The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-01-19

Prraninent S~outherners Bore Testi-
msany to Gordon's Worth as . Cit
iwnn and as n Lcadex-Pathetc
Services i'm the Church Attended
hy Hundreds-A Great COncourse
of Grief Stricken People Accom-
panied In Remains to Their Last
Resting Place.
Atlanta, Ga, January l4.-Thls
has been a day Of mourning in Geor-
gia, and through the South, other
states have joined in paying the last
tributes OF respect and honor to the
Of Lieutenant General John
B.. Gordon, whose mortal remains
were aid in their eternal resting
place.
In every part of the Southland bust
ness has been laid aside and tens of
thousands have gathered in memorial
meetings in honor of the man who
was loved as much for his personal
worth as for his record in public life.
An honored leader in the civil war,
twice Governor of Georgia, three
times representing the state in the
United States Senate and since the
wan leading the struggle back to
prosperity, his memory is revered,
as that of no other in all the South.
Few men have been borne to their
last resting place amid such sur
from every rank, as was the body of
General Gordon in atlanta Today.
The BODY had laid in state in the rO-
tunda of the state capitol from early
Wednesday morning till the hou of
the final services at noon today Dur
ing these hours, fifty thousand vet
Grams and citizens gaZed on the fea-
lures that were familiar to so many
Men, women and children Of both
races nave joined in the tribute Of
respect and the demise of the Con-
federafe leader has been the occas-
ion of gathering more old soldiers
from every part Of the South than
have been seen at any but the an
nual meeting of the United C~onfeder-
ate Veterans, of which General Cor
don was the first and only command
er-in-chief, since it's organization
thirtesT. years ago
h Signs of Mourning.
Everywhere ave been the signs Of
mourning. On all public buildings
flags have flown at half mast, from
8 o'c1o5k this morning until 4 this
afternoon guns have been fired at
half f1pur intervals. making seven
tnan rrnc tho Hia1rfo to nrn ~
salute: during the hours of the flu
neral, business generally vas tus-
pended and during the day bells on
the city buildings and the churches
were toIied at minute intervals. The
streets were thronged with citizens
and visitors from a dozen states.
Exercises in Representatives Hall.
The first exercises were held in the
I Hall of Representatives at 10 o'clock,
owe which Governor J. M. Terrell,
of Georgia, presided. The great hall
was crowded to it's limit and in the
audience and on the speakers stand
were many OF the leading men from
all parts of the South. Addresses
were made during the two hours by
Governor Terrell, General Stephen
D. Lee. Who succeeds General Cor
don as commander-in-chief of the
United Confederate Veterans; Cen
eral Clement A. Evans, commander
of the department OF Tennessee, OF
the same organization; Judge Thomas
G. Jones, of Alabama, who was a
member of General Gordon's staff in
the civil war; Governor D.. G. Hey
ward of South Carolina; Chaplain
John William Jones, Of the Confed-
crate Veterans; General Bennett H.
Young, of Kentucky; John Temple
Graves, of Atlanta; Governor w. s.
Jennings, of Florida, and Albert H.
Cox, of Atlanta.
the worth of Genera Gordon as q
private citizen and as a leader In
civil life and in public endeavor-
Services i'm the Church.
At the conclusion Of these exercises
the body was taken from the capitol
to the Central Presbyterian church,
across the street from the capitol.
where the religious ceremonies Of the
day were held. The capacity Of the
church 1900, necessarily limited the
number of the attendance. and after
The family, the nea friends and the
noted visitors from other states had
been admitted the remaining space,
by request Of Mrs. Gordon was given
to veterans and the doors were closed
and guarded by the police.
The casket was laid on a bier cov-
cred with a profusion Of flowers sent
rom all parts of the South. Among
hese contributions was a magnificent
wreath ordered by the ex-Confed-
crate members of the present Con-
-ress. A double quartette sang Lead
kindl Light" Just as / Am" and
,ther selections that were favorites
With General Gordon. The services
we're conducted by Rev. Orme Finn.
prayers was offered by Rev w. ]
Nrowbridge and brief addresses were
'elivered by Rev. Charles r. Nisbet
md Rev. Theron Rice, pastor of the
hurch- n more personal charac-
ar OF these services which were at |
ended largely by those who had per- |
nnal. acquaintance with General Cor |
ION made them pathetic in the ex- !