Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1871-02-23
A Faithful Horse Conveys His
Masters Corpse Hene.

ID. William Burdett, who resided ut No.
339 South Cherry Street, died at 6 o'clock
last evening under the most peculiar cir
cumstances. About half an hour previous
to his demise he had driven to the resi-
dence of Conductor Edward Wells, near
the Decatur Depot, who lay very i'll of in
famatory rheumatism. After leaving
some instructions with his patient he got
into his buggy and started his horse home
ward h4
Sudden death, like stroke Of lightning
overlook him, probably before he had
driven more than few hundred yards,
and the late living, speaking, human be-
ing, who few moments before had talked
calmly and quietly, after his usual man
ner, to patient and that patients family,
and had even, joked with little boy whom
he met by the street side as he entered
his buggy, still sat stark and stiff up
right upon his seat, the reins clutched in
his hands, staring eyes looking out upon
the street driving homeward--a corpse.
Father of all, what was it that those who
met that horse and vehicle saw in the face
Of the driver that made them shudder and
hurry on little saster. Death looked
out from those lifeless eyes, and it was he
who guided the unknowing horse plodding
on toward his late masters door, and those
who looked into that vehicle felt and saw
something awful and undeGnable which
made him shudder, perhaps. and hasten
involuntarily forward. The horse drew
up at the familiar hitching post, but no
master descended. and he stood gently
paving the ground, anon jerking the lines,
but he got no answer to these signals, how
ever oft repeated. No familiar voice which
had so often chided or cheered him in long
iaunts. Then Le prickcd back his ears and
ierked the reins little harder, and listen-
ed. but there was no response, save the
grating of the leather over the dash board.
What could it all mean? And now Mrs.
Burdett looks out of the window and says
swell. declare. the Doctors come, but
why don't he get out!" She looks mo-
ment. but he doesn't move, and she says.
perhaps he wants something, and then she
trips out to the street, looks up into the
buggy and says, swell William, what is
it p No answer. And then she bends
forward a little, and the light shines full
er on the figure there. 1t is her husband
but the face is livid and the eyes blindly
staring. william! oh William y and
she grasps him by the hands, still clutch
ing the reins; they are cold and stiff. He
is dead. Oh, awful event, that to you.
gentle reader, shall never happen, tie have
one very dear to you, life of your life, ride
dead to your door on quiet evening
let us draw curtain of solemn respect
over that widows sorrow. .n9
Through the assistance of several gen.
tlemen DR.. Burdett's body was taken in-
to the house, where Coroner Brien held an
inquest over his remains. The jury re-
turned verdict that he came to his death
from disease of the heart.
DIR. Burdett was an excellent physician
and was highly esteemed. He was for
merly resident of Giles County, but had
been resident of Nashville for several
years. His remains will be inferred to-
morrow morning by Smiley Lodge of Odd
Fellows, Of which be was member in
good standing. Banner.