The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-09-10

l
 side was that division was near Within
 an hour of that time the news of his
 death was flashed from one end of the country to the other, the flag at the capi- | tol was at half mast. and the city
 in which the ex-governor lived was cast in gloom.
 A Brave Man Gen. William c. Oates was a brave man. Born at a time when the south was just passing it's zenith he lived to see the cherished section in which he resided dip down to the horizon of poverty and defeat and emerge therefrom into the greater south of today. A satisfaction to him all of his life was that he had lived to see the rejuvenation, and that he had suffered and prospered in the same ratio as did the state.
 Besides serving the state as congress- man and as governor, during which latter administration he piloted the ship of state through one of Alabama's stormiest pe- riods, General Oates served as moulder of influence. At no time during the past 30 years had the commonwealth been without his counsel. At no time did the state call upon him and find him lack | ing.
 The "one-armed governor" was ready and willing at all times to respond to the call for help. And he gave money and
 time literally whenever either could be of | avail.
 | Surviving Governors | General Oates was one of five surviving governors of the state, each of whom had given to the commonwealth their best life at critical times in the states his | n hat at he time with General Oates all were still ac- tive in the promotion of the state to the high rank which 1t now enjoys Of the l four ex-governors who now survive three are still in active life, two serving their state in political way, one in social life and the other in the great world of busl- ness.
 Rufus Cobb. the oldest of the ex-gover- nors, Is in the retired life of Birming- ham, Thomas G. Jones of Montgomery is federal jurist for the Middle District of Alabama; Joseph Johnston of Birming- I ham is now United States Senator | from the state. and William D. Jelks also of Birmingham, Is in active busi- ness life. | Gallant Leader l General Oates like all of his peers who are now living, was one of the most unique and gallant Alabamians whose names are written in the history of the state. Fiery of speech, General Oates was nevertheless forceful; high tempered 1 to a degree, he was nevertheless like melting wax in the presence of affliction or any great sorrow. Thoroughly un- selfish. he was at the same time forgiv- ing in inclination, and at all times will | ling to shoulder the burden, whatever il might be, and struggle with it as best he could.
 Because of this inclination he had
 steadily forged to the front since the civil war. and with so much success that
 at the time of his demise he had accumu- lated a large amount of the world s goods, which will now be the property
 of his wife. and son. William c. Oates Jr.. who has chosen the same profes-
 sion as that which made his father | famous.
 The immediate members of the family
 of General Oates who survive him are
 his wife. who was Sarah Toney of Bar
 bour county; a brother. J. Wyatt Oates
 who resides at Santa, Rosa, Cal, and a sister, Mrs. Molly J. Long. who resides at Abbeville His son, William C. Oates resides in Montgomery
 Funeral arrangements have not been I definitely decided, though services will be held at some time on Sunday. Con- federate veterans of the city will un- doubtediy attend the services in a body
 Besides being an enthusiastic member
 of a local camp at the time of the gen. erals death he was member of the Chickamauga park commission.
 Montgomery in Mourning
 Acting Governor Henry B. Gray at a late hour tonfnht isaued a proclamation