The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-02-23
At REST IN THE SILENT CITY.
TIE LAST SAD RITES OVER ROB
ERT GREEN FLEMING.

There in > car~-The March 10 the
cemetery The Employees Turn
Out
The funeral ~ Capt r. C.. Fleming
was attended by the largest concourse Of
people which has gathered n savannah
upon such an occasion in years. It was a
I fitting testimonial TO a man so unlver-
sally loved and admired. There was q
steady stream Of callers all the morn
ing at tho family residence on Liberty
street. and hundreds OF people took their
last loois OF the pale, calm face Of the
man who had so recently moved among
them fuu Of life and strength and APP
parenuy destined TO remain with them
FOR many years. The silver plate upon
the coffin bore the inscription. Robert
Gree, Fleming born April 2, 1S3S. Died
February 20. 1855" The coffin was sur
rounded by the floral tributes Of friends.
The crowds began 10 gather in front
Of the house more than an hour before
the time for the procession to start to the
church. The special train for the en-
ployes OF the Savannah, Florida and
Western railway. arrived at 10 o'clock,
bringing about $50 employees of all grades
from along The line. The employees of
the various departments Of the Savannah,
Florida and Western railway met at
their headquarters at IL o'clock and
marched in a body 10 Troup square, near
the house. where the line was formed.
There were several hundred employees
OF the road in the square at 1880 o'clock.
The line was arranged as follows: De
tachment of the Savannah. Florida and
Western railway police with Sergeant
Leonard in charge; employees of the
shops, blacksmith, carpenters, painters
and machinists. in charge of Mr.. Joseph
Phillips, foreman Of the blacksmith shops
employees from along the line of road
employees OF the freight department
headed by Mr.. L. NJ Habersham; clerks
of the general Offices, headed by Mr. ].
Mclaughlin, Jr.; employees Of J. j. Nc
Donough x Co.: employees of the trans
portation department; colored wharf en-
ployes. IN charge Of Mr. j. j. Stafford,
foreman. The employees numbered 500
white men and 20 colored men. Mr.. j..
GeffCken, foreman of the car department,
z
arranged in line of fours. Shortly before
y o'clock they moved up to Liberty
street ana took position in double rank
on the green IN front of the residence.
The procession left the residence for the
Independent Presbyterian church at T.
o'clock. The active pall-bearers walked
beside the hearse while the honorary
pall-bearers, seventeen in number followed
IN the rear Of the hearse on foot. The
family and friends followed in carriages.
The line of employees preceded the
hearse. Arriving at the church the en-
ployes formed in two lines on either side
of the street. When the hearse arrived
and the coffin was taken out the heads
of the employees and hundreds of others
as well were barred until the pall-bearers
had passed into the church.
The church was already more than half
fun, and after the entry of the family the
employees and others poured in from the
outside until the galleries. as well as the
body of the church, were filled. ana many
people were left standing. Hundreds wait
ed outside for the services 10 conclude.
The services were brief and impressive.
The choir sang Nearer My God to Thee.
The pastor, Rev. Dr.. Dripps, read appro-
pirate selections from the scriptures upon
the shortness and uncertainty of life and
the hope of a glorious resurrection be-
yond the grave. He followed with a touch
ing prayer. in which he thanked the Al
mighty for the noble life and the chart
table, generous character Of the deceased,
and prayed that his life might prove a
blessing and example to those who had
, known and associated with him in life.
The choir sang Art Thou Weary" after
which DR. Dripps announced that the SER
vices would be resumed at III e 81 ave. Hun
dreds of heads We're barred as the coffin
was borne to the hearse. The employees of
the road resumed their places in the ranks.
fs,T
funeral cortege was escorted by the en-
ployes of the road as far as the foot of
Wheaton street, where they halted, and
We're taken by train to the Bolton street
depot, and from there by the Coast Line
to the cemetery. Arriving in advance of
the cortege the employees formed at the
cemetery gate in two lines between which
/ the procession passed. The men stood
| with barred and bowed heads while passed
! before them all that was mortal of the
/ man whom as their chief and friend, they
| had learned to love- 1t was an impressive
| scene, and one not soon to be forgotten
Hundreds of people had already gathered
! at the grave. As the procession stopped
! and the coffin Was lifted from the hearse
/ the family and friends gathered around to
| bid farewell to the one they loved The
/ burial service was read BY DIR. Dripus
| and while the coffin was lowered into the
! grave and the cold earth was filled in upon
| il, the choir sang the hymn, ASLEEP in
| Jesus" and Thy VIII be Done" When
/ the mound was finished the flowers were
/ placed upon IL until 4 was hidden from
sight and then the ground was strewn
with flowers until the entire lot was car
! peted with them. The family fingered long
at the grave, and finally took a last sad
I leave. The scene was a touching one
[ Strong men wept. and there was hardly d
/ dry eye among the hundreds of people
! who had gathered to pay the last sad
/ tribute TO noble man.
The choir at the grove consisted of
! Mrs Finnie. Miss Leila Hill, Mr. R Cuyler
! Gordon and Mr.. r. J. Basford Among the
/ floral tributes was a large Maltese cross
from the Employees Mutual Relief Assoc
/ citation. of which the deceased was a
charter and honorary member. The num-
! Der included tributes from every depart
ment Of the railway company and from
every division Of the Plant system, besides
a large number from friends of the fam
lily and associates of the deceased.
over 200 letters and kilograms of con-
doience have been received by the fam
/ lily since capt. FIeming's death. Anone,
the number are kilograms from President
! Plant II r. DuVal Of the FLORIDA C,aut,. I