Southern Graves

Houston Home Journal (Perry, Georgia) Thursday, 9 June 1904 - pg 6 [via South Georgia Historic Newspapers ] Death of Dr. J. B. Smith At his home on Swift street in Perry Dr. John Baptiste Smith died early last Saturday morning. At the home Sunday morning the funeral services were conducted by Rev. T. E. Davenport, pastor of the Perry Methodist church. The Houston Lodge No. 35, F. & A. M. with visiting Masons, took charge of the body, and at Evergreen cemetery the rites of burial were performed with Masonic honors. Six Knights Templar of Fort Valley acted as an escort of honors. The pall bearers were Messrs. C. F. Cooper, M. L. Cooper, C. E. Gilbert, J. P. Duncan, J. H. Hodges, L. M. Paul. Dr. Smith was 91 years of age nine days prior to his death.  He was the oldest white man in Houston county, and no man in the county was ever held in higher esteem. He is survived by the devoted wife and three daughters, Mrs. J. H. Powers of Perry, Mrs. S. H. Morgan of Atlanta and Mrs. B. C...

Clifford was the first wife of Henry Macon Holtzclaw, Jr., and the daughter of Dr. Julius C. Gilbert. Her remains rest at Evergreen Cemetery in Perry, Houston County, Georgia. Clifford Gilbert Wife of H. M. Holtzclaw, Jr. Born Sep 17, 1863 Died Dec 27, 1890 "Blessed are the pure in heart." Houston Home Journal (Perry, Georgia) 1 January 1891 – pg. 3 [via South Georgia Historic Newspapers ] Death of Mrs. Holtzclaw At about eight o'clock last Saturday night, Mrs. Clifford M. Holtzclaw, wife of Dr. H. V. Holtzclaw, died in Perry, at the residence of Judge H. M. Holtzclaw. She was about 27 years old, lacking about two weeks of having been a wife twelve months.  She was a consistent christian lady, a member of the Presbyterian church. She was the second youngest daughter of Dr. and Mrs. J. C. Gilbert, of near Houston Factory.  Possessing in an eminent degree the noblest characteristics of true womanhood, she was loved by all who knew her. Her death was one of the saddest...

When conducting any kind of historical research, coming across a suicide always gives me pause. Even though it's not always a conscious act, I know I'm taking a brief moment to mourn the loss. A loss I don't pretend to understand. With the recent passing of Robin Williams, I'm reminded that those who seem to "have it all" sometimes are wrestling with demons unseen. © 2008 S. Lincecum In 1922, two days after his 63rd birthday, Dr. Henry Macon Holtzclaw, Jr. took his own life. Why? Heaven only knows. Following from 22 January 1922 edition, Macon Daily Telegraph (Georgia) -- via GenealogyBank : DR. HOLTZCLAW, PERRY, SUICIDES Prominent Physician Shoots Self in Head With Pistol. REASON FOR DEED UNKNOWN Found in Bed Dying By Brother; Funeral Will Be Held Today. PERRY, Ga., Jan. 21. -- Dr. Henry M. Holtzclaw, 63, prominent citizen of Houston county, died tonight at 8:30 o'clock from a bullet wound in the right temple, it being self inflicted b...