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Show FUNERAL OF COL ROOT Eloquent Eulejy Delivered Orer the Remains by Ben Luce. " Funeral services over the remalps of Col. "Bill" Root were held at the Elks' clubhouse yesterday afternoon. The services were of a most impressive character and were attended by a large number of friends and acquaintances of the deceased. ' The body was taken to the Oregon Short Line depot and shipped to Lara-mile, Lara-mile, Wyo., where It will be interred in accordance with the expressed wish .of the deceased before his death. Ben D. Luce delivered the following eulogy over the remains: We have assembled here this afternoon for the purpose of bidding a friend and brother, who has left ufi, farewell. Pursuant Pur-suant to a promise made to hin some time ago, I am paying a tribute to his memory. It la one of the traits of human character charac-ter that causes us. in the first rush of feeling, upon occasions like this, to express ex-press our sorrow at the parting, both in word and action. When one whose sunny fac and pleasant voice has cheered us through the years departs from among us. It is natural that we should feel the keenest rcxret. The casket of clay which lies before us held the soul of one whose disposition was peculiar to the Westerner who blazed the trails for civilization to follow through the un tracked wilds. He would share anything any-thing with a comrade; his hand was ever ready to succor the distressed; his was the voice bidding the disconsolate be of good cheer; he did what he could to make others happy and in so doing lived a life of pleasure. Some men travel through life making history and carving for themselves niches In the temple we call Fame who never gladdened a sorrowing heart, while others oth-ers scatter flowers along the wayside at every step, and die. remembered only by those who were blessed by the action. Some' achieve lasting glory who never lightened the burden of misery, while thousands march on to death whose lives were one constant benediction. But who shall say that he who Is great In those things which some designate as Insignificant Is not mightier In spirit than he who has caused the world to ring with praise of some daring exploit? Is not the hand that has protected the Innocent, In-nocent, assisted the feeble one across the rugged way or wiped away the tear from the eye of irrief greater than that which has torn down the walls and devastated a cltv? It is to the former class our friend and brother belonged. While his memory will remain ever green In the hearts of those who knew and loved him, it is not at all likely that he will be remembered in storied urn or animated bust. His life was one of perpetual sunshine, and those who walked in its light were better and happier for so doing. That he pleased the Overshadowing Power is evidenced by the manner of his earthly ending. He was' not called to suffer from the continued con-tinued ravages of wasting disease or the rangs Incident to fatal accident, but, on he contrary, was called home to rest In a moment of time and answered the summons sum-mons and sank to slumber as a little child falls asleep in its mother's arm-So. arm-So. after all, is it really the time for mourning? No. While we may regret, for our own sakes, the parting which de- R rives us of the companionship of a lend and brother, for his sake we should be glad, for he has passed from this earth with its cares and its troubles to a land of eternal peace. It may be said of him that he was not perfect, but who among us Is perfect? He did the best he could, and he who does that need not fear. We are told "That nothing walks with aimless feet: That not one life shall be destroyed When God hath made the pile complete." And so: we. bid him a short farewell. The years shall be few ere we. one by one, will tread the path he has trod. May none of us live worse lives than his. |