The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-07
LAID GENTLY TO REST
xIL THAT WAS MORTAL or THELATE
COLONEL ". ". GORDON.
r.,srai Services at 81. Paul's, Interment
at HolIywood-Meeting OF the Bar As
sociation-Touchipg Remarks.

terday.
At u o'clock a large congregation as
scmbIed at 81. Pauls church to pay the
last tribute OF respect TO his memory.
The impressive ceremonies were conduct
Cd by Rev. Hartley Carmichael. assisted
by Rev. J. y. Newton and Rev. kicharo
4. Williams.
In the gathering were large NUMBER
OF distinguished lawyers. some OF whoEi
had come a long distance for the pur-
pose Of being present and taking part IN
the sad ceremonial. Among these were
General w. II. Payne OF Warrenton. Ma
1or Marshall Hanger OF Stanton, >. v
Southall OF Charlottesville, Alexander
Hamilton OF Petersburg. Alexander f.
Matthews OF Lewisburg, w. Va, and
Major John ". Johnson OF Birmingham,
Ala.
The meeting Of the Bench and Bar call
ed 10 take action in memory OF Colonel
Gordon was held at the court OF appeals
at 10 o'clock yesterday morning, and was
largely attended by members OF the pro-
fession from the city and state
Mr.. James Caskie called the meeting
10 order and requested Judge l.. l.. Lewis
10 preside. Mr.. +. II. Mcclure was asked
20 act as secretary. After a few touch
stated the occasion for the meeting, Judge
George L. Christian moved the appoint
ment Of committee Of thirteen. Of which
Judge 3. r. Wexford Jr.. should be chair
man. The committee was appointed as
follows Judge 3. r Wexford. Jr., Judge
William w. Crump. Judge Robert a.
Richardson, Judge George l.. Christian,
Mr. Frank w. Christian, Mr.. Aubin i.
Boulware, Captain Richard G. Pegram,
Mr.. S. V. Southall, Mr.. Alexander Ham
ilton. Mr.. Hill Carter. Mr.. Alexander F.
Mathews. w. Va; General w. II. Payne,
Mr.. Marshall Hanger.
The committee retired and after a time
brought in the resolutions, extracts Of
which are printed below. They were elo-
quently presented by Judge Wexford
and beautifully seconded by Judge w.
w. Crump and Judge B. W. Lacy.
The remarks Of Judge b. w. Lacy,
whose relations with Colonel Gordon had
long been very close and intimate. were
peculiarly tender and affectionate. He
said:
The blow so long dreaded has fallen
upon US; the noblest gentleman, the
brightest ornament 10 Virginia's bar, is
no more.
IL is no disparagement to say that the
deceased was the first in the record OF
the bright names that illustrate and adorn
the honor and fame of our profession.
1t was by common consent that Colonel
Gordon was always named as the bright
est, the foremost lawyer of our times.
] once lizard one of our most distin-
gushed lawyers and an honOred citizen
say: Colonel Gordon is the only man
i ever saw that thought had genius for
law" From the very morning Of his
professional career he was always named
as the brightest, the ablest mind among
us. and Yet no man ever said this without
adding that his heart was larger than his
head.
His life exemplifed the brightest idea
we could form Of nobility Of soul. as well
as Of the grandeur of the human intel
lect
Always towering in intellect, he yet
trod only the purest path Of virtue. There
was no name which challenged more adj
miration for splendid talents, and yet
none failed Ia see that goodness and true
nobility Of soul were his browning glory.
In his sad death | have lost my best
friend, and this, | have no doubt is the
feeling Of most of us. There is nothing
would not have done for him within
my power. | shall always remember him
gratefully for a thousand kind deeds.
] never asked him for aid in matters OF
doubt and difficulty but it was readily
and kindly given. and in long friend
ship, beginning in my youth, | can truly
say never received from him an unkind
word and l am sure that he never held
toward me an unkind thought In an
hour like this what must be the sorrow
of the loved ones at home Of such
man. Into their sacred grief l would
not ntrude but my deepest sympathy is
theirs. l trust they may find comfort
I'm the endearng recolections which clus-
ter around the place made vacant by
the cruel hand Of the dread destroyer.
For ourselves, we will cherish his memo
~ and bear in mind that we are nearing
the end which comes to ALL and that one
by one as the years pass we will fall out
OF life, and our opportunities for doing
good or doing evil will be ended, and
while we yet mourn for him summons
awaits us which we must obey. We will
erect tablets TO his memory In our hearts,
tell his good deeds recount his noble
traits of character and wonderful powers
OF mind: but IL every kind word, good
deed and generous action of his in life
could be builded into a monumental pile
upon his silent grave he would sleep be-
meath a proud mauSoleum indeed.
The resolutions which were of a pecu-
liarly appropriate character were unani-
mously adopted. The preamble was as
follows:
In the Providence OF Almighty God
death has again invaded our ranks, and
We meet under the shadow Of a great
sorrow. One OF the more conspicuous
and beloved of our number has been
called away. and we who survive him yet
awhile. gather here with mournful
realization of personal and public loss.
Then followed q complete sketch Of his
g. kfrl hferhn
tributes to his genius and talents as a
lawyer. After citing his successes be-
fore the bar, come the following words;
While they recall with honest pride
the attachments and success in the fore
most ranks of the profession, there is
a paramount feeling at this hour OF a
deeper and tender love. which words are
Inadequate to express. We forbear the
effort and go hence with saddened hearts
TO gather around his open grave as a
mourning brotherhood to participate In
the last offices Of respect and apprecia-
ton
Resolved. That In the death OF Colonel
William w. Gordon we mourn the loss Of
one of the brightest ornaments Of our
profession, and we experience sense
OF deep personal bereavemnt.
Resolved, That we tender to his widow
and orphaned children assurances OF our
profoundest sympathy
Resolved. That a copy Of these proceed
ings be sent TO the family of the de-
ceased. that the Virginia Law Journal
and the papers of Virginia be requested
TO publish them, that the court Of appeals
and all the courts OF this city and the
United States courts for the Eastern dis
trict Of Virginia be requested 10 spread
them upon their records
Resolved That the chairman Of this
meeting designate some member Of the
bar as committee for each Of the courts