Freestone County, Texas
Obituaries



Fairfield Recorder
April 8, 1898

Lewis D. Lillard. Jr.


A Sad Death
A town was shocked last Saturday evening when it was learned that Lewis D.
Lillard. Jr. had been accidentally killed while hunting about a mile from town.
He and his brother, who is about two years older, had gone hunting each taking
a shot gun. Noticing a squirrel run into a tree, they decided to cut the tree
down to make the squirrel run out. Lewis was holding his gun when the tree fell
and the gun was discharged, but what caused it is not known. He was shot in the
top part of the right breast and the right side of the head and neck and died
almost instantly without speaking. His brother sent a little Negro for help and
in the meanwhile tried to stop the flow of blood by pressing pieces of his
clothing into the wound, but it was of no avail; the spotless soul of the
little boy had gone back to the God that gave it. Friends arrived and strong
arms took up the little form and sadly conveyed it home. It was indeed a sad
scene when he was brought back, cold and pale in the stillness of death to the
fond father, the aged grandmother and other relatives. A large crowd soon
gathered to offer their services and sympathy in the most trying hour of
sorrow.

Lewis, the son of L.D. Lillard, was born Feb. 17, 1886 and died April 2, 1898.
His remains were interred in the Fairfield cemetery last Sunday, Rev. T.W.
Staton officiating. A long procession followed all that was left of the bright
little boy to the voiceless city of the dead and stood with uncovered heads as
his dust was laid to rest by his mother's side to sleep on to awaken by the
trumpet of God.

The writer had known Lewis well for years and knew him to be a nice quiet and
good boy and while it is so hard to part with those we loved, we know that the
innocent, the pure and the good are safe as long as God's promises shall last.
Life is a mystery, death is a mystery, there are mysteries, thousands of them
all around and about us but this is plain: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for
they shall see God." We don't know but: "I am the resurrection and the life"
says the Master. Life at times may seem cloudy to us but:
 
Behind a frowning providence, 
He hides a smiling face.
 
The writer hopes that the master hand of him who knows all the sorrows of the
children of men will give to the loved ones of this little boy that consolation
and hope which can be given his hands alone.

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April 8, 1898

Resolutions of Sympathy
In stated meeting of Fairfield Lodge, No. 103 A.F.& A.M., Tuesday, 1898.
 

Whereas it has pleased God to the administration of divine providence to remove
from this world to his eternal home above little Lewis, the son of brother L.D.
Lillard, whose heart is almost broken by the tragic accidental death of his
child therefore be it.

Resolved, that we the Fairfield Lodge No. 103 A.F & A.M. tender to our brother
in his sad bereavement our heartfelt sympathy and commend him for the
consolation of the supreme ruler of the universe who doeth all things well.
 
Resolved further that a copy of these resolutions be given our brother; that
they be published in the Fairfield Recorder and spread upon the minutes of the
Lodge.

W.B. Moses
W.E. Richards
W.R.T. Drumwright,    Committee