“Death Loves A Shining Mark.”

This was fully verified on last Saturday morning, at a quarter past 9 o’clock, in the demise of our fellow citizen, Col. WM. H. PRITCHETT.  The news of his death fell with a heavy weight on all our hearts, for we loved him; he had won our affection and esteem, by a rare combination of good qualities, both of head and heart.  He was kind to all; his hand was open to the needy; none in distress were ever turned away unrelieved; his was a sympathetic heart, it felt and responded to the appeals of the destitute; in manners, he was as genial as the soft breath of a May morning; in the discharge of his duties, firm and unflinching.  He was a Christian gentleman; his faith in Christ, unbounded; his dying testimony left no room for doubt; he built upon the rock, and it was firm under his feet as he passed “through the valley,” and today, he stands with the redeemed above, and raises his voice in the “new song,” of eternal praise to God.

Never was our town in deeper gloom, never was one more sincerely mourned, than the noble-hearted friend and neighbor who has been taken away from us.  Our only consolation is, that he is in a better world than this; he now walks the golden streets; he now beholds the face of his Redeemer. –We tender to the heart-stricken and bereaved wife, our own deepest sympathies, and pray God to take her especially under the Shadow of His Wings and that she may be spared to “bring up her children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”  To the Presbyterian Church we offer our condolence.  Your circle is broken here, but is enlarged beyond “the river.”

[A tribute of respect by the Bar of Cartersville can be found on page 2 of the July 7, 1870 issue which states “Our departed friend and brother was born in the State of Virginia, but in early life removed to Georgia, where he grew to manhood.” “A Token of Respect” from the Cartersville Lodge, No. 101, F. A. M. can be found on page 3 of the July 7, 1870 issue.]

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A Sad Day In The History of Cartersville.

Last Sunday was the saddest day known in the history of our growing town.  On Saturday Death spread His withering, wintry arms over this community, and in the space of a few short hours, took six of our dear ones from our midst into the shadow of His pale realm, and on Sunday six gaping graves stood ready to receive their mortal remains forever from our gaze.—The scene witnessed in on of our cemeteries, on Sunday morning, was unparalleled in times of peace—four open graves in close proximity.  Two were adults, and four were children.  Col. Wm. H. Pritchett, Mrs. F. M. Johnson and her infant babe (which was buried in her arms) the sixth and only child of Mr. J. Q. Harwell, child of Mr. ___ Scott, and the youngest child of Col. Wm. W. Rich.  They were all buried during the day.  Further particulars are given elsewhere.  The special providence of God, doubtless, interposed to deliver Rev. James L. Pierce, or, in all probability, he would have made the seventh, particulars of which are also given elsewhere.

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The Cartersville Express
August 4, 1870, page 1

Letters of Administration.

Mrs. Fannie C. Pritchett and M. L. Pritchett on the estate of William H. Pritchett, deceased.

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The Cartersville Express
January 13, 1871, page 2

Leave to Sell Lands.

M. L. Pritchett, Adm’r of William H. Pritchett, late of Bartow county.

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February 24, 1871
Page 3.

Administrator’s Sale.

Will be sold, on the first Tuesday in April, 1871, before the Courthouse door in Cartersville, Bartow County, Ga., within the legal hours of sale. The following property, to-wit:

Tract of land whereon William H. Pritchett lived at the time of his death, together with the dwelling, the tract containing 60 acres of land, more or less, lying in or near Cartersville, and originally known as the Woodbridge place, adjoining lands of Samuel McCanless, J. C. Maddox, and others.  Sold as the property of Wm. H. Pritchett, deceased, to perfect titles.  Terms cash.  This February 20th, 1871.

M. L. Pritchett, Administrator.