“Doings in Bartow—Cass Station.”

The many friends of Mr. Walker Gilreath were shocked to hear of his death, which occurred Saturday night, 11 th instant.

His remains were interred at the Cassville cemetery, beside those of his noble and Godly father, Mr. J. K. Gilreath, who preceded him to the better land about six weeks ago.

Walker Gilreath was a model young man, possessing a noble Christian character. No one ever heard him use an unkind word, nor would he do an unkind deed; young, buoyant in spirit, full of hope and promise.

He was stricken with a fever, and in three short weeks he was taken from us. But, tho’ he is dead; he still lives in the hearts and memories of his friends who admired and loved him. He was ready and willing to go, and with an unfaltering trust, his spirit went to it’s Maker.

*****

August 13, 1896, Page 2

Walker G. Gilreath.

Tribute to the Memory of a Promising and Popular Young Man.

Walker G. Gilreath was born near Cassville, Ga., January 7 th, 1868, and died July 12 th, 1896.

The death of Walker Gilreath has left a melancholy chasm in the neighborhood in which he was born and reared, and is peculiarly a sad one, to all who know him well, and the circumstances surrounding his death. But a short while ago, his grandfather, Geo. H. Gilreath, (familiarly known as Uncle George) died; then a few weeks later Javas K. Gilreath, his father died, leaving Walker, the stay, guardian and protector of his consecrated mother and two sisters. Upon his strong arm they confidently leaned for support, for protection and companionship; but now Walker is dead and their home is made desolate indeed. It has been our fortune to know intimately, young Gilreath from almost his infancy to his death, and truly, we can speak of him as one of nature’s noblemen. At the age of ten years he dedicated his pure childish life to his Savior, joining the Cassville Methodist church, and from that day to the of his death, he led an exemplary Christian life, growing in grace as he advanced in years, adding one by one the Christian virtues, until his life was well rounded, sainted and pure. We understand natural lives to be like a dark cloud fraught with thunder, storm and rain, until religion like the bright rays of the sun, dispels the gloom and fringes the shadowy skirtings of the cloud with a shimmering of gold. In his life, the cloud was early dispelled and his pathway was illumined by the Son of Righteousness. His walk was but an humble one in life, but his influence for good was felt by every one with whom he came in contact. His religion brought him peace and consolation in every stage of his life and was the broad foundation upon which the fabric of his future hopes were builded. It was the great treasure of his heart. It is the crutch in the hands of his mother’s old age, and in the blighting afflictions of the family, the only solace of their woe. Our pathways through life are rugged at best until religion brightens up the way and adds zest to the journey with the prospective of rest and the occupancy of heavenly mansions at last. Walker’s life, though one of toil, he never complained, but was ever cheerful, scattering rays of gladness and sunshine wherever he went. He was anxious to live that he might care and provide for his aged mother and fully execute the stewardship left him by his father, but when he fully realized that death was inevitable, with a resignation begotten of the religion of his life, he gently fell asleep in Jesus.

W. A. C.