Kathy, I was so excited to see this one, I called my mom right away. These newspaper excerpts are incredibly valuable. Not only do we get the dates and names and events, but a glimpse into the inner life. This obit told us a lot that we didn't know. First, we thought Samuel had been killed in a mining accident, and that perhaps Samuel's brother ("bowling alley Thomas", my grandfather) had been sent to live at the Burkhalters after his death to avoid the mining life. We didn't know much about any depth of spirituality within this family. Yet, here we have the true cause of death, the fact that Samuel (and perhaps Thomas) had been sent to live with the Burkhalters much earlier than thought, and that a much deeper spiritual life existed within the family than we would have guessed. And this obit evokes the sadness that perhaps could have been in this boy's life, losing his mother at age 12 (Thomas was 8), who later lived with another family presumedly to attend school. Yet, nearly a century later, the testimony to this young man's faith reaches across the years and miles and touches his grand-niece in a profound way. Kathy, thank you so much again. Elizabeth DuBois Russo Simsbury, CT ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike & Kathy Bowlin" > 8 Aug 1902--SAMUEL WARFORD DEAD--"O death where is thy sting... Such > were the experience and assurance of Sam Warford who died at Dr. Burkhalter's > residence in Higbee at 8:30 on Friday night, Aug 1, 1902. Sam lived with > the doctor and > family for 16 months, going to school during the term and working in the > mines when > school was closed. On Friday July 25, Sam came home from the mines > complaining of > illness. He was attended by the doctor who at once recognized the > seriousness of the > case. Appendicitis had set in and then inflammation soon developed into > peritonitis > when spread rapidly over the abdomen. .....Sam > suffered > intense pain, which he bore with surprising patience and fortitude. His > delight during his > illness was in praying and singing and in hearing the word of God read. He > fully realized > the extreme danger of his state, resigning himself to whatever God thought > best, > frequently saying, "Thy will be done." On Friday forenoon, it was evident > he was dying; > his sufferings were intense, yet he was constantly in prayer and praise. > About noon he > sang in a low voice which was now only at his command, "Nearer my God to > Thee, > nearer to Thee," and called on those around his bed to pray. He sang > portions of many > other hymns, and thanked God that he was able to be a "witness" for him. He > admonished those around him to flee from sin, to live more holy lives and to > be witnesses > for Christ. He asked his father to warn all the boys to quit sin: to quit > drinking and > swearing and gambling and turn to God; to tell them so for him. When the > father > delivered the message to the large congregations in the Baptist church at > Higbee and at > New Hope church, there were very few dry eyes in the assemblies. He died at > 8:30 very > quietly, those present blessing God for the evidence given of the love and > power of God, > as exhibited in the death of this Christian. > Funeral services were held at the Higbee Baptist church at 10:30 Sunday, > Aug 3, > by the Pastor, Rev. White. The church was packed and everyone was deeply > affected by > the statements of the Christian life and character of Sam. Interment was > made at New > Hope cemetery and services were held at the church by F. H. James, where an > immense > concourse of relatives and friends attended to pay the last tribute of > respect to one whom > they loved and admired. > Sam was born on Jan 28, 1884 and was consequently 18 years old last > January. > He was the eldest child of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Warford. His mother died in > June 1896 and > both now rest side by side in the city of the dead, waiting for the glorious > coming of the > Son of God. Soon after his mother's death he was converted at a meeting > held at the > Baptist church here by Rev. Nichols and was baptized into its fellowship, > continuing a > member up to his death. Sam will be greatly missed by Dr. Burckhalter's > family, where > he was regarded with the deepest love and admiration. Mrs. Burkhalter cared > for him > with a mother's care. The family accompanied him to his last rest. About > the fourth day > of his sickness the doctor asked him how he felt and he said, "I feel that I > want to see > God." "Not my will but thine be done." > > > Kathy Bowlin > >