The Macon Telegraph & Messenger
5 March 1882

MACON, GEORGIA

Her Distinguished Dead in Rose Hill Cemetery
Richard H. Clark in the Sunny South

From among the many distinguished dead in Rose Hill Cemetery I have
selected a few to comment upon, whose lives were dramatic or otherwise of
peculiar interest. They are not all who deserve special notice, but there
are so many equally deserving that they furnish themes for a book, instead
of a newspaper. The cemetery contains the remains of an extraordinary
number of men who were distinguished, or prominent in every walk of life.
There are statesman and heroes, judges and lawyers, physicians, planters,
merchants and mechanics.

George W. Towns is there. His life at the bar and in politics had it
culmination in the office of governor for two terms. If there were time
and space to say more, nothing is necessary, for in "Miller's Bench and
Bar" and interesting sketch of him can be found. He must have been a
favorite of poor Miller, (now himself deceased after a life of sickness
and sacrifice,) for his heart was plainly in his pen in writing of Towns.

Judge Nisbet is there. Likewise is fact or comment of him superfluous for
he, fortunately for himself, for truth, honor and fame left a record of
himself open to the inspection of all men.

Judge Tracy is there. He is the equal of Dooley in the impress he made in
his time, and the traditions of him that come down to the present, and
will go down to future generations. But Dooley has been embalmed in "The
Bench and Bar of the State," while Tracy has not, although dead when
Miller wrote. Some future edition of that work, by some competent hand,
must chronicle the life of this jurist, scholar and wit, as it must of
those other eminent judges and lawyers who since have "paid the debt of
nature." Likewise there lies his accomplished son, who bore his name of
Edward D., and followed in the professional footsteps of his father until
war came, when he was killed while holding the rank of brigadier-general.
Another gifted brother, Philemon, a Confederate officer, killed on the
enemy's soil, lies in the cemetery at Batavia, New York, but as a
coincidence, there also are the graves of his forefathers.

Judge Cole is there. The cool, calm, modest, retiring, yet learned, wise
and sagacious judge. He who was so long the beloved judge of the
Southern, and then of the Macon Circuit, and for more than half a century
an active and successful practitioner of law.

Judge Powers is there -- Abner P. -- called by his friends (of whom there
were "legions") "Ab" -- an able lawyer, and an able and an upright judge.
Long a member of the Legislature, and long on the circuit bench, he was
cut down by death when a candidate before his people for a seat in the
Legislature to which they had so often elected him in his earlier
manhood. Large dark eyes he had, with an expression both soft and
intelligent, that were made more beautiful from the background of an
intellectual forehead, a fine complection, and finely chilseled features.
There were the accompaniments of a symmetrical form, that reached or went
beyond that standard of six feet. Man, or woman, would have pronounced
him handsome. His heart was cheerful, and from his exquisitely formed
mouth adorned with beautiful teeth, there was constantly flowing a stream
of mirth and humor. This quality, with an exquisite taste, and a nice
sense of propriety he so threw into his duties at the bar, or on the
bench, as to make it pleasant instead of laborious, to be in any court
room where he was. He was "a friend of my bosom -- a man I loved."

Washington Poe is there -- erect, tall, stately, impressive. Powers was a
bright brunette, Mr. Poe a style just the reverse -- a distinctly marked
blonde, but not of the delicate and effeminate tint. His figure was more
slender, his person more erect, and to symmetry, there was added a grace
seldom seen in a man. He filled the full measure of the term a "perfect
gentleman" if ever man did. He was my "first gentleman in Georgia." So
deeply was this impressed on the masses, that there were very few who were
ignorant enough, or bold enough to dub him, colonel or judge. He was
simply Mr. Poe. Standing alone in this respect, the genteel, but worn out
old title of "Mister," became with him a distinction. I fancy, from his
general demeanor and his history, he was of opinion, that to be a trye and
refined gentleman, and so recognized by every one, was a greater honor
than any offical title. Elected to a seat in Congress when full of the
ardor that belongs to youth, he declined his commission, and continued
ever after to be lawyer and gentleman. He was an able and successful
lawyer, an effective and graceful speaker, and at times eloquent. It is
sad that old age and death have to be the fate of such a man, as of common men.

Thos. P. Stubbs is there. Plain, benevolent, sincere and industrious
Peter Stubbs -- "the architect of his own fortunes." By energy,
persistence and fidelity, long before he died, he was a successful lawyer
with a large practice. He was a good man with a feeling heart. Everybody
loved Peter Stubbs. I surmise it was because he loved everybody. There
was a magnetism about him that all felt who came in his society. From
being in usual health he was taken ill, which resulted in death -- a phase
of death that, when it comes to a popular man, and unexpectedly, shocks
the whole community.

Samuel T. Bailey is there -- a different style of man from any I have
named. He was not sociable, was reserved in manner, and withal presented
a haughty exterior, yet the few who knew him well loved him much, from
which I infer he had more heart than he chose to show. He seemed to say
by his presence and demeanor, "I have not loved the world, not the world
me." To quote a homely figure, in his association and in his practice "he
carried his own skillet." He commanded a large practice in heavy and
important cases. He kept his own counsels, but when he was heard from he
commanded attention. He was thoroughly educated, deeply read in law and
classics; had a solid intellect and spoke always with force, sometimes
with eloquence. He was the son-in-law of the venerable Judge Strong.

Wm. K. DeGraffenried is there -- a younger man than any I have named
(except the younger Tracy), but a man of decided ability, with much force
and decision of character. He made much reputation in the office of
prosecuting attorney for the Macon Circuit. He was a born politician, and
his influence was felt on that line in the State for many years. He had
an imposing person, and before his decline in health, which ran through
many years, he was a handsome man.

Such are some of the judges and lawyers.

Sterling Lanier is there. Well named he is, for Sterling he was in nature
and education as well as in name. He was better known and more beloved
throughout the nation than any who sleep the eternal sleep with him in
that cemetery. From him the Lanier House takes its name. Long its
landlord, and before and after, of other hotels, he was one of those who
came indirect contact with all his guests as a hospitable gentleman would
in his own mansion. To have been such a guest, if but for a meal, is to
love him ever after. The stranger, and especially the humble stranger, he
personally sought and made him feel welcome and at home. He was the
grandfather of Sidney Lanier.

Elam Alexander is there. A native of North Carolina, and of Scotch
ancestry, he bore in his person all the characteristics of that hardy and
honest people -- so much so that he would easily have passed for one. He
was a large, muscular man, more than six feet high. Included in his large
store of good sense was a fund of humor peculiarly his own. In fact he
was "an original." He amassed a large fortune, much of which was made as
railroad contractor. He was one of the firm of Collins & Alexander, who
completed, and by their contract secured the completion of the Central
railroad, when its success was doubtful.

Isaac Holmes is there -- so long a citizen of Macon, a soldier in the
Florida war, captain of the Macon volunteers, and officer of the Georgia
regiment in the Mexican war. He died during his service in Mexico, whence
his remains were brough and buried in Rose Hill Cemetery. He there has a
splendid monumental commemorative of him. He had a fine presence, a
faculty of attaching men to him, and hence enjoyed a great popularity.

John B. Ross, the prince of Georgia merchants, and James Dean, a large
planter in the counties of Bibb and Houston, are also there. The latter
was conspicuous in local politics; had a great personal popularity, and
represented Bibb in the State Senate. The monument to himself, and to his
only two sons are in good taste. They stand near each other, the tallest
to the father, the next to the older son William, and the lowest to the
younger, James, Jr.

Samuel J. Ray, Dr. Henry Kollock Green, and Dr. Jas. Mercer Green are
there. I name them together for they were close friends and for a time
owned and edited together the Macon Telegraph. The Green brothers
were in the full and active prectice of their profession. They took a
deep interest in politics, and Dr. Kollock was elected to the
Legislature. They were much together, were quite similar in appearance,
were not twins in reality, but were in affection. Ray died first, now
more than twenty years ago, then Dr. Kollock, and lastly Dr. James M., not
yet a year ago.

Samuel J. Ray, the principal editor, was a native of North Carolina, and
began life in Macon as a merchant. He had a taste for politics. While
under his editorial management, the Macon Telegraph acquired a fine
and a wide reputation. Mr. Ray knew not only how to edit a paper himself,
but he understood the value of procuring for his paper writers of
ability. It was here that Tom Howard, of DeKalb, began his career as a
political writer. Robt. P. Hall and Philomon Tracy, both young men of
superb ability, aided Mr. Ray with their pens, and the latter became the
political editor. Sam Ray excelled in his judgement. He did not himself
write long articles, but he knew what subjects to write upon, and how to
treat them. He was of great assistance to younger men who wielded more
fragile pens, and he took great delight in their companionship. Poor
fellow, while yet in the meridian of life he died of consumption. He has
no monument to mark his resting place. Just before the war there was a
scheme among his friends, headed by Phil. Tracy, to raise money enough to
give him a monument worthy of his usefulness and his place in the
affections of his friends, but the war came on, Tracy was killed, and the
survivors were too poor to proceed. I have no doubt that Ray's name will
sound now truly "like a voice from the tomb," yet in his life he was a
power in Macon. Like so many others in the cemetery, he was a native of
the good old North State. Situated between the more pretentuious people
of Virginia and South Carolina, she has given to the republic many of her
best and brightest men.

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Rose Hill Cemetery

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