Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-17
REST In HOLLYWOOD.
yNERAL SERVICES OVER THE RE-
MAINS or CLERK w. II. LAwToN.
,DSEQUIES LARGELY ATTENDED.
seautifuI FIoral TrihutcS--Nr. Chris
tian VIII Re Appointed to FIJI the
Reconsideration of the Office
According 10 Law.

The funeral OF Mr. William p. Lawton
he ,amcuttd Clerk OF She Hastings Court
which took place from Park-Place Meth
dist church at noon yesterday. was very
argely attended. attesting the high and
universal esteem in which the deceased
VAS held in this community. Every pew
n the spacious house OF worship was
slled. and the services were of appro-
,riate character. The casket was covered
With the most beautiful of floral tributes
placed there By loving hands, and SYM
bolic OF the pure and gentle nature OF
he excellent citizen and good and true
friend who had been called to his final
reward. The design sent by the city oiii-
,ials as body was a magnificent ar
rangemeNt.
The services were conducted by Rev
Thomas y. Potts. pastor of the church,
ND the pall-bearers. whose names were
published in yesterdays Dispatch, were
some of Mr.. Lawton's closest and warm
est friends. The delegation from Lee
Camp was present in full uniform. and a
arge delegation from Shockoe Council, OF
he Royal Arcanum, was also in attend
snce.
SERVICES AT THE CHURCH.
The services were brief and after the
usual order Of funeral obseQuies as they
are conducted in the Methodist Church.
The first song was one familiar to all,
Nearer, My God. TO Thee" and it was
rendered with great sweetness and ten
derness by Captain Frank w. Cunning
har !
-urley. AS a solo Mr.. Cardoza sang.
Flee As a Bird There was the usual
reading Of the Scriptures, and the pastor
offered q beautiful invocation for the
comfort and peace which proceeded only
from the Father The prayer concluded
with the Lords Prayer, in which ali
those present joined. Captain Cunning
ham sang at the conclusion of the SER
vice that beautiful hymn, "Some Day
We VIII Understand" and while the
lovely notes fell upon the sympathetic
ears Of the assembled sorrowers the
casket was carried from the church.
long line of carriages and other
vehicles followed the hearse to Holly
wood. where the remains were laid in
their last resting-place Although Mr.
Lawton was leading Mason. there
We're no Masonic ceremonies at the
grave, this being due to the expressed
wishes Of members of the family of the
deceased. y great many brother-Masons
were present both at the church and the
cemetery.
AS mark of respect 20 Mr.. Lawton.
the City Hall was closed between the
hours o. Il A. NJ and =. NJ.
MR.. LAWTON'S SUCCESSOR.
SO far as could be learned yesterday,
only one name has been mentioned in
connection with the matter of who is
TO succeed Mr.. Lawton as Clerk Of the
Chancery Court. Mr.. Walter Christian,
who has been in the Clerks Office for
twelve years. has most Of that time
been Mr.. Lawton's deputy. and he is
thoroughly familiar with the details of
the Office and the responsibilities at
tached thereto. Judge Witt will have 10
appoint some one to I'll the unexpired
term of Mr.. Lawton. which extends to
July !. 1890 and it is practically certain
that he viii name Mr. Christian. There
are already several aspirants for the
del ltyship.
Judge Witt. Of the Hastings Court.
has appointed Messrs. Overton Harwood,
George Wayne Anderson, and +. T.. Bos-
sieux to make an examination of the
Clerks office OF the Hastings Court. The
law prescribes that an examination of
the Office and report Of the condition
must be made before an appointment
can be made 10 fill a vacancy. The ex-
aminers met yesterday afternoon and be-
gan this work.