The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-01-20
GEN. G0RDOA'S FUNERAL DAY
Observed in atlanta and Through
out The South.
Imposing 0hsequies in the Capital
of the New South.
Fifty Thousand Veterans and Citizens
View the Chieftain's Remains in the
Georaia State Nouse---SaIutes Fired
and Bells Tolled.

been day Of mourning in Georgia,
and through the South, other States
have Joined in paying the last tributes
of respect and honor to the memory
of Lieut.. Gen. John B. Gordon, whose
mortal remains were laid in their hnal
resting place. In every part OF the
Southland business has been laid
adside 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 war, leading the strug-
gle back to prosperity, his memory is
reyered as that Of no other IL all the
South.
Few men have been borne to their
last resting place amid such surround
ings and with such concoufse from
every rank as was the body Of Gen.
Gordon in Atlanta today. The body
had laid in state in the rotunda of the
State Capitol from early Wednesday
morning till the hour Of the final
services at noon today. During those
hours fifty thousand veterans and citi-
zens gazed on the features that were
familiar to SO many. Men, women
and children of both races. have Join
ed in the tribute Of respect, and the
demise of the Confederate leader has
beeen 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 Gen.
Gordon was the first and only COM
mander since its organization, thirteen
years ago.
Everywhere have been seen the signs
of mourning. On all public buildings
Aags have hung at half-mast; from s
O'Clock this morning till this after
noon, guns have been fred at half-hour
intervals, making seventeen guns,
the lieutenant generals salute; dur
ing the hours Of the funeral business
generally was suspended, and during
the day bells on the city buildings and
the churches we're 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 Georgia, presided. The great hall
was crowded to its 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
ernor Terrell, Gen. Stephen D. Lee,
who succeeds Gen. Gordon as COM
mander-in-chief OF the United Con
federate Veterans. Gen. Clement a.
Evans, commander Of the department
of Tennessee, of the same organization,
Judge Thomas G. Jones, of Alabama,
who was member of Gen. Gordon's
staff in the civil war, Governor D. G.
Hayward, Of South Carolina, Chaplain
John William Jones, of the Confeder-.
ate Veterans Gen. Bennett II. Young,
of Kentucky; John Temple Graves, of
Atlanta. Governor ". S. Jennings, OF
Florida. and Albert H. Cox, of At
lanta. The burden of these addresses
was the worth of Gen. Gordon as a
private citizen and leaeder in civil
life and in public endeavor.
THE RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES.
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, 1,5O0, necessarily limited the
number of the attendance, 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 we're closed
and guarded by police. The casket
1as laid on bier covered with pro-
fusion Of flowers, sent from all parts
Of the South. Among these contrlbn-
tions was magnificent wreath order
ed by the Ex-Confederate members of
the present Congress. A double-quar-
tette sang LEAD, Kindly Light"
.'Just as I am,' and other selections
that were favorites with Gen. Gordon.
The services were conducted by the
Rev. Orme Finn, prayer was offered
by the Rev. ". J. Trowbridge. and
brief addresses were delivered by the
Rev. Charles Il. Nlsbet and the Rev.
Theron Rice, pastor Of the church.
The more personal character Of the
services, which were attended largely
by those who had personal acquain
tauce with the dead General. were
pathetic in the extreme. The bene
diction was pronounced by Chaplain
Jones and the procession to Oakland
Cemetery was begun.
THE FUNERAL PROCESSION.
The order of the procession included
military and civic organizations, be-
sides hundreds Of private citizens.
The long line was headed by detach-
,nent of mounted police, which was
followed by numerous other bodies.
These were the 10th United States in
fantry band, 18th United States in
fantry, under Col Butler d. Price;
State militia. led by the 9Th Georgia
infantry with regimental band; com
paries from Brunswick, Macon and
other cities Of Georgia, the honary eS-
cort, hearse barring the body, follow
ed by carriages bringing the family.