The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-12-12
CUT DOWN IN THE
PRIME OF LIFE
Alderman VIM. J. Pearee Called
to His Reward.
THE END CAME YESTERDAY
Public Spirited and Charitable Man
Remains Will be Taken to &C.
lumbus, Ga, for Interment-
Funeral Arrangements
THE END CAME YESTERDAY

Alderman William ]. Pearce died at the
Wilson & Brown infrmary, in First avenue,
at o'clock yesterday afternoon.
Mr.. Pearce's health had been unsatisfac-
tory for several months, his affection being
of an intestinal nature; but he never re-
garded his condition as being particularly
dangerous until very recently, when he was
induced to go to the infirmary for treat
ment. A week ago his ailment took turn
for the worse, and he failed rapidly.
Mr.. Pearce was born in Columbus, Ga, in
March, 1880, and he therefore would have
been 40 years old within few months. He
was the son of Tilman J. Pearce. Five
brothers and one sister survive him. He
removed to Birmingham about twelve years
ago, and for two years was in charge of
the show rooms of a sewing machine COM
pany. He then went with the Jesse French
Piano and Organ company, of which he was
made manager, a position he held at the
time of his death. For several years he
has represented the Seventh ward in the
Birmingham city council, and has taken an
active part in municipal affairs. In the
Smith-Drennen contest for the mayoralty
last spring he was manager for Ross C.
Smith. His keen, practical business sense,
his knowledge of affairs, and his cheerful
good humor and tact made him an fnvalu-
able member of the city council
No young man in Birmingham was bet
ter known or more cordially esteemed by
the people of the city than Mr. Pearce. In
all that pertained to.the public welfare, the
progress and development of Birmingham
and the good government of the city, he
took deep interest. In religious and char
liable work he was ever to the front He
was a deacon of the First Baptist church,
and personally concerned himself in vari-
Gus charities. In all he undertook he work.
ed with boundless energy and great good
will, and the public delighted to trust and
honor him. He was very successful in bus
mess.
In private life he was one of the most
1ovable of men; gentle-hearted as a Wo-
man. brave as a manly man, unaffected as
a little child. His right hand knew not
what his left hand did. He was, a man
without guile, without rancorous thoughts
or sentiment of evil. OF his abundance ne
gave abundantly. No appeal Tor amy char
ity was made vainly to him. but his purse
and his heart leaped to answer charity
soft call In these sweet deeds he was mod
est. and a thousand times he gave to the
needy in ways that the world might not
know. Withal he watched for opportuni-
ties to do good, and loved ana labored, and
was loved and was glad of soul. He passed
from this earth when the heavens were
aflame, as if to light the last moment oil
life that blessed and was blessed.
Funeral services will take pace TINS lore
noon, the funeral taking place from the
residence of Richard f. Johnston, in High
land avenue.
The pall-bearers will be as follows:
Actiye-W. G. Estes, DR.. Bivings, Dr. D.
r. Dozier. Ben NJ Jacobs, W. T. Simmons,
Simon Klotz, Professor F. NJ. Roof and
George Eustis. These gentlemen will meet
carriages at the Florence hotel at III a. m.
sharp.
Honorary Pall-Bearers-Mayor and Board
of Aldermen, VINO will leave the city hall
in carriages at $3.50 a. m. sharp; and the
finance committee of the First Baptist
church, who will meet carriages at the
church, leaving there at 9:45 a. m.
The following Knight Templars will act
as a Templars escort to Columbus Ga:
Charles r. Patterson DR.. ]. II. Phillips,
Rev. o. P. Fitzsimmons, Henry b. Gray,
David j. Fox, George A. Blinn, Jr., Harry
B. Wheelock and A. J. Camp. There will
also be an escort to Columbus from the
board of mayor and aldermen
The funeral procession will leave the
residence of Mr.. Johnston at 1880 a. M,
and will move hence to the First Baptist
church, where DR.. B. D. Gray will conduct
tG1e services. The remains will leave the
city on the Central OF Georgia railroad at
2:4O D. m., for Columbus, the Templars taxi
ing charge of the remains after they leave
tho church.