Oration Delivered at the Funeral of James Madison Garrett, II, Lowndes, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/montgomery/bios/jmgarrett.txt ================================================================================ USGENWEB NOTICE: All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed and copyrighted by: Carolyn Golowka ================================================================================ February 2004 Oration Delivered at Funeral of J. M. Garrett By E. R. Barnes (Dec. 22, 1943) Friends: - This is a sorrowful duty which we have met to perform. However much death may be idealized, it is charged with solemnity and sadness. When it marks the exit from earth of an unworthy actor, or of an unknown derelict, it is still loaded with a painful seriousness. But when death has written finis to the activities of an esteemed and useful citizen, to the pleasant association of a generous friend, and to the loving attentions of a kind father and brother, it is truly sorrowful. I am not a minister of the gospel. I am only a speaker appointed to pay last tribute to a worthy man, my friend and kinsman; to represent the host of friends who trusted and honored him; and to speak sentiments intended to soothe the grief of children and grandchildren, sisters and brothers, nephews and nieces. I must choose my descriptives with care and moderation. I must keep back any desire to gush or to paint. I must guard my language. So he willed it, of whom I speak – J. M. GARRETT. There is to be no sermon. In this casket lies the sermon. A sermon it is, exemplified by a life which sparkled with honest purpose, with fair dealing, with industry and good nature and loving kindness. A sermon which demonstrates how a poor boy may travel far over difficult paths, if he observes and makes use of the steppingstones, close study, eagerness to know, perseverance, attention to duty, sense of responsibility, personal cleanliness, thrift, willingness to work at details, willingness to undergo hardships. And from the ideals of our departed friend as these were illustrated in a long, busy and complex career, may be learned lessons in the age-old virtue: loyalty to friends, devotion to family, attachment to home, interest in others' welfare, and in patriotism. Not that cheap, blatant variety of patriotism, which rushes into print with demagogic professions and delivers bombastic addresses on Our Country; but that patriotism which constructs order in public affairs and sustains government. His patriotism comprised an intelligent investigation into underlying principles, a jealous watch to detect any pernicious infringement of rights, constructive criticism when such was needed, and, always, his immediate attention to every duty of a good citizen. J. M. Garrett's virtues were outstanding. To his example in all relations of life which demand for their strengthening and enlivening and sweetening the basic virtues, firmness, courage, trustworthiness, earnestness, sincerity, forthrightness, probity, young men may profitably be pointed. He walked fearlessly, proudly among his fellows, concealing no schemes of malefic intent, ashamed of nothing he had done, mindful of the many meritorious works he had conceived and developed. Had my brother and friend held his life to the pattern upon which it was designed by a devout – intelligent devout – father and mother,; and he embodied in his mature life the religious zeal and earnest faith of his young manhood – his life among men would certainly have approached the ideal. To him then, might the young look for all and full inspiration and guidance. My friends, the candor which I here employ was enjoined upon me by the departed. All present who knew J. M. Garrett intimately will understand. He gave me my commission to perform the sad office of speaker. He was clear in his mind as to what he wished to be said and done. On the afternoon of July 1st, 1935, my brother-in-law came to pay me a visit, as was his wont. We sat on my lawn alone and talked. Directly he said: "I wish you to talk at my funeral. And that is all that I want, too. No preacher, no singing, no Bible reading. I do not object to these formalities for those who believe in them. They would be entirely out of place over me. You tell them so, why I do not have them." My friends, I am speaking under an explicit commission. James Madison Garrett was born at Mt. Willing, Lowndes County, Alabama, on September 24th, 1864. His father, who bore the same name, was remarkable for his sagacity, his exactness of information, and for his uprightness of life. His mother, whose maiden name had been Belle Mooney, was a woman of intelligence and aggressive nature. They were not people of great money, but they held another sort of wealth in the culture: their ambition for their children and in the confidence and love of their community. Jim, as the subject of this sketch we called, was the oldest of eight children. When he was 14 years old, his father placed him in the Strata Academy, which school later became Highland Home College. He liked to tell that his father carried along the wagon in which they rode of over muddy, bumpy cross-country roads, a barrel of homemade sugar cane syrup. The was given in part payment on his board. He liked to boast, too, that his father made good syrup, and that he tanned good leather. His entrance at this well known institution gave direction to his career. First, beginning studious and serious, and intelligent to the degree that he was noted for precocity, he learned rapidly and soundly. For four years he remained under the instruction and guidance of J. M. Barnes and the other virile characters who operated the school. Then he taught at Highland Home for four years. By these experiences he acquired a basic education upon which he afterwards built by diligent study and reading, a remarkable structure of general knowledge and particularly of technical knowledge. Engineering he chose as his profession. In 1886, while he was an instructor in the college, he was called to his first engineering position, instrument man on the railroad then being built to Luverne. From this beginning, he rose to positions of trust and responsibility – to places of power, where he could do constructive work that will last with time. Hundreds of miles of railroads were surveyed and built by him. Hundreds of miles of public roads in many counties of Alabama and Georgia owe their construction to him. He was County Engineer of Montgomery County, continuously, from 1891 to 1903. In this position he had a large part in building the first really improved highways in Alabama, under the progressive Board of Revenue, headed by Colonel James Gilchirst. In 1924, he was asked by Mayor W. A. Gunter to be come City Engineer of Montgomery. This position he held until 1940. Mr. Garrett was a potent force in pioneering road and street improvement. In 1917, he was elected a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Choosing Strata as a school had yet another far-reaching effects. There was boarding in Mr. Barnes's home, where young Garrett boarded, a girl from a highly esteemed Montgomery County family – Lucy Tankersley. The two fell in love, and later, in 1889, were married. She died in 1910, leaving a group of four children. In 1911 Mr. Garrett married Mary Barnes, the oldest daughter of his former preceptor, J. M. Barnes. She had been a tiny girl when he was an instructor in the school. To this second union, one son was born. J. M. Garrett was a kind and considerate husband. He was a fond and an attentive father. He was not so indulgent, however, that he could not require right and excellence of his children. He was a comfort and a refuge to his younger brothers and sisters, to his nieces and nephews, and to his grandchildren. He was charitable. Many in this city can testify to his acts of private generosity in their times of distress. In his manner oftentimes there appeared a hearty directness which might be construed as unkindness. It was not. Never did J. M. Garrett meant to be harsh. His gruffness was assumed. It was a defense armor. Any official who must constantly decide between the public interest and that of grasping individuals, needs a stubborn defense system. Mr. Garrett's method was to employ directness though it might cause pain instead of smiling duplicity. Dignity and poise pervaded J. M. Garrett's conduct. Nothing frivolous nor cheap ever appeared in his speech or actions. He was sure of his own knowledge; he was sure of his ability to make it felt. He enjoyed companionship, and he made his companionship enjoyable to others. He was regularly, consistently, the gentleman, well groomed, well mannered, well intentioned. In 1891, J. M. Garrett moved to Montgomery. Here he has lived ever since, with short interruptions whenever his business made a transfer of residence necessary. HE built the home on Catoma Street in 1899. By frugality at first, and always by hard work and sound judgment, he accumulated a competency. No family was higher claim than this Garrett family for honorable service rendered to State and country in times of war and peril. The great-grandfather of J. M. Garrett rode away on his horse, from his pioneer home in South Alabama, and went to the aid of white settlers in the Fort Mims region, who was hard pressed by Indians. He was heard fo nevermore. The father of J. M. Garrett was a Confederate soldier. He was fighting to defend Atlanta, at the time this son was born. In the first World War, J. M. Garrett had two soldier sons. In this present conflict, are three sons, and three grandsons. Since our boyhood, J. M. Garrett and I have been close friends. Many different conditions have characterized our association as schoolmates, as teacher and pupil, engineer and rodman, fellow club members, social intimates, brothers-in-law, friends always. Disagreements have arisen but no misunderstandings. Arguments in plenty there have been, but no harsh words. For 65 years the closest sorts of relationships have been maintained between us on a basis of respect, esteem and amity. Thus closes an earthly existence. Thus passes a strong man who with his strength combined gentleness and compassion. Thus ends the investigation and the speculations of a scholar and scientist, who worked with transit and chain instruments of exactitude, but who found pleasure in poetry and fascination in the movements of the heavenly planets. Never itself turbulent, his life- stream flowed often through turbulencies. Thus it flowed for 79 years, with vigor but with tranquility, even as a mighty river may move majestically, quietly, but with a sureness and wonderful power.