The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-11
HIS DEAR DEAD FRIEND.
The Mayor of Atlanta Speaks at the
Funeral of Negro.

The funeral of Richard ]. Henry, col
ored, for SO long a time the porter and
private servant of his honor. Mayor
Livingston Minms, embodied in its pro-
gramme an episode that is too notable
and too altogether pleasing to be omit
ted from special comment. His fidel-
ity his courtesy, his intelligence and his
effective service had -endeared him not
only to his master and EMPLOYERS, but
to all the numerous company of white
men of all degrees who came in contact
with him. Large sums of money were
intrusted daily to his care for transmits
sion to the bank. and it is estimated
that in this position he had carried upon
his person millions of dollars. At his
funeral the respect and regard of the
white friends of this admirable negro
were everywhere in evidence. They
made a, large representation in the large
audience.
The funeral, conducted by high Off
Gals of HenryS own church and race.
was most impressive and full of high
tributes to the character and record of
the deceased. The mayor of the city
and his accomplished wife occupied
front seats in the church during the
services, and when the ministerial Off
ces had progressed in a certain point
the mayor of the city. who was also the
employer of the deceased. was called
upon to speak. Without any special
time for preparation. and mainly upon
the impulse and suggestion of the mo-
held one of the most accomplished and
aristocratic gentlemen of the south. a
cavalier and a bourbon of the most
pronounced tyoe. arose and said:
Your call on me to speak on this oc-
casion was certainly unexpected-and
| yet while SO heartily commencing all
that has been so feelingly and eloquent
ly said in reference to my dear friend
my friend of more than a third of Il
century, cannot refrain from express
| i0o genuine Cripf and that
his death has occasioned me. Indeed. d
sorrow that my entire family shares
and I know too. it will be felt by the
| large number of his friends and mine
who knew him so we'll in the connec-
ton he had with the business in which
have been engaged for so many years,
and I might add his many white friends
| in this city who respected and admired
him for the splendid qualities that he
| possessed. He was ever doing charity
and kindness to all sorts of people. He
was indeed, model husband and faith
| er, a good citizen and a loyal and de-
voted friend. and Christian gentle
man.
ITO me his offices of concern and
thoughtfulness were constant and
grateful. In the course of nature he
should have survived me. and l always
felt that if he did there was no living
man on whom 1 could better rely for
kindness and care for my family. I can
point to no one whose daily life and
character afford better and more COM
mendable example to all men to emul-
ate than this. He we'll deserves all the
comforts, blessings and promises of the
holy religion he professed and which the
distinguished reverend clergy has. on
solemn occasion. so ably administered.
1 care not. though. for creeds in that
unknown country from whose bourne
no traveller returns'-and to which his
pure spirit tends-for I feel that the
good man who sleeps in all the awful
majesty of death in yonder coffin car
ries with him acceptable credentials to
all the happiness that pertains NOR
tails after death. His memory will be
treasured. Atlanta News.