and of how, his sympathies aroused by the absence of all friends and the serious condition of the patient, he freely gave his life in the line of duty. Upon the outset of his symptoms he diagnosed hos own case, bravely set his affairs in order, and prepared his bride of but five months for the probable end. His last words were: "I am neither ashamed nor afraid to die."

The pall-bearers were Dr. W. J. Rowe, Dr. Charles S. Barnes and Dr. Byer of Philadelphia, Dr. Charles L. Pearson of Newton and Danforth Cummings of Cambridge. The American Medical Journal, of which Dr. Craig was sub-editor, was represented by Mrs. Dr. G. C. C. Howard, the managing editor.

In a Fly Wheel (1897)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 20:30:00 +0000

St. Louis Republic (Missouri)
6 April 1897
(Viewed online at GenealogyBank.)

IN A FLY WHEEL

Albert Craig's Misstep Caused Him Instant and Horrible Death.
REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
Mexico, Mo., April 5 -- This morning at 6 o'clock Albert Craig of Centralia, Ill., was instantly killed in the Electric Light Power-House in this city. Young Craig, in company with A. J. Duputy of Indianapolis, Ind., came in from Kansas city this morning on a visit to his uncle, Morgan Day, chief engineer of the power-house in which he was killed. It being rather late which they got in they decided to make a bunk in the lighthouse.

This morning when awakened, young Craig, in attempting to reach the boiler-room, walked into a monster fly wheel, revolving 80 times a minute, and was carried to the basement and up again and thrown from the wheel at its highest point. He struck the brick wall of the building and fell to the floor dead. The remains will be interred here.

Drank Carbolic Acid (1902)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 22:11:00 +0000

The State (South Carolina)
5 November 1902
(Viewed online at GenealogyBank.)

DRANK CARBOLIC ACID.

Miss Ida Craig, Living Near Lancaster, Takes Her Own Life.
Special to The State.
Lancaster, Nov. 4 -- Miss Ida Craig, a young lady about 20 years of age, living about eight miles in the county, put an end to her life by drinking carbolic acid this morning about 3 o'clock. She had been using the acid for toothache, and the supposition is that after retiring for the night she drank the contents of the bottle, which was a small one with only a small quantity of the acid diluted therein. The young lady had been complaining during the day and it is probable her mind had become unbalanced from ill health.

H. L. W.

White Cloud Man is Killed by Mexicans (1913)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Fri, 13 May 2011 22:45:00 +0000

Grand Rapids Press (Michigan)
25 March 1913
(Viewed online at GenealogyBank.)

WHITE CLOUD MAN IS KILLED BY MEXICANS

Hal David Patterson, Trying to Save Brother-in-Law, is Shot at Langtry, Tex.

VICTIM OF A REBEL RAID

Disorder existing in Mexico near the border caused its effect to be felt here by friends of Hal David Patterson, who was killed March 8 at Langtry, Tex., in a heroic effort to save his brother-in-law, George O'Hara, formerly in the shoe business here at Crescent street and Monroe avenue N.W.

Information received by friends is somewhat meager, but the word is emphatic that Patterson sacrificed his life for the relative's sake. Mr. O'Hara is said to have escaped uninjured in the raid which was made by rebels in his resort hotel. The insurrecios [sic] attempted to rob the place and Mr. O'Hara was endeavoring to protect his property when Patterson interceded in O'Hara's behalf and received the fatal bullet wound.

Mr. Patterson formerly resided at White Cloud. His father, David Patterson, Sr., was engaged in the lumber business there for many years. The son recently went south in search of health. He was thirty-four years old and was popular in this city as well as in White Cloud, where he had many friends. The body probably will be sent to White Cloud for burial.

It is said the murderer of Patterson was captured and that he now is in jail at Del Rio, Tex., awaiting trial.

Death of the Hon. James C. Terrell (1835)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Thu, 12 May 2011 23:35:00 +0000

Macon Weekly Telegraph (Georgia)
17 December 1835
(Viewed online at GenealogyBank.)

Death of the Hon. James C. Terrell.
The Athens Southern Banner, of the 10th inst. contains the following melancholy intelligence:

"Carnesville, Dec 2, 1835.

GENTLEMEN -- It is with feelings of unbounded sorrow that I announce to you the death of Col. James C. Terrell, who died at his residence in this place, at fifteen minutes before 10 o'clock last night. He died of consumption."

Died Suddenly in Decatur (1847)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Wed, 11 May 2011 06:23:00 +0000

[Originally posted at the Southern Graves blog.]

DIED.
Suddenly in Decatur, DeKalb county, Georgia, on Friday, the 26th of February, and in the 58th year of his age, Dr. THOMAS W. ALEXANDER, of Gwinnett.

The deceased was born in South Carolina, and there lived till 1825, when he removed to this State. He was the son of pious parents, members of the Presbyterian Church, and by them was trained up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. When about twenty years of age he made a public profession of Faith in Christ, and at an early period after his connection with the Church he was chosen, and set apart to the office of ruling elder, and continued to discharge the duties of this office with great efficiency and acceptance until the day of his death. On the morning of that fatal day, he was returning from Atlanta, whither he had been on business, and was driving in a light buggy a strong and spirited young horse of his own training, and by him considered to be safe. But just as he entered the public square, in the village of Decatur, his horse took fright, ran violently across the square, stove the buggy with great force against a tree in the Court yard and dashed him with great violence upon his head and right shoulder against the ground. He was immediately taken up, and carried into an adjacent house, a Physician was called to him and he received every possible attention. In a short time he recovered from the shock and for the space of two hours was perfectly conscious and rational, and it was hoped, both by himself and his Physicians, that he was not so seriously injured as they had been led to fear from the violence of the fall he had received. But about 11 o'clock in the day a change took place and symptoms of an alarming character began to be exhibited. His breathing became "labored" and he fell into a stupor, from which he could never be effectively aroused, and which continued till about 9 o'clock at night, when he expired. Thus by one sudden stroke he was called away. By his death a devoted wife has been bereft of a kind and faithful husband; six sons and an only daughter have lost a most excellent father; his numerous family connections, and esteemed and worthy relative; his servants a good master; the poor a liberal benefactor; the community one of its most useful members, and the Church one of its most active, intelligent and efficient rulers. This heavy stroke could scarcely have fallen upon any individual around him, the loss of whom would be more extensively, more severely or more sensibly felt, for there was scarcely any one whose prolonged existence on earth seemed to be so essential to the best interests, civil, social and spiritual of those around him. But, alas! he is gone; yet, while we mourn our great loss, we would not deplore him. We must not, we do not, we will not sorrow as those who are without hope. He is gone! His body to the grave, it's quiet, it's long, but not eternal resting place; and his soul, complete in holiness, has passed into glory. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." J. C. P. ["Died," Augusta Chronicle (Georgia), March 10, 1847, http://www.genealogybank.com.]

Watchman Killed at Post of Duty (1902)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Mon, 09 May 2011 17:52:00 +0000

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
23 January 1902
(Viewed online at GenealogyBank.)

WATCHMAN KILLED AT POST OF DUTY

John Alexander, Watchman at Railway Crossing, Met Tragic Fate Near Atlanta

ATLANTA, Jan 23 -- John Alexander, a watchman employed at the Bwllwood crossing of the Southern railway, five miles from Atlanta, was killed yesterday afternoon while attending to his duties as watchman at the crossing, which position he had held for a long number of years. The accident was rather of a peculiar character. When killed he was trying to save one of the city teams from being struck and hurled from the track by an approaching engine. The engine, however, hit the cart with much force and hurled fragments of it in every direction. Some of these struck Alexander and he was knocked down, his injuries being such that he died soon after the accident occurred.

For fourteen years John Alexander had stood guard at the Bellwood avenue crossing and many times had his watchfulness and care saved human lives. He had become a familiar figure at the crossing and there were few who visited that part of the city but who knew him. He always had a cheerful word to say to those who went over the crossing where he was stationed. People coming into the city from the country had become accustomed to seeing him and hundreds of farmers were used to his greetings and kindly salutations.

More than half a century John Alexander had lived in Atlanta and was one of the landmarks of the city. Many of the older citizens have known him for a lifetime.

He was known to be one of the most careful men that ever looked after a dangerous railroad crossing, and yet he found death at the spot where he had so often rescued lives.

Killed While Hunting (1895)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Mon, 09 May 2011 01:26:00 +0000

Columbus Daily Enquirer, Georgia
26 February 1895
(Viewed online at GenealogyBank.)

KILLED WHILE HUNTING
YOUNG ROBERT ADAIR, OF TALBOTTON, LOSES HIS LIFE.
TALBOTTON, February 25 - [Special] - Robert Adair, while hunting with a friend Saturday, accidentally shot himself in the knee, from the effect of which he died the same night. Hunting with his gun on his shoulder he stumbled, the gun fell behind him and exploded when it struck the ground. The rest was as above stated. The deceased is a son of Mrs. G. D. Adair, of this place, and was about eighteen years old, and a young man of much promise. The sad accident is very much regretted.

Atlanta Woman Kills Husband (1922)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 22:14:00 +0000

Columbus Daily Enquirer, Georgia
31 March 1922

ATLANTA WOMAN KILLS HUSBAND

Mrs. Mary Lon* Vinson Shoots and Kills Dr. W. V. Vinson In the Latter's Office On Marietta Street.

ATLANTA, Mar 30 -- Mrs. Cora Lou* Vinson, fourty four, whom a lunacy commission found sane Tuesday when her daughter tried to place her in an asylum; shot and killed her husband, Dr. W. V. Vinson, 68 [65?], in his office on Marietta street here late today.

The shooting, according to the police was a climax to a series of law suits over property between the two who had been separated for several years. Dr. Vinson recently filed suit for divorce, claiming his wife had threatened his life, and she had charged inhumane treatment in a counter petition. Each had been married before.

Mrs. Vinson was held in the county jail without bond on a charge of murder. She shot the physician before he knew she was in the office, the police were told by G. L. Edwards, clerk in a drug store. She had gone to the office in a taxicab and was arrested by two county policemen as she got into the cab to leave.

"I did not intend to kill him, but when I thought about how he had treated me I just shot him," the policemen said she told them when they took her into custody and later they said she declared Dr. Vinson had chided her with being sickly and threatened to kill her unless she deeded some property over to him.

Dr. Vinson was sueing [sic] his wife to recover property which he claimed to have deeded to her. Their divorce was to have come up next Monday.

[The names were typed as they were in the article. A quick check of census records suggests the correct name is Cora Lou.]

Obituary: Mrs. Georgia A. Clark (1858)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:14:00 +0000

Macon Weekly Telegraph, Georgia
8 June 1858
(Viewed online at GenealogyBank.)

OBITUARY.
"The wisest men are glad to die; no fear Of death can touch a true philosopher. Death sets the soul at liberty to fly, Which whilst imprisoned in the body here It cannot learn."

Departed this life in this city, Saturday, June 5th, 1858, Mrs. GEORGIA A. CLARK, consort of Mr. S. P. Clark, and daughter of the late John P. and Mrs. R. A. Evans, in the 23d year of her age.

Through the mercy of God she has been a sufferer from a fell disease but for a short period. But a few months back she was in the full enjoyment of life, with bright hopes for a brighter future; but she was soon brought to such circumstances as enabled her to view this world and the next aright, and we have ample reason to believe that the result of her consideration was -- God chosen for her portion and Heaven for her home. Through Him she was reconciled, and calmly and tranquilly walked through the dark valley, and now rests in the well chosen home. As a companion and a mother she was loving, kind and affectionate, and faithful in the discharge of her duties -- a dutiful and obedient child -- affectionate and dear as a sister -- amiable and inoffensive in disposition, possessing many christian attributes, and was ever ready and willing to administer to the wants of the afflicted and needy. She was truly and well beloved by all her associates. But she is gone, all earthly ties severed, and she has been torn from us by the relentless hand of death. Calm and serene as a babe in sleep, her immortal spirit went its way to the happy home, we trust. We have consigned her body to its last resting place -- but her memory, ever dear, can never slumber.

She leaves an affectionate husband and an infant boy, as well as numerous relatives and friends to mourn their loss.

Our afflictions are many and heavy, but we will not murmur, for the decrees of Heaven are just, and though uncomprehensible [sic] to us week [sic] creatures, are infinitely wise.

"Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted." This should be sufficient to bear up the sinking spirit of the afflicted, and induce them to place their trust in the blessed Redeemer, who died that through him we might have eternal life. Let us feel, then, that this dispensation of Providence is imposed upon us to impress our minds with the mutability of human affairs, and turn out thoughts to God and Eternity, and incite us to strive to live that we shall all meet the loved ones that have gone before, at the heaven of eternal rest and happiness where death and affliction have no part.

A BROTHER.