The Savannah morning news., 1901-04-28
A PATRIARCH LAID TO REST.
Wnycross Pays Tribute to the vir-
tues of Rev. w. III. Thomas.


"aycross, Ga, April 27.-The funeral
OF Rev. w. Fl. Thomas took place this
morning at Trinity Church. of which de-
ceased was prominent official member
The largest concourse of people gathered
together in long years to honor the dead
assembled to pay the last tribute Of re-
spect to this grand old patriarch. who may
well be called the father of Waycross.
Just before II o'clock the remains were
borne from the family residence on
church street to the church. The pail
bearers were C. c. Buchan-
an john A. Lott Val L.
stanton, joel Lott, William IT. Bradley,
John w. Adams, r. P. Bird and ID. b,
Sweat
The following ministers were present,
and acted as honorary escort, being first
in the procession: Revs. T. NJ. Christian,
W. H. Scruggs, r. A. Brown, NJ. c. Aus
TIN, j. c. Barnett and w. r. McNichael.
Loving friends had sent in a profusion
of beautiful flowers, which covered the
casket in which the mortal remains of
the good man rested
Among the contributions sent in was a
bouquet of ripened wheat tied with a bit
of black ribbon 1t was very appropri-
az AaNHS Deen sent by PROBABLY the
oldest lady in the city, Mrs. NJ. Z. Wright.
The engraved plate on the casket bore
the inscription, "At Rest"
At the church the procession was met
by the Masonic fraternity, which attend
ed in body. 1.-THE Haven oE Rest" a
favorite song of the deceased, was sung
by quarette.
Rev. w. H. scruggs, Rev. T.
M Christian, Rev., w. T. McMichael
and Rev. ]. NJ. Glenn participated in the
services. Rev. Mr.. Glenn sang one of I'm
Gle Thomas famous songs, the words of
which are said to be his own composition.
1t is entitled, when the Worlds On
Fire, and during his long life the old
man had often made the welkin ring with
this and other songs peculiarly his own,
among them 1.-THE Happy Sailor" WON
drous Love- etc.
Mr.. Glenn preached a short sermon, in
which he paid high tribute to the dead.
He closed with the beautiful thought that
the now sainted man had just begun to
live both in the city of gold over yonder
and his influence in this city and section.
He prayed that the old patriarchs mantle
might fall upon his boys.
Hon. Leon A. Wilson spoke beautifully
of Uncle Thomas as citizen, recounting
the fact that the streets of Waycross
are monuments of his faithfuness in the
early days of the town, as he assisted in
laying off the streets and setting out the
trees some thirty years ago. He said
doubtless the good man had already
struck hands with DR.. Lott, DR.. Will
Jams, Mr.. Bailey, Henry Williams and
others who had gone from here to the
Golden City, and said he if we are faith
full, one of these days we shall meet him
and we shall know Uncle Thomas, for
when the mists have rolled away we shall
know as we are known
Rev. T. NJ. Christian spoke of him as
minister. Said he: IF goodness is
greatness, a giant has fallen; no better
life was ever lived in Waycross."
Mr.. c. c. Buchanan spoke of his Of
fetal life, characterizing him as one of the
most faithful, untiring stewards he ever
saw. Col. ]. B. X. Smith spoke of him
as a member OF the Masonic fraternity.
Short talks, eulogizing the dead were
made by V. L. Stanton, Rev. W. T. Nc
Michael, Mrs. Georgia Jones, r. p. Bird,
Mrs. NJ. C. Austin, NJ. l.. Goodyear,
George H. Thomas and Rev. w. H.
Scruggs.
Mr.. Thomas is a son of the deceased
and lives in Albany. He is 60 years of age,
and his reference to his father was touch
ing and pathetic.
After those present had viewed the re-
mains, the solemn line of march was TAX
en- up to Lott Cemetery, where the body
was laid to rest. The services at the grave
were conducted by the Masons. The burial
service of the church was read by Rev.
r A. Brown.