Taylor County Obits
March 1893

The Butler Herald
Tuesday, March 7, 1893
Page Three
A Sad Affair!
Mr. W.S. Riley of Carsonville Commits Suicide!
We are now called upon to chronicle just before going to press one of the saddest events that has ever taken place in our county.  Mr. W.S. Riley a prominent merchant of Carsonville, and one of the most influential citizens of Taylor County committed suicide on Monday afternoon about two o’clock almost in the presence of his wife with a 32 caliber Smith & Wesson pistol and died instantaneously.  He told his wife a few moments before the deed was committed that he was feeling badly from having taken some medicine, and going into an outhouse near his dwelling committed the fatal deed.  Mrs. Riley hearing the report of the pistol ran out to see what was the matter and to her great astonishment found her husband dying.  No cause is given for the rash act except a heavy strain of the mind for several months past.  He was the only brother of Judge M.H. Riley, the Ordinary of Taylor County, and one of the best citizens of our county.  He leaves an affectionate wife and one daughter besides many friends and relatives to mourn their loss, who have the sympathy of this entire community.  Mr. Riley was about 53 years of age.

The Butler Herald
Tuesday, March 14, 1893
Page Three
Died
At the home of Mr. D.A. Jones one mile south of town at 6 o’clock on Thursday evening last occurred the death of Dr. J.H. Phillips, the intelligence of which cast a gloom over our entire community, as he was loved and honored by all who knew him.  For several months he has been a constant sufferer, but despite the earnest efforts of the best medical skill that could be devised and careful attention, he rapidly grew worse until his physical manhood could no longer bear the sufferings which he endured, and like grain fully ripened for the harvest he has been garnered unto God.  Dr. Phillips was born in Monroe County, Ga., May 25th, 1818, and consequently was in the 75th year of his age. He and his family moved from Meriwether to Taylor County about 12 years ago, and located on a farm a few miles south of town where they lived comfortably until the cruel hand of misfortune swept away their home and all it contained, but he did not yield to this.  He enjoyed an extensive practice, was kind and attentive to his patients and was one of the bestread physicians in Georgia.  But few men could be more sadly missed in our community than Dr. Phillips, but He who gaveth hath taken away.  The funeral services were conducted by Elder J.R. Respess from the Primitive Baptist Church on Friday afternoon, of which he was an honored member and his remains interred in the cemetery in Butler.  He left a devoted wife, one daughter – Mrs. D.A. Jones, besides many friends and relatives to mourn their loss. 

A big thanks goes out to Carla Miles ← for submitting this information!

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