The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1899-03-29
GOV. PIE RPOINT
LAID TO REST.
Fairmont Honors the Memory
of Her First Citizen

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Business Suspended, The Public
Schools Closed, And All the Towns
People Gathered at The Services over
The Remafns-Ihe Remains Lay IN
State During The day at The Metho
dist Protestant Church, Where
thousands Of sorrewing Friends Of
The Dead Man Took a fast Look al
His Kindly Face-Senator Willey's
Address.
FAIRMoNT, w. Va, March 81
The remains of Gov. Pierpoint ar
rived over the f., NJ. g. p. railroad
at about P. NJ. accompanied by bis
two sons, his daughter and her hus-
band and Rev. Mr. Young, of Pitts
burg.
The g. A. r., headed by drum
corps, and these in turn followed by
the students of the Normal School,
in charge of the faculty, and large
concourse Of citizens from far and
near, met the train and escorted the
remains to the Governors old home
church, the Methodist Protestant.
In the large tower entrance of the
church the remains rested in state,
In charge of guard of honor, until
the public services at 3 o'clock.
At 2 o'clock the business of the
city was suspended, the public
schools closed and all classes, all
professions, united in doing honor
to the memory of this good man.
A steady stream of people filed
their way through the main entrance
of the church to take last look at
the kind and peaceful face, from the
time the doors were first opened I'M
til the remains were removed to the
chancel rail. The public school
children marched in body from the
schools, in charge Of the principal
and teachers. Mayor Hall and the
city Council attended in body, as
did the members of the local bar and
the government employees Of the
postoflice.
Promptly at three o'clock the or
gan prelude by Mrs. Fleming, indi-
Gated TO the vast throng that the
last sad rites were about to begin
The entire funeral services were in
charge of
THE GOVERNORS PASTOR,
Rev. Alfred E. Fletcher. On the
platform with him were number of
the local clergy, Rev. DR.. Martin
and Senator Waitman T. Wiley.
After the rendering of an appropri-
ate anthem by the choir, the congre-
cation united in singing asleep
in Jesus" followed by the reading
of the Scriptures and prayer, when
the pastor of the church in a few
fitting words presented the lifelong
friend of the Governor, Senator
Wiley His address, though brief,
was complete resume of the life,
character and sterling worth of the
deceased, a glowing tribute to his
usefulness as citizen and an up
right man.
SENATOR wILLEY's ADDRESS.
Senator Wiley who is about the
only remaining contemporary OF Gov.
Pierpolnt, among those VINO Inquired
prominently in the stormy period when
this state was born into the Union,
had gone to Fairmont to Join in the
last sad rites over his dead comrade.
As soon as the committee heard he
was in town they telephoned him
request from the family OF GOV. Pier
point that he would make short adj
dress at the funeral ceremonies. He
could not say nay to such request,
but those who saw him assisted on
the platform, bending under the
weight OF his 81 years, felt a solicit
tude for the results; that solicitude
lasted only, however until Senator
Wiley was on his feet and had faced
the audience with the old time fervor
beaming in his countenance through
the inspiration of the occasion. Gath
ering up one OF the folds OF a historic
flag that decorated the front of the
platform, he said very impressively
that flag was the most appropriate
emblem to be associated with an occa-
sion that commentaries the life OF
the dead Governor. He dwelt in elo-
quent terms upon the patriotic SER
vices, the patriotic impulses and CHAR
acter OF Gov. Pierpoint and declared
that genuine and whole souled love
OF country was the marked and dis
tinguished feature of his life and
character.
1t was 80 years ago, Senator Wiley
continued, since on the streets OF
Fairmont, Gov. Pierpoint levied on
him, SO to speak, as he was passing
through that town, and urged him to
accompany him t. Wheeling, to assist
In staying the revolutionary move
ment that the hot-heads were then
inaugurating to divide and cut loose
from The old state of Virginia, regard
less OF the forms of law and the con-
stitutional requirements that were es-
sential to obtain for The proposed new
State a lawful standing and recogni-
ton from the Federal government.
They Wentt to wheeling together threw
ceeded against the mob that was