New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1903-01-03
IN MHMORlAM.

On the Both day Of December, as
the year 1902, was nearing its end
VIM. R. Burke, one of New IBERIA
most esteemed citizen, after a long
and painful sickness, was breath.
ing his last. He died at 10 O'Clock
P. NJ. aged GO years and II months.
Whilst sadness and a vacancy
was thereby created in this com
munity, should there not be JOY
and consolation also left to those
from whom he parted, through the
recollection of a name and the
deeds which he left and which
should be cheerfully remembered
by everyone.
Surely when one has served his
God and his country, as faithful
servant, and is prepared to die as a
good Christian, what more can be
expected. Such was his memorial.
For his Creator he knew no
bounds. Imbued from his boy
hood, and no doubt, through the
kind advice Of a Christian mother,
with the love and sincerity, which
he cherished the balance Of his
days, towards his heavenly father
he was known and could be found
often kneeling in the sanctuary
and serving at the sacrifice of mass
until a more advanced age, when
filled with the effervescent grace
which the Almighty, no doubt,
chose to bestow upon, in the mid
die stage, and until the end of his
life, he remained ever faithful in
the practice of the faith in the Ro-
man Catholic Church, and Of which
he was not ashamed and was ever
ready as a faithful servant, in the
service of the said church.
On his death bed he was admin
istered by the Rev. Father Frohn,
and received the blessed sacra-
ments.
In the year 1862, or thereabout,
and during the war Of the States,
inflamed with the love and cause of
the South, he joined the 18th
Louisiana Regiment as lieutenant
under the command at the time Of
Colonel Mouton who afterwards
became General in the confederate
service. He was at the battle Of
Shiloh and at Corinth aud remained
in the Confederate service during |
the entire war.
After the war, endowed only
with such limited schooling in
those days as could be afforded in
proportion to ones means, he ap.
piled himself to studying and be-
came familiar with public life and
affairs, to the extent that he was
found . fit representative of tho
people and was chosen Mayor Of
this town, in which capacity he
served and was ever devoted to.
ward the interest and welfare Of
the town and people, He also
served as councilman for several
years. He was at another period,
chosen and acted for several years
as superintendent Of the Public
Schools in the town and parish Of
iberia. In the said service he was
also noted for his constant energy
and devotion towards the welfare
and success of said schools, being
The chief promoter of the high
School and erection of the main
building now used for said purpose
and which serve as q relic to his
name and pride to New Iberia.
He was among the foremost in
lurthering improvements in this
own, principally the market house
which is one Of its main sources in
he shape Of revenues.
He was kind and extended chart
les to many. All this GER
;ainly stand to his glory and should
be cheerfnlly remembered by all 10
his community.
Gay his voice, that in this choir on earth,
With 20 much srdor, used to sing,
The glories Of his Heavenly Father,
Now b mingled with the Seraphims,
n the celestial choir.
A FRIEND.