The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-07-29

1r. William IL. Staunton, Former
Well Known Resident of Henderson
Dies at Soldiers Home in Raleigh
Where lie Had Been an inmate for
Several Years-Was 81 Years, S
Months and DAVIS Old.

Mr. W II. Staunton died ii the Sol
diers' Home in Raleigh at II O'Clock
Sunday, July 10Th. He was sick but
a short while, a general break down
incident to old age taking the form
OF partial paralysis being the imme-
date cause of death. Mr.. stanton
was born February is, 1926, aud "as
81 years, , months and days old.
| He was soldier Of the Confederate
| army and his passing away marks
| the dropping out from the ranks and
| the roll call of earth of another OF the
| noble band of heroes who followed
the fortunes of Lee and his immortals
who fought in defense of the South.
Previous to going to the Soldiers
| Home Mr.. Staunton lived for some
years with Mr.. George E. Workman
| between whom there was a strong tie
of friendship. Getting leave of absence
he would visit him at stated periods
| and stay months at a time at his
home near Henderson. Then he would
go back to Raleigh when the notion
struck him, always feeling at liberty
to come again and stay as long as
he wanted to with his friend, who had
always proved friend indeed.
Mr.. Staunton had exacted a prom
Use of Mr.. Workman that when he
died he should be brought to Hender-
son and buried. Saturday in response
to information that he was not ex-
pected to live but a few hours Mr..
Workman went to Raleigh to be with
the old man in his last moments and
carry into effect the promise he had
made him.
With the sands of life running fast
the aged man was able to recognize
his friend when he arrived and
while his vocal organs were paralyzed
so he could not talk he whispered his
name and a look OF peaceful salts
faction lightened his countenance.
Some hours later he became uncon-
scious and seemed to sleep until with
out tremor the Pickering flame Of
life went out and he "passed over the
river to rest under the shade of the
trees with his comrades who had
preceded him.
"Uncle Billy" Stanton, as he was
Familiarity called. formerly lived in
Henderson and was we'll known
among the older residents, but for
several years past he had been an
inmate of the Soldiers Home. He
was kindly old man, good natured
and friendly, cheerful in disposition,
with a smile and pleasant word for
all and those who knew him liked
him. He was an enemy to no man
o,J NO, IN b;,,oole b;o cum uorct
enemy.
The body was brought to Hender-
son Sunday night and taken to
Barnes undertaking establishment
from which the funeral was held at
II o'clock Monday. The dead man
was not a member of any church but
his people were mostly Episcopalians.
Hence it was that Mr.. Maurice j.
O'Neil who is lay reader at the Epis-
copal church in the absence OF rec
tor, was asked to conduct the SER
vice. The all-bearers were |. G. Boo
bitt, Simpson Dean, A. 0. WOOdlief,
Col. T. L. Jones, j. P. Massenburg,
Col. Henry Perry, most of them Con-
federate Veterans.
At the grave after the burial SER
vice was read by Mr.. O'Neil, Rev. j.
T.B. Hoover, commander OF the local
camp of Confederate Veterans, made
a short talk appropriate to the oc-
casion. We have not heard anything
more beautifully expressed, more
deeply touching, with illustrations
and comparisons more fitting than
Mr.. Hoover's tribute to the Confed-
crate soldier, to their fast thinning
ranks and the great reunion and COM
radeship of the soldiers of all ages