Source: Obituary - Daily Herald, Columbia, Tennessee; Page 1
Date: 7 May 1906, Monday
Tennessee State Library & Archives, Maury County
Roll: 26 Feb 1906 - 1 Feb 1907

DEATH CLAIMS A SHINING MARK

WALTER AKIN GEERS DIES FROM HIS INJURIES - IS LAID TO REST WITH FULL MILITARY HONORS / His Death Causes General Sorrow and Profound Regret

No sadder death nor one which has been the source of more profound regret or genuine sorrow has
occurred in Columbia in recent years than that of Walter Akin Geers, which took place Sunday morning at 3 o'clock at Dr. Pillow's infirmary, where he was taken after being struck by a thrown ball in the base ball game between C.M.A. and Morgan School teams Friday.
When the news became general Sunday that this promising and popular boy had answered the bugle call of the Great Commander, expressions of sorrow were heard from all sources and all sides. Old men, whose locks were frosted by the snows of many winters, said, when they heard the news: " How much better had one been called whose days of usefulness are well nigh passed." Younger men gave voice to their regret and said that death had indeed claimed a shining mark. Men and women, friends of the bereaved parents in the olden days and friends of the manly boy, expressed the tenderest pity for the father and mother in the loss of their only son.
The physicians in charge realized Saturday evening that the end was fast approaching, and death came a few hours later with the father, mother and sisters by his side.
 

A Noble Boy

Deceased was the first boy enrolled at the Columbia Military Academy when the school was first organized. After school began he at once attracted attention by his polite, courteous demeanor and exemplary conduct. He soon attained rank as a student and won the regard of the faculty and student body alike, and more honors perhaps, than any other boy in the school for he was elected Chairman of the Bible Study Class of the school Y.M.C.A, President of the Junior Class, President of the Cosmopolitan Club, the social club of the school, Art Editor of the school Annual, Treasurer of the Athletic Association and Sergeant of the cadet corps; and his popularity spread beyond the confines of the school campus, and he likewise soon became a favorite with the people of Columbia. At the opening of school this morning, Prof. Hardy spoke with deep feeling of the loss sustained by the school, the student body and the faculty. He advised the cadets to take the conduct and life of this fine boy as an example. Prof. Hardy announced that all match games of ball arranged for this season would be cancelled
in respect to the memory of the deceased.

Military Orders

Major Martin, Commandant of Cadets, issued the following order relative to the funeral:

Headquarters Corps. of Cadets, Columbia Military Academy Columbia, Tenn., May 7, 1906.
General Order No. 21. At 10:30 am the entire battalion of Cadets will assemble in grey uniforms, white belts and gloves, to take part in the funeral procession of late Cadet-Sergeant Walter Geers, the memory of whose exemplary manliness, unswerving fidelity to duty, and altogether lovable character, will always live. The following Cadet-Sergeants will act as active pallbearers: Whitthorne, White, Fry, W., Page, Stephenson, K., and Hazlehurst.

The funeral escort, consisting according to army regulations of fourteen rank and file under the command of a Sergeant, will form on the company parade ground at 10 a.m. and march to the quarters of the deceased, according to Paragraph 499, Drill Regulations.

The following Cadets, under the command of Cadet-Sergeant W. Fleming are detailed to act as an escort: Cadet Corporals Oliver, Brownlow, J., Kinzer, Loftin, Clagett, Short, Wooten, Moore, C., and Gilbreath, C.; Cadet privates Hamilton, Conner, Clark, R., Mallory and Kittrell.

The rest of the Battalion of Cadets will form on the company parade grounds, and in the funeral procession follow the mourners in order of rank. The Cadet officers wear their sabres, on the hilts of which will be worn the badge of military mourning, a knot of black crape. This badge will be worn for fourteen days.
The procession is formed in the following order: (1) Escort, (2) Clergy, (3) Honorary Pallbearers,
(4) coffin and active pallbearers, (5) mourners, (6) Cadet officers and Cadets (7) distinguished persons, (8)civilians.

By order of MAJ. MARTIN Commandant of Cadets
(Official) D.C. CARUTHERS Cadet Adjutant

Impressive Funeral
The funeral was held at the First Presbyterian Church at 11 o'clock and was one of the largest and most impressive seen in Columbia in years, and the floral offerings were numerous. Among them was a large pall, covering the coffin, the offering from the student body. The young cadet was laid to rest in his sergeant's uniform, and the silken flag of the school was draped around his coffin. Friends and relatives were present
from Lynnville, Lebanon and Spring Hill, besides the many who attended from Columbia and the county.
Rev. W.A. Provine was assisted in the impressive ceremonies by Rev. W.B. Capers and Dr. T.A. Wharton.
The music was beautiful and touching.

After the ceremony, the funeral procession, under military escort wound its way to Rose Hill, where all that was mortal was laid to rest beside his little sister who died some years since. The interment was with full military honors, and came to a close when the cadets lined up on either side of the grave and fired a parting salute in memory of their comrade.
More About WALTER AKIN GEERS: Burial: 07 May 1906, Rose Hill Cemetery, Maury County, Tennessee 

 

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