Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-10-25
PETER BURTON DEAD
THIS wELL-ksOWS NEWSPAPER
MAN REACHES HIS END.
4 MOST INTERESTING CAR Err
Was en- Richmond, Petersburg, and
DanviIIe Journals, and Afferward
Native of brunswick.

Mr. Peter ]. Burton. the wsil-known
newspaper man, died at his home, ON
west Cary street, at o'clock last night.
He had been in failing health for some
months, indeed. for several years, but
very few OF his friends knew that the
end was so near.
Last spring Mr.. Burton, who had been
sick for a long time. went to Atlanta and
spent several weeks with his sister. Mrs.
Jeter formerly Mrs. Aylett r. Woodson.
OF this city). and returned 20 this city
about three months ago. very much I'M
proved in health He felt stronger ana
better. and was frequently seen about the
streets In conversation with his friends.
lie began TO decline about six weeks ago.
and later on had TO take to his bed. his
death was quiet and peaceful.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
Mr.. Burton WAS born In brunswick
county about fifty years ago, and spent
his early life on tho farm OF his father.
When he grew up be became associated
with the Petersburg Index-Appeal. and
started upon one OK the most remarkable
newspaper careers known IN the State
for the Index-Appeal for several years.
and then was connected with the Peters,
burg Post, OF which the late Major II.
+. Glass was the proprietor. Mr. Bur-
ton went from the Cockade City 20 DAM
vile with Major Glass, and there prose-
cuted his newspaper work as reporter.
Subsequently he was one OF the propri-
etors Of a paper published In that city
by himself and a Mr.. Smith the firm
l..fr, Il -
proved unsuccessful. however, and Mr..
Burton came to Richmond TO live. 10
was connected with the Dispatch for
several years. and dld some OF his best
reportoral work while here. IL was he
who caused an investigation TO be made
into the causes Of the death OF Fannie
Lillian Madison. the young woman for
whose murder Thomas Judson Cluverius
died upon the gallows. The authorities
were about to turn the body oe the MUIR
dered girl over 70 her friends for inter-
ment. when Mr.. Burton begun a per-
sonal investigation OF the circumstances
attending her death, which caused the
officials 10 look more carefully into the
matter. and thus started there developed
one OF the most sensational cases I'm the
annals of Virginia. Besides his work on
the Dispatch. Mr.. Burton was at differ
ent times connected with the Whig, Cam
paien. and Times. He also served as
correspondent for the Petersburg Index
Appeal and several other out-of-town
papers. He served In the cavalry branch
OF the Confederate army.
WAS LONG COMMITTEE CLERK.
About eight years ago Mr.. Burton was
elected Clerk 10 the various committees
of the City Council. and he then gave
up active newspaper work. although he
had frequently since then contributed 10
the local columns OF the city journals.
He served continuously as Committee
Clerk until May, 1895. when he resigned.
| owing to falling health. Since that time
Mr.. Burton had no steady occupation.
| A serious spell of sickness. with which
he was seized about two years ago, had
almost shattered his nervous system and
his friends feared that he would never
again be restored to his former physical
condition.
Several years ago Mr.. Burton married
Miss Nettie Smith, OF this city. a daueh-
ter Of a once prominent tobacco dealer
of Richmond. and Mrs. Burton survives
! him. He leaves three sisters Miss Helen
Burton, with whom he resided; Mrs. Je-
ter and Mrs. Hillman. both of Atlanta.
Mr. Burton had a quick and receptive
mind, a keen sense OF humor; phe-
nomenal memory; great powers OF mimi
cry, and the most extensive vocabulary
of words at easy command. He easily
made himself the most popular man In
hny crowd, in which he might find him.
self. He was generous 20 a fault, ana
was ever ready TO help his friends TO
the extent Of his ability. He was reared
In the Methodist Church Few men in
Richmond had so many friends as Peter
Burton, and to them all he was ever loyal.
The news OF his death will carry sor-
row 10 the hearts OF many In every walk
OF life. Mr. Burton was a strikingly
handsome man, and enjoyed fine health
up TO the last few years.
The funeral arrangements have not yet
been made.