The Portland daily press., 1876-09-26
The Late Hon. n. B. Baker of Iowa.

Mention has been already make in our col
umns of the decease of General N. B. Baker,
but we are sure that our readers will be glad to
to have us copy some brief extracts from the
Des Moines Register, telling how much the
whole community there mourned the taking
away of that large hearted, brave and honora-
BILE man. whom so many of our citizens remem-
ber as one of the most genial of friends in
years gone by, when he was a resident in New
Hampshire and Governor of that State.
1t seems hard to realize that one possessed of
such great physical strength and endurance
should have yielded so soon to disease, in mid
die life, but we learn from the Iowa papers
that the foundations of the fatal disease were
laid year ago last spring, while the General
was in Northern Iowa, looking after grasshop-
per sufferers, where he exposed himself in
storm and snow, being out all one day in the
rain or sleet, which days exposure seemed to
fasten upon him the fatal illness.
The Iowa papers were filled for days with ac-
counts of his last illness and funeral obsequies,
but we have only room for short extracts, tell
ing how he was mourned by the citizens of his
adopted state. The remains lay in state and
were guarded by detachments from Iowa Regi-
ments, and the Register says:
The thropg that viewed the remains contin-
ue1 to arrive and depart from nine in the morn
ing until one o'clock. 1t was estimated by the
guard that not far from ten thousand people
called during that time. They embraced all
classes of society-rch and poor, titled aud un-
known, all flocked to see the man they all had
loved. Among them were many children, for
the young were ever Mr.. Bakers especial favor
ties. The poor had many representatives there,
men and women who had been the benefcaries
of his kindness and overfowing charity There
went the Governor that had first named him
Adjutant General of Iowa, and with him two
Ex-Governors that had continued his commits
sion. There came scores of officers that had
known him during the stormy days Of war and
the soldiers that had benefited by his SKILL his
carefulness his patriotism. Living, he was
ever alive to their interests; dead, he lived in
their memories grateful recollection. There
focked the widows and children of Iowa sold
iers, whose claims were never sighted nor ig-
nored by the chief that lay before them so still
and cold The remains lay in state until the
hour announced for the burial services, and even
then many were forced to leave without catch
ing last glimpse Of the features so familiar to
all of Iowa.
And so has been laid at rest General Nathan
iel Bradley Baker. Wherever sterling patriot
| ism is priced throughout this broad land his
| name is revered and honored. Brave men died
on Southern battle6elds blessing the great heart
| that was so full of tenderness for them. Gentle
l children and women will mourn him as a
| friend whose generosity and manliness lived
only to do good to those about him. The citi-
| zens of the city where he lived so long, and
| which gives him burial, will ever bear him in
| kindliest memory. A man without stain, an
| official whose every act was born of probity and
| justice, friend whose charity of heart impov-
ershed his purse, and citizen whose public
spirit was ever enlisted in good deeds for his
i fnll0wa Can Rakar fills hOnOrp1 grave.
Sunshine and shadows where he lies will rest
on heart that beat ever for the good Of 9TH
ers. In history he will fill place accorded to
those who worthily, b:avely, honestly filled
their stations in life, and who left behind them
| records of good.