The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1902-07-30
PAUL MELTON DEAD.
Passed Away in Americas Friday
Afternoon After a Short and
Sudden Illness.

Paul Melton, one of the most popu-
lar boys of Dawson, died at CLIO Friday
afternoon in Americas.
The circumstances surrounding
Paul's death are peculiarly pathetic.
Dawson's second baseball team, OF
which he was a member, went to
Americas Wednesday, and beginning
that afternoon played the second team
of Americas a series of three games.
1t was against the wishes of his moth
er that Paul accompanied the team,
but he promised her he would not
leave Dawson to play any more games
after those in Americas, little know
ing how prophetic were his words.
He pitched the first and second
games of the series, but was almost
exhausted before the end of the Sec
ond, and the Dawson boys begged him
to come out of the pitchers box and
allow some one else TO take his place,
but with characteristic determination
he refused to do so. After the game,
greatly overheated from his exertions,
he imprudentlY partOOk very freely of
ice water, and this was the immediate
cause of his death. The sudden and
radical change in temperature induced
thereby caused an almost immediate
congestion. The stricken boy was hur-
ried to the Allen House and a physi-
clan was at his side in few moments.
Another physician was called into con-
sultation, and then another and anoth-
err and still another, until five physi-
clans were in attendance. No stone
was left unturned, no resort untried
that medical science and skill and ten
der, gentle nursing could bring into
play, and for a while Paul rallied to
such an extent that it was believed by
the attending physicians that he would
be able to return to Dawson Friday.
! This fact was Gelegraphed to his anx-
ious mother in Dawson, and thereby
hangs one of the saddest features of
the whole sad occurrence. His mother
was at the 6:45 train from Americus
Friday morning to meet and greet him.
He did not come, but just twenty-four
the 6:45 train-came back to his home,
but with the dew of death upon his
brow and his lips sealed forever by the
Omnipotent hand of He who gave him
| being.
The remains were brought to Daw-
son by delegation of Dawson friends
who went up to Americas Friday night
| for that purpose, and also by a COM
! hn ho1
Upon arrival at Dawson the remains
were taken ia charge by detail from
the Dawson Guards, in which Paul
was member and most efficient non
commissioned officer, and conveyed to
the residence of his mother, Mrs. VIII
lie Melton, on Church street.
The funeral obsequies were conduct
ed from the house Saturday afternoon,
Rev. Mr. Neighbo of Americas con-
Quoting the sad rites. He was buried
with military honors.
To say that the cath of Paul Mel
ton causes general regret in Dawson
and wherever he was known is putting
it mildly indeed. Dawson did not CON
tain more popular boy, and he was a
favOrite with everyone who came with
in the radius of his manliness and ire
sistible geniality of disposition. Just
sixteen years of age but of magnifi-
cent physique, with face on which
beamed smile as pleasant as it Was
unceasing, and which scarce knew the
semblance of a frown, it is not hard to
understand the reason of his unques-
toned popularity.
To the mother, brothers and sisters,
bowed in sorrow, the friends of the
family and its departed loved one will
join The News in sincerest coincidence
and heartfelt wish that He by whose