The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-04-12
He Passed Away Yesterday
Afternoon at 5:l5.
THE STATE IN MOURNING
'F or the Loss of One Of It's Mos
Eminent Citizens.
FUNERAL AT GRAHAM MONDAY
A Large Number Of Prominent Citizens
From Raleigh and Other
Places Will Be
Present.

Haw River. y. c., April H. (Special)
sEsx-( Governor Thomas Nj. Holt is dead.
Il This sorrow laden message went ont
Sfrom here this afternoon at 5:l5
O'Clock. 1t was caught up on the winds
Hand carried over the village, neighbor
stold it to neighbor in tones dripping
with tears, mothers called to the little
Zones and whispered to them Gov. Holt
His dead" the little one sighed, then
sslept and its face frightened up as il
ssdreamed that the sad story was only a
dream.
mantle of mourning has spread
$over the village and it's dark folds
3cast shadows wherever the sad news
has gone. Everyone of&the fifteen hum
I sdred people in Haw River, old and
fyoung. black and white, rich and poor,
8realize that they have each lost a per-
ssonal friend.
Governor Holt has been rapidly
declining for several days. A week ago,
the dread disease. which has finally con-
squered his strong and sturdy frame,
struck the final blow that stretched
lhim upon a dying couch. Since then
lit has been a season of intense anxiety
land around his hitherto happy home
have gathered his sons, his daughters,
his soreIy bereaved, wife, soon to be
widowed
At his bedside were lis devoted wife,
his sons. Chas. 4. Holt and T. M. Holt,i
gIr., his daughters. and their husbands,I
.Dr. and Mrs. DR.. Laird, Mr.. and Mrs.
IBruce Wright, Mr.. and Mrs. A. w,
and others Of his near kin.
His brothers, sisters, his minister, his
physicians have ministered to him and
done all that human hands or human
minds prompted By loving hearts could
do. but to no avail.
The waters that flow down the river,
beside the lovely home have seemed ts
pass by with subdued mUrmurings.'
lThe busy machinery whose steady,
.hum has been for so many years
music 10 him. has been still. lest it.
might disturb the quiet Of the few re-
manning hours that were his. The
hundreds Of people who work for him
.and loved him for his kindness toward
them and his consideration for them,
have gone about with silent tread lest
b heavy football might disturb the
distinguished sufferer; even the winds
lhaye been seemingly considerate and
.have not murTnured loudly as they
.haye passed through the town around
the lovely, but sorrowing a'ad anxious
shome Now it is all over. The town has
Host its builder, the community it's
greatest benefactor, the county its
most distinguished citizen, his family
Ia tender and affectionate husband,
father and grandfather, anil the State
.one of its greatest men.
Governor Holt was rational during
This last illness and conscious of his
.critical condition. The near approach
JOE the final hour had been tenderly
lsugges ted to him by physician and pas
stor--and he was ready. He talked to
children wife and friends advising
with them touchingly, tenderly, pathet-
Eically, arranged with them the details
sof his burial, selected the spot where
shis tomb should be, and suggested
some of his special friends and asso-l
'ciates who should be among those who,
should bear his remains 10 their final
Ihome He arranged his business matt
tiers Systematically and methodically,'
'as was his wont. Then patiently and
fearlessly he awaited the end
Now he has gone over the river" u
SO many times has it been said of him,l
as he would pass from his home on the
Ione side OF his factories on the other,
side Of Haw River: ''He has gone
over the river" But then after awhile
Ihe would return again. This time ne,
has gone over that river which is never1
But its
Only just across the river
Over on the other side,
Where the angels are in waiting
Where the pure in heart abide.
The funeral win take place in Gra-
ham on Monday morning at eleyenS
O'Clock from the Presbyterian church. ]