Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-03-31
EX-GOVERNOR THOMAS SEAY
Died at His Home in Greensboro
Yesterday
AT THE AGE OF FIFTY YEARS
Governo = tes Ordered the Flag at Half Mast
Nmd Issued a Proclamation
OFF LILY ANNOUNCING HIS DEATH
D ..'leuished Citizens From All Over the
State Will Attend the Funeral, Which
Takes Place Today in
Greensboro.
LILY ANNOUNCING HIS DEATH

Montgomery, March 30.-(Special.)-
Ex-Gov Thomas Seay died at his home
in Greensboro this afternoon In the 50th
year of his age. Though a young man,
he had left his impress on the affairs of
his native state. He served in both
branches of the Legislature and was gov
ernor for two terms, from 1886 to 1890.
His private life was without reproach.
He will be buried Tuesday afternoon.
The flag on the state capitol was drop
ped this afternoon at half mast in re-
spect to the deceased ex-executive, and ex-
pressions of sympathy and regret at the
untimely death of Governor Seay were
heard on all sides. Tomorrow morning
Governor Oates, Secretary of State Jack
son, who was private secretary to Gov
ernor Seay; State Treasurer Smith, Mr..
Thomas Fl. Clarke, speaker of the house:
Ex-Governor Jones and other prominent
citizens from here will leave in special
car for Greensboro to attend the funeral.
They will be Joined at Selma by General
Pettus, Mr. f. l.. Pettus president Of the
senate, and others.
Governor Oates issued a proclamation
tonight In which he made official an
nouncement of the death Of the distin-
guished ex-governor and reminded the
people of the state of his many virtues
and his splendid career.
Proclamation.
To the people of Alabama 1t becomes
my solemn duty to announce to you the
death of Ex-Gov. Thomas Seay, which
sad event occurred In his home at
Greensboro at 1:30 o'clock this afternoon,
He was a native Albanian, and during
the fifty years of his life he did as much
for the good of his state as was ever ac-
complished within that period by the
hest of her citizens q ad uvf
distinction at the Southern university at
Greensboro, which place he adopted as
his home He was a lawyer of fine abil-
ity and won great distinction at the bar.
He served in the state senate for ten
years, and was president of that body
during his last term of service. He pre-
sided over the democratic state conven-
tion of 1878 and was sent as a delegate
from the state at large to the national
convention which nominated Hancock
for president He was elected governor
In 1886 and served for two
terms and until December 1890 He
made most excellent chief executive.
All honored him as an honest, conscien-
tious and faithful official. At the close of
his second term he received very fiat
tering vote for United States senator,
but was defeated. He was an earnest
democrat in his politics from deep COM
viction that the principles of that partys
If carried out, would rebound to the
private citizen none knew him but to
love and honor him. AS husband, father,
neighbor and friend his life was pure
and faultless. He was charitable, benev-
client and pioys. He was one of the most
honored ny RS of the Methodist Epis-
copal chV Greensboro. He was of
feeble \ and had been a suf-
ferer~ sc for many years, but
nQtoorS Ig he always performed
t.Ht.c6ii measure of his duty In every re-
lation of life. His finely rounded and
lofty character may well be emulated by
the young men of the state. To the end
that fitting honors be paid to his memory
1t Is ordered that the flag upon the capi-
tol be placed at half mast that the
front of the capitol be draped In mourn
ing, and that all of the executive offices
remained closed during tomorrow. in the
afternoon of which he will be buried. In
testimony whereof | have hereunto set
my hand and caused the great seal Of the
Btate to be affixed, this 30th day OF
March, 1896.
WILLIAM C. OATES.
BY the governor:
]. X. JACKSON, Secretary Of State.