Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-01-14
Death Of NAL. J. W. Newton.

The very sudden and unexpected death
Maj. j. W. Newton of this city, at 2 o'clocl
last Thursday afternoon, caused shock U
to this community, when it became known
Mai. Newton had been on the street durinl
the forenoon He had dined with his broth
er-in-law, Mr. Eskridge, that day and u
all appearances was enjoying his usua
health. He had just returned from Mr.
Eskridge's home and gone to his apart
ments. When he arrived there he found tn
| fire needed replenlshing, so he went TO
more coal. At the moment he left the room
he was stricken with appoplexy. and hi
wife who had been sick about
month, was lying in the room hf
had lust left, hearing groans in the nal
went Immediately there and found him
lying in dying condition. Before medical
aid arrived he was dead although only
few moments elapsed. He had been suffering
with heart trouble for the past three years
and a recent attack of the grippe no doubt
fastened his death.
Mai. Newton was born in Greenvllle, In
this county, on the Sth of March, 1888. His
father was John Newton one OF the best
known and most worthy citizens OF the
county. His education was received In pri-
vate schools and at the Brownsburg Acade-
my. His last school days were at Messy
Creek Academy which was in charge OF
Mai. Jed Hotchkiss. Just before the be-
ginning of the war he organized volunteer
company KNOWN as the Augusta Grays,
which was afterwards Co. E 9Th Va. Regi-
ment, Stonewall Brigade, he rose rapidly
in rank. For gallantry at the battle OF
Winchester was commissioned Major, and
afterwards promoted to Lieut. Col, but be-
ing desperately wounded at Kernestown
which resulted in the loss Of his leg, he
never was again in active service. Major
Newton was in command of the regiment at
the battle of Cedar Mountain when it cap.
tured the 2sJh New York. He was instru-
mental in bringing about reunion OF the
two regiments at Niagara Falls some years
at which the flag of the 2sth N. Y. was re-
turned to the survivors.
Mai. Newton married daughter Of the
late Rev. A. A. Eskridge, who survives
him. He is also survived by one sister,
Mrs. M. E. Cootes. Maj. Newton has been
prominently associated with the temperance
cause, and few years ago was Grand Chief
Templar of the Good Templars of Virginia.
Major Newton had been total abstain Ell
for over 80 years.
He Joined the NJ E. Church, South, in 1861
under the ministry of Rev. John l.. Clarke,
and held every position of honor given by
that church. He was kind, generous, sym.
pathetic, and beloved by all who knew him
intimately. No case of distress failed to
excite his sympathy and aid as far as in his
power. He was generous to a fault.
The funeral services were held at the NJ
E. Church, South, on Saturday morning
and were conducted by the pastor of the
church. Rev. DIR. j. H. Boyd, assisted by
Revs. H. P. Hamill and j. T. James. After
which the burial took place in Thornrose
cemetery.
The following were the pall-bearers-
Active-S. u. Timberlake II. NJ. McIlha.
ny, j. N. Mcfarland, Alex. II. Fultz, Jas
Bumgardner and Jos. L. Barth. Honorary
j. A. Fauyer. r. o. Haines, F. w. Hager
P. E. Wilson and TIC. Morton.