The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-15
The Great Mother Opens
Her Bosom.
AND GORDON SLEEPS
The TOIIing of Deep Bells, the MuffIed
Roll of Drums, the EarthWard
Floating Of Funeral Flags
EVinces the Grief of the
People.
(By the Assoclated Press.l


Atlanta, Ga, Jan. 14.-This has been a
day of mourning in Georgia and through
out the South and other States have join
ed in paying the last tributes of respect
and honor to the memory of Lieutenant
General John B. Gordon, whose mortal
remains were laid in their final resting
place. In every part of the Southland
business 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 hon
ored leader in the Civil War, twice Gov
ernoT of Georgia, three times represent
! ing the State in the United States Sen
ate and since the war leading the strug
| gle back to prosperity, his memory is re-
vered as that of no other in all the South.
| Few men have been borne to their last
resting place amid such surroundings and
with such concourse from every rank, as
was the body of General Gordon in At
lanta today The body has lain in state
in the rotunda Of the State capitol from
early Wednesday morning till the hour of
these hours fifty thousand veterans and
citizens gazed on the features that were
familiar TO so many. Men, women and
children of both races have joined in the
tribute of respect and the demise of the
Confederate leader has been the occasion
of gathering more old soldiers from every
part Of the South than have been seen at
any but the annual meetings of the United
Confederate Veterans, of which General
Gordon was the first and only commander
in-chief since its organization, thirteen
year ago.
Everywhere have been seen the signs of
mourning. On all public buildings flags
have flown at half mast, from O'Clock
this morning until o'clock this after.
noon guns have been fired at half hour
intervals, making seventeen guns, the
Lieutenant Generals salute during the
hours of the funeral business generally
was suspended and during the day bells
on the city buildings and the churches
were tolled at minute intervals. The
streets were thronged with citizens and
visitors from dozen States.
The first exercises were held in the Hall
of Representatives at 10 O'Clock, over
which Governor j. M. Terrell of Geor.
gia, presided. The great hall was crowd
ed 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 Gov. Terrell, General Stephen
d. Lee, who succeeds General Cor
don as commander-in-chief of the United
Confederate Veterans: General 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. c. Hey
ward. of South Carolina; Chaplain John
William Jones, of the Confederate Veter-
ans; General Bennett III. Young, of Ken
lucky; John Temple Graves, of Atlanta;
Governor w. s. Jennings, of Florida, and
Albert H. Cox, of Atlanta. The burden
of these addresses was the worth of Cen
eral Gordon as a private citizen, and as
a leader in civil life and in public en-
deavor.
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 relig-
Gus ceremonies of the day were held.
The capacity of the church, 1900 neces-
sarily limited the number of the attend
ance, and after the family the near
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 covered
with profusion of flowers sent from all
parts of the South Among these contri-
buttons was a magnificent wreath ordered
by the ex-Confederate members of the
present Congress. double quartette
sang Lead, Kindly Light Gust AS
AM" and. other selections that were ia
vorites with General Gordon. The SER
vices were conducted by Rev Orme Finn.
prayer was offered by Rev. w. j. Tro-
bridge and brief addresses were delivered
by Rev. Charles r. Nisbett and Rev.
Theron Rice, pastor of the church. The
more personal character of these services
which were attended largely by those who
had had personal acquaintance with Gen
eral Gordon. made them pathetic in the
extreme. The benediction was pronounced
by Chaplain Jones and the procession to
Cemetery was begun
The order of the procession included
military and civic organizations. besides
of private citizens The long
inc was headed by detachment OF
Continued from Fifth Page.)