Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1905-05-31

Col. Patton Died In New York
and Buried in Lexington
Colonel William M. Patton died
in New York last Friday evening,
May Goth, and the remains were
brought to Lexington for inter
ment, reaching here Sunday even
ing. The funeral took place from
R. E. Lee Memorial Episcopal
church Monday afternoon at A
o. clock and the remains were laid
to rest in the Lexington cemetery
with military honors. The i'm
pressive funeral services were con-
Quoted by Rev. DR.. A.. j. Mock.
rector of the Episcopal church at
Blacksburg, and Rev. DR.. r. j..
McBryde of Lexington. The &C
tive pallbearers were members Of
the senior class from the Virginia
Polytechnic Institute, and the
honory were representative citi-
zens Of Lexington. The battal-
ion of cadets acted as escort. The
Confederate organizations of Lex
ington. Lee.Jackson Camp and
Camp Frank Paxton, were repre-
sented in the line, as were also the
faculty and officers of the Virginia
Military institute. Representa-
tives from the faculty and corps
of cadets of the Virginia Polytech-
mic Institute at Blacksburg were
also in attendance. After the
body was lowered into the grave
three rounds we're fired by the
battalion of cadets.
Colonel Patton's death was due
to pluerisy. He had been in fail
ing health for a long time. The
disease was cancer of the stomach,
and several weeks ago he decided
to 90 to New York for special
X-ray treatment. The journey to
New York resulted in great fatigue
to Colonel Patton, and few days
after his arrival there ne was
stricken with a severe attack OF
pluerisy. His weakened condition
could offer ne resistance to the
malady.
William McFarlane Patton was
born in Richmond August %,
1845. He was a son of John Mer-
Ger Patton and Margaret French
Williams. He was educated at
the Virginia Military Institute
and was long distinguished pro-
lessor of engineering there, and
held the same position at the Vir-
ginia Polytechnic Institute AT the
time of his death. AS sergeant
of his company he took a gallant
part in the battle of New Market
and was one of the survivors to
receive a cross of honor at a re-
union of old cadets held a. the V.
M. l. two years ago. He WIS en-
gineer in charge of the construc-
zion of bridges across the Ohio and
Susquehana rivers and was author
of two important works bearing
on his chosen profession. He was
appointed professor of engineer
ing at the Virginia Polytechnic
Institute III 1895. Re was held in
high esteem in Blacksburg, and
was vestryman of the Episcopal
church at that place.
In 1876 Colonel Patton married
Miss Annie Jordan of Lexington,
daughter of the late Samuel F.
Jordan, who survives with six
daughters, Misses Sallie, Margaret
Virginia, Mamie, Agnes and
Lucy Patton. One brother also
survives, Mr.. Hugh NJ. Patton of
Lynchburg.
Appropriate resolutions were
adopted by the Virginia Polytech-
mic Institute and the following
order was issued by President
McBIyde:
sit is with profound sorrow
that Official announcement is made
of the death of Colonel William
McFarlane Patton, the dean of
our engineering department and
our professor of civil engineering.
A man of exceptional ability, an
accomplished engineer of wide and
varied experience, a successful
author and great teacher, he had
but few equals and no superiors
in his own chosen field of work in
this country. Admired and valued
by his friends for his lovable dis
position, his high character and
fine Judgment, and beloved by
his students, his death brings.a
sense of deep personal bereave-
ment to us all. His loss to the
College is irreparable. Our heart1
90 out to his stricken family"
In the order published Monday
at the Virginia Military Institute
General Shipp said:
"Colonel Patton was a man OF
brilliant mental endowment, and
a thorough master of his profess
SIGN. He dies lamented by q wide
circle of sorrowing friende. His
distressed and afflicted family will
have the tenderest' sympathy of
all in this community, where he
and they were so well known and
so much loved"
EduCafiou Rally ThuradaV