The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-07-29
LAST OF EARTH.
A Notable Gathering ut the Funeral
of Hon. Thomas Davis, Today.

Oh non. lnOmas DAVIS, Iouay.
The funeral of Hon. Tho mas Davis
which was held from his late home on
Broad street (Edgewood) this morning
was largely attended. The gathering at
the house was notable one, including
as 1t did, men prominent In business and
State affairs. There were also many pres
ent OF the race for whom in his early
years the deceased had done so much,
and by whom his memory will long be
cherished one. There were those in the
assemblage who, like the deceased, had
come from little land across the seas to
find success and honor here and like
him, in an humber way, to do their share
in the work OF the community. Again
there were among those who met to pay
the last sad tribute old neighbors of the
deceased from that section OF the city
with whose interests he was SO long iden-
tied. With all of these there was evil
denced the love and esteem which the
successful and notable character the
deceased had made for himself.
The religious exercises consisted OF
prayer and Script ure reading by Rev. Mr..
Cushing, singing OF the following selec-
tions by quartet from the Union Con-
gregational Church, "Beyond the Weep
ing, "The Lord in My Shepherd" Sleep
Thy Last Sleep" Rev. Mr.. Cushing
spoke briefly, saying that he regretted
that some one familiar with the distin-
guished dead's services In the ante bellum
days was not present to pay tribute to
his noble deeds, but that he would read
a letter from Rev. Mr.. Woodbury., which
touched very fully on the life story of the
departed. He then read the following
letter:
CONCORD, N. H., July 20, 1895.
To MIR. q. l.. VosE:
My DEAR SIR-Your first dispatch ar
rived to my house after my coming home
from visit out of town and the second
afterward. sincerely regret my inability
to be present and officiate at the funeral
OF my old and revered friend, Mr. Davis.
IL would be mournful satisfaction to
express my own appreciation of his worth
and voice the esteem OF his many friends.
j can also assure the members of his
family and relatives OF my sincere SYM
pathy. He has lived faithfully, praise
worthily and well, and the community is
better by his true and good life. We
shall all cherish his memory as one of the
valued possessions of our hearts and
souls, and his influence for good, will
long be felt among those who knew and
loved him. am very sorry that ! am
nigh and manly character and my sense
of personal loss.
Believe me, very sincerely, yours.
A. WOODBURY..
The clergyman then paid a fitting trib-
ute TO the career OF MIR. Davis, and closed
with references to the latter's desire, ex-
pressed a short time before death, that
the end might come in the early morning.
There were a number of floral tributes
on the casket, including one from the
colored citizens OF this city, and one
from the Veteran Citizens Association
of which the deceased was president at
the time OF his death. The large number
Of members after the services took last
view of the features of the eceased,
which bore a remarkably life-like appear
ance. The burial was at Swan Point
Cemetery. The pail was borne by four
colored citizens.