The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-03
MIR. BELSER BURIED
GREAT THRoNG HONGRs MEMORY
 OF SHERIFF.
Impressive Services Held at Residence and at Oakwood CemeteryA-- Many BeautifuI Designs
 of Flowers.

Beneath an avalanche of flowers, the body of Samuel s. Belser, Montgom- cry county's lamented sheriff, was consigned to it's final resting place in oakwood Cemetery late yesterday af- ternoen. The remains of the beloved officer were lowered Into the earth when Montgomery County had paid its last respect to his memory.
 Nearer My God to Thee" The strains of this most beautiful of hymns will long be remembered by the im- mense gathering of sorrowing persons who attended the funeral of the strick- en Sherfff at his residence at o'clock yesterday afternoon. When all had been said that the simple but impress i've Presbyterian service would permit, when Rev Neal l.. Anderson had de- livered prayer of feeling end emo- tion, while friends and relatives of the dead official were mute in grief, Near CT My God to Thee" softly sung by a selected choir. seemed to heal the wounded hearts.
 When the hour of the sherifrs fu- neral arrived yesterday afternoon. tha cozy little Belser home at 40 South Decatur Street was taxed far beyond ita capacity Those who attended cana Tom every walk of life. State, county and city oficial was there, as was the banker, lawyer, the merchant, the doc- tor, the platner and the artisan. The great crowd of visitors overfowed on 10 the veranda of the residence and large numbers Were compelled to Ana standing space in the yard and the aoacent sidewalk. silently waiting for the completion of the ceremonies
 Or. Neal l.. Anderson of the Central Presbyterian Church, conducted inc services. The pastor referred briefly to the life of the departed sheriff. but ms Few words were words of high tripute to the official. Dr. Anderson said that the State had. lost a faith ful officer and citizen; that the people had sustained the loss of man whom they delighted to honor. Although tneir hearts were bleeding for the sud- den taking away of their friend and omcer. he felt that 1t was meant for the best.
 At the conclusion of the words of tribute. pr. Anderson read from the scriptures and offered prayer. The service was completed with the singing of Nearer. My God. to Thee"
 Just before the casket was taken from the residence. the assembled members of Tippecanoe Tribe. No. 65, Improved Order of Red Men, wearing the regalia of the fraternity, marched in single file around the bier. .
 On reaching the family lot in Oak wood Cemetery. the services were con- ducted exclusively by the Red Men The burial ritual was read by c. B. Crenshaw, and at the termination of the service, the emblematical white pigeon was turned loose over the grave. The flight of the bird sym bolizes the flight of the soul to heaven, according to the Red Men.
 Most noticeable among the flowers and floral offerings were designs sent by Mir. Belser's deputies and by the Degree of Poca.hontas a ladies' auxll- iary organization to the Red Men. The offerings of the slAeriff's force was an immense wreath of roses intermin- giod with foliage and amounted on a pedestal. It bore the inscription. From His Deputies.
 The Degree of Pocahontas sent an offering designed as a pillow made of white and red flowers, blended so as to make a most beautiful effect. In its centre in deep red was the outline of d tomahawk and inscribed were the irii- tials. ID. of P."
 The deputies. who assisted Sheriff Belser in the conduct of his office served as pall-bearers: They were A. J. Taylor. W. D. Hall, O. W. Nor man, c. c. McRea, G. s. Wilson. J. c. MiSell, W. B. Whiting and W. B. Fillmore.