The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-04-27
Sudden Death of a Prominent Citizen
JAMES T. BYERs DROPS DEAD WITHOUT MO-
MENT's WARNING.


jocular conversation with Mr.. Jones. Just
then a customer entered and asked for his ac-
count. Mr. Jones being busy at the time,
asked Mr.. Byers to go to the office in the rear
of the store, and examine the ledger to see
what the amount of the account was Tins
Mr.. Byers did, and then came to the front
door again, and sat down on half bushel
measure. He was laughing and talking with
several parties standing near him, wien his
brother, Mr.. Marshall Byers came up. Turn
ing to his brother, he commenced converse
ton, and had spoken but a few words, when,
| without an instant's warning, his head sud-
denly dropped down, and ere any one could
reach out to support him, he fell heavily to the
pavement-dead. DR.. McChesney who was
Just across the street, hastened to the pros
trate man. An examination revealed the fact
that earthly agencies could avail nothing.
Every means to resusctate was resorted to-,
but without success. The pulse was still when
the doctor touched it ; there was faint f1utter
of the heart, tremulous convulsiOn, but the
vital spark had fed and the echoes of its exit
done its fatal work with the swiftness of cleo
tricity. Tenderly strong arms bore the ifeless
body into the store where every resource
known to medical science was employed to in
duce vitality. All proved useless. Jim Byers,
as he was familiarity known, was dead. A
messenger was dispatched to bear the terrible
tidings to his family, and in short while the
body was removed to his late residence on
Church street.
In the meantime the shocking intelligence
spread through the town like wild fire. In five
minutes dense crowd thronged around the
story as it was told to them. Every one, al
most, knew him and was his friend. Some
had seen him but few moments before, in the
full flush of manhood a perfect picture of ro-
bust health and strength. 1t seemed beyond
belief that death had assaulted the very cita-
Gel of life and swept it In the twinkling of an
eye. With bated breath and voice tremulous
with emotion, the news passed from lip to
lip. Its shocking effect cannot be described
The horror and astonlshment caused by the
| first announcement was followed 10y gener-
Gus flow of tenderest sympathy for the little
| family so suddenly and so terribly smiten.
JAS T. Byers was Il son of Capt Jno S.
Byers, of this county, and was "a years OF
age. He married daughter of the late Rich
ard Summerson. His wife and two interest
! ing children survive him. In his younger
days he entered the grocery business as
| oFa NJ II
Frank Eakle, opened large store on the corn
er of Main and Augusta streets. The part
nership OF Byers & Eakle continued until $780,
when Mr.. Eakle sold his interest in the firm to
Mr.. j. 3. Cochran. Under the name of Byers &
| Cochran the business was continued at the old
| stand until last December, when the store was
so badly damaged by fire that ii was determ-
ined to replace it with more substantial
structure. The stock rescued from the fire
was moved to the store room on Augusta
street, in the Brooks building, and that portion
of it which had not been sold in the meantime
was disposed of to Messrs. Harper & Co. about
the 1st of April. 1t was the intention of
Messrs. Byers & Cochran to open again at
the old stand as soon as the building Vas COM
pleted.
Mr.. Byers was one of the most popular
business men of Staunton. He was elected
member Of the City Council for three success
i've terms, dscharging the duties of his Office
with marked ability. Some time after his
third election, he resigned. as member OF the
| Council in consequence of the demands of his
| private business. At the organization of the
| West Augusta Guards, he was elected lieuten-
ant OF the Company, and after serving several
years resigned for the same reason that in
duced his retirement from the Council. Whilst
not politician, he always TOOK a deep in
terest in political affairs, especially in munich
pal contests. He was a strong Democrat, and
exerted wide influence. To a kind heart
and generous disposition, the deceased added
manly courage and independence which drew
10 him many friends and made him favorite
with all. His fine judgment, pleasant address
and superior business talents, coupled with
integrity of high order, rendered him sue
cessful merchant, and had thus early marked
him as one of Staunton's most prominent and
| prosperous business men. None could be taken
|
regretted. In every relation of life he meas
ured up to the standard OF man. A good
citizen, steadfast, faithful friend, and loving
and affectionate husband and father, son and
| brother.
The funeral, which took place from the LIST
Presbyterian church, on Sunday afternoon,
was attended by an immense concourse of
friends Notwithstanding the damp, disagree
able weather, the large church was crowded
The services were conducted by the pastor,
Rev. w. E. Baker, and feeling prayer was
delivered by Rev. J. M. Frost. The Stone
wall Brigade Band, West Augusta Guards,
Staunton Artillery, and Knights OF Pythias
turned out in body and escorted the remains
to Thornrose cemetery. The pail bearers were
Col. W. l.. Bumgardner and 1t. W. B. Logan,
representing the military G. g. Gooch and R.
W. Burke, representing the City Council; E.
1. Jones and Edward Echols, representing
the Knights of Pythias, and Ro. Holiday and
A. E. Miller, representing the citizens. The
procession of carriages was the largest that
has attended funeral in Staunton for years
A MARROW EsCAPE-lt will be remembered
that last Friday night the wind blew like
hurricane. In some portions of the county
fences were torn down. trees broken and con-
| siderable damage done to out houses and sheds
During that night the mountains of West
| Aupusta were 81 sheet of Hamo fbo Gorx,