National Republican., 1875-07-29
CAN MAKE A LITTLE TRUTH
COULDN'T SING A HYMN"
Unique Account Of the Funeral Of an Old
Californian.

From the San Francisco Chroniclel
George Middleton, Q we'll known politician and
sporting man in New York, who came to CALI
fornia in 1s4s, snd was for long time associated
with Thomas Mcguire, the theatiral manager In
this city, died at his residence in New York on
the morning Of the 4th instant. Many old resi-
dents Of this city Will remember Mr.. Middleton
as one of the most genial and whole souled of
men. He was q good story-teller and fond of
sport. or late years he has kept q first-clsss
class drinking saloon in the Sixth ward In New
York, and was known as the right bower Of John
Morrissey. the ex.pugilist, ex-Congressman and
ga-bler. A private letter to an old friend Of Mr..
Middleton in this city contains the following very
interesting and unique account Of the funeral:
"Poor old Middleton is dead. The old man
passed in his chips as the booming Of cannon and
the cracking OF the hre-crackers began In COM
memoration Of the glorious Fourth. 1t was just
such day in which q good old Sixth-wsrder
ought to die; and ss the news Of his death was
spread quickly, the old gangs marched pass his
house and saw the black flag of Life, Death &
Co.'s auction hanging from the door knob. Some
said 'By-,poer George is gone;'others stopped,
and, after eyeing the long waving Grape, ex-
claimed, -! what in is this? Shure,
poor George amt gone and slipped his knOtF
MODEL POLICE CAPTAIN.
"Of course the liquor saloons did 0 big busine IS
Old Lush and Rec: Clue smelt the whisky
Middletoil's expense. And the boys said It was q
caution 70 see old Lush go IN and tais up George,
Wan, dom. mind snlcl John tGiSS if have
LUSH with the grand cheek Of . captain Of po-
lice, got as drunk as o major on the death Of old
that hat saloon would soon be closed to him for
ever.
THE FUNERAL.
"John, did You ever laugh at funeralH Did
auar aff win f00d "a q
ing shS.deE suddenly tsl; inclined to IT%R
the occasion Of Door George Middleton's funeral.
There We were, three hundred strong; Tne
church was jammed with men who looked every
inch Of them hghters-men with heads like bull
pups and necks like bulls; whose closely-cropped
hair and boards showed that they cou.d nght
see these rough, tawny politicians gathered from
all classes congregated In q church. Tney
seemed Ike so many farmers intent on interview
mouth poured forth a stream of solace. When
the cofhn was brought In they stood up like men,
Third avenue car, winced. sobbed and cried as
poor Georges body was borne down the aisle.
Ihe service for the dead was read, and the
YAH ERs OF THE SIXTH WARD
licked as Gs Of sad oSys ld t n
of sweat and gin soon beat that OF the glorious
array OF tube roses; then the boys felt better At
opened hymn book Turning his eyes to heaven,
be gave out BY special request hymn $50. The or:
Qanist rang out the solemn, dirge-like music. and
Al II conclusion the 'b'hoys' rose TO their feet.
Then the organist struck up with vim, making
the walls re-echo with rich, solemn music that
went to every mans heart. Line after line was
discoursed but the 's'hoys stood mute. Finally
the organist stopped and looked to see what was
the matter. The clergyman, greatly confused,
sprang up and requested that one Of the brethren
should start the hymn. Again the organist began,
and still the old sixth-wafd smsshers and fighters
stood silent.
THEY COULDN'T SING HYMN
Think OF It, johnnie! That was the highest COM
pliment paid to the memory Of the dead. The
Bows who could shake the walls Of Tammany
Hall with their shouts; who, full Of beer, could
make The Academy tre@hls, with their songs,
could not sing shynnf Fhere they stood, some
with an ear chsWed of, others with an eye gouged
out, others with nose half gone, snd UT these
ward could not sing . hymni And no one, John,
would have enjoyedit Il more than poor old George
himself had he been alive. can hear him now
s,ylng. NY, thinkof its They couldn't sing
bymnpn - - 49, = 49,