The Jackson Herald          February 11, 1887

                         William W. Roberts

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  Last Friday evening our people were shocked at the news of the sudden death of Wm. Roberts, of this place.   Mr. Roberts had started to Athens alone, his team was seen to be traveling without a driver, and when stopped near the residence of Mr. John Harrison, Mrs. Roberts' lifeless body was discovered.  No inquest was held over the remains.  The general opinion is that Mr. Roberts died of appolexy, as his father's death occurred in a similar manner. His remains were interred in the Academy cemetery last Sunday with Masonic honors.  Mr. Roberts leaves a large family of children, may relatives and friends to mourn his loss.

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The Jackson Herald                       March 4, 1887

                        ___________________

                       TRIBUTE OF RESPECT
                                     Jefferson, Ga.
                                         March 1, 1887

To the Officers and Brethren of Unity Lodge No. 36 F. A. M.:

     Your committee appointed to prepare resolutions in memory of brother William Roberts, deceased, beg leave to submit the following:

     Brother William Roberts was raised to the sublime degree of Mastor Mason, in 1862 in this Lodge, and ever after to the time of his death remained a true and faithful member.  He was a man of many sterling qualities that are always highly appreciated by every true Mason.  His attentive ear was ever open for virtuous instruction, and was never deaf to the appeal of distress.  His tongue he held with the bridle of discretion and never brought reproach upon the craft.  His faithful heart invariably kept his sacred vow as a Mason.  These with all their corollary virtues highly distinguished our deceased brother as a worthy mason, faithful and true.
     Brother Roberts joined the Baptist church in 185_ and the purity of his life evidenced that he was a true Christian.  The Christian people who knew him best have reason to believe that the beatitudes are gems in his crown of glory, and well might it be said of him "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."  His heart was full of htat charity that "Suffereth long, and is kind," that "envieth not," that "vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up." and "doth not behave itself unseemingly." that "rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth the truth."
     In all his relations in life, in his family, as a Christian, as a Mason and as a citizen our deceased brother illustrated a character symmetrical and full of beauty.  In his conviction he was firmly fixed yet free from prejudice.  he was courageous, yet gentle.  Those who knew him best loved him most.
     On the fourth day of February 1887 brother Roberts started to Athens alone driving a two horse wagon, and near Mr. Harrison's he was found dead.  It is supposed that he died of appoplexy. 
     The last words he was heard to utter on earth were when he was singing his favorite hymn a short time before his death.  "I'm going home to die no more."
     As expressing the sense of his brethren, your committee recommend the following resolution.  In the death of William Roberts, this Lodge, the church and county have sustained a great loss of which we are truly sensible.  Be it further resolved,
     That the brethren wear the usual badge of morning for thirty days, jewels and lodge furniture be draped in mourning for thirty days; that a page be set apart in the Lodge Minute Book upon which shall be enscribed, the date of birth of our brother, date of his death, his full name and the words:
"Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God."
                                          Fraternally submitted,
                                                          W. L. Webb
                                                    H. T. Fleeman
                                                   R. S. Blackwell,
                                                                                                     Committee.

  On motion, the foregoing were unanimously adopted and that a copy be furnished to the widow of the deceased, a copy furnished the JACKSON HERALD with request for publication.
                                         J. A. B. Mahaffey, W. M.
                                 F. L. Pendergrass, Sec'y.