Columbia gazette., 1853-12-24
FUNERAL OF THE LATE AR
CHIBALD GILLESPIE, ESQ.

CHIBALD GILLESPIE, ESQ.
On Sunday night, last, the melancho-
ly intelligence reached town, that Mr..
Archibald Gillespie, Of Woods Creek
brother Of our esteemed feilow-citizen
Col. c. K. Gillespie, had died from the
| sad accident that befel him some few
weeks since. The numerous friends oi
the deceased and Of Col. c., had enter.
tanned lively hopes # aspeedy recovery
Of the wounded gentleman, and as some
time had elapsed since his misfortune
all danger was considered as passed :
the news, therefore, Of fatal termina-
ton, was very UNEXPECTED, and created
a general gloom. lOn Monday noon
Col. Gillespie reacb.a our town with the
remains of his brotRat, and the. Masonic
fraternity, of which the brothers are
members, took charge of the corpse.
The Brotherhood had assembled in
large numbers, adorned with the striking
and imposing Regala of the Lodge, and
were headed by fine brass band. An
elegant funeral hearse had been prepar.
ed for the occasion, draped in solemn
folds Of white and tastcfully
looped up with rosettes and bands of the
same, presenting marked feature in
the funeral cortege, and rejecting much
credit upon the Masonic body. The
procession moved to the NJ. E. Church,
south, where large number of citizens
were in waiting the body was placed in
front Of the altar and the Masons, and
Clergy of other churches having been
seated, most clos 1uent and touching
prayer was offered dPby the Rev. Pas
tor. A solemn DirE followed, and then
an impressive and highly appropriate fu-
neral Discourse was delivered. The
preacher seemed to throw his whole soul
into his melancholy duties, in his allu-
sions to his early acquaintance with the
deceased and relatives, and to the State
|of Tennessee, from whnce the Rev.
gentleman and the Gillespies came to
California, was very affecting, and COM
manded the sympathies and marked at
tention of his hearers After the reli-
gious ceremonies, the procession re-
formed, and war jo.asH BY large mum
ber of Ladies, the Children from the
Public School, and large line Of our
most respectable citizens. AS the
mournful train passed on, the dwellings
were quietly closed, and the National
Emblem was dropped at half-mast, hang
ing in solemn stiffness against the flag
staff.
At the grave, the ceremonies peculia.
to the Masonic fraternity we're perform
ed by the W. NJ, DR.. I. J. Oxley.-
At the head of the grave stood the gen.
erous and afectionate brother, deeply
moved, ,leaning on his relative, Mr.. w. D.
Nelson ,one Of our citizens The entire
assemblage seemed to sympathize with
them; the dead silence that pervaded,
the uncovered heads Of all and the deep
attention, told the general respect and
feeling of the spectators. The noble
brother had provided most costly coffin
covered with black velvet, encased ir an
outer strong plank box, committing the
remains of his relative to the earth with
the most sacred care.
In the evening the Exchange and 9th
er public buildings were closed, the fes-
tivities usually offered to the public were
omitted, and our town seemed to wear a
sombre aspect Archibald Gillespie was
not intimately known IN Columbia, but
the Colonel is one of our most esteemed
citizens his open and frank nature win
ming for him the good will and respect
of all. His noble devotion to his BROTH
er during his sickness, and his affection
ate care, even up to the closing of the
grave, has elected the warmest admira-
ton of our entire people. May he reap
the rich reward Of his good deeds and
find happy consolation in the reflection
that his Heavenly Father will smile up
on his actions. c..
o,>>>,-.,>>.-,->>-,-o~~ ~
IMPRovEMENTs.-Some Of our enter
prising business men on Main and State
streets, are causing the said thorough