George S. Barber - Funeral Announcement

Guelph Mercury – October 23, 1879

OBEQUIES

The Burial of the Late George S. Barber

Sunday afternoon one of the largest funerals that has ever taken place in Guelph was at the burial of the late Geo. S. Barber. The immense multitude of people, the general feeling of sorrow and regret on every hand manifested, and the many expressions of regard for the memory of deceased, was a striking indicating of his real worth and popularity while he was amongst us. A large portion of the Market Square and the whole of Wyndham street and St. Georges Square was crowded with citizens and vehicles. An impressive service was conducted at the house by Rev. W.S. Ball before the casket was placed in the hearse. Just before the cortege commenced to move on, Frederick Barber, a young brother of the deceased was so overcome with grief that he fainted and had to be assisted into the house. The funeral was conducted by the Masonic fraternity, and the Odd Fellows, firemen, and military took part. The driver of the engine team Mr. George Armstrong, carried the cap, belt and scarlet coat belonging to the deceased at the head of the firemen. He and the deceased had always been like brothers and he could not control his feelings on this occasion. The members of the societies present wore mourning badges. The number of vehicles in procession was one hundred and thirteen, and the time taken to pass a point was about half hour. The Artillery Band played the “Dead March” along the route. The following is the order of procession:-

Artillery Brigade Band.
Wellington Field Battery.
No. 2 Company Wellington Rifles.
Members of Off Fellows’ Lodge.
Driver Armstrong with uniform of deceased.
Fireman and Hook and Ladder Company.
Police Force.
Members of Masonic lodges wearing evergreen sprigs.
HEARSE
Pallbearers in Fireman’s uniform – John Spalding, R. Emery, Chase. Spalding, A. Gillies, J. Swindlehurst, T. Fenwick.
Mourners in carriages.
Citizens in carriages.

Many hundred walked to the cemetery after the procession, and witnessed the burial. The impressive Masonic rites were carried out, with W. M. Hugh Walker officiating, the members afterwards casting the evergreen sprigs on the coffin, emblematical of the memory of the deceased ever remaining green in the minds of his brethren.