A shock that stirred this community thruout was occasioned by the sudden death Thursday of James Madison Burris, a leader in the town's commercial and business affairs, a steward in the Methodist church, the center and heart of his big and closely united family circle and the beloved friend of the people, locally and in the surrounding country, whom he so genially cultivated in his active daily life. Mr. Burris expressed himself as feeling exceptionally well when he arose early Thursday morning, and drove to his farm five miles north of Franklinton where he personally directed the work for the day. Returning to the store at 9:30 a.m., he sat around a short while and complained of the excessive heat and of a pain above his heart. He refused however, the boy's urging that he let some one take him home in a car, and laughingly started on the short walk to his residence just around the corner. Reaching his favorite tree just at his front gate he paused an instant and then fell to the ground; passers by running to his sid[e] found him overcome but conscious, and with a few spoken words life was extinct without his knowledge that the end was at hand. Deceased was 71 years, four months and seven days old at the time of his death and was the last of a family of ten children of the elder J. M. Burris, all of whom lived to maturity and raised families before the death nearly a score of years ago of the aged patriot who was a pioneer settler of Washington Parish and died at the advanced age of 82 years at the home of this, his eldest son, J. M., with whom he lived at that time. Deceased truly could be said to be a "self-made man," having started his life's career as in industrious, hard-working farmer when he took his bride, the former Miss Gabe Magee, to his little farm home just three miles north of Franklinton and they started down the path of married life together---a journey of 44 years they traveled together in such close and intimate companionship that their interests and ideas became one, their love and affection developing thru the years into a beautiful experience of home and family life which has made a mark of happiness and success in the homes of each of his two noble-hearted manly sons and his four sweet spirited, christian daughters---one sweet young daughter alone being left in the home with the mother. Industry and ambition marked the years of toil and struggle, and sweeter still was the buoyant, lighthearted, merry disposition in which he inspired all those around him to a happy, rosy view of life. As success came to him he, with his younger brother, Stephen H. Burris started a modest little mercantile business and moved his growing family in to town for the benefits of school and community life. Founded and operated on square dealing and honest principals [sic], his business grew and prospered, gradually extending to include in the firm his sons and sons-in-law, these with an active sales force constituting today a strong firm enjoying the confidence of a large patronage and the highest rating of the commercial world. Simple in his tastes and modes in his habits, his joy was to divide his prosperity among his loved ones, and he was also known to be generous and charitable in his gifts to his friends and the worthy causes of his community. And so was his sweet and cheerful life lived among the people of one section and one community, and all who knew him called him friend. so also was it, that every home felt shock and grief at his sudden passing, and scores of loving friends gathered around his stricken loved ones to administer sympathy, service and comfort. Every home in the town and many friends and loved ones from other communities sent messages and floral offerings expressing love and esteem for the departed and sympathy and comfort for his stricken family, many from out-of-town coming in person to be present thru the last ceremonies. Besides his widow, deceased is survived by two sons, W. J. Burris, actively and closely associated with his father in the management of the business, and secretary and treasurer of the firm; W. S. Burris, cashier of the Washington Bank & Trust Co.; and four daughters, Mesdames H. E. Richardson, A. E. Hood, L. V. Stringer and Miss Mara Burris all of this place and Mrs. Otis Simmons of Magnolia. Funeral services were conducted from the Methodist church in the presence of a large gathering of friends which filled the building and overflowed the entry and the street below, Rev. J. A. Alford officiating, assisted by Revs. Sweeney and Carroll and Presiding Elder and former pastor, L. W. Crain, interment following in Ellis cemetery.
