The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-03-15
TOSEE ABOUT GREENE
RHODE ISLAND HAS SENT A REP
REsENTATIvE.
EDWARD FIELD IS HERE.
TO LEARN THE SITUATION AS 1T Is
IN SAVANNAH.

Mr.. Field Represents the Governor
md the Legislature of Rhode ISL
and-Said to the Local Committee
Arranging for the Greene Funeral
Expressed No Preference as to the
Place of Final Interment of the
Remains-Gave Concise State
meBt of the Situation in Rhode
Island - VIII Collect Evidence
Hearing Upon the Discovery of the
Remains.
Rhode Island has expressed no wish
in the matter of the selection of the
final resting place for the remains of
Gen. Nathaniel Greene. The commit
tee is awaiting full report upon the
entire situation before declaring its
position"
That is what Mr.. Edward FielS of
Rhode Island, who arrived in Savan-
nah yesterday morning, said last night
to the local committee that is ar
ranging for the ceremonies incident
to the re-interment of the remains of
Gen. Greene beneath the Greene monu-
ment in Savannah. Mr.. Field is in
Savannah as the representative of the
Governor and the Legislature of
Rhode Island, and his mission is to Sc
cure all the information bearing upon
the remains of Gen. Greene and their
final disposition that he can. He will
also add what he may be able to the
proof that the bones in the vault of
the Southern Bank are really those
of the Revolutionary hero.
Mr.. and Mrs. Field are at the De
Soto, where they were probably be I'M
til next Tuesday. 1t is Mr. Fields
desire to conclude his researches and
Investigations here as spe edily as pos
sible, in order that he may return 10
Providence, where he is 10 make his
report. This he desires % make in
time to give the Legislature oppor-
tunity to consider it fully. As the body
is to adjourn on March %, it is i'm
perative that he return as soon as pos
sible.
1t was at the home of Mrs. Edward
Karow that Mr.. Field met members OF
the local committee, and his statement
of the impartial position of Rhode ISL
and, was decidedly reassuring and sat
amCng the committee members that
Rhode Island had declared for the final
intt rment of the honored relics at Prov
idence, and that the Legislature hid
appropriated funds to defray the ex-
penses of the funeral, of descendants
Of Gen. Greene who might attend and
probably of an escort for the remains
frcm the Chatham Artillery. This Inn
preston was gained through letters re-
ceived in Savannah from Col. Asa Biz
Gardiner, who had conducted the
search for the remains of Cen. Greene
that resulted in their discovery, ana
who IS president of the Rhode Island
Society of tine Cincinnati.
Mr.. Field clearly and concisely eX-
planned the situation as it exists in
Rhode Island, and the committee
thanked him for the light he threw
upon it. He will attend another meet
ing of the committee that is to be held
on Monday night.
"Col. Gardiner" said Mr.. Field,
made a report last summer to the
late Gov. Gregory of Rhode Island
upon his discovery of what he believed
to be the remains of Gen. Nathaniel
Greene. Upon the death of Gov. Greg
DRY, Gov. Kimball took the matter
up, and it was referred TO the Legis-
lature. A committee of six-four con-
gressmen and two senators, was APP
pointed, and this committee had d
meeting some days ago. Organization
was effected, and l was elected secre-
tary.
The committee communicated with
Col. Gardiner and he appeared before
it, giving a history of the discovery
of the remains and submitting various
papers and letters bearing upon the
e -
The committee then considered all the
facts that mad been laid before it, but
decided that further evidence was re-
quired before it made its report to the
Legislature. 1t therefore voted unani-
mously to send me to Savannah to
gather all the information l might
Among the people of Rhode Island
there existed a doubt as to the remains
being really those of Gen. Greene.
This doubt was, to a great degree, dis
PEELED by the evidence of the coffin
plate, which had revealed the name
of Gen. Greene, but there are still a
few who question the authenticity of
the remains. But a short time ago
was talking with the secretary of our
historical society, who told me that he
had serious doubts if the relics I'M
earthed by Col. Gardiner were those
OF Gen. Greene. Personally, 1 have no
doubt, but am convinced that the re-
mains are those of Gen. Greene.
Absolutely no preference as to
where the remains of Gen. Greene shall
finally rest has been expressed by
Rhode Island"
Mr.. Field was asked if he did not
consider that Rhode Island would
send delegation to Savannah to as
sist in the ceremonies of the funeral.
He answered that he could not reply
officially, but that personally he
thought that, if the funeral were held
here, his state would send such a rep
resentation to pay its devotions to it's
honored son.
HE RELIED OFF EPIGRAMS.