THE SCHLEY COUNTY NEWS May 17, 1894
SUDDEN DEATH OF MRS. ROBERT BURTON
Tuesday in the gray mists of early morning, the mystery that we call death, came suddenly and gently to the home of Capt. Robt. Burton, and stilted forever the heart of the wife, who for fifty years has walked hand in hand with him whose heart is now utterly crushed by the terrible and unexpected blow. Mrs. Burton seemed in unusually good spirits all day Monday. Her idolized grand daughter "Annie Clair" had come up for a short visit and she seemed so happy in entertaining her. She retired apparently in good health, but shortly after midnight waked Capt. Burton and Mrs. Carter, complaining of a pain in her chest and head. She had often suffered from these attacks of neuralgia and begged them not to be alarmed, insisting that she did not need a physician. Capt. Burton however had Dr. Cheney summoned about 3 o'clock feeling sure that he could soon relieve her. No one apprehended anything serious and when the Doctor had administered medicine to dull the pain, she seemed to fall into a peaceful sleep. But suddenly aroused up and the devoted ones watching anxiously by the bedside, could only clasp her for a moment in their arms, [wh]ere the spirit left its tenement of clay. Neuralgia has reached the heart and instantly it ceased its throbbing. Her death so sudden and heart rending to her family, was a great shock to everyone, and from all our people are heard the tenderest expressions of sympathy for the bereaved. Mrs. Burton's was a long life of beneficence, the greater part of it spent in Ellaville. Year by year she dispensed charities and deeds of kindness to her friends and neighbors. She was indeed the friend of the poor, and the Bible declares "He that hath pity on the poor lendeth to the Lord." A poor cripple whom she had visited almost every day with some delicacy wept bitterly when he knew his friend was dead. She grew rare flowers that she might give pleasure to her friends and often have we seen her recently with her hands full of blossoms carrying them to brighten some sick room. She went into obscure places with substantial aid to relieve misery of the friendless. A large crowd attended the funeral services Wednesday morning at the Methodist church, of which she was a member. In low sweet tones the sad notes of the organ filled the church and the words of the music touched every heart. Rev. R.F. Williamson delivered an impressive discourse, dwelling at length upon the many virtues of the deceased. On the casket were banks of lillies and roses and other sweet blossoms, the floral offerings literally covering it. Every one who laid a flower upon her coffin could recall many a time when they had received from the dead hands rare and beautiful blossoms. Mrs. Burton's children and grand children were all present at the funeral except the family of Speaker Crisp. If it had been possible for them to reach Ellaville in time. Mrs. Crisp was so prostrated by the shock that she could not undertake the trip. The loving sympathy of friends in her girlhood's home goes out with peculiar tenderness to this bleeding heart, but when we turn to darkened home of our friend and neighbor, what can we say? In a time like this, human sympathy seems so cold. The devoted daughter, Mrs. Scarborough and other members of the family are with their stricken father bearing up bravely for his sake, and from every heart in Ellaville goes up the prayer "God bless Capt. Burton in his loneliness." May He speak words to the bereaved that no human voice can speak so that their troubled hearts may grow calm and peaceful as they look through blinding tears up to Him.