BYRKIT, Archibald R. 1836 - 1917

BYRKIT, HALL, DIXON, GOODMAN

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/25/2021 at 20:23:28

"The Fairfield Daily Journal"
Tuesday, November 27, 1917
Page 2, Column 2

JURY FINDS THAT A. R. BYRKIT DIED FROM NATURAL CAUSES

"We the jury, find that the said Archie R. BYRKIT came to his death through natural causes, Nov. 24th, 1917."

Louis Mendenhall,
Harry Knauss,
Alson Hodson.

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The above verdict was rendered by the jury last night in the inquest held over the death of Archie R. BYRKIT, who was found dead in his home on South Fifth street Saturday evening about seven o'clock. The inquest was held at the Harry Knauss home on South Fifth street by Coroner L. D. James and the testimony of Mr. and Mrs. Henry H. Bramer taken, Frank N. Simmons acting as clerk.

Mrs. Bramer was first heard and stated that she had seen Mr. BYRKIT around his premises, which adjoins her home, on Friday and also seen him in his house that evening through her windows. Did not see him all day Saturday. That he always seemed in cheerful mood and knew of no cause why enemies or himself should take his life. Knew of no valuables in the home which would prompt robbery.

Mr. Bramer stated that he discovered the body of Mr. BYRKIT lying on the floor by the bed. Mr. Bramer looked through a window of Mr. BYRKIT's home. He then called the Coroner and when he had arrived entered the home. He noticed nothing unusual about the home as to signs of violence. Mr. BYRKIT was in his night clothing and part of the covers of the bed were lying near him as having slipped from the bed.

Coroner James who examined the body stated that there were no marks of violence on the body and that all indications pointed to a natural death(.)

It is thought that Mr. BYRKIT passed away duding (sic) the night Friday, having arose and unable to return to his bed when death overtook him.

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"The Fairfield Daily Journal"
Wednesday, November 28, 1917
Page 3, Column 2

N O T I C E

Parties having work left with A. R. BYRKIT, please call at the Shop on Thursday or Friday for same. 675

Mrs. G. C. Dixon.

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"Jefferson County Republican"
Thursday, November 29, 1917
Page 4, Columns 2 and 3

A. R. BYRKIT FOUND DEAD AT HIS HOME SATURDAY NIGHT

The community was shocked and saddened Sabbath morning to learn that Archie BYRKIT had been found dead at his home on South Fifth street. Mrs. BYRKIT, who is an invald (sic), went in September to spend the winter with her daughters in Tulsa, Oklahoma, hoping that her husband might come later. But he was busy in his shop and in getting his garden ready for next year and was not yet ready to go.

On Thursday Rev. Louis Mendenhall went on business to his shop and they visited a while together. Mr. BYRKIT was spading in his garden and said he was just feeling fine. He saw him again on Friday when he was finishing his spading and he was alright. He expressed a desire to see an old lock which Mr. Mendenhall had so about ten oclock Saturday morning he took the lock over. Finding no one at home and supposing Mr. BYRKIT had gone up town, he hung the lock on the door knob and returned home never thinking of anything being wrong.

Several persons came to the shop during the day and went away again but nothing was thot of it until evening when no light appeared then the neighbors knew something was wrong and immediately began an investigation which resulted in finding his body in his room cold in death.

A light was seen in the house at nine o'clock Friday night. He had evidently disrobed and retired as usual and passed away before morning or was unable to rise. The going out of life under such conditions is distressingly said to those who are left but when one keeps his "lamp trimmed and burning ready to meet the bridegroom when he comes," as we believe our brother did, he leaves the blessed assuranec (sic) to his loved ones that, while they were not permitted to minister to him in his dying hour, he did not pass through the valley of the shadow of death alone, but realized all the precious promises contained in the twenty-third psalm.

Archie R. BYRKIT, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse BYRKIT, was born in Marion county Indiana, on July 11, 1836 and came with his parents to Jefferson coun y (sic) in the fall of 1844 and has lived here almost continusly (sic). At the age of 18 he entered the gun-shop with Daniel Mendenhall where he served an apprentice ship of three years during which time he made his home with the Mendenhalls. He has been recognized as one of the best gnn smiths (sic) known. For a great many years he had a repair shop on North Court street where the Republican office now is. About a year ago he moved his shop onto his residence lot on account of his wife's ill health and here he continued to work until the day of his death.

On July 6, I861, he was united in marriage, in this city, to Miss Martha HALL, who survives him. Four children were born to this union, two sons and two daughters, the sons dying in early childhood. The daughters are:. Mrs. George DIXON and Mrs. W. A, GOODMAN, both of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is also survived by two brothers, Martin of Fairfield, Neb., and C. S. of Des Moines, and three grandchildren. With the exception of a few years in Oklahoma where he had made some investments, their entire married life was spent in this city. He had been a life long member of the Methodist church

Funeral services were held at the Free Methodist church at 2:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon. By special request of Mrs. BYRKIT, Rev. Louis Mendenhall conducted the services. Interment was uade (sic) in Evergreen cemetery.

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"Jefferson County Republican"
Thursday, December 6, 1917
Front Page, Column 5

A Tribute To A. R. BYRKIT.

The following isan (sic) extract from a shorthand report of the sermon delivered by Rev. Louis Mendenhall at the funeral of Mr. A. R. BYRKIT:

"Mr. BYRKIT was three years in my father's home, and we learned to love him as one of our own family. That attachment has never been broken, and he was worthy of being loved. Of course you might say he was peculiar, and I can say that of myself. We all have our peculiarities; but I will tell you that he was a man of principle -- he was a man of integrity -- a man of ans (sic) inflexible will -- and what others might call stubborn was with him just simply standing by what he believed was right. He was like many of us, he might have made many mistakes; but my friends, I admire a man who believes he is right and sticks to it until he is convinced that he is wrong.

"Nobody ever knew Mr. BYRKIT to do a mean act -- no one ever knew him to take the advantage of any person in any way. He has lived here most of his life, an honor to this community -- loved and beloved -- and his life was above all reproach. A little incident happened a few years ago. There was a lady who had been in his shop and she went to another place of business, and while there discovered that she had lost a ten dollar bill. The proprietor of the store asked her where she had been last. 'I was in Archie BYRKIT's shop,' she said. 'Well,' the proprietor of the store said, 'if you lost it there, your ten dollar bill is safe.' And sure enough, she went back to the shop and there it was, just as safe as if it had been in the bank. It is hardly worth while to mention this incident. He was a man of integrity and principle. More than that, he was a good spiritual man. He loved God and he loved riteousness. I verily believe at this time without a shadow of adoubt (sic) that Archibald BYRKIT has gone to Christ and is in the Courts of Glory rejoicing around the Throne of God.

"I know his loss is a great affliction to his friends; but these times will come when we will have to part with friends. But we feel assured of his safe departure from what we know in regard to the man's life. His last experience was right here in this little church. Not many months ago at a class meeting he told about his bright prospects of the world to come. So we have everything along this line to encourage us in regard to the decision that in his departure from this world he has only gone to be with Christ, 'which is much better.'"

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Lot Old.P.246. Wife Martha died the following year, in 1918, and is buried with him.