The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1898-02-05
JUDGE ELDRIDGE BURDEN DEAD.
LexingtOn's Oldest Male Citizen Passes
Peacefully to Rest.

Judge EIdrIdge Burden Is dead. All
that was mortal of him has been placed In
q narrow bed 10 Machpelah cemetery,
there to await the final resurrection.
Slowly this little city of the dead, with
It's mournful cedars and cold white shafts
OF purest marble, is growing. With bowed
heads and sorrowing hearts we follow our
dead to this last resting place and lay
them tenderly away. The last sad rites
of the church are said, bringing with
them a sweet balm, a Christian faith In
the promise of our Savior to our wounded
hearts. The clods of earth, mingled with
the tears wrunR from the hearts of loved
ones left behind. fall softly on the coffin,
and we know the face and form so dear TO
US will greet our eyes no more. A little
mound of earth rises above the bed In
which the dead one lies ~shrouded, and the
city with its tall white spires has added
another precious body to the number
already within its walls.
Judge EldrIdge Bdrdeu Is dead. Dur
entire city mourns the death of one of its
oldest, most highly respected and valued
citizens. The bar, of which he was for
many years an active and leading mem.
Der, has felt the hand of death invade
thsir circle aud bear away one whom they
had loved and honored; one who had
climbed from the foot of the ladder to a
position where his worth and ability were
recognized and appreciated, and whose
voice was ever heard pleading on the side
of mercy and justice.
Judge Burden was born In Nicholas
county, Kentucky, December 81, 1902. His
father, James Burden, was a soldier OF the
revolution, and served under Gen. Wash
ington. Judge Burden was left q penni-
less orphan when only seven years of age.
J Gov. Thomas Metcali, OF Kentucky,
assumed his guardianship, and he was
adopted as a member of the governors
family, receiving from the teachings and
exanples OF his noble bsnefaotor those
principles Of probity and usefulness
which distinguished him in after life.
Left without money, and at an early age
thrown on bis own resources, the rough
contact with the world served to more
thoroughly develop the grander and
better nature OF the man. he qualified
| himself to m the study of law by
laboring Ia bis youth for the means With
which to deiray his expenses at school.
He realized the necessity ofa thorough
education, and spared himself no work in
his Efforts to secure one. He graduated
with high honors from Transylvanis
University at Lexington. KY, In 1883. and
In the same year moved to this city.
where he at once began the practice of
Law. He was united Ia marriage 10 1897
to Misc Patsy TripIett Waddeli, q daugh-
ter of John T. Waddell. one of the found
ers of Lexington. He rose rapidly In his
chosen profession, and o an active part
10 politics. His valuable services were
recognized, and he represented this
county for eight years In the Missouri
legislature, making an enviable record
while there. An able and eloquent
speaker, he rapidly arose to prominence,
and was soon recognized as one OF the
most influential members of the house.
He was one of the ~originators and cham
pious of the bill abolishinE imprisonment
for debt, and the success of hat measure
In Missouri was mainly attributed to
his able efforts In Its advocacy. He was
elected for the third time president OF the
old State Bank In this city, and managed
the affairs of that institution In Q manner
that proved him to be an excellent fusn.
cIer. For twelve years he was judge of
the probate court of this county-a court
at that time Of extensive jurisdiction
aud served with marked ability, having
but one appeal from his decisions. Woe.
president of the frat horticultural sooietv
Missouri, and the first mayor of our
city, he served In many official capacities
Of q public nature, and he proved himself
well qualified to discharge every duty an
to him. His judicial qualifications ,
we're of the highest order, enabling him
to follow the thread of law through all
the subtletias of complicated legal ques-
tons. He wac recognized as one OF the 1
criminal lawyers OF the state. Z
His life presents an example OF more !
occurrence ia our country than
any other, where a man without the ex-
.traneous influence of wealth or infuertIal 7
by his unalded efforts rstses q
himself to the highest positions Of honor, 4
Ind acquires the esteem and confidence of O
ais countrymen In consideration alone OF !,
ais own Intrinsic merit. Ever O man of "
ofty principles and unspotted character, :
ae was respected and loved by all who .
thew him. For many years q member of
Christian church, he led q oonscIen- o
ious, God fearing life, o when the
luminous came from on high his soul a
esponded iearlessiy, trusting all to the u
'romises given In the Word of God.
For several years Judge Burden has q;
,een in feeble health, but held up well, A
his advanced age. Recently !.
10 was stricken with paralysis. aud has
Ince beer confined continually to his
He gradually weakened, q or .
'unday evening, surrounded by his loved u
mes, he peacefully breathed his last. He q
led at the age of e5 years, l month and 8 "
.ays.
Euneral services were held at the Chris. ''
an church Tuesday afternoon. An IN. d.
large concourse of friends gath q:
red to pay q last tribute of respect to the W
dead, and to follow the casket NJ
obtaining the remains to their last reet' y,
~ place in the peaceful cemetery. =,
The name of another honored citizen OF :.
or county has been added to those who ..
ave gone on before a.. The silent walls ~
{ The tomb have closed above his body, &
nd be has passed forever from this earth.
gates OF the city of the dead have &C
Iosed behind him, and be shall be known za
Us no more until at the glorious resur- 40
ppear upon earth and throw back the C,
sIi which now hangs before our eyes. "a
HAB MEETING. In
LEXINGTON, Mo, February l, 1898. pi
Information OF the decease of Hon. Sc
Burden having been received by m
he Bar of Lafayette county, Missouri, q -,
was called In commemoration OF III
10 decease, aud of his life aud virtues; tn
I'D accordingly the Bar met at the court a..
ouse, In the city Of Lexington, 10 Lafay- III
To county, Mo-, on the FIRST day OF Feb. sh
lary, 1898, TO consider the action to be oe
ken by the lego fraternity OF said ~
UNITY, expressive of their admiration lie
Id esteem for the character, ability and az
,emplary virtues of one who bars the os
irity OF the profession where virtue "a
He'd It, many years beyond the verage
.riod allotted to the profession. tw
Upon motion duly made, seconded and ~,
rried, Hon.. John 6. RyIand was select 81
as chairman OF the meeting, and VIM. &C
all, Esq, secretary. 1t was thereupon .
owed, which motion was unanimously a .
rried after being regularly seconded, ts
the chairman appoint a committee of ?
rec member OF the bar to draft resolu-
,ns commemorative Of the esteem and on
mirstion Of the bar for our deceased tin
up
The chair thereupon appointed ss mem.