The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-13
JUSTICE SIMMONS DEAD IN ATLANTA Chief Justice of Georgia for
 Eighteen Years HAS LED VERY BUSY LIFE His Illness Has Been Long and Linger- Ing and Is Said. to Have Been
 Brought On By Over
 work.
HAS LED VERY BUSY LIFE

Atlanta, September 12-(special.) .)-chief Justice Thomas Jefferson Simmons of the supreme court of Georgia Is dead. The end came peacefully this morning at D o'clock after long lingering illness which has played upon his vitality until 1t could no longer withstand the ravages.
 While the death of Justice Simmons has been rather expected for some days, the physicians having pronounced his nal ady, or rather complication of diseases in- curable, the announcement of 1t this morning did not come without distinct shock to the community and so 1t VIII be to his many friends over the state.
 In the death of Chief Justice Simmons Georgia loses one of her best, ablest and foremost citizens, one whose life work has been for his state. The history Of his life in the civil war, =. constitutional conven- tions, in legislative halls, at the bar ana on the bench embodies In great measure the history of his state.
 Following his able service to the Con federacy as soldier in the cause of state rights, he gave his untiring energies as a legislator towards rebuilding the state during the trying days of reconstruction, and he served Georgia well both in the constitutional convention of 1868 and that of 1877. Following this service began his career of nearly thirty years on the be-ch, first in the superior court and afterwards as supreme court justice, from where he stepped upward to the chief justiceship upon the resignation of Chief Justice Bleckley.
 But above all 1t Is as a great and good
 
 best to be known and as model gus band, father and friend.
 Ills Long Sickness.
 The illness of Chief Justice simmons, which finally eliminated in his deatn' dates back to January l, lsoo. He was tnen assn suffering severely with rheumatism or the back. despite all of which he remained at his post and continued to preside daily on the bench.
 He remained with the court steadily un- til the last day of May, attending daily to his duties, preparing and dictating m portant decisions.
 On lime he went to Cumberland Is- land and remained there three weeks, enjoying the surf bathing and the outing. He returned to Atlanta, as he thought much improved, but began to grow grad ually worse After remaining here couple of weeks he went to Tate Springs Tenn, returning to Atlanta on July 2S' Since that time he was practically con fined to hls home at 4TO West Peachtree street to the end. Jaundice developed in addition to other liver, kidney and stom- ach troubles, and he sank gradually from day to day.
 At times he was quite hopeful. but few days ago the physicians informed him that he could not live. He received the information philosophically, and de-
 traA hope Monday morning he awoke feeling brighter and better than for sometime, and said he believed he would get well. But this seemed only to be forerunner of the end, for within short time he hegan to sink again. and at 1 o'clock had a hemorrhage of the bowls and stomach. after which his death was all most momentarily expected. At times after this he was unconscious. but now and then would arouse himself and talk for a moment to members of his family or friends who were at his bedside. Bur ton Smith of Atlanta was the last person he recognized. MT. Smith was near his bedside at o'clock Monday night when Justice Simmons aroused himself for moment and spoke to him. calling him by name. After this he sank again into inconsistencies and did not speak again.
 When he left the bench In May Justice Simmons did not think he would return to 1t. He was in the governors office just before ne left the city and remarke5 10 Governor Terrell that he did not think he would be able again to sit on the bench, suggesting also that the gover- nor would have to appoint his successor and might bear the matter in mind.
 Governor Terrell and Chief Justice Sii-nons were close friends. In 1887 whey the latter first became a candidate for justice of the supreme court Governor Terrell was In the legislature and was chairman of Justice Simmons caucus. It was Governor Terrell who placed him In nomination for this high office, and the incidents of this campaign brought them still closer together.
 The Funeral Arrangements.
 The funeral of Chief Justice Simmons will be held tomorrow morning at 10 e clock in the state supreme court room. The officers of the court will act as pail bearers. while the justices of the court, the judges of superior courts and city courts and many prominent members of the bar throughout the state. designated by the supreme court will act as an hon orary escort.
 The funeral services will be conducted by Bishop Warren Chandler of the Meth odist church. following which the remains will be taken to the Southern train leav- ing at noon for Macon. The interment will be in Rose Hill cemetery. Macon, upon arrival there tomorrow afternoon. There will be no services in Macon ex- cept at the grave.
 Governor Terrell today issued a proc lamation relating to Justice Simmons death, ordering the state flags on tho capitol and other public buildings at half mast for ten days. directing that the of- fees in the capitol be closed during the hours of the funeral and requesting that all the courts of the state adjourn dur ing the funeral hours
 All of the Atlanta courts adjourned to- day in honor of the late chief justice.
 Nestor of the Bar.
 At the annual meetings of the Georgia Bar association Chief Justice Simmons. always a regular attendant, held sway avar A court of admirers reYered of all.