The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1902-04-24


tiful old cemetery at Trinity church, i
sight of tho capitol building Oh who's
steps he stood moro than quarter of
century ago and spoke words of pacif
cation to an angered crowd of his fel
low-citizens, who felt that their right
were being trampled upon, advisin,
that tho peace be preserved and tha
retaliation for wrongs be put aside.
It was an occasion the like Of which
has never been witnessed in Soutl
Carolina until now. Simple, unosten
tatlous, without display Of any kind, i
was in accord with the wishes Of thu
dead hero and patriot that he should bt
laid away, not with outward demon
stratlons that too often are meaning
less, but in the beautiful simplicity
which rises to grandeur when the
hearts of the people are attuned to the
sweet solemnlty expressive of their
honest grief and unaffected sorrow.
Under the wide-spreading branches
of a live oak that looks TO be the sur
vlvor of centuries, and amid the sur
roundings that echoed the tread of his
ancestors upon pathways that lead to
the grave, their honored dust to be re-
freshcd with the knightliest of them all
Wade Hampton was put out of the
sight of man, while the tributes of love
and Affection were heaped upon the
new mound that marks his resting
place hGnceforth. Not less than twenty
thousand people were there to testify
their gratitude for the life that had
ebbed away, while from far and near
had come floral offerings that were
expressive of the purity and beauty of
his character.
1t had been announced that the
body would lie in state at the family
residence on the corner of Barnwcll
and Senate streets. in order that his
comrades especially might have last
look at the old warrior, and early in
the day there was d stream of visitors
who passed through the guard and
entered the house with uncovered
heads. The special guard of honor was
COu1pOoCtt VI q uSCdll AAOth SothP 1AoLp
ton, the members of which were clad
in Confederate gray uniforms, and
kindly received all who came. There
was hardly any cessation of visitors
from 10 TO 2 o'clock, and thousands of
people were ushered during that time
through the home, passing by the
casket and looking at the silent figure
that lay there with the calmness Of
eternal peace on his countenance.
The funeral was beyond question the
largest that has ever been held in
Columbia, and many say the greatest
that has ever been held III the State,
certainly the most cventful in the
memory of those who attended the
great tribute to the virtues and upright
ness of Hampton. There was no part
of the State that was without rcpreson.
tation at the funeral. This, in itself,
bore testimony TO the great love the
people bore their hero of peace and
war.
Veterans, Sons of Veterans, Daugh-
ters of the Confederacy, citizens, SOL
diers, municipal delegations, civic Or
ganizations, all We'd fol place in the
great funeral cOrtege.
Mover before has there been such a
superl collection OF floral decorations
and tributes to any mau in the State.
The larger pieces filed two wagons,
and each of the hundred Daughters of
the Confederacy was handed a floral
design to carry in The line of march
and place upon the mound at the
cemetery. 1t was a delicate compli-
m ent and at the same time kept the
floral offerings III the best possible
condition.
In the line of march were hundreds
of young soldiers wearing the blue
that was 80 often the target of Hamp-
TOMS men and at the grave the taps
were blown by two young men IN the
Union blue. There were no flags ex.
cept those that had gone through the
bloodlest of battles in the line.
The line of procession was formed in
front of Gen. Hampton's home and
the central committee in charge of the
arrangements, consisting of Messrs
Ambrose e. Gonzales, w. II. Gibbes
Jr., and Capt. W. D. Startling, deserve
great credit. There was no delay, nc
confusion, and for 30 large q parade il
could not have been better managed
The line extended all the way from
the Hampton homo TO Trinity Church
The route of the procession wa,
from the residence to the church. ant
it proceeded through broad streets be
tween solid lines of people. Not onl,
were the pavements packed with peo
pie of all ages and classes, but window
and piazzas in residences along the lin
were crowded with people. Ever
point of vantage from which the pre-
cesslon might be seen was occupied
The square about the church and tn
churchyard itself was one solid mass &
humanity as the funeral cortege az
preached.
Along the short walk from tn
churchyard gate to tho entrance, o
either side, were lined the GovernC
and his staff and State officials, stant