The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-29
FORMER MAYOR OF
 BESSEMER DEAD Walter 1. Rush Passes Away
 After Long Illness FUNERAL T0BE HELD TODAY Judge B. Clay Jones Announces Can didacy for Judge of 6essemer
 court-PersonaI and Gen
 eraI News of Bessemer.
FUNERAL TOBE HELD TODAY

Bessemer. April 2s.-(SpeciaI )-Besse-
 mer lost one of her best citizens in
 the death this morning of Mayor Walter
 L. Rush at 10 o'clock. MT Rush was taken sick about four weeks ago and when the council met in the latter part of March he asked for a vacation on account of i'll health. When council met last week he rendered his resignation and President of the City Council I. A. Lewis was sworn in as mayor and acting recorder. MT. Rush improved during the week and was on the streets until late Saturday evening, but when he returned home he was taken worse and his de- cline was rapid and sudden. Last night 1t was realized that he would last only a short time and artificial means were used to try to pass the danger point. but the strength was gone and he passed away surrounded by loved ones and with his faithful physician by his side
 Walter l.. Rush was born 42 years ago at Meridian, Miss, and early in life adopted the business of druggist and soon hls application made him an ex- pert pharmacist, and until he began to fail in health a few years ago ho had been for several years the head of the W. L. Rush Drug company in Bes- semer, where he built up a splendid bus mess.
 Selling ont his drug business. he later engaged in the book business, which lie conducted up to a week or two ago In 1907 MT. Rush offered himself as mayor of the city of Bessemer and was elec, ed, and under the new code was re- elected ir 1908, holding the office un- til week ago when he resigned with the intention of going to tEa extreme southwest in the hope that he wouii be benefited. But Saturday night after day on the streets he was taken worse and soon suecumbed to the dread ds- ease.
 MT. Rush was married In 1891 to Miss Hattie Brown, who survives him via four children, three sons ani one daugh- ter, the latter being but few months old. He was a Mason, a Pythian and an Elk and was always interested in the work of the lodges. A member of the Baptist church he was often con- suited as to the work of yhe church
 AS a man there was no man in Bes- semer who enjoyed the esteem and con- fidence of the people more then he, and many will be the tear dropped over ths death of one who was always a trus and tried friend.
 The remains will he inferred with Ma sonic honors on Thursday afternoon a. o'clock. All business houses and the schools will be closed in memory of the deceased the stores during the hour of the funeral and the schools during the day.
 The funeral will take place at the res idence at S:3O o'clock, the Rev " O. Adams, rector of Trinity Episcopal church. assisted by the Rev. D. P. Tay- Tor, pastor of the First Christian church conducting the serv. g. The remains will lie In state on the lawn at the res- idence from to 3 D. m. and four po- lice officers have been detailed as a guard of honor The school children and any others may pass down Second ave- ne by the remains and out on Eighteenth street The remains after the services at the home will be taken in charge by the Masons. who will conduct the ser vices at the grave. The following will act as pallbearers: Honorary, Judge Wll- liam Jackson, Capt. H. W. Crook, Dr. w. D. Taylor, E. H. Lopez, w. J. Long, I. A. Lewis, Dr. T. F. Robinson and J. H. Hard. Active pallbearers from the Masonic lodge; Judge Ben c. Perry, ex- Mayor Thomas, T. Huey, W. w. Hol- lingsworth, Dr. J. s. Winters, Lee Moody, A c. Mitchell and Walter K. McAdory. Interment will be at Cedar Hill ceme- tery.