This was found in an autograph book of Bertha Hawkins, dated 2 Jul 1883, signed Burt H. Goff, Spencerport, NY: "To me the saddest words of tongue or pen Are how much worse this might have been--But language failing and jokes forgotten This page will scare recall again Half the fun that was wont to happen Or the naughty words--almost spoken By the friends when on many a space Are the year Eighteen Hundred and Eighty Three." In the corner it says: "Be sure and let out the seams--those cuffs (?) or you may strain the ruffle in fitting 27 June 1883. In the other upper corner, "Do you suppose that you can stifle that 'longing' until the ---well, the sweet after a while--May 30 1883? In the middle, "How I suffer". Prominent Business Man of Spencerport is Dead --Burton Hancox Goff active in Work of State Grange---Spencerport, Jan 6--The death of Burton Hancox Goff occurred at 11 o'clock last night at his residence, on Water Street, in this village, after a long illness. Mr. Goff was for many years one of the most prominent business men of this section, and was esteemed by all who knew him. He was 55 years of age on the 23d of last month, and he was born and had lived all his life in the village of Spencerport. He was the son of H. H. Goff, who was secretary of the New York State Grange for twenty-one years, begin in 1879. His father died three years ago. Burton H. Goff was his father's private secretary in the Grange work, and latterly did most of the work connected with the secretary ship and Insurance Department of the State Grange. On November 22, 1888, the deceased was married to Mary Isabel Spencer, the daughter of Joseph Spencer, of this place. Mr. Goff was at one time president of the village, and as well, town clerk of the town of Ogden. He was a man of cultivated literary and musical taste, owned an unusually fine library and was well informed on a great variety of topics. In his home life he was of the kindest and most considerate of men. Ten years ago Mr. and Mrs. Goff adopted a child, Gertrude Pauline, for whom Mr. Goff entertained deep affection. For thirty years Mr. Goff was engaged in the produce business here with his father. He was a member of Ogden Grange and of Spencerport Tent, Knights of the Maccabees. He leaves his wife, his daughter and one brother, Frank M. Goff, of this village.