The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-01-14
Grim Reaper Takes from Earth's Labors
Idolized Hero Of Confederacy, States
man, Orator and Beloved Civilian.
PASSED AWAY AT Ills HOME IN FLORIDA
His Illness Sudden and of Comparatively Brief
Duration--Ciose of Great Life was Calm and
Serene--Short Epitome of His Career
in War and in Time of Peace

Resigned in 1879 to take up the
building of the Georgia Pacific Rail-
road.
In 1856 was elected governor OF
Georgia over Hon. A. O. Bacon.
In 1883 was reelected governor
without opposition.
In 1880 was elected again to the
| United States senate, and was the
only Georgian ever elected three times
to that body.
Retired voluntarily at the expiration
of his term in 1897.
Since 1897 he shared with Presi'
dent Mckinley the glorious work OF
| finally uniting the sections by his
masterful lectures, and the prepara-
! ton of his patriotic "reminiscences.
| Universally Loved.
Probably no character in public life
was more universally loved than Gen.
eral Gordon. Possessing every trait
of character that appeals to the con-
fdence and esteem of his fellows,
General Gordon has not only main
tanned the enviable position in the
hearts of his people. but as time
passed on increased his friends and
made more secure his position in the
hearts of the public.
After his brilliant campaign during
the civil war, at which time he DEM
onstrated his nobleness Of character,
as we'll as his courageous manhood, ne
struck the keynote to his future con-
duct, by advising his overpowered SOL
diars to return home, obey the laws
Of the Union, and aid IN up5uiiding
these very things which they had all
bat succeeded in destroying. Return
ing to his stricken home, under these
conditions, General Gordon began the
greatest work of his life, in aiding
to stanch the fow of blood and erect
ing on their former site the homes
Of the south.
His Course in Peace.
Laying aside his sword, with an
ever abiding faith in the future OF
right and justice, General Gordon
sought to win the hearts of his peo-
pie not by violence, of course, but
by the earnest pleading of his elo-
quent voice. No man ever more cor
daily received, or more earnestly
given the support of his people, than
John B. Gordon.
Magnetic, eloquent, with his martial
bearing, he found no difficulty in hold
ing his audiences, or in converting
them to his plan Of thought. Every
where, during those troublesome times
of reconstruction, General Gordon was
hailed as one of the greatest men
of his day. He welded an influence
for good that cannot be exaggerated
nor overestimated in after years.
Though he was one of the most en-
ergetic and enthusiastic supporters OF
the southern cause, after the surren-
der he became one Of the most zeal
Gus of the builders of the New South.
His counsel was sought on all occa-
s;oas, and was always found to be
good. His judgment was 2Eerring, his
energy without limit.
Chief Of the Confederates.
General Gordon has always occu-
pied a conspicuous position in the or
gan:zed ranks of the United Confeder-
ate Veterans. At the several re-
unions, since he became COM
mander-in-chief, he was the most
picturesque character of the Confeder
ate cause. He had repeatedly been
elected commander-in-chief, though
time and again, Influenced by his in
creasing age and i'll health, and by
the ever growing demand made upon
his time, suggested that some other
veteran more active than himself, be
elected commander.in-c chief Of the
United Confederate Veterans; each
time his suggestion has fallen upon
deaf ears, and it is conceded by every
one. that so long as Gordon lived,
Confederate veterans would have no
other leader than himself.
Stricken While in Fine Health.
General Gordon arrived at his coua-
try home on Biscayne bay, s miles
above Miami, on Monday before
Christmas, to spend the holiday sea-
son with his family. He enjoyed the
rest from the requirements of an ex-
tensiye lecture tour, from which he
had just returned.