The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-06-07
Battle Mt. Sanitarium,
Hot Springs, s. Oak.

May, "a, 1912.
Mrs. s. j. Greer, Pacolet, S. C.
My Dear Mrs. Greer: AS your son,
Frank, was particular friend and
Ecomrade of mine, I have taken the
liberty to write you concerning his
death and burial. Having both been
newspaper men formerly, we found
quite an attachment for each other,
and have been great cronies. He has
told me about you and his sister;
about the days when he was married
and was happily. engaged in the news
paper profession. He has described
his struggles with the Night Riders
of Kentucky, and pictured to me much
Of his former life. Since coming here
he has done considerable writing, and
we all knew him as a very talented
and bright young man.
When Frank first came to US he
was in rather poor condition physi-
cally, but soon began to mend. The
lead poison abated and he began to
pick up in flesh. Soon he was weigh
ing some twenty pounds more than
when he came. He rejoiced in his re-
covered health and became ambitious
to go to work again. He did work on
both local papers and eventually be-
gan to conduct paper at Buffalo
Gap, small town near here, running
the paper for another man. But set
ting up type brought back the old
lead poisoning and former condi-
tions physically set in. He returned
to us a few weeks ago in a very bad
condition. He had caught cold some
where and pneumonia set in. He was
given the best of care and waited
upon carefully by both nurses and
doctors. They put him on one of the
broad verandas of the sanitarium,
where he could gaze off across the
green-clad hills, and could breathe the
good pure air of this section. / visit
ed him frequently during his last ill
ness and I think every comfort pos
sible for him was administered. Sew
eral days ago, suggested that he
let me write to his folks and tell them
how sick he was. But he said: "No,
Earle, don't do it. 1t would worry
my poor old mother nearly to DEATH"
So you see his last thought and his
last consideration were for you.
His Funeral was held at the custo-
mary hour this morning at s o'clock.
He was buried with all of the honors
of war, the entire service being in
military style. Never in the history
of the institution has funeral been
better attended and better conducted.
In fact, it was the best conducted
funeral we have ever had here.
Frank was a member of our camp
of United Spanish War veterans. He
has taken active part in the camp
proceedings, and had become loved
and honored by all who knew him.
He is the first member of our own
camp to pass away.
On account of the love and respect
all. members of the camp, and of
this home, bore for him, very large
number Of old soldiers, and great
company of Spanish War soldiers fol-
lowed his remains to their last rest
ing place. In both his prayer at the
morgue, where the funeral was held,
and at the grave, our venerable old
chaplain petitioned God that He would
comfort and sustain the dear old
mother, who was weeping in her far
away Southern home. After brief
brief services at the morgue, where
officers and members of the SANTA
rum had gathered, the casket was
carried out by six comrades in their
blue uniform and white gloves. It
was placed on the cassion or can
vass carriage which is always used in
military funerals, while a firing
squad stood at present arms and our
fine Sanitarium band played Nearer
My God to Thee" Then the process
sion was formed and the long line
Of soldiers wended it's way slowly
and sadly to our little city oe the
dead. First came the band, playing
softly funeral dirge; then came the
firing squad; then chaplain and other
officers of the Home; then the cas-
sion and remains Of our comrade
wrapped in the old glory of the Ma
tion and with beautiful flowers laid on
his casket. Then came the pall-bear-
ers, and behind them dozens Of COM
rades from both wars. Our little
cemetery is back of the Sanitarium
on beautiful side hill, amid the ever
greens and at the foot of old Battle
Mountain. Here amid the beauties of
q most perfect and beautiful May day,