Capt. C. W. Burt, aged 80 years, 3 months and 9 days, and who was one of Coldwater-tp's. best known and most highly respected citizens, died at 11 o'clock a.m. on last Sunday, May 31, 1925, at his home two miles north of the city. His death was not unexpected, as he had been in failing health for several months, due principally to weakened heart action. However, up to a couple of years ago he had been in remarkably good health for one of his age.

Up to the time he was 78 years old, he went about his daily farm activities with as much alertness and zeal as do many people who are 20 years younger. He possessed remarkable perseverance and endurance, and always took a great deal of interest in his work. For 50 years or more he had not known many sick days, but finally, at the time when he had passed the four score mark in his earthly journey, his physical energies began to fail, as does a machine after perhaps many years of use.

Capt. Burt had lived a very busy and, moreover, an eventful life. He was a pioneer in the truest sense of the word, and underwent all the hardships and experiences which some to those who help to fight the battles of pioneer days in a new country.

He had seen service in time of war and after the Civil War gave two or more years of his life to the defense of pioneer settlers against the warlike Indian tribes. When peace was at last secured, he took up the active duties of citizenship. That he was, at all times and under all circumstances, a citizen of the highest and best type no one ever questioned. He was true to his convictions of honesty, justice and loyalty to the highest ideals. For that reason, Capt. Burt was a useful citizen, and his passing away has elicited sincere regret on the part of all who knew him, and heart felt sympathy for those who are now bereft of a devoted and loving husband, father or friend.

Funeral services were conducted on Tuesday afternoon at the Presbyterian church in this city, the pastor, Rev. W. T. Walker, being in charge. Rev. H. W. Cummings of the Methodist church assisted in the service. The pall bearers were selected from the Masonic lodge, of which the deceased had been a loyal member for many years. The Masons had charge of the services at the grave. Members of the American Legion fired the salute to the dead and sounded taps. The entire services were very impressive and were attended by a large number of the citizens of the town and surrounding country. The business houses were closed from 2:15 to 3:30 p.m. Burial was in Crown Hill cemetery.

Rev. Walker prepared the following obituary of the deceased and read same as a part of the funeral services.

Obituary

Captain Charles Warren Burt, son of Washington and Georgiana (Fisk) Burt, was born February 22, 1845, at Coshocton, Ohio, and passed away peacefully in his home near Coldwater at 11:05 a.m., on Sunday, May 31, 1925, at the age of 80 years, three months and nine days.

On July 4th, 1875, he was united in marriage to Miss Ada Richmond, at Humbolt, Kans., who, with six children born to them, survives him. The children are Mrs. Henry J. Sprinkler of Newton, Kans.; Mrs. John A. French of Wichita, Kans.; Mrs. W. H. Avery of Coldwater; Mrs. Chas. W. Avery of Ashland; Richmond and Chas. W. Burt Jr. of Coldwater; also 16 grandchildren.

He had the comfort and presence of all of his children, also his only surviving brother, Allen D. Burt, during his last sickness.

Captain Burt was one of a family of ten children, seven girls and three boys. Four sisters and one brother survive him. They are: Allen D. Burt of Eureka, Kans.; Mrs. Maria B. Johnson of Claremont, Calif.; Mrs. Emma B. Johnson of El Monte, Calif.; Mrs. Sarah B. Thompson of Columbus, Ohio; and Mrs. Clara B. Hambelton of San Diego, Calif.

Captain Burt had a large part in the patriotic, educational and religious development of this growing West, wherever he saw fit to cast his lot.

While located at Arkanas City, where he spent 20 years, he was an active member of the school board, and was for eight years a faithful elder of the Presbyterian church, having been ordained there. He was not only intensely religious, but he was a true American patriot, who made his patriotism a practical thing, in deep and ardent service to his country and the flag he loved so well. He enlisted in its service at various times, heeding every call.

He took an intense interest in civic affairs, was full of public spirit and helped to put in force many needed reforms.

He exemplified his patriotic spirit in his very tender years, enlisting first in the service of his country in 1861, when only 16 years of age, in the 52nd Ohio Volunteers, 14th Army Corps. On August 5, 1863, he was transferred to the United States Navy at Louisville, Ky., serving on the U. S. Gunboat "Moose," No. 34, 8th District, Mississippi Squadron, under Commodore Porter's command. He was wounded at the retaking of Ft. Pillow, Tenn. He was honorably discharged in 1864.

He moved to Kansas in 1867, and enlisted in the 18th Kansas Cavalry in July, 1867, at Fort Riley, under General Custer's command. He was mustered out at Fort Riley in the same year. He then made many trips back and forth from Texas, transferring large herds of cattle.

In 1874 he went out from Fort Worth, Texas, as captain of Company D., Texas Frontier battalion, and served through the last Comanche war. He received in all six arrow and gunshot wounds, resigning his command in 1875.

After numerous engagements on the Mexican border he again engaged in the cattle business, transferring herds to his ranches in Kansas and Oklahoma.

He, with his family, made Arkansas City his home from 1881 until 1901, except some time spent on the ranches in Oklahoma. In 1901 he removed to Kiowa, Kans., and in 1903 to Coldwater.

After having thus mentioned some things connected with the life, and experiences of this unique character, I, as pastor of this church and his pastor, wish to mention some of the attributes which Capt. Burt possessed, which made him, as a citizen, friend and churchman, so much beloved and so keenly missed by all.

He made the Kingdom of God the first thing in his life. He allowed nothing to stand between him and the church that he loved. All things else were incidental, subsidiary and collateral to attendance at the means of grace. Like the Psalmist, he loved to go up to the house of the Lord. He entered its gates with thanksgiving and its courts with praise. He was a man of prayer and one who read the Bible daily. His noble Christian life reflected its precious truths.

He was a man who drew young and old to him by sheer force of his magnetic, sympathetic and lovable traits, even as a magnet attracts a piece of steel or the sunshine a growing plant. All who knew him loved him.

Then, he made his Christianity practical, in helping to build up the church of Christ, materially as well as spiritually.

This beautiful church stands as a monument to his arduous labor, in conjunction with Bro. Frank King and Rev. Leonard, who both proceeded him to the land of eternal sunshine. He gave liberally of money and labor to lay a solid foundation for his church, which he loved to enter, until his health would, not permit it.

In my visits to his home, during his latter days, when affliction had laid its hand heavily upon him, the theme uppermost in his mind, as I conversed with him, was his firm hope in a future state which was undisturbed by fear, doubt, sickness, pain or sorrow. These infirmities only strengthened his belief in immortality, and life eternal. He said he was ready to go; he wanted to go. We know that if any man was, he was.

His greatest grief was to leave his dear, faithful helpmate for so many years, who was at his bedside continually and ministered to his every want. In a few days they would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. All that medical skill could so was done to prolong his life, but God saw fit to call him home.

Capt. Burt lived in the days of the Indian and the buffalo. He had many providential escapes from death. He helped to build up this western country, which he loved. He loved the birds, the flowers and the dumb brutes. He loved God's outdoors. He was the warp and wolf in working for things material, intellectual and spiritual. He passed from successful struggles into the church militant, to carry on his triumphs in the church triumphant.

And where, in the annals of the church, shall we find a dying hour more replete with divine repose. His calm hope in a future state was undisturbing by anxious doubt. His suffering and wasted body was but as a casket which contained the resplendent jewel of his soul, and when death ruthlessly broke that casket, the angels carried the jewel to the skies, to lay him at the Savior's feet. He leaves a large circle of relatives and loved ones here, but steps into the great unknown and clasps the hands of a larger circle, who stand upon the golden strand, ready to greet him with the kiss of immortality.

He became affiliated with the Masonic fraternity when but 21 years of age and was a faithful and conscientious member of same for more than 59 years. He was a member of Comanche Lodge No. 295 for 15 years. His two sons, Richmond and Charles, following the example of their father, also became members soon after attaining their majority. Capt. Burt and his widow together have been members of the Eastern Star for many years.

He was a member of the G. A. R. Since his death, there is but one surviving member in this community, D. F. Edmonds.

The funeral services were held on Tuesday, June 2. A short service was held at the home, after which the remains were brought to the Presbyterian church at Coldwater, and services were conducted by the pastor, Rev. W. T. Walker. The text was one selected by the deceased, "Lo, I am with you always," Matt. 28:20.

Three solos were sung, as follows: Mrs. W. T. Walker, "Face to Face;" Mrs. Lewis Griffith, "Home to the Soul;" Mrs. Geo. Stewart, "Lead Kindly Light." Mrs. A. A. White presided at the organ.

The church was crowded to capacity, seats being reserved for the immediate family and relatives, Masons, Eastern Star and American Legion.

The floral offerings were many and beautiful which bespoke the high esteem in which the bereaved was held.

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Gravestone for Charles Warren Burt
Lot 27, Block 22E, Crown Hill Cemetery, Comanche County, Kansas.
Photo by Bobbi (Hackney) Huck.

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Also see:

Comanche County History, p. 294

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