The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-23
EARTH TO EARTH
ASHES To ASHES
Impressive Funeral of the Late
Chancellor Altman
BURIAL AT OAK HILL
Mourned by Everyone, the Dead Chan.
cellor Is Followed ReverentIy to
the Grave-Beloved In Death
as in Life.

With services simple yet impressive,
suggesting at once the strength and the
grace of the dead mans character. the
funeral and burial of the late Judge John
]. Altman, chancellor Of the Northwest
ern chancery division of Alabama, who
died Saturday morning, took place yes
terday afternoon.
The funeral was held at the late chan
cellor's former residence, No. 25o1 Avenue
H. DR.. A. C. Dickinson, pastor OF the
First Baptist church, assisted by the
Rev. James A. Bryan, pastor of the Third
Presbyterian church, conducted the
services. The interment was made In Oak
Hill cemetery.
Long before o'clock, the hour set for
the funeral, persons of all classes. and
from almost all sections of the city, be-
gan to approach the Altman residence.
They came, some in carriages, more on
the electric cars and not few from
near and remote points of the neighbor-
hood, afoot. Throughout the morning
hours messages of sympathy, accompan-
led by floral offerings, had been sent to
the Altman home by persons in various
walks in life-by the good chanoellor's
brother members of the bar and many
| fraternal orders, by friends who had
been associated with him in his efforts
to purify and strengthen the political and
social life of the city and state, and not
| least of all by men and women who had
known Judge Altman, the man, and,
knowing him, had come to love him with
a love that ceased not now that he was
gone from them.
Jefferson County Bar.
At o'clock members of the jefferson
County Bar association and of the local
judiciary met in the circuit court room
and proceeded thence in body to the
scene of the funeral. At the same hour
the Mayor, the Board of Aldermen and
all officers OF the municipal government
gathered at the city hall and rode in car
riages to the residence. When the
hour set for the funeral had arrived the
avenue in front of the late chancel-
lor's home was thronged with equip
pages, the yard, piazza and house were
overcrowded with his numerous friends
and acquaintances. To enumerate these
would be to call the name of almost
everyone known In the legal and political
circles Of Birmingham and of Jefferson
county. Besides there were scores of per-
SONS of less conspicuous vocations-worlx-
ingmen and workingwomen, white and
black, whose hearts treasured the remem-
brance of some service done them by him
who was now no more.
Flower Covered casket.
In the drawing room on the right as
one enters the Altman home the funeral
services were conducted. There was the
fiower-covered casket, containing all
that was mortal of one who, in life, had
been admired and loved by almost every
one by whom he had been known. Sor-
row that he was no longer in the flesh,
pride in what he had done and in what
he had been and sympathy for the men,
bers of his bereaved family were depict
ed on the sombre countenance of every
one who was there.
The service opened with the singing of
LEAD Kindly Light" by quartette COM
posed of Miss Annie Manly, Miss Lena
Jackson, Mr.. Fuller Manly and Mr.. Par
due and accompanied by Miss Josephine
Doyle. The service was continued with
brief prayer, touched deep with SYM
pathy and faith, by the Rev. Mr.. Bryan
CT the Third Presbyterian church. Though
not a member of Judge Altman's religious
communion, Mr.. Bryan had, however,
been the dead chancellor's devoted friend,
and 1t seemed in keeping with the late
Judges tolerant temper and catholic
spirit that one other than his own min
lister take part in his funeral.
When the prayer offered by Mr.. Bryan
was ended, DIR. A. C. Dickinson of the
First Baptist church, who for years had
been Judge Altman's spiritual adviser and
loyal friend, read briefly from the Old
Testament the reassuring message, begin
ming with the words II know that my
Redeemer liveth." This was followed by
another selection, Nearer, My God, to
Thee" rendered by the auartette. At the
close DR.. Dickinson offered a prayer, ex-
pressing gratefulness for the inspiration
given his fellow men by Judge Altman's
life, and rendering thanks to Him in
whose footsteps the dead Chancellor had
striven faithfully to walk. DR.. Dickinson
also besought the infinite mercy of the
Great Comforter in behalf of the be-
reaved family.
At the close OF the services at the house
the casket was borne out through the
thronged corridor, and In few moments
the procession was on Its way toward
Oak Hill cemetery. Followed by two score
of carriages, 1t proceeded down Avenue
II to Twentieth street, up Twentieth
to Sixth avenue down Sixth avenue to
Nineteenth street, and out Nineteenth
to the cemetery.
At the Grave.
In spite of the chilling wind and cold.
damp air of the afternoon, large con-
course Of people-many OF them repre-
senting the plain people with whom Judge
Altman had throughout life keenly sym
pathized. had gathered on the hillside
where the burial was to take place. The
service at the grave was alike brief and
simple. short selection from the scrip
ture was read, prayer was offered and
the casket was lowered into the grave
Dust to dust, ashes to ashes" and the
bearers filled In the followed earth and
placed upon the new-made mound flowers
that told eloquentiy how sincerely Judge
Altman was beloved.
The mourners were Mrs. Cora Lockhard
Altman. the widow of the dead chancel-
Ior. Tohp Wy Altman tho raaf-tor T.