The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-09-11
CAPITOL CLOSES IN
MEMORY OF OATES
People Crowd Around Bier Of
Statesman
FUNERAL HELD TODAY
Military Escort Will Mobilize at ESQ
O'clock This Afternoon and Com
duct Remains From Church
to the Cemetery

Montgomery, September 10.-(Special)-
Wheels of politics and the grind at CAPT
tol offices stopped work today in MEM
Dry of General William C. Oates, the
distinguished Alabamian whose life was
brought to a close in this city on Fri
day. For the first time in more than
year there was an absolute cessation
of activities, and visitors who would
have turned their steps to the state house
the rather veered them in the direction
of Ripley street, where the illustrious
statesman and soldier lay at rest.
Throughout all of the morning hours
of Saturday, and throughout the af-
ternoon the handsome residence which
contained the remains of the ex-governor
was we'll crowded with people in all
walks of life who had known and loved
the statesman in the vigor of his man.
hood. and who evidenced the love in
which his memory is retained by crowd
ing around the bier in which the dead
soldier sleeps.
Comrades of the sixties were early at
the house of death, and there was to be
found none who was not eager to pay a
tribute to the slumbering patriot, who
had given about go years of his rs in the
service of this state.
Floral Designs
Floral designs began to arrive early,
magnificent wreaths attesting the uni
versal esteem in which the deceased was
held These tokens of love were not
confined to Montgomery, but they rather
came from all sections of the state to
grace the bier in which lay the remains.
Telegrams which have been pouring
into the home ever since yesterday con-
vey to Mrs. Oates, the beloved widow,
and to William C. Oates, Jr, the popular
son, expressions of regret from all sec
tons of the country. No small part OF
these appropriations come from the ma
tional capitol, where General Oates la
bored for IA years as a congressman from
this commonwealth.
All of the capitol officials spent much
of the day at the residence, and all have
made arrangements to attend the OBJ
sequies which are to be held on Sunday
from historic St Johns church. the fun
eral service to be preached by Rev. Il. E.
Cobbs.
Gray In birmingham
Owing to the death of his warm and
personal friend Mayor Frank P.
O'Brien of Birmingham, Acting Gov.
Henry b. GRAY left Montgomery@ for
the Magic CITY this morning and will
in all probability remain over in the
Jefferson county caspital to attend the
MAYORS obseouies. Governor GRAY was
closely connected with the families of
both of the distinguished Alabamians
who were called at almost the same
hour. Mayor O'Brien from a Philadel-
phia infrmary and General Oates from
| his Montgomery home
| In addition to the attendance of Gov
ernor Gray at the O'Brien obsequies
| a number of Montgomerians will also
go to the Magic City to pay last re-
spects 10 the remains OF the ueau eA-
ecutive. Mayor O'Brien was for many
years resident in Montgomery and he
has hosts of friends In this city.
The remains of Governor oates viii
be inferred in lakewood cemetery, this
city, and will be accompanied to the
grave by a large concourseaof county,
city and state officials, as we'll as COM
rades of the civil war. The services
will be held at o'clock in the after"
noon.
Military Escort
Mai. e. F. Baber, senior in command
of the military forces of Montgomery
has issued a call for the cavalry. artil-
lery and infantry forces to mobilize at
Court SQUARE. this city. tomorrow aft
ernoon at 2:30 o'clock, at which time
the companies, headed by the First cav
nj the citV. will marrb TO
tha residence of General Oates and con-