The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-05-11
DEATH CLAIMS A
SHINING MARK
WALTER AKIN GEERs DIES FROM
HIS INJURIEs.-Is LAID TO
REST WITH FULL MILL
TARY HoNoRS.
His Death Causes General Sorrow and
Profound Regret.

FTOIOunu hCSISI
No sadder death nor one which has
been the source of more profound re
greet or genuine sorrow has occurred
in Columbia in recent years than that
of Walter Akin Geers, which took
place Sunday morning at 8 o'clock
at DR.. Pillows infirmary, where he
was taken after being struck by a
thrown ball in the base ball game be
tween C. M. A. and Morgan School
teams Friday.
When the news became general
Sunday that this promising and pop
ular boy had answered the bugle call
of the Great Commander, expressions
of sorrow were heard from all sources
and all sides. Old men, whose locks
were frosted by the SHOWS of many
winters, said, when they heard the
news: How much better had one been
called whose days of usefulness are
well nigh passed" Younger men gave
voice to their regret and said that
death had indeed claimed a shining
mark. Men and women, friends of the
bereaved parents in the olden days
and friends of the manly boy, express
ed the tenderest pity for the father
and mother in the loss of their only
son.
The physicians in charge realized
Saturday evening that the end was
fast approaching, and death came a
few hours later with the father, moth
er and sisters by his side.
A Noble Boy.
Deceased was the first boy enrolled
at the Columbia Military Academy
when the school was first organized.
After school began he at once attract
ed attention by his polite, courteous
demeanor and exemplary conduct. He
soon attained high rank as a student,
and won the regard of the faculty and
student body alike, and more honors,
perhaps, than any boy in the school,
for he was elected Chairman of the
Bible Study Glass of the school Y M
G. A., President of the Junior Glass,
President of the Cosmopolitan Club,
the social club of the school, Art Ed
itor of the school Annual, Treasurer
of the Athletic Association and Scar
geant of the cadet corps; and his pop
ularity spread beyond the confines of
the school campus, and he likewise
soon became favorite with the peo-
pie of Columbia.
At the opening of school Mon
day, Prof. Hardy spoke with deep feel
ing of the loss sustained by the school,
the student body and the faculty. He
advised the cadets to take the con-
duct and life of this fine boy, as an ex-
ample. Prof. Hardy announced that
all match games of ball arranged for
this season would be cancelled in re-
spect to the memory of the deceased.
Military Orders.
Major Martin, Commandant of Ca
diets, issued the following order rel
alive to the funeral
Corps of Cadets, Co
lumbia Military Academy.
Columbia, Tenn, May Z, 1906.
General Order No. 81
At 10: 80 a. M the entire battalion |
of Cadets will assemble in grey uni |
forms, white belts and gloves, to take |
part in the funeral procession of late |
Cadet-Sergeant Walter Geers, the |
memory of whose exemplary manli- |
ness, answering fidelity to duty, and |
lovable character, will al |
ways live.
The following Cadet-Sergeants will |
act as active pallbearers: Whitthorne,
White, Fry, W., Page, Stephenson,
K, and Hazlehurst.
The funeral escort consisting &C
cording to army regulations of four
teen rank and file under the command |
Of Sergeant, will form on the COM
pany parade ground at 10 a. m, and
march to the quarters of the deceas-
ed, according to Paragraph 400, Drill
The following Cadets, under the |
command of Cadet-Sergeant w. Flem-
ing are detailed to act as an escort:
Cadet Corporals Oliver, Brownlow,
j., Kinzer, Loftin, Clagett, Short,