Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1905-05-31


preston of love and esteem from the
people of Lumpkin, aud was read in
the presence of delegation of thirty
prominent oitiz 9ps of the town who
came to attend the funeral, and of the
bereaved family.
'Col. Samuel II, Hawkins Is dead,
was the message which the cleo rio cur
rent bore to us in our not far distant
town, and we, as citizens of Lumpkin,
come here today to lay our floral and
heartfelt tribute on the casket and
over the body of our deceased friend and
your distinguished citizen. Lumpkln
| owes to him largely what size is today,
and it is not only becoming, but would
be the basest ingratitude. if we did not
show some respect to his memory.
He conceived and carried into execu-
ton, against terrible obstacles, the
bands of steel which now connect us
with you and the outside world. OF
course he had help and counsel IN his
board of directors, but his was the
master mind, and only those who were
,losely allied with him in til s PROJECT
knew the terrible physical and mental
strain through which these martyrs
passed. We cay martyrs, because OF tht
sacrifice of time, health, money anC
wen life which they laid upon tn,
altar
With the railroad which he built nov
extending across our state, and into (
sister state, discouraged agriculture
caught new life in the hope of bette
Idays, and looked forward to the thar
vest locked in the golden sunshine,
and the ease with which he could ge
his products to more lucrative mar
ket
It stimulated truck farming;and toda!
we help supply the northern markets
It struck out for q new industrial
life in this section, and now the air il
musical with whirring spindles.
He builded wiser than he knew, anC
though other hands now direct its at
fans, we are still being beneti It'd BY
MS labors.
Men are not great 30 much because
# what they do for themselves, as fol
what they do for others. G i. Hawkins
was great because he was good. His
life was useful because he lived fol
humanity f ,r his country, and for his
God
! One of his striking characteristics
was his strict adherence to du y, and
his strong answering faith in what
ev he undertook.
Men of such chafac er will not only
have enemies, but strong friend
bound to them by ''hooks Il ste H.
The vast ajority of men fall quietly
to sleep in the open grave, and there
they "fot like the dull worm to be for
got,' hut now and then one towers
! above his fellows, and lead them il
their thoughts, and ways, and they
call him chief, aud when be dies there
is deep sense of personal loss, anC
they "whaa was it that made hin
rule ovtr uk?"
There must be some hing back o.
eloquent lips that ndles the fire o
oratory. There must be more than
mere height in stature that makes
man tower like Sa Il above his fellows
Thu world honors ambition, but there
must be In leadership something more
than ambition, before which men bend
their wills and obey another's behest.
There must be a personality which
commands obedience aud high anC
noble spirit which loves his fellow men
II Col. Hawkins had the broad sympa
ceptiop, the strong convictions, TIT
reeolute purpose which commanded thu
respect and admiration of those will
7 whom he was associated.
], But he has gone from this scene for
eyer, and while we extol his virtues
his faults-if any, will be buried will
mis- body. HIS place in the church, lik,
his position in every day life, was tina
If leader. He was an ardent, earnest
uuassuming, frank, outspoken followt,
IF Christ.
Bot the message came aud it called
him higher. He has gained the quie
invisible throng of immortality VIII,
, live again in the minds made better b,
their presence.
Col Hawkins is not dead, but sleep
ing. He lives and will ever hive in tn
aft 9ctions, in the hearts, not only o
tho nearest to him, but tf this city
this county, this section for ages Il
come. Respectfully submitted,
| on,