The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1919-07-31
RACSDADLELAIDT TO
REST AT FLORENCE
THOUSANDS FROM PEE DEE
SECTION PAY TRIBUTE TO
DEAD CONGRESSMAN

DEAD SONGRESSMAN
The funeral services over the re-
mains of j. Willard Ragsdale, Con-
gresham from the sixth district,
whose sudden death occurred in
Washington on Wednesday of last
week from heart failure, We're held
in Florence Friday afternoon in the
Central Methodists Church, in the
presence of thousands of people from
all parts of the Pee Dee section. Rev.
S. B. Harper, pastor of the church,
conducted the simple services, assist
ed by the Rev. John. McSween, re-
Gently returned from France. The
large church was filled to capacity
and many stood during the service.
The music was furnished by select
ed choir, which sang sweetly the
beautiful old hymns of the Metho-
dist church.
The funeral procession was the
longest ever seen in Florence, stretch
ing over at least nine blocks. In the
cortege were automobiles from every
part of the sixth district. The floral
emblems were the handsomest ever
seen at a funeral in Florence, many
of them having been sent from Wash
ington by friends of the deceased
there and by members of the organi-
cations and societies to which he be-
longed. The designs sent by the South
Carolina delegation was particularly
handsome and occupied place at
the head of the casket. 1t was a re-
plica in flowers of the Palmetto flag
and was artistically executed. Other
designs were equally as beautiful.
Mr.. Ragsdale had expressed the
desire that his remains be laid to
rest in Florence, the city he loved
and had done so much for. Splendid
tribute was paid his memory at the
funeral.
P. H. MCGOWAN, Washington Cor
respondent Of the Columbia State
sends that newspaper the following
story of Mr.. Ragsdale's popularity
at the National Capitol:
ut is probable that from the time
Mr.. Ragsdale entered congress as the
successor to the late j. E. Ellerbe of
Marion until the death Of Mrs. Rags
dale's father, the late Dr.. E. S.
Joynes of Columbia, no one enter
tanned official and social Washington
more elegantly or lavishly than he
and Mrs. Ragsdale. Their first home
in the fashionable section Of Wash
ington, on Connecticut Avenue, was
often the scene Of magnificent func-
tions, and later when they moved to
the old William ]. Bryan residence,
Calumet Place, this entertainment
was continued. About a year and a
half ago, upon the death of DR..
Joynes, this public entertaining nat
urally ceased for a time and Mrs.
Ragsdale since then has mostly re-
manned at her home at Florence.
Mr.. Ragsdale's influence in GER
tain departments of Washington was
frequently commented upon. 1t was
often stated that he could get more
appointments for his constituents
from the state department than al
most any other member of the house.
There are now many men from South
Carolina in the diplomatic service
due to his efforts. There was also
strong link between Mr.. Ragsdale
and the war department, and during.
the momentous days Of the war he
landed many excellent assignments
for men from South Carolina in va
rious departments Of the service. He
was especially close to Gen. Enoch
Crowder Judge advocate general Of
the army and provost marshal gen.
eral.
at has frequently been noted in
Washington that Mr.. Ragsdale was
always willing to do whatever he
could for any man from South Caro-
lima if it came to his knowledge that
his services were needed, and during
the early days of his official career
he took the initiative in this matter
and stamped himself as being always
at the command of any South Caro-
linian with worthy cause.
"Mr. Ragsdale was close to the
late Senator Tillman and last sum
mer, just before Senator Tillman's
death, Mr.. Ragsdale had under con-
sideration for some time the question
of entering the race for the United
States senate, but always said that
he never would do so while Senator
Tillman was candidate. AS events
of last year turned out, the situation
developed so that after Senator Till
mans death it was too late for Mr..
Ragsdale to enter the race. He had
many urgent suggestions from
friends in different parts OF the
State offering their support in the
event that he should become a can
didate. His loyalty to Senator Till,
man was unquestioned and remained
so throughout his life and that OF
the Senator.
THE APPERSONS ARE COMING.