Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-07-09
DEATH OF ALANsON SHARKS.

received with profound sorrow throughout the
city, where Mr.. Starks was beloved and highly
honoied. lie has for some time been afflicted
with heart trouble, and it was the opinion of his
physician that he would die suddenly in of
the attacks snperinduced by this trouble. lie
came very near dying in serious attack of this
kind, some two months slce On Saturday he
! thought lie detected the indications of the APP
proaeh Of the disease, and on Sunday, although
about iet hardly able to attend church. Yesterday
forenoon. however, he was able to visit his Office
aud attend to the duties thereof He returned in
the afternoon, and about 3 80 o'clock was con-
versng with friends while resting on the settee in
| the vestbule OF the court ouse. He was engage
ed in discussing, with his peculiar warmth ard
| earnestness questions of internatI onal law. Sud-
denly he arose and entered his office, and quickly
returned, his countenance pallid, and saying to
| Sheriff Libby, who near by with his team,
| Cary me home" While being conveyed home
he scarcely spoke, his breathing was exceedingly
labored and be coughed frequently. Inten min
utes after entering the house. he died, and be e
fore physician could be summoned
| Alanson Starks was born in Monmouth in this
county, on the 10Th of June, 1904, and conse-
| quenty was seventy-four years Of age at the time
of his death. His father died in precisely the
same manner as himself fully as sudden. From
the age of four years Alanson was an invalid being
| afflicted with rheumatism of the worst kind which
left its marks permanently upon his person. His
left eye was put out by an accident at the age of
| four years From to ten he was unable to
walk, and the children OF his neighborhood haul
| ed him to school on a handsled in the winter and
on trucks in the summer. Under these difficult
circumstances, which would appal timid minds he
| ohtan an excellent education in the public
schools and at Monmouth Academy. He entered
| the profession of teacher where he labored some
years with success. He went iuto trade at Mon
mouth Centre in 1892. where be remained until be
came TO Augusta Thirty four years ago. AT tina t
| time he appointed Register Of Deeds, to fill
| the place made vacant by the death of Albion
| Richards lie was reelected to the place and
held 1t the two succeeding terms of Eve years
each, being chosen by large majority. He then
went West, where some of his relatives lived, and
was in trade in Neenah, Wisconsin, for two years.
Not being succes sfu, he again returned to Au.
gusta, aud WAS elected member of Gov. Cony's
| Council holding the position two years. Soon
| after the close of that official relation, he was
! chosen Treasurer Of Kennebec county, and has
been honored With ten consecutive elections, and
| would have received a denomination at the forth
| coming county convention, without any oPposi-
| ton. While resident of Monmouth he held
many responsible positions and was chairman Of
The board Of Selectmen number OF years lie
was called to administer on many estates, and his
| advice was often sought on difficult questions, or
| on matters OF oihculty between parties.
| He was married December 3, 1916, to Sarah c.
WEIGH, the faithful. patient Christian wife. who
suIv ives hin. Wi'h no children of their own,
their fl, ctions have gone out 10 the children of
the neighbohood, who were the frequent recip.
tents Of the kindly words and benefactons of
| I" [ ncle and AuLty Starks."
| Alanson Statks wss an honest mantle noblest
work Of God. The earthly record he has left here
| Is spoiess aud have no doubt the books
above are evenly balanced In bis religious be-
| lief he carly became Baptist, and from his wide
7, aiding OF theological works, the contributions Of
the best authors and the Book of all Books, he
saw reason to change his opinion, and never
expected to find any paths better than the old
| paths. His early political training was in the
'som OF the wing party, and Geo. Evans was his
| bean idsa} ofa statesman. On the death of the
| wing party be followed the best element Of that
party INTO the republican ranks, and there he has
| ever found congenisl home. lie was radics
and pronounced on matters Of religious belief and
faith, political economy, moral and social rela-
| tions. aid piacticsl life generally. Aud he was
earnest aud emphatic in stating his opinions and
main, nrg his convictions. From his keen an
aysis of the various questions submitted, and
which came within the range of discussion, the
| listener went away with no doubt of Mr. Starks'
| position. The casual observer might deem him
severe but enter the inner sanctuary Of his ma
ture, and you would find heart as tender as
child's. Thus was bis hand open TO minister to
| the poor and needy; thus did he trust men with
the utmost confidence in their integrity; thus was
he keeny alive to the cry Of misfortune, and was
moved by pity and sympathy for those who were
struggling up the rough and rugged road that in
youth was before him. lie was n man of sound
and liberal culture as his library of books of the
| very best authors will attest.
On questions of national character and impor-
lance he was well informed, and would converse
with the greatest case and delight. His death is
| truly public loss. The church has lost one of
its nobest defenders, the republican party one of
| its pillars and champions, the county a faithful
officer, his family kind husband, the poor .
| end in need, and the community tower of
moral strength uprightness and integrity.
There will be funeral services at the late resid-
ence of the deceased on Sewall street, this after
noon at $50 o'clock, conducted by DIR. Kicker.
All friends invited. Especially are the county of.
| icers invited to attend. After this, the remains
will be removed for interment 10 Monmouth,
where further services will be held on Wednesday
morning
VT. Vernon Locals.
The entire set of farm buildings of Willard F.
Thing, upon the old MAJOR Thing farm in Mt
Vernon, was burned on Friday afternoon. The
| fire broke out in the east end of the barn. The