Sgt. Will D. Payne -- Oakwood Cemetery, Fort Worth TX - Death Mask Gravestones on Waymarking.com

The death mask gravestone of Sergeant Will D Payne, Co. H, 2nd Texas Infantry, US Volunteers [of the Spanish American War], who is buried in Fort Worth's historic Oakwood Cemetery.

From the book Fort Worth: Outpost, Cowton, Boomtown, by Harold Rich, we have a snippet of information on how Sgt. Payne died: (visit link)

"[page 88] Captain George West organized a cavalry unit, The Fencibles became Company D of the Second Infantry under Captain Sam Rosenfield, and Lloyd's Rifles, organized in 1894, became Company H of the Second Texas Infantry, commanded by Capt. A. B. Kelly. All three were in Florida when the war ended, missing combat, but suffering one fatality when Sergeant William Payne died from a heart attack during a wrestling match. (Payne was buried with full military honors at Oakwood Cemetery.)"

His tombstone reads as follows:

"[front]

[death mask]

PAYNE

[back


Sergt. Will D. Payne
Company H, 2nd Texas Infantry
USV

Mar. 31, 1875
Aug. 24, 1898

Peace to him that sleeps in his grave;
who left home and dear friends
his country to save.
Long may the flag float o'er freedoms.
Rest, soldier. Rest in peace with thy God.
"

Name of Cemetery: Oakwood Cemetery Condition of Death Mask: some damage Gravestone Inscription: Sergt. Will D. Payne Company H, 2nd Texas Infantry USV Mar. 31, 1875 Aug. 24, 1898

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