Obituary for Walton Perkins (d1895)
No. 108 - Uncited clippings from the "Neva Murphy Hubbard Collection" of Beth Rengers Talken, 1998.

"I know that sorrow is throned in a home, And tears the soul's sentry keep, And rivers of grief are a moan and a-gloam For the beautiful eyes that sleep. I know that a light has been quenched on earth, And Death sits in love-lorn hearts; But I know that death here means a holler birth, And the soul's jewel-light ne'er departs"

In St. Louis at the City Hospital, Monday, Feb. 19, 1895, Walton, only son of H. W. and Georgia PERKINS, aged 25 years.

This notice tells us of the passing away of one of Troy's best and noblest boys. Knowing that I was numbered among the friends of deceased, I cannot remain silent when the last tributes are being paid to his memory, although I feel that no eulogium, however great, can benefit him or add to his good name. Only a few days ago came the sad news, "Walt is dying." It soon spread all over the town and awakened a feeling of sadness and deepest interest in the hearts of his many friends. I extend expressions of kindest and most heartfelt sympathy to the entire family, but especially to mother and father.

"Is that my mother bending low
With her cool hand upon my brow?
Are those my mother's tender eyes?
I dreamed of her but now;
Sweet mother! this indeed is joy-
You've come to bless your dying boy"

Could he have expressed himself, I know these would have been his words, for he was devotedly attached to his mother. Weep not, dear mother! True, something has been taken from the comfort of your daily life which cannot be replaced, but his memory is in your sacred keeping. His sorrows are ended, and he is awaiting you in that haven of rest where the love which united you both here, may be intensified through all eternity.

Kind father! grieve not for your only boy. You know that there is an earthly end to all his hopes, his dreams and wishes - none of his bright hopes will ever be realized here, none of his golden dreams fulfilled - but hope that the joys of Heaven are his, and that, decorated with a crown of glory, he awaits you beyond the grave. Remember also that death is good thus far: it magnifies every virtue and blots out every fault.

Deceased was born and raised in Troy. His father and mother are too widely known to require any mention here. He died at 5:30 o'clock Monday afternoon and his body was brought here for interment on the evening train Tuesday.

Troy lay hidden in her shroud of snow and the still air greeted the faces of the mourners with cold kisses.

The mystic stillness of night was only broken by the sound of the hearse and the sobs of the family as the funeral cortege wended its way from the depot to the family residence. The crowd that followed the remains told unmistakably the esteem in which he was held at home.

The funeral services were held at the Presbyterian church on Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. MALCOLM of Hannibal, who delivered one of the most appropriate sermons ever listened to. He expatiated on the life and good qualities of deceased - how he had been reared in a home surrounded by the best influences that refine the heart and exalt the character. His advice to young men was most salutary and I pray that it may sink deeply into the hearts of all the boys who heard his eloquence. It was an affecting sight, to see the hundreds who had gathered to bury Walt, nearly every one of whom dropped a tear of affection as they passed one by one around the bier, each taking a last sad look at the face of him who was the friend of all. The casket was deposited in the hearse. The black plumes waved and the crowd moved on the the "city of the dead," there to lay the shrouded slumberer. The floral tributes were all woven into forms of beauty and were numerous. His devoted father, mother and three sisters remain to cherish his name.

        --T.

Note regarding clippings from the "Neva Murphy Hubbard Collection":  Neva Murphy Hubbard (1886-1971) lived all of her life in Lincoln County, MO.  She collected a large file of clippings of Lincoln County residents. The majority of the clippings were without citation. Beth Rengers Talken, beneficiary of the collection, has transcribed them for inclusion in our Lincoln County Heritage Records. 

Submitted to HERITAGE PAGES of  LINCOLN COUNTY, MISSOURI by Beth Rengers Talken, 21 September 1998. 

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