The picturesque figure of Mr. Thos. Burton, so long familiar in the streets of Rushden, will henceforth be missing. Mr. Burton having “joined the great majority”. Death took place on Sunday evening at about seven o’clock.

The deceased, who resided in Essex-road, and was 78 yeard of age, was one of the earliest workers in the ranks of the temperance reformers of Rushden. He was, in fact, the first president of the first Band of Hope formed in Rushden, and his interesting reminiscences at the Rushden Band of Hope jubilee in August, 1905, will long be treasured in the memories of his hearers. His speech on that occasion proved to be his last public utterance and he has been confined to his bed for several months and he was nearly blind, and was seen to be gradually growing weaker.

For several generations Mr Burton was an active worker and ardent supporter of the General Baptist cause in Rushden and he was one of those who laboured energetically and contributed liberally towards the erection of the Park-road Baptist Church.

In politics, the deceased gentleman was

and until his health began to fail he took a conspicuous part in local and parliamentary elections. At the time when the late Rev. R. E. Bradfield was playing such an important part in the life of Rushden, Mr. Burton was one of the rev. gentleman’s most consistent supporters, particularly in the movement for unsectarian education, which resulted in the formation of a School Board for Rushden. The Church rates of former days found in him a resolute opponent.

Though not a native of Rushden, Mr. Burton spent the greater part of his life in the town, carrying on business as a grocer on the Bedford-road. He lost his first wife in October 1890, and shortly afterwards retired from business. He subsequently married a second time, and leaves a widow, a brother (Mr. John Burton of Leicester), and several nephews and nieces to mourn his removal.

Yesterday afternoon the funeral, which was conducted by the Rev. W. F. Harris, took place at Rushden Cemetery at three o’clock. There was a private service at the deceased’s house in Essex-road before the coffin left the house. At the graveside there was a large gathering of those who had come to pay their last tribute of respect to Mr. Burton’s memory.

The chief mourners present were \mr. John Burton (brother), Mr. John Smith, nephew (Leicester), Mr. Wm. Everard Haddon (son), and Mr. T. W. C. Linnitt (nephew). The bearers were Messrs. S. Linnitt, J. Linnitt, J. Bellingham, A. Hnager (nephews), F. ... ... and ... Turner. The Park-road Baptist Church was represented by Messrs. David Darnell and J. T. Colson and the Independent Order of Rechabites by Messrs. J. T. Mackness and G. Ambridge. The Rushden Temperance Society was represented by Messrs. John Claridge, John Sargent, G. Bayes (secretary), F. Vorley, W. Clarke, F. Ballard, F. Corby, A. Wright, A. Clayton, S. Parker, W. Brightwell, the Rev. R. Shorten and others. Among those also present at the graveside were Messrs. B. Vorley (secretary of the District Band of Hope Union), C. L. Bradfield, J. T. Bettles (secretary of the Park-road Baptist Band of Hope), of which the deceased was the first president.

Mr John Newman of Kettering, who has attended the funeral of every temperance veteran who has died at Rushden for many years, was also present.

Several of those representing the Temperance Society also represented the Liberal Associatoon.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Walker and Butcher. The coffin was of polished oak, with brass fittings, and bore the following inscription:-

By special request, no flowers were sent except by the nearest relatives. Three beautiful wreaths were placed on the coffin bearing the following inscriptions:-

“In loving remembrance of Uncle Thomas, from all at Theddingworth”.

“In loving memory, from his brother John and family at Leicester”.

“In affectionate remembrance, from W. E. And A. H. Haddon, son and daughter-in-law”.