Bisbee daily review., 1908-06-04
MAJOR BURTON
RESPONDS TO
DEATHS CALL
Confederate Veteran and Po-
liticaI wheel Horse" An
swers Last Roll Call OF An
Eventful Life.

Major George Henry Burton, aged
rs, passed away between and 8
o'clock yesterday morning. at his
apartments in the home of Star Viii
liams on Brewery avenue. Death fol
lowed as the result of a severe cold,
combined with old age and weakness
due to a recent attack of pneumonia
Funeral services will be held this
afternoon at O'Clock from the under
taking parldrs of Fletche- & Hen
nessey, under the auspices of the
Warren District Democratic Club.
Major Burton was born in Kentucky
in 1880. At just what place even his
most intimate friends do not know.
1t is understood that he was ~des-
cendant of one of the most prominent
families of that state. but whether he
has any relatives who are yet alive
no one knows. The Major never re-
ferred to these subjects, so far as any
of his friends can recall. AS Major"
Burton he was known to all, and per-
haps not a half dozen people of the
city knew his Christian name On the
great register of the city of Bisbee he
was enrolled as Major Burton.
His full name is on certificate of
confirmation from the Methodist
church of Phoenix, dated 1897. A
search of his effects failed to reveal
any other paper bearing on his hfe.
Major Burton served four years in
the civil war as a member of Cheat
hams division of the Confederate
forces in the western division of the
army. He was shot twice in the leg
during his service. once above and
once below the knee, the injury max
ing him a cripple for life. Although a
Kentuckian, Major Burton fought with
the Tennessee troops.
In referring TO his residence in the
territory the Major would sometimes
say that che first came to the terri
| tory thirty years ago" and sometimes
forty years ago. 1t is thought that
about thirty-five or six is close guess.
He first located in Prescott, spent sew
eral years there. and went to New
Mexico. In Santa Fe he was promin-
ent in politics and occupied very in
fiuential position in the Democratic
comsels of that territory. He return
ed to Prescott, later moved TO Benson,
and again went back to Prescott. He
/ 9leo lived for while at Wilcox. TIE
Major also lived for time in San
Diego, California, and organized a
number of lodges for the Odd Fellows
in California
Seven years ago Major Burton came
TO Bisbee, following part of the time
his trade as an upholsteFeT., In 1904
he was sergeant-at-arms for the Ari-
iona legislature For the past two
years the Major had been building in
spector for the city, and on the night
of his death was re-appointed to that
position by the new council One of
his friends waited at the council meet
ing until $3.50 to learn whether or not
the Major would be Te-appointed, but
was forced TO leave at that time, and
the Major did not learn of his reap
pointment. -.-....
An incident in connection with his
application for re-appointment is
good illustration OF the Majors
scrupulous care of his person and his
effects. The envelope in which his
application was enclosed had a slight
mark on it, and when he entrusted it
to one of his friends, he made him
promise to put it in a clean envelope
and address it carefully.
Although close to eighty years of
age, the Major had all the fire and
energy of youth, and his mind was
keen and active. He always took a
great interest in politics, and his ad-
dresses at conventions and political
are familiar to all. He had
a natural gift in wording his thoughts
in beautiful expressions and phrases,
and old as he was, could put younger
men to shame in arousing enthusiasm
and bringing an audience to its feet.
In his bearing Major Burton was
courteous TO the last degree, and al
though he had many heated argu-
ments with those who differed with
him politically, they were entirely de-
void of personal feeling. No word
was ever heard against the honor and
personal integrity of Major Burton.
Always upright in his dealings, true to
his friends, and ever ready with gay |
word of raillery or with "reminiscences
Of his eyentful career.
About two months ago Major Burton !
was afflicted with a severe attack of
r-leumonia, but despite the fears of
his friends, recovered and took his |
Gently closed. Only an indemitable |
will and a well preserved body could |
have brought him through his attack. |
He remarked in an address before the |
Democratic Club, after his recovery, |
that he had been snatched from the |
valley of the shadow of death to as
sist in placing in office the entire
Democratic ticket in the city election. |
During his last Illness Major Bur
ION was attended by Drs. Edmundson /
and Cohen, and a nurse was with him /
night and day. He began to sink early |
evening and died few hours |
later. II is said by those who were |
present that Major Burton, realizing
hat the end was near, commended his /
soul to its Maker in one Of the most |
and touching prayers that |
ever fell from human lips.
With the passing of Major Burton |
to that bourne whence no traveller /
a friend has gone whose |
place can not be filed. Courteous |
toward all, upright in his dealings. |
man of stainless honor, Major Burton's |
memory viii be ever kept green in the |
hearts of his multitude of friends. His |
pleasant raillery and his rare reminis- |
censes will be missed in the halls and |
On the streets of the city. But there |
will be comfort in the thought that |
'the old war horse" true to his |
friends, faithful to every trust, grown |
Did in service 10 a worthy cause, has
passed to final rest.
Funeral services will be held this
afternoon at O'clock from the Fleuc.-
er & Hennessey undertaking pa-lors, |
Rev. Spicer. of the Christian church
The following viii act as
pail bearers. John Twomey. p }.