The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-31
INDUSTRIOUS IN LIFE
 AND HONORED IN DEATH
Thousands Gather at the Last Services Over the Remains of the confed- crate Commander and
 Mourn Sincerely.


 over the grave of Gen. Stephen D. Lee, and the second commander general of the United Confederate Veterans since the surrender in 1865, has been honored as no other veteran has been since the death or the llustrious John B. Gordon The Stars and Bars which wrapped the coffin were again furled with a lost cause in the cemetery, but the Stars and Stripes rippled in the breeze throughout the na- tion on account of this being national Memorial Day.
 President Roosevelt honored the United Confederate Veterans today as no other President has ever done or can do This morning Postmaster John T. Wood re- ceived telegram from the first assistant postmaster general, stating that ''rhe President desires the flag to be lowered to half mast" When it became known that the President had taken such a de- cisive stand in his recognition of a Con- federate soldier, words of praise for him were heard on all sides
 Blewett Lee, son of Gen. s. D. Lee, while he could not refrain from express ing surprise at the great honor to hts father, was sincerely touched by the step taken. Postmaster Wood wired the fol- lowing message: Your telegram that the President desires the office to be draped in honor of General Lee during his fu- neral today received. It deeply touches the people here.'
 This afternoon at o'clock over 5000 people were assembled at the Lee resi- dence and an immense crowd extended down Seventh street to Main. The en- tire battalion from the Agricultural and Mechanical college, numbering over ooO, and the Columbus Rifles, General Lees personal escort to the Louisville reunion, were in singlenhle. these extending two blocks The local chapter of veterans were In the yard near the front porch.
 The student body of the industrial ln- stitute and college were on both sides or the long walk from the gate to the house. Daughters of the Confederacy, both the local chapter and many visiting ladies from nearby cities, were on the lawn opposite the veterans. Just outside the front fence the ante-belum negroes were bowed in sorrow
 General Lee was unquestionably the leading citizen of Columbus, and his funeral showed that old and young of all classes and conditions respected him as soldier warrior gentleman and philan- thropist At o'clock the choir sang ..Nearer. My God, to Thee" The Rev. w A Hewitt pastor of the First Bap- list church. conducted the service and read from Matthew xxv. chapter and Corinthians KY. chapter. This was Ioi- lowed by prayer by MT. Hewitt, and then Mrs. Harry Dashiell of this city, whose sweet voice has been heard on so many occasions, rendered, Face to Face MT. Hewitt then delivered the funeral ora- ton His effort was masterful and ms remarks were most appropriate Ihe choir sane Come Ye Disconsolate and then Gen. Clement A. Evans commando ment, Atlanta, spoke for 20 minutes on General Lees war record and his life as he knew him.
 PalI-Bearers.
 After singing I've Shall Meet at the River the casket was lifted by eight members of the "Vlcksburg Southerners' md borne to the hearse. The eight active pallbearers were: A. L. Lassiter, Arthur Dunn w M. Wagner, G. Wagner. Guy Stewart. Walter Griffiths G. Kendall and II McCowan The honorary pallbearers were. Gen. Clement A. Evans, depart ment of Tennessee, U. c. w., Atlanta; Gen. w A. Montgomery commanding Mississippi division; c. V. Edwards, Ms sissippi Gen. w L. Mitchell, commanding Florida division, u C. V., Pensacola' Fla Gen. Irwin c. Walker, commanding south Carolina divisionf U. c. ", Charleston, 5. e.: Gen. William E. Mickle, adjutant gen. eral staff of the commanding general, U. C. w., New Orleans. La. Col. J. G. Everest and Col. w. T. Rigby, Vicksburg National Park commissioners; Col T. C. Carter, Meridian, Miss, Col. w. C. Rich ardson, Columbus, Miss; Gen. John A. Webb Jackson. Mss. Col. D. N. Hebron, Nicksburg Miss; Col. John A. Vaughn, Jackson, Miss; Capt. John G.. Cashman, Vicksburg, Miss; Maj. R. E. Walne, Vicksburg, Miss; Gen. E. N. Scudder, yicksburg Miss; Gov. E. F. Noel, Jack Miss; Hon. R. M. Kelly, Hon. c. G. Wright, Hon. A. F. Goray, Col. J. J. Hayes, Vcksburg, Miss
 As the caslxet was being placed into the hearse the Agricultural college band played Nearer, My God, to Thee" The march to Friendship cemetery was head ec by Lieut.. Col J. J. Hayes and Col. J. P May, who acted as Colonel Hayes adju- tant These officers were followed by the band and behind them, marching in fours, came the troops. Behind them was the hearse guarded by officers on mounts, and just to the rear of the hearse was the Vcksburg detail. Then followed the family and over 300 vehicles. The pro- cession was over a mile long and when the first officers reached the cemetery the last vehicle was in the center of town.
 Simple Services.
 The services at the grave consisted of only a prayer. The body was then low cred to the grave. After the interment the band played Lead Kindly Light and ladies from the local chapter of the Daughters of the Confectionery placed the floral designs.
 The Lee square in Friendship cemetery is near the main gate. The militia formed so the hearse would pass through their ranks and when the flowers had been placed three companies fired the salute, and when taps was sounded the last service the living could perform for the dead had been finished.
 The floral designs were enough to cover the entire 30-foot square. They came
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