The age-herald., 1901-06-15
Thousands of Mourning Friends Follow the Remains to
 the Cib of the Dead STRONG MEN BOWED IN GRIEF
Business Suspended In opeIika While Funeral Services Were in Proq- ress, and Citizens Paid Hom-
 age to the Dead Chieftain.
BY E. E. KERsH.


 opelka, June 4.-(Special )-With sim pie ceremony and in the presence of thousands of grief-stricken friends, the body of the late Governor William J. Sanford was tenderly laid beneath the sod in the city cemetery here today.
 The last ceremony over the dead body was truly in keeping with the life of the man, modest and without undue demon stration. This was in keeping with the wishes of the family, but it in no way prevented the thousands of friends of the great man from assembling at both the church and burial yard to do him homage for the last time.
 The day has been sad one for Opelika. As to add emphasis to the general gloom which has come over the little city, slow, drizzling rain has fallen from the dark clouds through the entire morning The rainfall has not served to dampen the zeal of the populace to do farewell honor to their fellow townsman, however. From the Sanford home to the church and from the church to the cemetery, men, women and children thronged the streets as the funeral procession moved slowly along.
 
 eral services were held, has a much lar ger seating capacity than would be ex- pected of church in a small city but this room was barely more than sufficient 10 furnish seats for the large family connec- ton, the various State bodies, secret or- ders and honorary bodies which have de- sired to attend the funeral.
 All during the morning crowds of peo- pie have come to the city upon the trains from different sections of the State. A special train from Montgomery brought Governor Jelks and the official family, in- cluding the members of the Supreme Court. President Knox and the delegates in the Constitutional Convention, Camp Lomax, United Confederate Veterans of Montgomery and several other gentlemen of distinction came on the special train. United States Senator Pettus, Hon. Charles F. Waller of Hale, Speaker pro tempore of the House, Tunstall of Hale, Chancellor R. B. Kelly of Annston, Judge J. E. Camp of Talladega, Judge A. J. Driver of Chambers Senator Jonas G. Moore of Birmingham, Congressman Clay ton and many other distinguished Ala baTnians were here to attend the funeral Business in Opelika has been practially suspended during the day and during the hours of the funeral services, all business houses were closed as a mark of respect. A people could not do greater honor to the dead than has been done by the citi- zens of Opelika The entire life of the late Governor was spent in Opelika and Auburn, twin towns, and 1t was here where the people have freest access to the pages of his open book of life, that the great and noble man was most loved and admired. Every day of his career has been an exemplfcaton of the true Chris tian, and glorious indeed were the trib- utes paid his character by the men of God who delivered short eulogies at the church upon his life.
 beautiful illustration of the faith which his fellow townsmen have placed in the deceased, was the place of honor asked for and given in the parade to the Sunday school class taught by the late Governor for many years. This class was composed not of boys and girls, but of men of full years, who have far Sunday after Sunday assembled in the "amen corner, of the Methodist church to hear him with great eloquence expound the teachings of Christ. The members of this class-thirty-four in number-attended the funeral today in a body, marching in the parade next behind the honorary pall- bearers and occupying their class seats in the church.
 Funeral Procession.
 The funeral procession was formed at the Sanford home at 9:30 o'clock, and moved in the following order to the church:
 Plantoon of police. mounted.
 Lee Light Infantry
 Auburn Cadets.
 Funeral car.
 Active pall-bearers.
 Honorary pall-bearers. Sunday school class.
 Floral car.
 Governor Jelks, President Knox, Mayor Palmer, Judge Renfro.
 State officials
 Members constitutional convention.
 Friends.
 several blocks. The members of the Gov srnor's staff acting as pall-bearers were General Brandon, Colonel, B. l.. Holt Col onel A. A. Wiley, Colonel A. H. Stevens Colonel F. Y. Caffey, Colonel D. R. Burgess, Colonel Lee Echols, Colonel R. H. Adams. Colonel Charles Henderson and Colonel Ashcraft.
 The honorary pall-bearers were B. T. Glenn, Professor Thach, W. B. Gullatte, J w. Harris and A. s. Anderson of Au- burn, and R. M. Greene, M T. Trawfck, T. T. German, R. B. Barnes, o. L. Ken nedy, J. G. Palmer, J. W. Williams, D.. T. Hudmon. J. c. Condon, J. Q. Burton, F. Watkins, J. P Duffy W. C. Goodwin, Orrin Brown. J. B. Greene J. Kohn. F. M. Renfro, c. N Hodge and J. s. Hannon of Opelika.
 At the Church.
 Every available unreserved seat in the church was filled an hour before the time appointed for the funeral. and the streets leading to the church were thronged with people when the process sion halted and the casket removed from the car into the church. The interior of the church was appropriately decorated for the occasion. huge streamers of black being entrained about the chancel and windows The floral decorations were elaborate and appropriate.
 As the blast of the bugle sounded the . approach to the church of the funeral party, there was perfect silence among