Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1896-04-16
He Passed Away Saturday After
ternoon at SIS.
THE STATE In MOURNING
For the Loss of One of its Eminent
Citizens.
THE FUNERAL AT GRAHAM
TO-DAY.
In the Presbyterian Church of that
Place.
Large Number of Prominent Citizens
From Raleigh and Other
Places were
Present.


HAw RIVER, n. c., April IL.
Ex-Governor Thomas M. Holt
is dead.
This sorrow laden message went
outfrom here this afternoon at 5. Il
O'Clock. 1t was caught up on the
winds and carried over the village,
neighbCr told it to neighbor il
tones dripping with tears, mothers
called to the little ones and wills
pered to them "Governor Holt is
dead the little one sighed, then
slept, and its fgce frightened up
as it dreamed that the sad story
was only a dream.
A mantle of mourning has
spread owe the village and its
dark folds cast shadows where
ever the sad news has gone. Every
one of the fifteen hundred people
in Haw River, old and young,
black and white, rich and poor,
realize that they each have lost q
personal friend.
Governor Holt has been rapidly
declining for several days. A
week ago, the dread disease, which
has finally conquered his strong
and sturdy frame, struck the final
blow that stretched him upon a
dying couch. Since then it has
been a season of intense anxiety
and around his hitherto happy
home have gathered his sons, his
daughters, his sorely bereaved,
wife, soon to. be widowed.
At his bedside we're his devoted
wife, his sons, Chas. I. Holt and
L. NJ. Holt, Jr., his daughters,
and their husbands, DR.. and Mrs.
DR.. Laird, Mr.. and Mrs. Bruce
Wright, Mr.. and Mrs. A. W.
Haywood, and others of his neal
kin.
His brothers, sisters, his minis
ter, 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 to pass by with subdued
murmurings. The busy machin-
cry, whse steady hum has been
for so many years music to him,
has been still, lest it might dis
turb the quiet of the few remain
ing hours that were his. The
hundreds of people who work for
him. and loved him for his kind
ness toward them, and his consid-
Grafton for them have gone about
with silent tread lest a heavy foot
fall might disturb the distinguished
sufferer; even the winds have been
seemingly considerate and have not
murmured loudly as they have
passed through the town, around
the lovely, but sorrowing and
anxious home. Now il is all over.
The town has lost its builder, the
community its greatest benefactor,
the county its most distinguished
citizen, his family a tender and af-
fectionate husband and grand
father, and the State one of its
greatest men.
Governor Holt was rational
during his last illness and con-
scious of his critical condition.
The near approach of the fnal
hour had been tenderly suggested
to him by physician and pastor
and he was ready. He talked to
children, wife and friends, advis-
ing with them touchingly, tender
ly, pathetically, arranged with
! them the details of his burial, Sc
lected the spot where his tomb
should be and suggested some OF
his special friends and associate:
who would be among those who
should bear his remains to theil
5 final home. He arranged his bus
: mess matters systematically ano
: methodically, as vas his won't
Then patiently and fearlessly h,
! awaited the end.
, Now he has "gone over th'
river So many times has i
: been said of him as he would pas
r from his home on the one side t,
his factories on the other side O
Haw River: eHe has gone ovel
the river But then after awhil
, he would return again. This tim
he has gone owe the river whicl
is never re -crossed. But its
Only just across the river
Over on the other side,
. Where the angels are in waiting
Where the pure in heart abide.
al The funeral took place i
Graham on Monday morning a