Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-08-04
GREENEVILLE.
Earth to Earth and Dust to Dust.
The Last Rites Witnessed by
MOurnful Thousands.
Impressive Ceremonies Of the
AIasOns.
Distinguished Citizens and Of
ficials Present.
Affecting Scenes as the Body is
Covered from Mortal
View.
specIal % ths Union and American.

Special to the Union and American.
GREENEvILLE, TENN, Aug. 8, 1S75.-
The morning dawned gloomy, heavy mist
hanging On the mountain sides and drip
ping rain in the vslley-all betokening a
most unpleasant day; but about s o'clock
the sun began to peep doubtfully through
the clouds, and before a beautiful day
was assured. At 6 O'Clock the church and
school bells began 90 toll. 1t was asolemn
requiem.
The valleys inhabitants turned out en-
masse, the morning trains arriving crowded
with passengers. From Nashville came
Gov. Porter, Comptroller Gaines, Col. Nike
Burns, ex-senator Fowler, George White
and Others. From Chattanooga, the Mayor,
Col. Conner, Deputy Grand Master of
Masons, Chancellor Key, ex-COngressman
Crutchfeld, Kirby of the Times, and others.
Also Mayor Hayes, of Charleston, Senator
Blizzard and Stoner, of Athens. An extra
train from Knoxville brought Mayor
Staub, Judge Andrews, Mr.. Woodward,
Commander Of Knights Templar, DickersOn
Guards, preceded by a German band; John
Icherff, proprietor of the Lamar House.
Prominent among the distinguished per-
sons present were Col. Jno. Williams, of
Knox; Judge Mcfarland, of the Supreme
Bench; Judge Trigg, of the Federal Court;
Congressman Mcfarland and Thornburg;
DR.. Sewer, of Jonesboro; Representatives
Bullen and Taylor, of Garter, and Major
Earnest, of Jonesboro, with family.
1t was nigh u O'Clock before a general
movement for burial was made. The fam
lily came to the courtroom where the body
lay in state. a slow and solemn movement
around the casket was all that could be
done, save sObbing, tears and deep groans
of anguish, of iTepressible grief, which all
felt but none could utter.
The funeral service was performedsac-
cording TO programme, thanks to the indie
fatigable labors of Chief Marshal Ingersoll,
Col. Reeves and other assistants. Every
man, woman and child contributed all pos
sible to do honor to the sad occasion. All
appeared TO feel that an ex-President was
dead, and all felt his loss in private more
than in public or political life.
There was first a brief Masonic service |
over the remains, which were then taken in |
charge by Masons and a procession formed, |
with the Knights Templar in control; then |
other Masonic bodies, with Deputy Grand |
Master O'Conner in charge.
Tb,e procession formed as follows: As
sistant n S,'srshals, johnson Guards, Patrons
Of HusbaDdr;. Odd Fellows, other civic
organizations. German Band, Dickinson
Light Guard with their beautiful uniform,
blue and gray trimmed with scarleD, Ma
sonic bodies, hearse, family of the de-
ceased, Governor, ComptrolleI, Nashville
committee, representatives Of tbe press;
then other citizens.
The procession Was very long. The
sidewalks were thronged with citizens more
numerous than in the procession, all hur-
rying to the place of burial. II was a
lofty knoll southwest Of the village, over
looking the surrounding hills and valleys,
about quarter Of a mile east Of the rail-
road, grandIy fronting the towering peaks
Of the Unaka Mountains.
At the grave the services were entirely
Masonic. Grand Commander Eakin was
present. Commander Woodward, Of Knox
vile Commandery, ofiiciated.
After service of knights Templar, the
Blue Lodges, under command Of Deputy
Grand Master Conner, Of Chattanooga,
continued the burial service in the most
touching and impressive style.
Not only was the lofty knoll upon which
the grave was dug, but the surrounding
knolls were thickly and picturesquely COW
cred with thousands of citizens, who had
to do honor TO the lamented
dead. In car and carriage, on horseback
and on foot, they had come. The neigh
boring mountains had sent forth their
sparse population; the fertile valleys had
poured out their people, until it seemed
that there was an electric wire to valley,
cove and mountain-tOp, and each had
brought forth a multitudinOus response.
There certainly was never more sincere
mourning for dead friend. He seemed
TO be mourned not so much because he was
a great man in the councils Of the nation,
as because he was kind neighbor and just
and charitable in all his dealings as pri-
vate citizen. As such, he was beloved and
honored here-far away from the turbu-
- nee and passion Of public life.
r,Nis morning an elegant floral wreath
=, Nced on the casket, with two beauti-
e. -, uents on white silver edge ribbon:
l,T1,o lr-- poon 'as' Friend "He Sleepeth."
The baarse ,yas drawn by four bay horses,
with black velvet eap2risOning, silver rim
ning and varied Masonic insignia. Horses
and bearse had their nGdding pluHes
os blacI and white, and each horse was led
by a colored groom. ,
When the solemncIOds began tC i2dl upon
his encased body, deep and universal soOS
came from the surging masses. AHpresseG :
forward as if to see the last glimpse Of the
casket. which contained the remains OF the
distinguished dead, but most beloved
because he was the kind neighbor and
cheerful friend.
Returning trains have born away the
multitude. Horses aud carriages have
taken away the sobbIng friends to their
mountain coves and valleys, and yet the |
gloom still fingers as though the guardian |
spirit Of the place had taken its flight.
J. G. B.
Setting His House in Order.
Special to the Cincinnati Commercial.