Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1854-02-21

/ Funer0lof the Late archibald Gillespie, Esq.
| On Sunday night last, the melancholy intei
| gence reached town, that Mr.. Archibald Giles
/ pie, of Woods Creek, brother of our esteemed
| tellOw-citizen, Col G. X. Gillespie, had died
| from the sad accident that befe him some few
weeks since. The numerous friends Of the de-
ceased and of Col. g., had entertained lively
hopes of speedy recovery of the wounded
gentleman, and, as sometime had elapsed since
his misfortune, all danger was considered as
passed-the news, therefore of fatal ternina-
ton was very unexpected, and created a gene
raj gloom. The last words he smoke were:
Tell my brothers: and James \. Whiteside,
BrOwnlow and BrabsOn, j die Ike man. /
was born honest, have lived honest, and die hon.
est-thereiore l fear punishment"
On Monday noon, Col. Gillespie reached our
town with the remains OF his brother, and the
Masonic Fraternity, Of winch the brothers are
members, took charge Of the corpse.
The brotherhood had assembled in large
numbers, adorned with the striking and iupos-
ing regalia of the Lodge, and we're headed BY
fine brass band An elegant funeral hearse.
had been prepared for the occasion, draped in.
solemn folds of white and black, tastefulIy
looped up with rosettes and bands Of the same,
presenting a marked feature in the funeral cert
ege. and rejecting much credit upon the Mason
ic body. The procession moved to the NJ. E.
Church, south, where a large number Of citi-
zens were in waiting; the body was placed in
front Of the altar, and the Masons ana clergy
of other churches having been seated, most
eloquent and touching prayer was offered up by
the Rev. Pastor. A solemn dirge followed, and
then an impressive and highly appropriate fune-
raj discourse was delivered. The preacher
seemed to throw his whole soul into his melan-
choly duties, in his illusions to his early ac-
quaintance with the deceased and relatives,
and to the State of Tennessee, from whence
the Rev. gentleman and the GiIlespies came to
California, was affecting, and commanded the
sympathies and marked attention of his hearers
After the religious ceremonies, the procession
reformed, and joined " 4 largo number 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 halfmast, hanging in solemn
stiffness against the flagstaff.
At the grave, the ceremonies peculiar to the
Masonic fraternity were performed by the w.
NJ, DR.. T. j. Oxley. At the head of the grave
stood the generous and affectiOnate brother
deeply moved leaning on his his relative Mr..
w. ID. Nelson, one of our citizens. The en-
tire assemblage seemed to sympathiEg with
them; the dead silence prevailed, the uncovered
heads of all, and deep attention told the gene
raj respect and feeling of the spectators. The q
noble brother had provided most costly coffin
covered with black velvet, encased in an outer
strong plank box, committing the remains of
his relative to the ealth with the most sacred
care.
In the evening the Exchange and other public
buildings were closed, the festivities usually of
fered to the public were omitted, and our town
cQa tn A .bo11
Gillespie was not intimately known in Column
bia, but the Col. is one of our most esteemed
citizens: his open and frank nature winning for
him the good will and respect Of all. His no
bic devotion to bis brother during his sickness
and his affection even up to the closing of
the grave, has elected the warmest admiration
Of our entire people. May he reap the rich re-
ward of his good deeds, and find happy con-
ISOLATION in the reflection that his Heavenly
Father viii smile upon his actions-[ Columbia
Gal Gazette.