The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1904-03-16

ntJlnYly apply to the subject Of this
sketch that am constrained to 30 use
them. OF all the men of the communi-
ty in which he lived recall none who
80 Impressed me with his modesty,
serenity and unembarrassed cOmDOsure
as William Burriss. He came by these
qualities hOneetly, as we are wont to
say. They were inherited rather than
acquired, at least in arge measure, for
they were qualities equally as marked
in 'is honorcd father, the Rev. Jacob
Bnr:iss, 70 whom ne bore str liking like
ness in physical as well as in mental
features. And ne was every whit
gentleman, being well noID and well
bred, refined and high minded In his
intercourse with his fellows he bore
himself always with ci.cu.usDectncss
that won their confidence and adnlira-
ton, and through a long and active life
he Sc lived that no man ever had reason
to point the iirger of suspicion at him
or call in question the purity of his mo
tlves. His life was projected on high
plane and was 80 maintained to the
end.
In an eminent degree he possessed
the moral qualities so conspicuous in
the large family connection to which
he belonged and whose name he bore.
l have often remarked that perhaps
there is not in all the State another
family name quite so extensive as that
of Burriss that has figured so little in
tho proceedings of the criminal courts.
They are peace loving folk who have
found ways OF settling their differences
with men without resort to violence.
10 mo it is lncOnceivable that William
Burriss could have been provoked into
doing any man bodily injury. He
might have suffered such from another,
but believe he would have preferred to
suffer himself rather than to have in
iilctcd suffering OF injuryupo another.
And this must not be taken to mean
that he was given either to fawning or
cringing. The truly brave man is he
who maintains his rights without resort
to violence; who controls his spirit and
ls master OF self, and such man WAS
William Burriss.
The Burrieses are known also as an
induGtriOus and thrifty people, and in
this respect my subject was worthy
representative of his fathers and breth-
rem He worked with his own hands,
and taught his sons and daughters to
90 the same. Labor is not only hon.
doctrine, have no doubt, was duly
emphasized by this good man in his
homo. As result, his was home of
plenty and comfort, of fellowship and
good cheer, of love and felicity.
went to his home may times when q
boy, and recall to this day the perfect
order that seemed always to prevail
everywhere within its precincts. This
was due, of course, III large measure,
to the lovely woman ,Iho was his wife,
and whose co-Opera lion he enioyed in
all the affairs of -lif:,. Industry, econo-
my, careful outstanding of resources,
and wise expenditure were principles
that were rigidiy observed, and which
yielded their proper fruits.
me BurTlss homo was not situated
on the public road. 1t was out in the
idTiii, h;:!f milo. perhaps. from tho
rond and shut out from Wow by body
of woods. At least, so it was thirty
years ago. 1t was q srQuestcrcd and
tractlve one. Not because of the benuty
OF situation or stately and handsome
buildings that adorned the site. but be-
cause OF the excellent people who lived
there. Tho wife and mother was my
mothers kinswOman, both being de-
sccnded from tho MOOrheads, and so
was taught to call tho old people
cousin William" and "Counin SARAH;
and of course all the boys and girls of
the home were my kinfollz. My moth
CT cherished her relationship and life
long friendship for cousin Sarah",
anu tho intercourse between tho homes
was always tho most pleasant and fra
ternal. There were few things | valued
more highly whom boy than the priv
ilege OF q visit to the home of my cous-
ms. the Burrisscs. Some times | went
with my mother to spead an afternoon,
ana soM3 times from school with the
noys OF the home to spend the night.
Ihey were occasions Ot genuine pleas
m Ers,,
spots III my bOyhOOl days. While we
engaged with perfect freedom in the
innocent games and amuselnents usu-
ally allowed il Christian hGme, was
Impressed always that must Ge on my
pest behavior, and the thought that |
had violated any of the rules of pro-
prlety would have greatly humiliated
mo.
William Burriss was consistent and
earnest Christian, and from early life
was useful and faithful member of
Salem Baptist Church, which he served
as deacon and treasurer q number of
years. he was regular attendant,
as long as health Permitted, upon her
services, contributed of his means to
her. support and exemplitied in his
daily walk and conversation the doc
trine and profession of q godlv life.
While he was not demonstrative or
SSAooAAS ~ " - optAAtOolly IuluuoU
and was as tender and gentle as a wo-
man, His religion was not of the emo
tional type. Quiet, dignified, thought
full, seft-possessed, he would not fail
to impress even o stranger that he was
man of stalwart Christian character
and unusual moral force. There was
nothing in his demeanor to suggest
superticiality in character or Christian
profession and service. For more than
twenty years my vocation has brought
me into contact with the noblest men
OF great Christian denomination and
of all the good men it has been nv
privilege to know and be assooiated
with none have impressed me more
pleasantly or favorably or won my
admiration and confidence to a higher
degree than William Rnrriss. This
may be>thOught e&travagant and full
some by some of my readers, but not
so by those who k1few him Intimately.
As neighbor and citizen he was
ideal. While he attended strictly to
his own affairs. he was not Indifferent
to the demands of the community, and
was ready always to cooperate with
his DelghbCrS in every enternriaa thot