COL. D. A. WILLIAMS DEAD._______ Famous Confederate Soldier Col. D. A. Williams died yesterday in Terrell, where he was under the expert treatment of the North Texas asylum physicians for nervous prostration. Col. Williams was born in Prince Edward county, Va., October 19, 1832. Col. Williams' father, who was an extensive tobacco planter, and who owned many slaves, removed to Lynn county, Missouri, several years before the war, and there followed agriculture and mercantile pursuits. At the breaking out of the war, Col. Williams joined the Missouri state guards, Lieut. Slack's division, and on August 18, 1862, wit the skeleton companies constituting the Confederate forces, he participated in the battles of Independence and Lone Jack, both of which were won by the Confederates. The congeries of companies and squads composing the victorious side were shortly after the above the battles organized into a brigade at McKissick Springs, Arkansas, and Gen. Shelby was placed in command. The brigade consisted of three regiments besides a battalion of scouts. Col. Williams was captain of company D, Third regiment. Col. Williams' company was detached and made the advance guard of the brigade. From the time of the battles mentioned above to the end of the war, Shelby's brigade was almost continuously fighting and Col. Williams was in all the battles fought west of the Mississippi. At the close of hostilities, Col. Williams went to Mexico with Gen. Shelby, Maj. John N. Edwards, Maj. John Henry Brown, Gen. Magruder, E. Kirby Smith, Gen. Price, Commodore M. F. Maury and other Confederate leaders. But, on the fall of the Emperor Maximillian, they returned to the United States. Col. Williams became a cotton planter in Phillips county, Arkansas, but the great overflow of 1867 destroyed his crop, in which he had what wealth he had saved from the war. He next located in Bonham, Texas, and proceeded to practice law. But, thinking Dallas a better location, he shortly, after going to Bonham, came to his city, where he made quite a reputation as a lawyer. He was, in the 70's partner of Judge J. M. Hurt, and later in partnership with Col. H. Barksdale. He was, for several years, alderman for the First ward, and was county attorney from 1888 to 1892--two terms. Col. Williams and Col. E. G. Bower, in the early 80's, organized the ex-Confederate Missourians at Shady View park. Col. Williams was a member of Camp Sterling Price, ex-Confederate Veterans, and the funeral will conducted by that camp. _________ FUNERAL OF COL. WILLIAMS. Headquarters Camp Sterling Price. March 30.--Our comrade, David A. Williams, will be buried from the family residence, 243 St. Louis street, at 3 p. m. to-morrow. The interment will be at Oakland cemetery. Members of Camp Sterling Price will meet at 2 p. m. sharp at their hall with badges. The Sons of Confederate Veterans, Daughters of the Confederacy and all ex-Confederates and the friends of Col. Williams are invited to attend the funeral. - March 30, 1898, Dallas Daily Times Herald |