The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1918-02-18
WILEY BURFORD

uFudy dlteTHOOH Nn6H II became
known that Mr.. and Mrs. r. A. Bur-
ford had received a telegram from
the war department announcing the
death of their son, Wiley, on the bat
tie front in France.
The dispatch was received about
4:30 p. M, and said:
Washington, Feb. Is, 1913.
ar. A. Burford, Ocala, Fla:
Deeply regret to inform you that
it is officially reported that Second
Lieutenant Wiley H. Burford, field
artillery, died of a bullet wound, Feb
ruary IA, 1918. Mccain,
"Adjutant General"
At the time the news came in, the
sidewalks and stores around the pub
lie square were thronged with the
usual Saturday afternoon crowd,
rather larger and more lively than
for months, for many of the high
school students and their guests from
Gainesville had come down town after
the basket ball game. The news went
from lip to lip around the business
center almost as swiftly as fire fol-
lows a train of powder. It took the
smile off every face, many women
and girls broke into tears and the men
looked deeply concerned, for the brave
young soldier, his parents, brothers
and sisters are all very dear TO the
people of our city.
Lieutenant Burford is the first
Ocala soldier in the American army
to fall in battle on the French front.
He was brave and skilled young Of
fcer, and his death is loss to the
nation as well as to his family and
friends.
Wiley Burford was the second son
of Mr.. and Mrs. r. A. Burford and
was born in Ocala October 31st, 1893.
He passed his childhood and boyhood
here, and graduated from the Ocala
high school. He then went to Prince
ton University, where he graduated
with honors, class of 1916. He chose
the profession of law, intending to
practice with his able and honored
father, and entered the law depart
ment of the University of Florida at
Gainesville. He completed his junior
course in law before the close of the
term in order to enter the first off,
GERS training camp at Fort McPher-
son.
At the University of Florida he
was a member of the Florida debat-
ing team which won against both
South Carolina and Tennessee He
was member of Kappa Alpha mo
IV.) and won one of the prizes offer
ed in the law college. He held men,
berships in the Serpent's Ribbon So
ciety, the John Marshall Debating
Society, and the Cooley Club. He was
honored with the presidency of the
junior law class, and did honor to the
place.
At Fort Mcpherson he received his
commission as second lieutenant, and
was Immediately sent to France. His
first assignment in foreign service
was in a field artillery school of in
Somewhere in France" On,
this course with favorable
recommendations for promotion, he
was assigned for active duty with the
Field Artillery, American Expedi-
tionary Forces. The regiment to which
he was attached is one in the regular
army which had already been to the
front, in fact, that particular battery
had been the first to take up posi-
ton at the front, and the second to
fire on the enemy.
At least ten days must elapse be-
fore any detailed information will be
available, but it is probable that he re-
ceived his death wound in the fight
ing either of the 18th or of the pre-
ceding day, or two, when it was re-
ported that the American artillery
was being used with good effect on
the German lines. His career ended
early, but even in that little time he
made it worth while.
Lieutenant Burford was one of the
young men of whom this nation can
feel proud. A highly intelligent, clean
living, brave and courageous young
man, no one of his years held a higher
place in the esteem of the people of
his home city or of those who knew
him elsewhere. He was type of the
officers of Americas new army. He
did not want war and did not aspire
to the life of soldier. His inclinations
and training were toward a life of
peace and order. But he saw his
duty and he went to meet it. He was
a volunteer, and he has laid down his
young life for the greatest of causes.
May his life and death be an inspir-
alton for those whose feet are slow
to enter the pathway of duty and
honor.
He died for America; he died for
France; he died for right and justice |
and the welfare of the whole world;
that wrong may be rebuked and
mercy and safety may abound. God
give US millions like him.
In Fritz Greene Halleck's immortal
poem, "Marco Bozzaris," are the fol- |
lowing lines, which are peculiarly ap-
plicable to Lieutenant Burford and
all other men who lose their lives
lighting against oppression:
Come to the bridal chamber, Death;
Come to the mother when she feels |
a L. Il e L >