18 Aug 1911--A. T. SPURLING DEAD--It again becomes the sad duty of the NEWS to this week chronicle the death of another old citizen, neighbor and friend--A. T. Spurling, who peacefully passed to the great beyond at the home of his son-in-law, W. F. Jones, at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, August 17, 1911, after an illness of several months, in his 80th year. His demise was due to general debility. Alfred Thomas Spurling was born in Winchester county, Kentucky, on February 10, 1832, and came to Missouri with his parents in 1834, locating in this county just west of Clark. He was one of eleven children, but two of whom, John and James, now survive. He was married in 1858 to Miss Lucy Brockman, who died a year ago this month. They were the parents of eight children, four of whom survive, viz: Mrs. W. F. Jones, Mrs. Ben F. Hardin, May and Walter Spurling. He is also survived by six grandchildren. "Uncle Tom," as he was familiarly known, was one of the best men we ever knew and was a true christian gentleman. He was of that class of men whose word is considered as good as their bond--now rapidly passing away, more's the pity. He was a devout christian and had been a faithful member of the Baptist church for forty or fifty years, and held his membership with the old Vernon church near Clark until the organization disbanded, since which time he had been a member of the church here. He took an active part in church work, and when the present pastor was called he insisted on coming to town and casting his vote, although he was hardly able to sit up. Funeral services will be held at the church today at 1 o'clock by Rev. J. K. Robinson, his old pastor, assisted by Rev. G. W. Elliston, local pastor. Interment will be made in the Hamilton cemetery east of town where his life companion and so many of his loved ones are at rest. The News joins the community in sympathy to the bereaved ones and in the prayer that the grim reaper will spare them another visitation until they are as old as the good old father whom he has called to his just reward. Kathy