Despite the combined efforts of the best physicians in the state, Sheriff J. L. Townsend continued to decline, and on last Monday morning at 4:30 passed peacefully into the sleep that hath no awakening. His remains were brought to Weimar Tuesday afternoon on a special train and were laid to rest in the Masonic cemetery, fully one thousand persons being present to witness the sad ceremony. Mr. Townsend had been sheriff of our county for the past twelve years, and was one of the shrewdest, most zealous officers southwest Texas ever possessed. He was a true friend, a brave and fearless officer, and a true christian gentleman. He leaves a wife and several children to mourn his sad and untimely death. The Mercury extends its sincere sympathy to the bereaved family in their dark hour of trouble.
The death of our late sheriff, J. L. Townsend, has saddened the hearts of all Oakland--both white and black alike mourn his death. Quite a number of our people, of both races, attended his funeral and as the last rites were being performed every head bowed in grief, every heart ached and (?) of sorrow, and every eye dropped a tear in sweet remembrance (?) of some kind expression or token of comfort from the lips of our loved, our honored but dead and departed sheriff.
His was a life of valour,
His was a life of fame,
He achieved in every battle
Victories that crown his name.
Despite the combined efforts of the best physicians in the state, Sheriff J. L. Townsend continued to decline, and on last Monday morning at 4:30 passed peacefully into the sleep that hath no awakening. His remains were brought to Weimar Tuesday afternoon on a special train and were laid to rest in the Masonic cemetery, fully one thousand persons being present to witness the sad ceremony. Mr. Townsend had been sheriff of our county for the past twelve years, and was one of the shrewdest, most zealous officers southwest Texas ever possessed. He was a true friend, a brave and fearless officer, and a true christian gentleman. He leaves a wife and several children to mourn his sad and untimely death. The Mercury extends its sincere sympathy to the bereaved family in their dark hour of trouble.
The death of our late sheriff, J. L. Townsend, has saddened the hearts of all Oakland--both white and black alike mourn his death. Quite a number of our people, of both races, attended his funeral and as the last rites were being performed every head bowed in grief, every heart ached and (?) of sorrow, and every eye dropped a tear in sweet remembrance (?) of some kind expression or token of comfort from the lips of our loved, our honored but dead and departed sheriff.
His was a life of valour,
His was a life of fame,
He achieved in every battle
Victories that crown his name.
Inscription
Sheriff of Colorado County 14 Years
Family Members
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Susan E. Townsend Bostick
1823–1860
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Asa Leonard "Len" Townsend
1826–1881
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Moses Solon Townsend
1830–1867
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Mary Ann Townsend Lessing
1832–1912
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Henry Sumner Townsend
1837–1888
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Fleming L Townsend
1837–1846
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Madison White Townsend
1840–1892
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Hamilton L "Hamp" Townsend
1842–1897
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Rebecca L Townsend
1843–1844
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Jacob J. Townsend
1848–1889
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