W. T. MELTON
W. T. MELTON IS DEAD
One of Brady's Most Prominent and Respected Citizens Passed Away Suddenly Last
Night.
Col. W. T. Melton is dead. all Brady was shocked when this news was flashed over
town about 8:00 o'clock last night. Colonel Melton had been at his office all
day, and was apparently in his usual health. After eating supper he complained
of a pain around his heart and physicians were summoned, but the hand of Death
had been laid upon that noble heart, and a good man was called, his death
resulting after about a half-hour's suffering. His death was pronounced as a
result of heart failure, superinduced by an old rheumatic and asthmatic trouble
from which he had been a sufferer many years.
Col. W. T. Melton was one of Brady's most substantial
citizens. he was senior member of the land and abstract firm of W. T. Melton
& Co., and was ever wide-awake to the town's best interests. No man among us
help a warmer place in the respect and esteem of our people as a whole. No man
is Brady could have died who will be more generally missed. His death leaves a
gap in our citizenship which can never be filled, and the expressions of regret
at his sudden taking away are many and sorrow is widespread.
Col. Melton was 65 years
of age, and had been a citizen of Brady about seven years, coming here from
Brownwood. Previous to that time he had been a citizen of Concho and San Saba
counties, at one time being editor of a paper in San Saba. he was sheriff of
Concho county for eight years, and was also sent to the Twenty-sixth Legislature
while a citizen there. His residence in this section of the state dates back
from many years, and he was widely known and universally esteemed all over the
district. he was one of the most enthusiastic members of the local camp of
confederate Veterans, and was on of the pillars of that organization. During the
war he was with the 14th Alabama Regiment, Army of Northern Virginia under
Longstreet, and surrendered with his command at Appomattox. At one time he was
Brigade Commander of the Confederate Veterans of this district, and the news of
his death will cause sorrowing hearts among his old comrades of the Lost Cause.
There are left to mourn his loss a wife, two sons and four
daughters: W. T. Melton, Jr., of Coleman; Thornton P. Melton, now in school in
Ft. Worth; Miss Mamie Melton, of Brady; Mrs. Jesse F. Cross, of Fort Worth; Mrs.
John Vaughan, of Plainview, and Mrs. Will Vaughan, of Brady. All of them will be
here for the funeral tomorrow afternoon. the funeral services will be conducted
by Rev. Mathis, of the Methodist church, of which denomination deceased had been
long a member, having led a consistent Christian life. He was also an honored
member of two lodges- the Masons and Odd Fellows, and the funeral tomorrow will
be under the auspices of the Masonic body.
The Standard's editor feels a distinct sense of personal loss in the death of
this fine old southern gentleman. He was our friend and we esteemed him much,
and we mingle our sorrow with those who mourn.
The Brady Standard
April 29, 1909
Submitted by Carolyn Moody
BURIED WITH HONORS
Funeral of the Late Col. W. T. Melton One of the Largest Ever Held in Brady.
All Brady united in doing honor to the memory of Col. W. T.
Melton last Friday, and the funeral was one of the largest ever held in the
city. All business houses were closed during the services, and there were many
out-of-town attendants.
The Brownwood Commandry Knights Templar, o which deceased had
long been a member and under whose ceremonies he had expressed a wish to be
buried, sent a delegation of about thirty members, and the services at the
residence were in their charge after the religious services of the Methodist
church under the leadership of Rev. Bolton, presiding elder of the conference
had been concluded. The Knights Templar service was most beautiful and
impressive. When it had been concluded the local Masonic lodge too charge of the
remains and the interment at the cemetery was according to their beautiful
ritual. The pall bearers were from the ranks of the lodge and were as follows:
F. M Newman, Duke Mann, W. D. Crothers, G. R. White, Sam Graham and J. D.
Hudson. Deceased was also an honored member of the Odd Fellows' lodge, and they
too, assisted in the funeral.
the casket was draped in a Confederate flag, and Col., Melton
was thus buried, bearing the colors he had loved so well and served so
faithfully throughout the Civil War. The old soldiers were present in a body and
took the last march with heir beloved comrade to his last long resting place.
And thus was honor done to a noble man; a splendid citizen; a
devoted husband; a loving father. Long will his memory be cherished; long may
his example and precept be followed. Peace to his ashes.
Brady Standard
May 6, 1909 page 1
Submitted by Carolyn Moody
Paint Rock sent over a large delegation last Friday to attend the funeral of their former townsman, Col. Melton. We did not get all the names but noted the following: D. E. Sims, J. W. Normand, Gerard Huston, Joe Currie, J. W. Ratchford, J. B. Waide, H. J. Crosier, Ed Crozier, Jas. E. Hawze.
Brady Standard
May 6, 1909 page 1
Submitted by Carolyn Moody