Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-05-31
INTO ETf REITY
T. L. Thornton, One of Abilene's No
Esteemed Citizens, Passes Away.

| ESC66meu Oltlzcus, 1doo0o 0"oy
For many years T. L. Thornton has
been ore of the best known and most
highly esteemed citizens of our city
and when, during the winter, his heath
began to fail, hosts of friends expressed
their anxiety in view of his waning
strength.
| About two weeks ago, he
became suddenly worse and 1t was
feared that he would then die. But
his wonderful vitality carried him
through and he rallied sufficiently by
the first of the week to awaken hopes
of his ultimate recovery. Still his
stomach could retain scarcely any
nourishment. and on Wednesday he
suffered relapse. In spite OF physl-
clans careful attention and the minis
trations of anxious friends he sank
rapidly and last Friday about half
past seven passed into that sleep which
knows no waking.
Mr.. Thornton bas been resident OF
Dickinson county about II years. He
came here in 1871 bringing a stock OF
goods from his native State, Illinois,
and for six years was one of the chief
business men of the city. In 1878 he
was elected Register of Deeds on the
Republican ticket and for three terms
filled that position ably, leaving the
affairs of the Office in most excellent
condition when in 1884 he turned it
over to his successor. Since 1884 he
has been engaged in overseeing his
large real estate and stock investments
in this county.
He leaves a wife and four daughters
to mourn his deceaSe. The latter are
fortunately all at home, Misses Lolita
aud Josie living with their parents and
Mrs. Della Person, of Erie, H., and
Mrs. Nellie Sunderland, Larned, Kas.,
having been summoned some days ago.
His neice. Miss Ella Thornton, also
made her home with him.
The Thornton residence was Sum
day afternoon scene OF sadness. Hun
dreds had gathered to pay the last
tributes of respect to the friend and
citizen who was about to be laid away
forever. Not only were the spacious
rooms filled to overlooking, but the
porches and lawn held large assem-
blage hushed with thoughts of sorrow.
The services opened with the singing
Of the beautiful hymn, abide with
Me, by quartette composed of Messrs.
Sumner and McCormack, Mrs. r. Guffin
and Mrs. L. E. Sewell. y tender
prayer that strength might be vouch-
safed to the weeping relatives was
offered by Rev. DR.. Welsher. Rev. w.
| III. Zimmerman. who was to deliver
the sermon, took no text, but read
several appropriate passages from the
scriptures and then spoke briefly. lie
referred to the noble character Of the
dead as a citizen, as husband and
father. as a friend. He realized how
utterly inadequate were human words
to soothe the broken hearts OF the
mourners; but with all the tenderness
possible, his pointed them to the one
Comforter in whom there is relief.
The singers, as a closing hymn, sang
the ever-touching Rock of Ages, y
and then the gathered multitude was
allowed to look for the last time upon
the face of the departed.
AS they fled slowly through the par
lors, past the coffin loaded with Deauti
full flowers, every heart was touched by
| the sight of the stricken family, ard
especially the heart-broken wife, sob
, bling as if all in life that was good had
fed from them.
Borne by the hands OF the friends o.
many years, Messrs. r. Knox, G.. c
e Kenyon. 4. C. Romig, NJ. NicOlay, G
G. Hawk and NJ. p. JOlley, the remains
were plaed in the hearse and, followed
: by long train of mourning friends
were carried to their last resting place
the city of the dead.
1t is seldom that SUCH poignant grie
B. is witnessed as seemed to settle upol
the bereaved family yesterday, TIL
wife, especially, was greatly overcom
and at the grave tainted quite away
e All the immediate relatives were pres
J. emit, Charles Thornton, of Montrose
t Col; and ". H. Sunderland, Larned
Il Kas.. having arrived last week.
The board of education, of whic
i Mr.. Thornton vas president, net j
, special session Saturday evening an
passed the following resolutions upo
a his death:
J. Office of the Board of Education of tn
u city of Abilene, Kas., May %, 1SS'
!. WHEREAS, The relations of our hol
'o ored president, Thomas L. Thornton
with this board have been suddenl
and irrevocably severed By DEATH an
. WHEREAS, We, tina members of th
oI board, recognize in this terrible diSpel
is sation the ifldubitable evidence that v
6. Unjust all, at last, submit to the deere,