Outdoor Funeral Service for Capt. Curtis Rhem, So Inmates Can Attend, Aug. 10, 1925

Capt. Curtis J. Rhem. . . Funeral Services for Prison Officials Held at Calidonia Farm—Unique Arrangement for Services—“A Man in Whom There Was No Guile”

Maxton, August 8—The funeral of Capt. Curtis J. Rhem was held from his residence at Calidonia Farm Thursday afternoon at 3 o’clock. A large assemblage of friends was present from all parts of the State, gathering to share the grief of the many relatives of the deceased.

The service was conducted by Rev. Jordan, Rector of the Episcopal church at Weldon, N.C., assisted by the Rev. G.W. Perry of the Weldon Methodist church and the Rev. W.S. Shacklette, Prison Chaplain.

The active pallbearers were Curtis Turner, Jack Turner, Casper Gregory, grandsons of Capt. Rhem; Johnnie and Wilber Rhem, nephews of the deceased; Geo. Ross Pou, Edwin Martin and C.F. Marks.

The honorary pallbearers were N.L. Steadman, J.A. Gillis, H.T. Peoples, H.K. Burgwyn, Dr. J.H. Norman, Chas. Lawrence, A.J. Jones Jr., Cary W. White, Dr. W.J. Ward, Dr. S.B. Pierce, James L Josey, Ira G. Shaw, G.H Nash, H.C. MacNair, S.M. Gary, and Paul Fenner.

The arrangement of the funeral was unique, being held in the grove in the back yard, next to the stockade with the prisoners from both camps participating in the sad rites. For some years the same arrangement has obtained the service each Sunday afternoon was held, in the same grove, employees, visitors and prisoners all joining in the one service. Capt. Rhem when able was always present. This grove was referred to by him frequently as “My Church.”

After the service at the house the body was taken to Weldon and was interred in the family burying ground. The floral tributes were many and beautiful, one design of especial beauty was a center design presented by state officials.

Few men have served the public for so long time without some criticism being made of his service. With him, there was none. Surely he was “a man in whom there was no guile.”

Capt. Rhem was born in Craven county near New Bern 79 years ago, and married Miss Julia Bryan of New Bern, to whom were born one son, Samuel Rhem of Memphis, Tenn., and three daughters, Mrs. Casper Gregory, Mrs. J.S. Turner and Mrs. Marion Inge, all of Weldon, survive.

Capt. Rhem’s was a strong personality. He was a valiant Confederate soldier. He seemed not to know what it was to fear. The greater work of his lifetime as the handling of the State’s prisoners, which he did with signal success for 39 years. And yet, with all that has been said and written about Prison management, the prisoners with one accord voted unanimous expression of sorrow and sympathy for the family at his death. In truth they nearly all wised to be permitted to see the face of their dead master. This was granted to them and many shed tears around his bier.

From page 5 of The Robesonian, Lumberton, N.C., Monday, August 10, 1925

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