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widows. Baxter spent the rest of his life here, except for periods when the Mississippi Legislature was in session during 1926-1928. during these years, he served as sergeant at arms for the House.
During his tenure as sergeant at arms, he stayed with his son, J. Clay Baxter, in Jackson. His grandson, Lionel Baxter, recalls this period: "I used to sit on my grandfather?s lap when he would return to our home from the state capitol. On one occasion I asked him about the Confederate generals, and specifically which one could use the sword best. Without batting an eyelash he replied, ?Nathan Bedford Forest!? Then he pulled out a plug of tobacco and cut off a piece to chew. I asked him if I could have some. Again without batting an eye he cut off a piece for me, and I proceeded to put it in my mouth and mimic him. Needless to say I got sick as a dog, and when my father got home he was furious. But my grandfather simply rocked in his chair on the front poarch and observed, ?It was good for him. He won't ask again for a chew of tobacco!"'
During his final years Marion Baxter suffered from a heart ailment and late in May 1928 his condition worsened rapidly. Early in June the staff at Beauvoir suggested that he be moved, and he was taken to the home of his oldest daughter, Sarah Amelia Baxter Weston, at Logtown. There he died about 1 p.m. on Monday, June 18, 1928. He was buried in the Logtown Cemetery the next day with full Masonic honors. The Diamond Lodge No. 393 of Logtown officiated. He was 80 years old.
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Baxter, Marion Francis Marion-Francis-Baxter-Bio.-087
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