F. M. WALKER – J. H. WILLIAMS.
Play Together In Their Youth
Die Together In Their Old Age.

Cartersville has just put away in their last resting places two of her oldest citizens, F. M. Walker and Jas. H. Williams.  Coincidences, strikingly strange, occur in the lives of these two old citizens, that are very interesting indeed.  Both came from the mountains of Surry county, North Carolina, where they were raised to manhood’s estate.  They were schoolmates in the old North State and both came to Georgia about the same time.  Though never in business together, so far as learned, their lives strangely drifted together.  From North Carolina they came to Bartow, to old Cassville, thence to Cartersville, where they both lived up to the time of their deaths.  Mr. Walker died last Saturday.  Mr. Williams followed him Sunday.  While the grief-stricken family and friends were about the grave of the former, workmen were engaged in preparing a last resting place for the latter, within a stone’s throw,  Both were splendid characters, known far and wide for their geniality and splendid traits.

F. M. WALKER.

The people of Cartersville were not surprised when the announcement was made Saturday that Mr. F. M. Walker was dead.  His has been a long illness and all knew that it was only a question of a short time with him.  Mr. Walker had been in declining health for years, but up to a few months ago had persisted in plying his avocation.  Palsy – “creeping palsy”—had taken a firm hold upon him and gradually wore him away.  His funeral Sunday was one of the largest ever seen in the city in some time, being held at the Baptist church, Rev. A. W. Bealer, officiating, and many were the expressions of sincere regret of the passing away of this grand old character.  Friends that knew him years and years ago came miles to pay their last tribute and respect to his memory.  The services at the church were brief, the deceased having expressed a simple, plain funeral. One of his requests while he lay upon his sick bed was Mrs. Annie Laura Cunyus sing “That Unclouded Day,” which that lady did in her most expressive manner.  After the church services were over, the remains were then taken charge of by the Masonic fraternity, a large number being present.  At the grave Worshipful Master Aikin read the beautiful and impressive ceremony, adding some interesting remarks concerning the deceased Mason.  He told of his faithfulness to Masonry during the war, when Sherman, on his cruel march to the sea, approached beautiful Cassville.  Mr. Walker upon realizing the danger of the hour and knowing that flames would soon lay the town low, bethought himself of the Masonic lodge paraphernalia and jewels.  He rushed to the lodge room, gathered them together and carried them to his home a few hundred yards distant.  Gen. Sherman, learned of the circumstances, put a provost guard around him, and a day or so later gave him an escort of soldiers to carry the paraphernalia and jewels to Pine Log, virtually moving the Cassville Lodge, without authority of the Grand Lodge, to Pine Log.  The Grand Lodge at its first meeting fully exonerated this faithful brother and soon the Pine Log lodge was established.  Judge Aiken paid a glowing tribute to the sterling qualities of the man, his firmness of character, who at all times and under all circumstances possessed the courage of his convictions.  The obsequies at the grave were most impressive and a large crowd was present.

Francis Martin Walker was born in Surry county, N. C. seventy-four years ago, where he lived to man’s estate, and married Miss Letitia M. Barna (sic).  In 1855 he came to Cassville, where he plied his trade, that of a boot and shoe maker.  It is said of him that he was, in his prime, one of the best men in the county, and many are those who have fallen beneath his prowess in a contest of physical strength.

Besides his bereaved widow, he leaves five living children, Mrs. J. Schley, of Alabama; Mr. Robert Walker, editor of the Dallas New Era, Dallas, Ga.; Mr. Tom Walker, of Florida; Miss Madaline Walker and Mr. Herbert Walker, of the East & West railroad.  The family feel grateful for the many kindnesses shown the husband and father during his illness and the many expressions of sympathy from the vast number of friends and ask THE NEWS to thank them for the same.

[See separate obituary for James H. Williams.]