The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-05-16
DEATH OF REV DIR. GEO. ". CARTER
His chsckered Career.

Rev DR.. George W Carter. one Of the
most noted men in Southern Methodism,
died in Washington last Saturday.
The news of the death Of DR.. Carter
will be a scource Of surprise and regret TO
the wide circle Of his acquaintances.
\ notable man passes away in the
death Of DR. Carter. For many years he
was recognized as one of the leading
ministers in the NJ. f. Church, South.
There were few such gifted men. Ills
ability and genius were readily recog-
nizcd.
Dr. Carter career was checkered and
remarkable one lie was born in Lou
doun county. Va, in 1896. He came ola
prominent family. Early in life he en-
tered actively into the ministry, joining
the Virginia Methodist Conference. The
talents he showed at the commence
ment of his career commanded the first
places in the Virginia Conference
Az speaker DR.. Carter was well-nigh
invincible. 1t is within the recollection
of many now living that he once met in
public debate in the town of SaleTl, on the
question of Southern slavery, distin-
gushcd representative Of the abolition
element of the North; and while DR. Car
ter was replying to the opening speech
that had preceded him, his antagonist
suddenly left the buildings and abandoned
the contest. The crowd immediatly bore
DIR. Carter on their shoulders trium-
phantly through the town. lie was an
ardent secessionist. and demonstrated
his patriotism by resigning the presi
dency Of the Texas University and or
ganizing a regiment Of Texas cavalry,
which as its colonel, he gallanly led
through many of the hardest fought bat
ties OF the war between the States.
DR.. Carter first entered the Virginia
Conference in 1871. He preached for
twenty-one years, and then left the min
istry. lie remained ont Of it for twenty
one years before returning to it. In the
time intervening Dr. Carter practiced law,
had considerable experience in politics,
was president of one university and one
or two colleges; was professor in seve-
raj colleges and universities; at one time
was private secretary of Senator Pinch
back, a colOred representative in the
Senate Just after the war. He also ed
tied several newspapers, and was re-
garded as n writer of great force. DR..
Carter had lived in twenty States was
Minister to yenezeula under President
Garfield and had held other positions
of honor and trust. He did not resume
his ministerial or educational work on
the conclusion of the war, but embarked
on the turbrulent sea of political life
during reconstruction times. DR.. Car
ters distinguished ability soon made him
a conspicuous leader in the politics OF his
more recently adopted State of Louis
lana.
Through all this checkered career Dr.
Carter never lost the sense of his obliga-
ton to preach the gospel, and under
this solemn conviction he turned away
from the triumphs of his political career
and re-entered the work OF the ministry.
He again became prominent, but soon
after the memorable session in 1895, in
which he was tried for violating the law
of the church by marrying agair while q
former wife from whom he hal been
,livoced, still lived, he retired from the
active ministry and since that time had
resided in Washington and devoted his
talents to literary work. His trial before
the conference resulted in his acquittal.
DR.. Carter had been married three times.
His last wife survives him.