The citizen., 1896-03-06

The widely lamented deceased was in the
53rd year of his age and the eldest son OF
the late Judge James Besant, and was a
native of Frederick County. For the past
eighteen years he had been associated with
MT. F. Columbus Knott in the grocery busi-
ness. the rudiments of which calling he
learned when quite young. He was mem
Der ofthe Thirty-fifth Virginia Battalion and
also a courier to Gen. Rosser. While under
his command many stories are told OF his
daring. and on one occasion he carried an I'M
portant telegram through the enemy's lines
at the risk of his life, safely to its destina-
ton He was a prominent member OF
Alexander Young Camp of Confederate
Veterans, and held the position of secre-
tary and treasurer for long time. he be-
lOnged to the Independent Fire Company,
and was leading member and vlce-presl-
dent of the Catholic Club of this city.
Mr.. Besant was unmarried and leaves
mother, Mrs. M. A. Besant; two sisters, Mrs.
w. W. Sl2ck, of Rowlesburg, w. Va ;
Mrs. Oliver P. Bennett, Frederick, and four
brothers, Harry r. Besant, Cumberland;
Charles Besant, of the firm of Besant q
Hanneman, Altoona, Pa; G. Mantz Be-
SAINT. Baltimore, and Bernard Besant, Fred
erick.
The sad funeral rites over the re-
mains of the late VIM. T. Besant were
held at ST. Johns Catholic Church, on
Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock, Rev.
Frs. Gaffney and O'Rourke officiating.
REQUIEM Mass was sung by FIR. Gait
new, at the conclusion of which an ell
ouuent panegyric was delivered by
Fr. O'Rourke, in which he spoke of
the deceased as "a noble and loving
son, a devoted brother, loyal citizen
and consistent and active member OF
his church." During this recitation
tears were brought to the eyes of many,
especially the family and those old
comrades and friends who had known
him in the old times, and who came to
pay their last respects to his memory.
The OCCASION was deeply affecting.
ST. Johns choir chanted the solemn
requiem hymns and before and after
the sermon sang ''Nearer My God to
Thee" The pall-bearers were Messrs.
Columbus Knott, John w. Brosius, j.
Hanshew Markey, E. Z. McSherry
J. w. Baughman aud DIR. s. f. Thomas.
Interment was made in the family lot
in ST. Johns Cemetery.
Messrs. Adolphus Fearhake, G. B. Phil
pot and E. C. McSherry were appointed a
committee by the Alexander Young Camp
of Confederate Veterans to prepare suitable
resolutions on occasion of the death OF
William T. Besant, and respectfully re-
ported the following:
Whereas. God in His unerrlng wisdom,
has taken from the activities of early life,
our late comrade, William T. Besant, and
we are now called to mourn his death In
the full prime of his years and usefulness
in this community.
Therefore be it resolved by his surviving
comrades and friends of this Camp, that in
the death of our deceased brother, the Con-
federate Veterans have lost one especially
endeared to them, by his gentleness and
amiability, his uniform and pleasing cour-
tesy and his fidelity to his friends and re-
gard for the rights of others, which he in
variably exemplified.
Resolved, that the devotion to principle
which characterized our late comrade, his
record in the trying duties of a soldier, his
career as citizen and business man in this
community, in which he has resided fol
many years, and more than all his exam
pie in the tender domestic and family rela'
tions, and his conscientious discharge OF his
religious duties, have left an enduring me-
mortal for those who loved and admired
him.
Resolved, that we tender our sincere con
dolence with the family of our deceased
comrade, and assure them of our heartfelt
sympathy in this hour of their sadness ano
bereavement.