The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1907-05-02
DEATH CLAIMS BULLOCK.
Former Governor Of Georgia, Brave
Soldier and ErstWhiie Noble Citi-
zen, Dies at Albion, N. Y.

Former Governor Rufus Bullock, OF
Georgia, died Saturday at Albion, N.
y, the family homestead. He had
been in failing health for some time.
He was 73 years of age.
Few Georgiars, whether by birth or
adoption, did mere real good for the
state than he. Fewer still had more
thrilling, sensational and eventful ca
reer or led a life more strenuous more
nerve.racking or more soulstirring.
Governor Bullock was born in Beth
lehem, Albany county, New York, On
March %. 1884, but when only seven
years old his parents moved to Albion,
N. Y, where ne graduated from Al
bion Academy in 1850.
At this time the development Of the
electric telegraph was just begun in
New York, and Governor Bullock,
though only II years OF age, soon
mastered the art. 1t is said that he
was the first telegraph operator able
to read by sound.
He installed the printing telegraph
systems in New York City, Buualo,
Rochester, Utica, Albany, Springfield ID
and Philadelphia. He took charge or
rival concern in Philadelphia, which
broke down the monopoly and caused
more general use of the telegraph for
business and social intercourse.
In 1857 President Dinsmore of the
Adams Express company sent Gov
ernor Bullock to Augusta, Ga, to take
general charge of the business in the
south. Here he caused the conStruc-
ton of telegraph lines to interior
points, and when the civil war came
on this proved most valuable to the
Confedereates, as coast lines all fell
into the hands of the Federals.
Over these wires communication
was maintained between President
Davis and Generals sLee, Beaursgard
and Johnston. The Southern Express
company transported ell contributions
Of supplies and food to the confed-
crates without cost.
He was appointed acting assistant
auartermaster general of the Confed-
erste army, with the rank OF cSlonei,
aud as such served to the surrender.
A.. the close of the war he devoted
hfs energies to material development
of Georgia.
Going to New York, he secured
capital to open a national bank in
Augusta. Later he became president
of the Augusta and Macon railroad,
and when he went to New York to Sc
cure funds for improvements was told
that Georgia had not yet come into
the Union. This caused him to go
into politics.
A constitutional convention was
called and he took prominent part
in it. Atlanta was made the capital:
and he was elected governor from 1853
to 1871. He recommended the lease
of the Western and Atlantic, and 1t
was leased for twenty years, the state
realizing s6,ooO,c00 from it.
In the election Of 1870 1t became
apparent that the general assembly
was overwhelmingly against Governor
Bullock, and he resigned. Two IN
dictments. were found against him
one for alleged conspiracy to ,defraud
the state. the other for failure to &C
count for certain bonds said to have
been delivered to the executive de.
partment by the city of Atlanta. For
seven years he announced himself
ready and tried to secure trial. He
was finally vindicated by formal YER
dict of jury.
In 1893 Governor Bullock took up
his permanent residence in Albion N.
Y. where he resided until the day of
his death. His wife died two years
ago. He leaves one daughter, Mrs.
Leonard Kendall of Greenwich. Ga,
and two sons, Freeman Bullock OF
Omaha, Neb., and ", V. Bullock, as
sistant postmaster of Atlanta.
Governor Terrell of Georgia, upon
the receipt Of news of Governor Bull
locks death, issued a proclamation
ordering the state flag at half mast
and that the executive Offices be closed
during the hours set apart for the
funeral