This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Overton, Harrison Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/hkB.2ACE/6095 Message Board Post: Cameron Herald, Thur., 24 Sept 1903 Sickness - Uncle Ed. Overton was at the point of death at the time of going to press. = = = = = Cameron Herald, Thur., 1 Oct 1903 - Supplement Death - Uncle Ed. Overton died Thursday afternoon. He was born on Jan. 19, 1832 at Selma, AL and was educated by private tutor. At age 16, he left Alabama overland for California, traveling a large portion on foot. He was a gold prospector and accumulated a fortune and witnessed a great many thrilling events during 1849 and 1850 in that state. He is thought to be the last surviving witness to the duel between Judge David S. Terry and U.S. Senator Broderick in California. He was an enthusiastic follower of Capt. William Walker in his Nicaraguan expedition which left California in 1855 and during this expedition, the fortune he had accumulated in California was lost. After returning to California until the late war and then came to Milam county from where, although crippled with rheumatism, he enlisted in the Civil war and made a gallant soldier. He was honorably discharged on account of his physical condition and went to Arkansas hoping to benefit from the climate where on Christmas 1865, he married Mrs. Ann Harrison who survives him. He returned to Texas in 1875 and has lived here since. He was engaged in teaching school but on account of failing health relinquished his profession. Funeral services were from the home and burial in the Salem cemetery near Cameron, interment with Masonic honors. He was also a member of the Knights of Honor.