SAM BURKS
Family history.
Sam Burks 1855 - June 12, 1902
Fire Marshall (Hose #2) and City Marshall for 11 years in McKinney
Came to McKinney from Missouri
Married Eva Ware - had three children
Fred - became head of the Brotherhood of the Railroad in Greenville
Nell - School teacher at McKinney ISD. for over 60 years - west ward school is named for her.
Alex - Peace Office - Chief of Police in McKinney and Deputy Sheriff in Dallas
MARSHAL SAM BURKS KILLED
An Accident Shot Removes a Splendid Officer, Citizen and Relative.
A GREAT SHOCK TO M’KINNEY
Suffered Intensely From the Wound – Did Not Blame the One Who Shot Him. – Death Occurred at 5:30 A.M. Today Firemen Will Conduct the Funeral.
McKinney Daily Courier, June 12, 1902, McKinney Democrat, June 19, 1902
Sam Burks, McKinney’s marshal and chief of the fire department is dead. These sad words shock the entire citizenship of this city.
A pistol shot was heard at 9:30 last night coming from the vicinity of T. E. Graham’s home on North Tennessee street east of the new Presbyterian church. The first one to reach the scene found Marshal Burks lying on the ground near the porch o Mr. Graham’s residence writhing in agony, caused by a fearful wound by a bullet entering his right side just below the ribs and tearing through the lower bowels, downward to the opposite side.
The unfortunate man was borne by faithful friends to his home, only a little way on North Kentucky street, just across the street south of the Presbyterian church. Skilled physicians were quickly summoned who set about at once to the apparent hopeless task of saving the patient’s life.
The suffering was intense from the start. Near midnight the patient was gently laid on the operating table, place under the influence of opiates, when the work of searching for the ball and examining the wound began. The physicians soon discovered that the bullet in its relentless course had created about 16 perforations of the bowels and much blood internal. It was evident that human skill could not save him and his death was a matter of only a few hours.
Death occurred at 5:30 this morning. Immediately the fire bell mournfully announced the sad demise.
The shooting was purely an accident, which, according to best information at hand, was as follows:
Just before the hour of shooting, Marshal Burks received a phone message to go to the home of T. E. Graham, as it was thought negro prowlers were about the residence. Marshal Burks, accompanied by Night Policeman Wallace Stiff, went to the residence and found two men and a negro woman, Mrs. Graham’s house help, outside of the residence. They were arrested and, as per statement of Officer Stiff, the latter took charge of the men and started south while Officer Burks took charge of the negro woman. Mr. Stiff had only gone a short distance when he heard the shot.
He rushed back, climbed over the fence and found Mr. Burks lying on the ground near the back porch, wounded as above stated. Mr. Stiff says that evidently the negro ran away from Mr. Burks and rushed into the house excitedly in the presence of Mrs. Graham, while Mr. Burks followed her to the door in an effort to retain her. Mrs. Graham per her own statement, thought it was an unknown intruder after the negro woman, and fired the shot that killed Mr. Burks. Mrs. Graham was at once prostrate with grief over the terrible mistake. The two families were devoted friends, hence the sympathy for both is universal. The deceased leaves a wife and three children, the latter being as follows; Fred, aged 19, Nell, aged 13, and Alex aged 8. His stepmother, Mrs. Bettie Burks, who raised him, is living with the family. One brother, William Burks, lives at Crocker, Mo., another, Jim Burks, at Sherman, Tex, and another, Willis Burks, in Louisiana. A sister, Mrs. Mary Philips, in ___, Mo., also a sister, Mrs. Lizzie Burford, Otterville, Mo., Mrs. Olive Land, nee Miss Ollie Burks, who formerly lived here, a half sister, lives at Neodasha, Kansas, Othie Burks, a half brother, lives at Thurmond, O. T., Gabe Beck of this city is a brother-in-law of the deceased.
Thus ends the life of a brave, fearless, kind officer, a devoted husband and father whose genial, lovable qualities won to him a host of friends. Death came unheralded with the shadows of the evening, taking from heart and home this loved officer, relative and friend. he was living in the noontide of life, full of hope and worthy ambition, with loved ones surrounding. Peacefully he crossed over, blessing those he loved as dear. Just as the spirit departed the King of Day was coming up from the eastern horizon, accompanied by the music of nature. His rays kissing every nodding bough, plant, flower, and dew drop. To this dying man it was like the light and music from the farther shore inviting him to a rest from earthly toils.
In memory’s casket the citizenship of McKinney will drop a pearl for its deceased officer.
On his dying bed he counseled his wife to attach no blame to Mrs. Graham for the accident, stating that it was not her fault.
The deceased is a member of the First Christian church and belongs to the orders of Knights of Pythias and Woodmen of the World. He has a life insurance policy in the latter order of $2000.
At his request the fire company will conduct the funeral. The city council and orders to which he belongs will meet tonight to take appropriate action regarding the funeral.
The funeral service will be held at the First Christian church at 4 o’clock p.m. tomorrow; burial at Pecan Grove cemetery.
The city hall and fire department buildings are draped in mourning. ...
The funeral is to take place under the direction of the Fire Department and they selected Walter Howell as marshal of the procession, and Jess Atkinson, assistant. John McKinney and Arthur Anderson were appointed pall bearers. The Knights of Pythias appointed Frank Emerson and Joe McKinney, and the Woodmen, Arthur E. Smith and McCarty Moore as pall bearers.
The city council will attend the funeral in a body....
The Christian church could not contain the great throng of friends who assembled Friday afternoon to attend the funeral of Marshal Sam Burks. The interior of the church was draped in mourning, and evergreens and many elaborate floral offerings were banked upon the pulpit stand.
Eld. R. R. Hamlin, the pastor, made a very touching and appropriate address. At the conclusion of the services the sad procession, under the auspices of the fire department, formed in the following order: City officers and members of the council in carriages, the fire department and fire apparatus, firemen’s band, hearse, Knights of Pythias, Woodmen, county officers and citizens.
The procession was one of the longest every witnessed in McKinney. All business houses and offices were closed from three to six o’clock, during the time of the funeral.
At the cemetery Giles McKinney as Prelate for the Knights of Pythias, and Dr. E. E. King for the Woodmen conducted the services, while W. P. Suttle on behalf of the fire department delivered an address, eulogizing the deceased as a fireman, their chief and friend.
Eld. Hamlin pronounced the benediction, and the sad family and the great procession turned away from the grave of the departed and left him sleeping in the city of the dead.
Family history.
Sam Burks 1855 - June 12, 1902
Fire Marshall (Hose #2) and City Marshall for 11 years in McKinney
Came to McKinney from Missouri
Married Eva Ware - had three children
Fred - became head of the Brotherhood of the Railroad in Greenville
Nell - School teacher at McKinney ISD. for over 60 years - west ward school is named for her.
Alex - Peace Office - Chief of Police in McKinney and Deputy Sheriff in Dallas
MARSHAL SAM BURKS KILLED
An Accident Shot Removes a Splendid Officer, Citizen and Relative.
A GREAT SHOCK TO M’KINNEY
Suffered Intensely From the Wound – Did Not Blame the One Who Shot Him. – Death Occurred at 5:30 A.M. Today Firemen Will Conduct the Funeral.
McKinney Daily Courier, June 12, 1902, McKinney Democrat, June 19, 1902
Sam Burks, McKinney’s marshal and chief of the fire department is dead. These sad words shock the entire citizenship of this city.
A pistol shot was heard at 9:30 last night coming from the vicinity of T. E. Graham’s home on North Tennessee street east of the new Presbyterian church. The first one to reach the scene found Marshal Burks lying on the ground near the porch o Mr. Graham’s residence writhing in agony, caused by a fearful wound by a bullet entering his right side just below the ribs and tearing through the lower bowels, downward to the opposite side.
The unfortunate man was borne by faithful friends to his home, only a little way on North Kentucky street, just across the street south of the Presbyterian church. Skilled physicians were quickly summoned who set about at once to the apparent hopeless task of saving the patient’s life.
The suffering was intense from the start. Near midnight the patient was gently laid on the operating table, place under the influence of opiates, when the work of searching for the ball and examining the wound began. The physicians soon discovered that the bullet in its relentless course had created about 16 perforations of the bowels and much blood internal. It was evident that human skill could not save him and his death was a matter of only a few hours.
Death occurred at 5:30 this morning. Immediately the fire bell mournfully announced the sad demise.
The shooting was purely an accident, which, according to best information at hand, was as follows:
Just before the hour of shooting, Marshal Burks received a phone message to go to the home of T. E. Graham, as it was thought negro prowlers were about the residence. Marshal Burks, accompanied by Night Policeman Wallace Stiff, went to the residence and found two men and a negro woman, Mrs. Graham’s house help, outside of the residence. They were arrested and, as per statement of Officer Stiff, the latter took charge of the men and started south while Officer Burks took charge of the negro woman. Mr. Stiff had only gone a short distance when he heard the shot.
He rushed back, climbed over the fence and found Mr. Burks lying on the ground near the back porch, wounded as above stated. Mr. Stiff says that evidently the negro ran away from Mr. Burks and rushed into the house excitedly in the presence of Mrs. Graham, while Mr. Burks followed her to the door in an effort to retain her. Mrs. Graham per her own statement, thought it was an unknown intruder after the negro woman, and fired the shot that killed Mr. Burks. Mrs. Graham was at once prostrate with grief over the terrible mistake. The two families were devoted friends, hence the sympathy for both is universal. The deceased leaves a wife and three children, the latter being as follows; Fred, aged 19, Nell, aged 13, and Alex aged 8. His stepmother, Mrs. Bettie Burks, who raised him, is living with the family. One brother, William Burks, lives at Crocker, Mo., another, Jim Burks, at Sherman, Tex, and another, Willis Burks, in Louisiana. A sister, Mrs. Mary Philips, in ___, Mo., also a sister, Mrs. Lizzie Burford, Otterville, Mo., Mrs. Olive Land, nee Miss Ollie Burks, who formerly lived here, a half sister, lives at Neodasha, Kansas, Othie Burks, a half brother, lives at Thurmond, O. T., Gabe Beck of this city is a brother-in-law of the deceased.
Thus ends the life of a brave, fearless, kind officer, a devoted husband and father whose genial, lovable qualities won to him a host of friends. Death came unheralded with the shadows of the evening, taking from heart and home this loved officer, relative and friend. he was living in the noontide of life, full of hope and worthy ambition, with loved ones surrounding. Peacefully he crossed over, blessing those he loved as dear. Just as the spirit departed the King of Day was coming up from the eastern horizon, accompanied by the music of nature. His rays kissing every nodding bough, plant, flower, and dew drop. To this dying man it was like the light and music from the farther shore inviting him to a rest from earthly toils.
In memory’s casket the citizenship of McKinney will drop a pearl for its deceased officer.
On his dying bed he counseled his wife to attach no blame to Mrs. Graham for the accident, stating that it was not her fault.
The deceased is a member of the First Christian church and belongs to the orders of Knights of Pythias and Woodmen of the World. He has a life insurance policy in the latter order of $2000.
At his request the fire company will conduct the funeral. The city council and orders to which he belongs will meet tonight to take appropriate action regarding the funeral.
The funeral service will be held at the First Christian church at 4 o’clock p.m. tomorrow; burial at Pecan Grove cemetery.
The city hall and fire department buildings are draped in mourning. ...
The funeral is to take place under the direction of the Fire Department and they selected Walter Howell as marshal of the procession, and Jess Atkinson, assistant. John McKinney and Arthur Anderson were appointed pall bearers. The Knights of Pythias appointed Frank Emerson and Joe McKinney, and the Woodmen, Arthur E. Smith and McCarty Moore as pall bearers.
The city council will attend the funeral in a body....
The Christian church could not contain the great throng of friends who assembled Friday afternoon to attend the funeral of Marshal Sam Burks. The interior of the church was draped in mourning, and evergreens and many elaborate floral offerings were banked upon the pulpit stand.
Eld. R. R. Hamlin, the pastor, made a very touching and appropriate address. At the conclusion of the services the sad procession, under the auspices of the fire department, formed in the following order: City officers and members of the council in carriages, the fire department and fire apparatus, firemen’s band, hearse, Knights of Pythias, Woodmen, county officers and citizens.
The procession was one of the longest every witnessed in McKinney. All business houses and offices were closed from three to six o’clock, during the time of the funeral.
At the cemetery Giles McKinney as Prelate for the Knights of Pythias, and Dr. E. E. King for the Woodmen conducted the services, while W. P. Suttle on behalf of the fire department delivered an address, eulogizing the deceased as a fireman, their chief and friend.
Eld. Hamlin pronounced the benediction, and the sad family and the great procession turned away from the grave of the departed and left him sleeping in the city of the dead.
