Mart Daily Herald

Dec. 6 or 7, 1934

   The death of W. J. Durham occurred at the family residence, 207 North Pearl street, Mart, at about 8:30 p. m. Wednesday, Dec 5, 1934.

   His prompt response to the call of the grim reaper was in keeping with the promptness of this veteran Mart fire-fighter to respond to the call of the fire alarm during the past quarter of a century as a member of the Mart Volunteer Fire department. After doing is usual chores of the morning, while seated at table for the noon lunch, a stroke of paralysis, affecting his brain and his entire right side, sent him to bed.

   His faithful wife at once summoned the family physician and loyal friend, Dr. M. L. Langford, who found the apoplectic stroke a fatal one, and saw that everything possible was done to revive the patient, but he never regained consciousness.  The end came peacefully with the close of the day.

   Wm. Johnson Durham was born in Alabama July 3, 1868. He was brought to Texas when a small child by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. M. T. Durham, and spent his life in central Texas, living in the communities of Odds, Thornton and Mart.  The earlier years were spent at farming and stock raising. He also served as peace officer and deputy tax assessor at times, doing efficiently whatever he undertook.

   He moved to Mar with his family in 1907, while the town was young, and has been a loyal, faithful citizen during the years of growth and varied experiences.

   An outstanding service he rendered the community was as a member of the volunteer fire department. For years he was fire chief, and not once did he shirk duty, but gave of his time and energies in serving others by fighting the fire demon an urging fire prevention. Having to slow up in recent years by reason of  his age, he was made city fire marshal, and continued faithful to his responsibilities to the end of his earthly career.

   He was a Christian gentleman, a loyal member of the Baptist church and stood up for the upholding of law and order.

   In addition to his faithful wife, (the) deceased is survived by four children: Mrs. E. M. Moon, Mart; Mrs. Gladys Etter, Waco; Ellis Durham, Denver, Colo., and Ed Earl Durham, Florence, Colo.; also two brothers, Joe S. Durham of Dallas and Green Durham of Marlin, and four sisters: Mrs. T. L. Criswell, Marlin; Mrs. J. D. Swicord, Evant; Mrs. S. J. Boyd, Dallas, and Mrs. Ida Berry, Terrell, and eight grandchildren, all of whom have the sympathy of a large circle of friends in their bereavement.