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Thursday, July 27, 2023

Alton Metcalf, 19; Cynthia Earl, Martha Wright, Have Died, July 27, 1923

Talented Young Musician Passes. . . Mr. Alton Metcalf, Musical Genius, Succumbs at the Age of 19 Years—Buried Yesterday

Alton Vearu Metcalf, talented young Shelby merchant, died Tuesday morning at 8:15 o’clock at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Will V. Metcalf on Lee street, following an illness which has extended over a period of years, but it was not until a few days ago that his condition was thought to be hopeless. Mr. Metcalf was born in this county July 9th, 1904, and was only a few days over 19 years of age, in the bloom of young manhood and at the beginning of what was declared by music leaders to be a prominent career in the music world. He loved music and could play any instrument, but his favorites were piano and violin. When he left the Shelby high school, he went to Peabody normal in Baltimore, Md., to further pursue his studies in music, but his failing health forced him to return. He was so wrapped up in his musical career that he practiced and studied the lives and compositions of the world's leading composers morning, night and noon, until his fond parents would persuade him to rest.

The parental devotion to young Alton was beautiful. They loved him as only a parent can love a child, not only because of their parenthood, but because of his genius and his enfeebled health.

Alton was a member of the First Baptist church and a regular attendant upon the Sunday school and church services. He was assistant musical director in the Sunday school and contributed to the splendid musical programs at all religious gatherings when his health would permit.

Alton was a high-toned Christian gentleman, loved by all who knew him. His untimely death was a source of deepest sorrow to his many friends and in testimony of their esteem for him, a great crowd attended his funeral conducted at the home of his parents on Lee street Wednesday afternoon at 3 o’clock by Rev. R.L. Lemons, pastor of First Baptist church, assisted by Rev. A.L. Stanford.

The floral offering was rich and beautiful, emblematic of his short but radiant life.

The following friends serves a pall bearers:

Maurice Weathers, Max Washburn, Harold Hamrick, Hackett Wilson, Robert Hord and Robert Hartness.

Flower girls: Misses Flossie Grice, Mayme Roberts, Elizabeth Suttle, Maybell Hartness, Eugenia Holland, May Washburn, Mrs. Julian Hord and Mrs. William McCord.

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Mrs. D.M. Earl Dies at Home Near Earl. . . Devoted Christian Woman Dies After Illness Lasting for a Long Time—Funeral Held Tuesday

Mrs. Cynthia Earl, wife of Mr. D.M. Earl, who lives in No. 3 township, near Earl, died at her home Monday afternoon about 2 o’clock after an illness lasting more than a year. Mrs. Earl, who is survived by her husband and five children, was a devoted Christian woman. Shortly before she died she stated that only the separation from her husband and children caused her worry.

The funeral was held at 12:30 o’clock Tuesday at New Hope church, Earl, Rev. Rush Padgett conducting the services, and interment was made in the church cemetery. An unusually large crowd attended the services and the floral offering was profuse and beautiful.

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Gaffney Woman Died as She Sat in Chair

Gaffney Ledger

Mrs. Martha Wright, wife of G.W. Wright, died suddenly Friday at her home near the Cherokee Avenue Baptist church. The funeral and burial took place Saturday morning at Abingdon Creek Baptist church, the funeral being preached by Dr. F.C. Hickson and the interment being in charge of P.S. Courtney, funeral director.

Mrs. Write had been an invalid for several years, having suffered a fall that resulted in her being crippled a number of years ago. Despite her affliction, she did her housework while sitting in a rolling chair. She was engaged in scouring the floor Friday when death came. She died in the chair. Dr. B.R. Brown, who was called, said death resulted from natural causes.

From the front page of the Cleveland Star, Shelby, N.C., Friday, July 27, 1923

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