Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1922-10-18
CENTRAL BAPTIST
CHURCH SCENE
OF LAST RITES
Eloquent Euiogies Bring Sobs And
Tears From Throng-Masons
Attend
MANY FLORAL TRIBUTES
Americus Closes Its Business
Houses To Gather All Dead
Officials Bier

AmeTicus business halted in silent
tribute yesterday afternoon while
hundreds of Sumter county folks
augmented by friends from all over
the state, paid homage at the bier
of Hon. John Z. Sheppard, mayor Of
Americas, whose death occurred
Monday.
The Central Baptist church failed
to provide room for the throng that
participated in the final services 10
the memory OF the city's chief exc
cutiye.
The eloduence of the preachers,
who in simple but effective story,
told Of the former mayors achieve
ments and character moved the hun
dreds of listeners to tears and sobs.
The majesty of the Masonic serv-
ice kept those who viewed the ritual
in perfect harmony with the occasion.
Both the services at the church and
those at the grave were III accord
with the event, for Americas buried
one Of its finest citizens yesterday.
Beautiful floral offerings, mute
testimonials to the love and respect
Of a community for a leader in its
fraternal, civic and municipal circles,
banked the casket and were heaped
about the grave.
The funeral was held at p. m.
Early in the day various lodges
of Masons from nearby towns were
sending in their delegates.
The Central Baptist church could
not begin to hold the large. number,
No building in the city was large
enough to accommodate the crowd
and many were necessarily crowded
, out.
Rev. Guyton Fisher rendered a
scripture, reading. Rev. Robert L..
Biyins, a lifelong friend of the de-
ceased and for many years his pas
tor, told most eloquently the life
history of the deceased and of his
many virtues.
He told how in his teens he was
ordained a deacon, an office he held
most creditably to the day of his
death.
As lawyer he gave to his cases
the very homage of his soul. AS Il
Legislator he exercised a wide vision
and the effect of his labors were
great and constructive.
lie was sublimely courageous in
following the right.
AS mayor of Americus he was fair
and impartial and gained the ad-
miration and love Of the masses be-
cause of his love of justice and his
great executive ability.
He was such a man, take him
all in all, | could never look upon
his like again; with all the elements
TO commipgle, that all nature could
point to him and eXclainl, Here is
mani"
To his wife, friends and relatives
he leaves the rich heritage Of
great name.
Eliza Sheppard, my friend, is in The
coffin there. His heart is still. Oh,
| have no doubt as to his welfare.
Yes, all is well-he rests from his
labors we shall meet again great
again--yes we shall see him
again int a greater, bright world
beyond the stare where he will dwell
in a mansion not made with hands,
eternal in the skies!
Rev Henry T. Brookshire and Hon.
n. f. Ballard, an officer ri The
grand lodge of Mls)ns, also made
eloquent addresses. They knew well
and loved the deceased. They eXtoll-
ed his virtues in a most effective
way and held the vast audience
spellbound by their fervent elo-
qunece.
Masonic services were held at the
cemetery. Masons acd friends from
al over Georgia were there. The
services were led by Dr. Joe BowdoM
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