Newton County GaArchives Obituaries.....Simms, General James P. May 30 1887
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Phyllis Thompson http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00011.html#0002524 June 19, 2004, 9:34 pm

The Georgia Enterprise, June 3, 1887
GENERAL JAMES P. SIMMS IS DEAD
One of the best, noblest, purest and truest men in the State called to join the
"silent Majority."
  General James P. Simms died at his home in this city Monday morning last, at 
the hour of 12:23 a. m., May 30th, 1887. He was born in Newton County, January
16th, 1837. Aged 50 years, 4 months and 14 days.
  This brief announcement will carry grief and sorrow to the hearts and homes 
of hundreds of dear friends in this county and state. For days and weeks this 
good man had been confined to a bed of pain and suffering and although his 
death was not unexpected yet, when the sad news of his demise floated out upon
the soft air of a calm May morning stillness and quietude appeared to pervade 
the city. As the clouds obscured the sun and the gentle rain softly fell to 
moisten the earth with its tears, it was as if nature was paying tribute to the 
good General. The loss of such a man is a dire calamity to any country or 
community, for it can be said in truth, and without exageration, that a more 
honorable or patriotic gentleman never "wrapped the drapery of his couch around
him and lay down to pleasant dreams," than was our prominent and dearly beloved 
fellow citizen, whose spirit winged its flight to the great beyond on that long 
to be remembered Sunday night. In the paths of peace, in the private walks of 
life, on the red and bloody field of battle, he displayed a devotion to truth, 
right and justice that will live in the memory of his countrymen until the 
stars in heaven shall set to rise no more. His manly form, his bright eyes, his 
generous heart and willing hands have been paralyzed by the icy touch of death, 
yet the record he has made here on earth will remain and grow brighter as time 
draws its weary length nearer to eternity. Although a man of iron will and
courageous ever to recklessnes, within his chivalrous breast there throbbed a 
heart which was tender, kind and true. General Simms was what might be termed a
modest and unpretentious man, and at no time and under no circumstances did he 
ever push himself forward for place or position, and offices of honor and trust 
which have been bestowed upon him was deservedly won by merit alone, and worn 
with that ease and grace so becoming to a gentleman of his unselfish and 
generous disposition. He entered active war service as Major in the heroic old 
53rd Georgia Regiment, and was promoted Brigadier General as a slight token of 
appreciation for gallantry on the field and close and kind attention to his men 
on the march and in the camp, at the time of his promotion being probably the 
youngest General in the Confederate Army. When he represented his county in the 
halls of legislation the people knew that their every interest was in safe and 
prudent hands. When he plead the case and cause of his fellow man before the bar
of human justice his client knew full well he had an honest and zealous 
advocate. When a friend in distress appealed to him for aid or assistance it 
was a certain fact that he never went away empty handed. The General was not a 
wealthy man, in the sense wealth is commuted by gold and bank bills, yet he had 
sufficient fortune to handsomely sustain himself and family, and to always 
contribute to the wants and necessities of a worthy brother in the hour of 
misfortune. He was rich, however, by being the possessor of countless virtues
and a soul which was purity personified, and we believe, as firmly as we do in 
our own existence, that this good and perfect man will find peace, rest and joy 
everlasting in his new home beyond the stars- and we believe, further, that he 
will not be a stranger as he walks the pearly streets of the New Jerusalem; for
surely there must be some substancial reward beyond the cold and silent grave 
for one who lived as he lived, and died as he died, for he met the white-robed
angel with composure and made no complaint because his Lord and Master was about
to convert his happy and peaceful home into a house of grief, gloom and sadness.
  Politically, General Simms was an uncompromising Democrat, and what has been
said of another can well be said of him: "he followed the morning star of 
Democracy from the noonday secession through the darkest hours of midnight of 
reconstruction, and with the dawn of peace and reason, he saw it shine over a 
united people, as bright and clear as the star of Bethlehem, which presaged the
coming of Christ; and as truly as he believed that God reigned and ordered all 
things for good, did he believe that this morning star of Democracy which has 
returned to its meridian and shines once more above the White House at 
Washington, presaged the final triumph of freedom, and the reign forever and 
aye of the people's simple majesty."
  Religiously, he was a Methodist, and lived and died in the belief and 
teachings of that great church. At his own home, around his own fire side, he
was loved with a devotion akin to idolatry, and in return he exhibited a 
tenderness and affection for his precious wife and darling son and daughter
which was touchingly beautiful and which made his family altar like unto a 
Paradise on earth.
  While we have known Gen. Simms long and loved him well, the discrepency in our
ages precluded that intimacy and companionship by which the ties of life long
friendship bind the heart of one man to another, and in consequence we are not
prepared to write such a memorial as the goodness and greatness of our departed
friend deserves. However, an intimate acquaintance of the General has signafied
a willingness to pen an appropriate biography, which will appear in the next 
issue of this paper.
  Tuesday morning the remains of General Simms were deposited in the new 
cemetery, where a large number of sorrowing friends congregated to pay a last
tribute to his pure and spotless memory. He was born in Newton county in the 
month of January, 1837. He leaves a brother, Hon. A. B. Simms, and a sister,
Mrs. Edward Heard, a wife, son and daughter, besides many relatives and friends
to mourn his departure. May he sleep sweetly. His people loved him fondly in 
life and in death they will not forget him. The sympathy of this entire 
community is with the loved ones whose heart-strings have been torn asunder on 
account of the death of this noble citizen and illustrious soldier-this good 
and perfect man.



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