The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-25
A TOUCHING OCCASION
HONORS AND LOVING TRIBUTES
HEAPED UPON THE DEAD
SOLDIER,
AN IMMENSE FUNERAL PROCESSION
All Durham turns out to do Honor 10 the Dead
Patriot who Gave up his Life for
the Cause Of Human
Liberty.


Durham, n. c., May 24.-(Special0-
Capt. j. a. White, Maj. Leo. ID. Heartt,
Capt. June Sneed and Chief j. A. Wood
all went up to Greensboro last night and
returned with the remains of Durham's
martyr soldier, w. NJ. Barbee. The
train was an hour and half late, reach
ing here little before o'clock this
morning. At point opposite Watts
hospital, the train was stopped and j.
NJ. Colclough, the wounded man, was
taken off by delegation of physicians,
nurses and friends, who were in waiting
for that purpose. He was taken to the
hospital where every attention is being
shown him. There is hope now of his
recovery.
At the depot delegation of old mem
bers of the ID. l.. |. were in waiting,
and escorted the remains of Mat, Bar
bee to the armory, where everything had
been made ready for the dead hero The
ladies Of Savannah, Ga. had contributed
a large quantity of beautiful flowers that
accompanied the casket. All day long
great crowds of people have thronged the
armory to take one last look at all that
was mortal of him they loved i'll life, and
now mourned in death. There are many
sad hearts in Durham and but few dry
eyes.
\ delegation, composed of Corporal j..
J.. Melvin and Privates Redmond, Jen-
kins Belvin, Hopper. Caudle, Eubanks
and Tngen. accompanied the remains,
and viii remain in Durham till to-mor-
row.
Durham and Durham people gave
abundant evidence this afternoon of their
patriotism. They honored the brave men
who have given up all to do battle in
defence of human rights, and the funeral
of W. Matt Barbee was one Of the
largest ever seen here. At an early
hour this morning the people begas to
pour in from the country, and when the
hour for the funeral came the streets
We're densely packed. The last sad rites
were conducted from the FIRST Baptist
church, of which he was a trusted and
honored member. 1t was a sad and
solemn occasion, and deeply affecting t.
the immense eoncourse Of people assem-
bled to pay a touching tribute 20 this
stricken hero.
The procession was formed in front
of the armory on Main street. where tho
body had been looked upon by thousands
of tear-dimmed eyes during the day
The following order was observed:
l. The entire police force, in handsome
and bright new uniforms.
3 The clergy.
3. The military.
T. The hearse.
s. Thirty-four young men bearing
beautiful flowers, in varied and exquisite
design.
g. The family of the deceased
e. His Sunday school class.
8. The city officials and fire depart
ment.
The pall-bearers were Of his former
comrades, in full dress uniforms. OF the
Durham Light Infantry.
The procession was commanded by
Capt. Il. j. Parrish, the former gallant
captain Of the Durham Light Infantry
In the ranks / noticed Mai. B. II. Dixon
and Capt Percy Gray Of the Second
regiment, North Carolina volunteers:
Col. Julian S. Carr, Maj. Leo d.
Heart. Maj Arch Cheatham, Maj.
Thomas ]. Winston, and Capt j. II.
Sneed, of the North Carolina State
Guard.
The line of march was down Main
street to Mangum. up Mangum to the
church. At the church the services
were most impressive. The choir sang
Safe in the arms Of Jesus" Rev. j.
w. Wellons then announced My
Country; IT'S of Thee" A scriptural
lesson was read by DR. H. b. Turnbull
Rev. q. A. Oglesby read an appropriate
hymn. Prayer was then offered by
Rev. John n. Cole, chaplain Of the Dur
ham Light Infantry before the com
pany entered into the service of the
United States. Rev. Mr.. Barber, pas
tor of the Second Baptist church. then
read, Servant Of God Well Doner'
Rev w. G. Tyree Mat Barbee's pas
tor, then pronounced fitting eulogy
upon this Christian soldier.
The remains were then taken TO the
city cemetery, where in the presence of
great throng of people they were laid
to rest. The procession to the cemetery
must have been not less than mile long.
At the grave prayer was offered by
Rev. w. G. Tyree. and the benediction
was offered by Rev. j. T. McCrackcn
OF the many deeply touching scenes dur
ing this sad day in Durham. the most
touching was when beautiful boquet
of carnations accompanied by letter
of deep sympathy from Mrs w. H.
Bagley, mother Of Ensign Worth Bag.
ley was handed to Mat Barbee's grief
stricken father and sister.
Mrs Barbee, his mother, was too
feeble to come to Durham. and Mrs.
Bagley's sweet letter and beautiful car
nations were taken TO her country home
from mother to mother. Strong men
wept bitterly as they witnessed this af-
fecting scene.
A monument is already begun. and will
beautifully mark the spot in the Gene
terry where Durham's hero is laid
A torpid liver robs you Of ambition and
ruins your health. DeWitt's Little
Eeaht gfarm orm romarm oraohraohraha
Early slrs cleanse the liver, cure con