The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-02-21
ROBERT G. FLEMING DEAD.
STRICKEN DOWN N THE PRIME OF
LIFE BY PARALYSIS.

lcssmeNs From the Fatal ATTACK
brave soldier, Loyal Citizen, q
Capable eEciaI ana "a Noble Wan
GOpe-The CIOsIns DAYS 90 His
Life-ThouSands Of Inquiries Con
cern'ns Him end Expressions 81
sympathy for IIis Bcrcaved Fam-
iIy-ffi~ Funeral 10 Take Place To-
morrow Morning az II O'Clock.
Capt Robert G. Fleming passed quietly
away at 1915 o'clock yesterday at his
residence. No. 81 Liberty street. lie was
surrounded 10y the members Of his family,
who have been with him since he was
first stricken. Capt Fleming was sud-
denly attacked with apoplexy and paral-
ysis about s.so O'Clock Tuesday night
FEB. g His life was despaired of from
the hrst. and for the last four days his
demise has been hourly expected The
news Ct his death spread rapidly through
out the city. and although expected, il
caused great sorrow.
SThe funeral arrangements. OF which 1ir.
c D. Owens ard Mr.. a. A. Aveilhe have
charge have not been entirely completed
AS yet. The services will be held 81 the
Independent Presbyterian church to-
morrow e. Il o'clock and the iuterment
viii be in Bonavenuure.
The universal popularity Of Capt Flem-
ing and the high esteem in which he
was held, particularly 10y the officials an3
employees of the Plant system. VIII be at
tested BY the respect shown his memory.
a circular order was issued last night
by Assistant Superintendent Aveilhe OF
the Savannah. Florida and Western rail-
way, requesting all the employees OF the
company who cen possibly do so TO at
TEND the funeral as "a mark Of respect
to their late chief A special train VIII
be run from along the line to bring the
employees Of the road. The train VIII ar
rive IN the city about 10 o'clock.
Numerous messages Of coincidence have
heen received by the berea9ed family from
prominent railroad men throughout the
country, as wen as from many friends in
private life. Messages were received by
Mrs Fleming from President Plant and
other officials OF the Plant system. Vice
President Haines is expected to arrive
from New York to attend The funeral. Mr..
r. c. Er -, VINO is in Tampa with Mr..
Plant, viii be here to-day. Several rela-
tives of the family arrived yesterday,
among them being Mrs. Charles e. Flem-
ing. the widow OF Capt Flemng's last sur
Viving brother who died last year a Spar
tanburg. S. c., and daughter.
Capt. Fleming was a Mason, having his
membership at Augusta, ana is a member
D.
'remplar. OF that city. lie WAS "a member
Of Tattnall Council No. 81 American Lee
gion of Honor, ard was "a charter ANA hon
orary member of the Employees Mutual
Relief Association of the Savannah.
Florida and Western and Charleston and
Savannah railways. lie was also mem
Der Of the board Of managers of the Union
Society, the Bethesda Orphan House. As
a mark Of respect the flags on the cotton
exchange and board of trade buildings,
and on the shipping in the harbor, are at
half mast
In the death of Capt Fleming
Savannah loses one OF its best citizens.
IL is unusual to find a man occupying
such a position as he held. controlling
hundreds of men and brought into con-
stant contact with Che public. holding
10 such a degree The confidence and es-
TEEN of those under him and OF those
coming in contact with him as well.
Such men are rare. kind heart and
good judgment were the basis of this
success. No employe. however humble,
was denied admission to the Office of the
superintendent Whatever his complaint
It was listened to ana decided promptly.
30 words were wasted. Capt. Fleming
was father to his men, an old employe
of the road said when he heard that the
illness of his chief was fatal. An air of
gloom has surrounded the offices of the
IQfreav 1fffrr
was frst attacked. Every man felt that
Ire was losing a personal friend--one
whose kindness he would long remem-
ber and whose place would never be
entirely filled.
Capt. Fleming began his railroad ca
recr at the bottom and worked his way
to the top. He was every inch rail-
road man, and knew his business thor
oughly in every department. He was
born April II, 1885 in Columbia. S. c.,
and in 1855. when IL years of age, he en-
tered the service of the old Greenville
and Columbia railroad as an apprentice
in the machine shops at Helena, 5. c.
He had served his time in the shops
with General Manager Green of the South
ern railway, and was occupying a subor-
dinate position when the war broke out
He entered the service of the confederate
states in 1861 as a lieutenant of infantry,
and was later promoted to a captaincy.
El5 was present Wnen the Hfst gun was
fred at Fort Sumter, and served through
out the entire four years of the war He
was severely wounded in the shoulder in
one of the battles around Petersburg
while in command of his company, Com
pany B, of the Twenty South Car
DINA regiment He re-entered the service
of the Greenville and Columbia railroad
after the war and assisted in rebuilding
the road which had been destroyed by
Sherman in his march through South Car
DINA and was an agent of the road for
two years. In 1867 he went with the Char
lotte, Columbia and Augusta railroad as
agent and afterward as conductor. In 1853
he was made master of transpor-
tstion, which position he filled
until 1871, wnen he was appointed agent
of the Wilmington, Columbia and Augusta
railroad at Columbia In July, 1873 he was
made superintendent of the Port Royal
and Augusta railroad, with headquarters
at Augusta, which position ne filled Tor
eight years In this position he displayed
the administrative and executive quail
titles which marked him as leader in the
railroad world. His residence at Augusta
IS well remembered BY the people of that
city by whom he was highly esteemed.
Mr.. Plant recognized Capt Fleming