Parkersburg Sentinel
The Funeral Obsequies Of J. N. Camden
Occurred Today And Were Of An Impressive Character
Thousands Of Citizens Pay Last Tribute Of Respect
Telegrams Of Condolence From All Sections Of The Country
Business Suspended During The Time Of The Funeral.
April 27, 1908
Hundreds of citizens were at the Baltimore and Ohio passenger station on Sunday afternoon, when train No. 3, bearing the remains of former United States Senator Johnson N. Camden, who died in Baltimore on Saturday morning, arrived here at 12:35. Among those at the station who met the train were several of the nephews of the deceased they being Sprigg D. Camden, H. P. Camden, Dr. Rolla Camden, Lieutenant Bernard Camden and Carroll C. Camden, as well as a number of the close friends of the deceased.
The funeral party was composed of Mrs. Anna Camden, widow of the deceased; Mr. and Mrs. B. D. Spillman and three daughters, Misses Anna, Elizabeth and Margaret, of Warrentown, Virginia, and J. N. Camden, Jr., of Versailles, Kentucky. The party made the trip from Baltimore to this city in a private car of some of the officials of the Cumberland and Pennsylvania railroad, which had been placed at their disposal by the Baltimore and Ohio road.
As soon as the train arrived here the car was detached, and when No. 3 pulled out, was backed to a point at Greene street, where the party left the same and entered cabs in waiting. The remains of Senator Camden were then taken to his late residence on Ann street. The temporary pall bearers for the occasion were: Messrs. W. W. Jackson, W. Vrooman, Wilbur Davis, E. M. Gilkeson, C. C. Martin, and H. H. Moss.
Mrs. Camden stood the trip very well, notwithstanding the fact that she had been worn out physically and had been confined to her room for a week prior to her husband's death, brought on through the care and worry that she was naturally subjected to during his late illness. J. N. Camden, Jr., who was at the bedside at the time of his father's death, had been east in New York on a business trip, and was summoned to Baltimore a few days before, when the condition of Senator Camden became such as to give cause for alarm.
After the remains of Senator Camden were taken to the family residence, many of the friends in the city called at the home to offer words to condolence to the bereaved family, and telegrams poured in from all sections of the country from friends, many of whom had been associated with the deceased in various business and political affairs, as well as others, who had enjoyed a long friendly relationship.
Toward evening final details for the funeral today were completed, and the following honorary and active pall bearers were announced:
Honorary pallbearers - Senator Stephen B. Elkins and Ex-Senator Henry G. Davis, of Elkins; James A. Moffett, of New York; C. W. Watson and Ex-Governor A. B. Fleming, of Fairmont; George W. Curtin, of Sutton; G. W. Whitescarver, of Grafton; Dr. J. N. Murdoch, Joseph Neal, Dr. T. A. Harris, C. H. Shattuck, William Armstrong, W. N. Chancellor, W. W. Vrooman, Reese Blizzard, W. B. Paden, L. H. Poole, of Parkersburg; Z. T. Vinson, of Huntington; C. C. Mayo, of Paintsville, Kentucky; Major R. W. Boone, Marietta, Georgia.
Active Pallbearers - J. H. Wheelwright, of Baltimore; George Baird, of Wheeling; H. H. Moss, C. C. Martin, W. W. Jackson, Wilbur Davis, E. M. Gilkeson and John W. Roberts, of this city.
It was also announced that the remains of Senator Camden would lie in state at his late residence from noon today until 2 p. m., to give all of the friends an opportunity of taking a last look at the former distinguished townsman, and hundreds took advantage of this opportunity.
Among those from whom telegrams of condolence were received on Sunday were:
John D. Rockefeller, W. R. Bacon, James A. Moffatt, of New York; Col. John T. McGraw, Grafton; Senator William Campbell, of Charles Town; Lewis Marshall, of Versailles, Kentucky; Senator Stephen B. Elkins and Ex-Senator Henry G. Davis, of Elkins; A. N. Robbins, of Cleveland; Edwin L. Saunders, of St. Paul, Minn.; H. M. Flagler of New York; Ex-Governor A. B. Fleming, of fairmont; J. F. Hager and A. W. Stewart, of Kentucky; Major R. W. Boone, of Marietta, Georgia; Judge Spilman, of Warrenton, Virginia; Mrs. Emily McLean, of Washington, D. C.
As Senator Camden was a member of Parkersburg Lodge No. 198, B. P. O. E., the following notice was sent out on Sunday afternoon to the members of the lodge to attend the funeral this afternoon.
Parkersburg Lodge, No. 198, B. P. O.
Elks:
Dear Sir and Brother: - All members of Parkersburg Lodge No. 198, B. P. O. Elks are requested to
meet at the Elks Home, Juliana street, on Monday afternoon, April 27, at 2:15 o'clock to attend the
funeral of our late brother, Johnson Newlon Camden. Interment I. O. O. F. cemetery.
Fraternally,
J. Parker Senseman,
Exalted Ruler.
J. H. Drennen,
Secretary.
A proclamation was also issued by Mayor W. B. Pedigo on Sunday evening, calling on the business firms of the city to close their places of business as a mark of respect to the former distinguished citizen, which was as follows:
Senator Johnson N. Camden, late of this city, was not only one of the most distinguished citizens, but he was connected with the most important business enterprises of Parkersburg, and did more than any other one man toward the up-building of the city.
It is therefore fitting that some public and general token of our respect be exhibited.
To that end, I respectfully request that all business houses in the city be closed Monday afternoon between two and three o'clock, while his funeral is in progress.
W. B. Pedigo,
Mayor.
Those of the relatives of the deceased who arrived here Sunday night and today were: Mr. and Mrs. Holden of Clarksburg; J. C. McKinley and Miss Carrie McKinley, of Wheeling; L. D. Camden of Baltimore; E. D. Camden and Miss Flode Camden of Sutton; and Lewis Thompson of New York.
Magnificent floral tributes in great profusion arrived at the Camden residence all of this morning and even this afternoon up to the time for the funeral. Among many of those which had been received up to noon were received from the following friends and relatives:
Reese Blizzard, Major R. W. Boone, Mrs. Fickinger, T. M. Gathright, First National Bank, J. H. Wheelwright, Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Fleming, H. E. Spilman and M. G. Tyler, Mrs. C. W. Watson, Dr. A. H. Kunst, Earl Kunst and Johnson Camden Kunst, Mrs. G. W. Thompson and family, W. N. Chanceller, Jas. Wood Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, Reading Club, Dr. and Mrs. T. B. Camden, Mr. and Mrs. John S. Camden, and Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Camden.
The last sad rites over the remains of Senator Johnson N. Camden were held at Trinity Church on Juliana street at 3 o'clock this afternoon, and at the Odd Fellows cemetery later where the former distinguished citizen and fellow townsman was laid to rest in the family mausoleum.
The remains were allowed to lie in state at the late residence of the deceased from noon until 2 p.m. today during which time several hundred people of the city including many of the friends of the family, called to view them, after which the casket was closed except to the family and relatives who took their last look at their distinguished relative.
The funeral party which was composed of a large number of relatives as well as many friends prominent in the city and a number from various points outside of the city, left the residence the cortage going through Seventh and a Half street to Juliana street and down Juliana to the Church. Parkersburg Lodge of Elks No. 198 of which the deceased was a member attended in a body, joining the funeral party in front of the Elks Club.
At the church a large gathering of friends had assembled which filled all of the seating capacity with the exception of the seats which were reserved for those composing the funeral party and the Elks.
The impressive funeral services of the Episcopal Church were conducted by Rev. Dr. S. Scollay Moore, rector of the church and for many years the spiritual adviser of the deceased, who was assisted by Coadjutor Bishop W. L. Gravatt of Charles Town. Bishop G. W. Peterkin who was out of the city was unable to get here to assist in the service.
During the services music appropriate to the occasion was rendered by Trinity choir under the direction of Prof. Garretson. Rev. Dr. Moore observing the custom of the church spoke feelingly of the deceased as did Bishop Gravatt also.
At the close of the services the funeral cortage proceeded to the Odd Fellows cemetery crossing from Juliana street to Ann street on Fifth and proceeding directly to the cemetery by way of Ann street and Murdoch avenue. Brief services were held at the cemetery and the remains were placed in their last resting place.
As a mark of respect to the deceased who was one of the stockholders in the Standard Oil Company, the local refinery of the company was closed down for this afternoon. Several of the business houses of the city were also closed for an hour in accordance with the request of the Mayor.
The funeral was the largest that has been held in the city for quite a while, which was due to the important place Senator Camden occupied during his life, both as a citizen of the city and of the state. Among the friends of the deceased who arrived here at noon today were: Ex-Governor A. B. Fleming, of Fairmont; J. H. Wheelwright of Baltimore; Lewis Thompson of New York; Arthur Lee of Washington, D. C.; Andrew L. Price, of Marlinton; John Bassel, of Clarksburg; and Joseph Fuccey of Weston; Hon. Wesley Mollohan of Charleston, and John J. Davis of Clarksburg.
The flag on the government building was at half mast today as a token of respect to the memory of the dead.