The following notice of the late Mr Edmund Purton, brother of Mr Pnrton, manager of the Scandinavian Water Race Company, St Bathan’s, we take from the New Zealand Tablet: — It is with deep regret that I have to chronicle the death of Mr Edmund Purton, of St. Bathan’s, which took place at 5 o’clock on Thursday morning, 23rd September. The late Mr Edmund Purton was born May, 1838, at Hanley Castle, Worcestershire, England, and at a very early age destined to study for the priesthood. He was first at Sedgeley Park School, near Wolverhampton; then for a few years at the English Benedictine College, Douai; and subsequently, and for many years, at St. Cuthbert's College, Ushaw, Durham; in all of which he took first honors. After the completion of his theological course, he suffered severely for some time from disease of the eyes, which resulted in the total loss of sight of one, and permanent weakness of the other, thus debarring him from attaining the dignity of priesthood. In 1870 he came to St. Bathan’s Otago, where, until within a few days of his death, he worked as a miner, and was distinguished among his fellow-workmen for his industry and persevering regards for the interests of his employers. The influence he exercised by his example and kindly warnings in the cause of temperance, morality, and religion, together with his genial disposition, will cause his death to be deeply regretted by all who came within the range of his acquaintance. The complaint of which he died was pneumonia. He was only ill a few days, and. his death took all by surprise. The deceased was interred on Saturday, September 25, and the funeral was attended by all in St. Bathan’s and by many from the surrounding districts. On Sunday, Father Walsh, in asking the congregation to pray for the repose of Mr Purton’ssoul, said: “That he (Mr Purton) had died nobly and bravely. He had banished from his mind all idea of the world. He had turned his whole thoughts to heaven, and calmly awaited the moment when he would appear before his God. ‘As a man lives, so shall he die.’ Edmund Purton had lived an exemplary life — at least, as far as he (Father Walsh) knew from what he himself had seen, and from what they all had told him; and having lived an exemplary life his death was edifying. —R.I. P. ” -Mt Ida Chronicle, 1/10/1875.
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