Columbus Daily Enquirer-Sun27 March 1894
GEORGIA'S DEAD!
SENATOR COLQUITT CLOSES HIS DISTINGUISHED CAREER
PASSING PEACEFULLY AWAY
Macon Will Claim His Last Resting Place
POLITICAL LEADERS GATHERING AT THE STATE CAPITAL
FOR HIS PLACE
WASHINGTON, March 26 -- [Special] -- Senator Colquitt died this morning at 7:30 o'clock, very peacefully, and conscious up to a few minutes of the end. Only members of the family were present. Funeral services will be held in the Senate chamber at 9 o'clock tomorrow, after which the remains will be taken to the train to be conveyed to Georgia. The interment will occur at Rose Hill cemetery in Macon.
Alfred Holt Colquitt was born in Walton county, Ga, April 20, 1824, and was consequently in his seventieth year. He was graduated at Princeton in 1844, studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1845. He served during the Mexican war as a staff officer, with the rank of Major. In 1852 he was elected to Congress as a Democrat, serving one term. He was a member of the Legislature in 1859, and a Presidential elector in 1860 on the Breckenridge ticket. He was a member of the secession convention of Georgia and entered the Confederate army as Captain. Later he was chosen Colonel of the Sixth Georgia Infantry, promoted to a Brigadier-General, and after serving some time in that grade was commissioned a Major-General. In 1876 he was elected Governor of Georgia, for four years, at the expiration of which term he was re-elected for two years, under the new constitution.
He was then elected to the United States Senate, and re-elected in 1888. Senator Colquitt was a distinguished son of a distinguished father, the latter being a lawyer of eminence, a soldier and a member of both branches of the National Legislature from Georgia...
...HIS LAST REQUEST
Senator Colquitt asked that his body be interred in Macon, where he has a lot. His life was insured for $10,000, and Congress, complying with a custom, will vote his widow $5,000, the equivalent of a Senator's salary for one year. These sums, together with his home at Kirkwood, constitute about all he has left as a legacy to his family.
THE MOST APPROACHABLE
Of all public men here Senator Colquitt was the most approachable. His rooms were open always to callers, even during the season of his decline and he never refused to aid with his influence a Georgian whom he believed to be deserving. He was a member of five Senate committees, one of which, postoffice and post roads, he was chairman.
Henry Jones, the well known newspaper writer, was his faithful committee clerk, and his young son Walter his messenger. His seat, the best one on the Democratic side, was formerly occupied by David Davis, and after Davis Reagan of Texas. Today it is draped in mourning and a garland of immortelies rests on the lid of the desk. E. P. SPEER
THE DYING SCENE
APPROPRIATE ACTION TAKEN BY THE GEORGIA DELEGATION
WASHINGTON, March 26 -- [By Associated Press] -- Senator Colquitt died at his residence, at No. 220 A street, southeast, this city, at 7:10 o'clock this morning. The end was quiet and peaceful, and death came as if the Senator was dropping into sleep. He had been sinking gradually all night.
At 3 o'clock this morning the entire right side became totally paralyzed, and after that it was evident to all that death was, at best, a question of hours only. The entire family, except a daughter, Mrs. Newell, of Milledgeville, Ga, were present, as were also the family of his colleague, Senator John B. Gordon, who was summoned when the attack occured at 3 o'clock.
THE FUNERAL
The funeral will take place in the Senate chamber tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock, and will probably be conducted by Rev. W. H. Milburn, chaplain of the Senate. He is at present absent from this city, but has been telegraphed for and will probably arrive in time to officiate.
The remains will be taken to Macon, Ga, for interment, and will be accompanied by a committee of the two houses of Congress and the family of the deceased, and that of his colleague, Senator Gordon. The cortege will proceed from the capitol to the depot. After the funeral services tomorrow morning in the Senate chamber, that body will probably take a recess until 12 o'clock, when the Senate will resume its legislative business...
...MARKS OF RESPECT
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE
WASHINGTON, March 26 -- There were more Senators than was usual present this morning when the opening prayer was delivered. The desk and chair ofthe dead Senator, Mr. Colquitt, of Georgia, in the first row of seats on the Democratic side of the chamber, were draped in black cloth. In the absence of Chaplain Milburn, the prayer was made by Rev. Isaac M. Canter, pastor of the Vernon Place M. E. Church, South. His reference to the death of Mr. Colquitt was in these words:
"Bless especially the family of Thy servant who was so recently a member of this chamber and who now lies in the cold embrace of death. We thank Thee for all that he was to his State and to his country and to this Senate. Grant that the lesson which Thy providence teaches us by this death may not be lost, and that we learn that death comes to all, in high places as well as low."
As soon as the journal of Thursday was read Mr. Harris, Democrat, of Tennessee, rose and moved that when the Senate adjourn it be to meet at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning. The reason, he said, would be explained later. The motion was agreed to.
Senator Gordon, the colleague of the dead Senator, then rose and said:
"Mr. President, it falls to my lot this morning to make the inexpressibly sad announcement of the death of my colleague, a long loved and cherished friend, Alfred H. Colquitt, late Senator from Georgia. Even if the circumstances around us permitted, I could not, this morning -- I have not the heart to speak of his long and illustrious service to his State and the country. In the presence of the poignant grief to me, my memory turns to him as a long loved friend rather than as the brave soldier exhibiting a high order of courage and of patriotism in two wars, or as the civilian holding for a long series of years his political stations, every one of which he honored and adorned. It may not be amiss, however, to say of him now that I have known him from my boyhood. We were companions in arms; we were neighbors and friends; we were political allies. In all these relations for more than a third of a century, there has never been a word of discord between us, never a veil that separated us, never a thought of distrust, nothing save the most trusted loyalty, a devoted and brotherly attachment. It may not be untimely to say further of him now that in every relation of life, whether as husband, father, son, friend, soldier or citizen, he has been earnest and faithful, and throughout three decades. The monosyllables "He is dead," will soon be spoken of others of this chamber, and of many of us before years shall pass. If it shall be added of each of us, as it can be of him, that in all the relations of life he was true, that above all and through all he kept his armor as a christian man bright and burnished, there will have been pronounced over our death beds all that eloquence can pronounce. I move now that adoption of the following resolutions:"
Resolved, That the Senate has heard, with great sorrow, of the death of Alfred Holt Colquitt, late Senator from the State of Georgia.
Resolved, That a committee of nine Senators be appointed by the Vice President to take order for superintending the funeral of the deceased, which will take place in the Senate Chamber tomorrow (Tuesday) at 9 o'clock a.m., and that the Senate will attend the same.
Resolved, That as a further mark of respect entertained by the Senate for his memory, his remains shall be removed from Washington to Macon, Georgia, in charge of the sergeant-at arms and attended by the committee, which shall have full power to carry these resolutions into effect.
Resolved, That the secretary communicate these resolutions to the House of Representatives, and invite the House of Representatives to attend the funeral tomorrow, (Tuesday), at the hour named, and to appoint a committee to go with the committee of the Senate.
Resolved, That invitations be extended to the President of the United States and the members of his cabinent, the Chief Justice and the Associate Justices of the United States, the Diplomatic corps, the Major-General commanding the army and the senior Admiral of the navy to attend the funeral.
Resolved, That as a further mark of respect the Senate do now adjourn.
The resolutions were agreed to...
...MACON MOURNS
ELABORATE FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS.
THE SENATOR'S EARLY ROMANCE.
MACON, March 26 -- [Special] -- Information was received in Macon this morning that the funeral of Senator A. H. Colquitt would take place here where his first wife is buried. Senator Colquitt's first marriage was also solemnized here and a tinge of romance surrounds the event. He eloped with a Miss Twiggs, a member of one of the most wealthy Georgia families. At the residence of Capt. John Ross, a relative of the bride in this city, the wedding, and subsequently reconciliation with the family took place.
Arrangements are being made for a mose elaborate funeral. All flags are at half mast and the Board of Trade, City Council, Confederate Veterans and military will appoint pall bearers. Capt. John L. Hardeman has been elected marshal for the occasion. The funeral party is expected to arrive Wednesday morning. J. R. KENNEDY
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FUNERAL
MACON, March 26 -- The Board of Trade meets at noon tomorrow to make final arrangements for Senator Colquitt's funeral. The military, Confederate veterans, Board of Trade, City Council and the Macon bar will all attendin a body. There will be two pall-bearers from each body and ten from the citizens. The funeral services will be held at the Mulberry Street Methodist church. Dr. Monck has been invited to preach the sermon, but of course will give way if Mrs. Colquitt has any preference. The interment will be in the Rose Hill cemetery, in the family vault.
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Rose Hill Cemetery
