Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-04-28
Sudden neafhs.

The community was shocked on Satuf-
day afternoon last to hear that few min
utes before, at 2 O'Clock, Mr.. james L.
Byers. a we'll known and highly esteemed
merchant had died suddenly at the store
of Nessrs Crawford & Jones on Augusta
street. He was member Of the large
grocery firm of Byers q Cochran, and
while waiting for the completion OF the
Burke building which he had rented was
temporarily cut of active business. lie
had come down town Saturday morning
in his usual good health, and was sitting
in front of the store named, In CONVERSE
ton with his brother, when he suddenly
fell ovsr On his face. He was taken 1nto
the store and DIR. McChesney sent for.
When the doctor arrived he found but
faint huttering of life, which in moment
more WAS extinct. Mr.. Byers had died OF
appcplexy ami had not Ut tered word or
given any sign of consciousness after be-
ing stricken, His remains were taken
home and on Sunday buried from the F irst
Presbyterian church, Rev. VIM. E. Baker
and Rev. J. M Frost officiating. The
pail bearers were Col. VIM. L. Bumgard-
ner of the I'd Va. regiment, 1t. VIM. b.
Logan of the West Augusta Guard; Pres
ident Robt. W. Burke and Garrett e..
Gooch Of the City Council; A. E. Miller
and Edward Echols of Staunton Lodge
Knights Of Pythias, and Messrs. Edward
Jones and Robt. Holiday. The remains
were accompanied to Thornrose Cemetery
by the West ADJUSTS Guard, OF which
command the deceased was formerly q
Lieutenant, and the Stanton Artillery
headed by the Stonewall Brigade Band.
and the Knights of Pythias, which last
organization conducted the ceremonies at
tho grave after the rites Of their order.
Mr.. Byers though not yet thirty -four
years of age, was one Of the most success
full business men Of the city and had for
several years been member of one Of the
largest firms in it. He had so thoroughly
grounded himself in the esteem of his fellow
citizens that there was no 0fice in the mu-
nicipslity be might net have had if he de-
sired it. He was for many terms elected
member of the City Council and had
proved himself a public spirited and dis
Great representative of the peoples inter
est. In social life his genial and kindly
heart, his active friendship for those who
stood in need Ct it, and his high character
made him the welcome and cherished COM
pauion of ALL His death is loss to the
community that will not soon be replaced.
But to his widow and children it is loss
| which is irreparable. They have the deep
est sympathy Of the community in their
great bereavement.
On Saturday morning last Mr.. Thomas
j. Crane. venerable music teacher of
Richmond, aged sixty four years, arrived
in this city and took lodgings at Tom
Burke's European House, corner of New
and Court House streets. He was unwell
when be arrived but rapidly became worse
and on Sunday night died Of pneumon..
He received every attention in his last
hours and Magistrate Geo. D. Pearman
| had his remains sent to Richmond on Mon
day morning. His funeral took place from
the Lsigh Street Baptist church there on
Tuesday morning last.
Intelligence has been received here OF
the sudden deat', at Luray, on Monday
last, of Mr.. p. 3. Borst. The originator
and Vice President of the Shenandoah
| Valley Railroad. He WAS in his usual
| health that day. ard after eating a hearty
| supper, went down to the Rust House to
meet Judge Bird and some members of the
bar on business. After getting into the
room and seated, he fell back in his chair
unconscious and died by the time they
could lay him on bed. He died from
appuplexy. He was native of Schoharit
county, N. Y. and was aged 81 years
thirty-fva of which he had resided in Vir
ginia. He was lawyer of great energy
and was connected with many public i'm
movements