Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-09-13
Famous Savannah Man Passed
Away at White Sulphur
Springs, Va.
fRy Associated Press. }

| SAVANNAH, Ca, Sept. n.-Gen
w w. Gordon, of this place, brigadie
general commanding Second brigade, FRS
division of the Fourth army corps. United
States volunteers during the Spanish
American war and Confederate vete
ran, died today at White Sulphur Springs
Va, according to a message received
here today. The body will be brough
here for burial.
The flags on the Savannah Cotton ex
change, of which General Gordon was &
former president, are at halfmast in hi'
honor today.
For half century he was the head o.
the cotton firm of w. w. Gordon & Co.
SKKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
william Washington Gordon was
one of the best known and oldest citi-
zens of Savannah and was also one OF
the most distinguished residents OF
Georgia.
His services for his city. state and
country extended over a period of g
half century and every movement look
ing to the upbuilding of Savannah and
the betterment of affairs in his native
state found ready response from him
He was in every sense of the word a
representative Savannahian and Geor-
giau.
The flags that fly at half mast to-
day because of his death and the many
messages of coincidence received by the
members of his family bear evidence
of the esteem in which he was held by
those who knew and admired him.
WAS NOT STRONG.
When General Gordon left Savannah
early in the summer for White Sulphur
Springs there were many who noted
with regret that he was not as robust
and as active as in the past although
he continued to give close attention to
his business interests as the head OF
w. w. Gordon & Co.
General Gordon was a soldier, a
statesman and a loyal Georgian. He
was of Scotch ancestry. the son of VIII
liam Washington Gordon and Sarah An
derson Sites and was born in Savannah
Oct IA, 1884. His seventy-ffth birthday
was quietly observed in Savannah Oct.
IA. 1909, at which time General Gordon
was the recipient of many congratuIa-
tions.
His father was the first Georgian to
graduate from West\ Point. and was the
first president of the Georgia Central
railroad. monument to him stands
on Bull street in Wright square near the
present Gordon home.
General Gordon graduated from
Yale university in July Of 1854. After
leaving college he engaged in the cotton
business in Savannah.
He was one of the charter members
of the Savannah cotton exchange and
one of the early presidents of that or
ganizatoin. At the celebration last sum-
mer Of the receipt of 100000 bales of
cotton at this port General Gordon spoke
giving a most interesting history Of the
exchange and the port of Savannah as
he knew IT. His talk at that time was
one of the most fascinating of the sew
eral delivered and was General Gordon's
last public appearance as an orator.
MARRIED IN CHICAGO.
In 1857 deceased was married to Miss
Eleanor Lyle Kinzie, of Chicago, Mrs.
Gordon was a daughter of one of the
western pioneers and was the first white
child born at Fort Dearborn, I'm the city
of Chicago. During the worlds fair
in that city she was special guest and
the Columbian hell was rung in her
honor on that occasion. She survives
her husband, as do five children, Mrs,
Richard Wayne Parker, of Washington,
d. c.; Mrs. Low, OF England and
Messrs w. w. Gordon. Jr., and G. Ar
thur Gordon. of Savannah. He also
leaves sister, Mrs. z. c. Stiles. of Nal
bone, Ga. Col. Beirne Gordon. of savan-
nah is his nephew.
General and Mrs Gordon celebrated the
fftieth anniversary of their marriage in
Savannah in 1907 and the occasion was
a social event of marked Importance.
They received the congratulations Of
their friends not only in Savannah but
throughout the country and abroad.
A MILITARY MAN.
The military career Of General Cor
don was varied and active, He served
throughout the war of the Confederacy,
leaving Savannah very early after the
call for volunteers as second lieutenant
OF the Georgia Hussars, Gen. ]. E. B.
Stuart's cavalry. At the fight at Fred
ericksburg, Md, he distinguished him
self and was put on the roll of honor.
He was captain and inspector of Mer-
GERS brigade of infantry and was
wounded at Lovejoy station, Georgia.
He served as captain and adjutant OF
Anderson's brigade, Wheeler's cavalry.
After the war General Gordon served
in Georgia's state cavalry and was four
times in command of troops ordered
out to quell riots.
+ General Gordon continued his connec-
ton with the Georgia Hussars after the
war and commanded the troop at one
time He never lost interest in his old
command and was one of the most valu-
able veteran members at the time Of
his death. The troop will probably pay
the last tribute OF respect by attend
ing the funeral in q body when the re-
mains reach Savannah. It's flag is at
half mast today out of respect to the
memory of one who in life did great
deal for the advancement of the troops
interests in every way possible. De-
ceased was also a member of the Con-
federate Veterans association, his con-
nection with 1t dating back many
years.
In politics General Gordon was never
a partisan. but was always interested
in the affairs of Savannah and Georgia.
From 1884 to 1890 he was a member Of
the Georgia legislature. During that
time he served on many important COM
mittees and gave the state valuable
service.
BENEVOLENT ASSOCIA-
TION.
General Gordon was a man OF very
charitable nature and in quiet way
did much to alleviate the sufferings
of unfortunates He was much inter
ested in work of benevolent order and
for two years, from 1890 to 1882, he was
nrosidenf of the Savannah Benevolent