Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-05-29
MAJOR C. BECHT.
The Sudden Death Of This Woll known and
Estimable Citizen.

Estimable Citizen.
Until the GLOBE Of Monday announced
the serious illness of Sheriff Becht no one,
beyond his immediate friends, was aware
that there was anything alarming in his case
and comparatively few of his many friends
had heard of his illness at all. When yes
terday (only one day later) the word passed
along the street that the gallant and be-
loved Major Becht was dead, the announce
ment came with suddenness which shock
ed the entire community. His
total illness was of less than
ten days duration and the alarm
ing portion of it but three or four days. On
the evening of the 18th, when the alarm of
fire was given owing to the burning of Dunn,
Thompson & Co.'s refrigerator packing
house on Eagle street, Major Becht was
attending building society meeting at the
hall in the Miller block on Robert street.
The flames looked as though they might
come from the Metropolitan hotel, and the
alarm being turned in from the Metropolitan
box, the report was current that the hotel
was on fire. Major Becht's store bring OPP
posite the hotel, he ran up the street to the
supposed scene of the fire, and became quite
heated in SO doing. While is this condi-
ton he drank some cold water and the
result of it all was that he took cold and
suffered an attack of inflammation of the
bowels. Last Friday, he experienced, as he
| thought, great relief, but it was the relief
| which was the precursor of death, and HE
| medical attendant foresaw the sad and fatal
resultatl that time. On Sunday and Sun
day night, it became apparent to all that his
case was hopeless, and from that time on it
was simply question of time. The period
was sadlv brief and shortly before noon yes
terday the earthly career of Major Becht
closed.
BIOGRAPHICAL
John G. Becht was born in the village of
Glatt, in the province of Hohenzoller Sigmar-
| ingen, on Jan. ~, 1881, and was, consequently,
| aged AZ years and four months at the time of
his death. In 1853, he arrived in Chicago di-
rect from Germany, and, after residence
| there of three years, came to st. Paul in 1856,
where he married, and has ever since continued
to reside.
In 1862 he organized Company of the Fifth
Minnesota regiment OF volunteer infantry, and
| was mustered in az it's captain on March 10, of
that year. On May l, 1868, he received the pro-
motion to his majority, consequent upon the
| Il.
tlnued with the regiment until March, 1866,
when he was mustered out by reason of the
| expiration of his term of service. Immediate
| ly thereafter he was employed by the
government to enquire into certain cotton
claims, in which service, however, he continued
but short time, and returned to st. Paul.
entering into partnership with Mr.. George
Benz, in the wholesale liquor line. In 1875 he
was elected sheriff of Ramsey county, and was
reelected in 1877. As Maj. Becht was strongly
Republican in politics, his election and re-elec-
ton in a strong Democratic county are suffici-
ent evidences of his great popularity, and speak
more In his praise than column of panygeric.
The surviving family consists of Mrs. Becht,
| (whose maiden name was Schelling) the widow,
and four children. Of these, one only is son,
George c., who is now on his way to Europe to
whom the news of his 1ather's demise will
come with double force. The Oldest daught er
is Mrs. Penner, the other two children being
quite young.
| Major Becht was affiliated with nearly all of
the secret organizations of the city.
He was past chancellor commander
Of the Knights of Pythias, a past grand
guished positions in other fraternities. He
was member of Ancient Landmark lodge of
F. and A. NJ. and of the Damascus commandry,
He was also member of Banner lodge Ancient
Order of United Workingmen, and only within a
week had withdrawn from the Odd Fellows
oVAA6 w VIC AdISC VI bOCleUle6
which he belonged. He had So, 900 life insur-
ance in the Masonic relief, $4,000 in the
Ancient Order of Workingmen and $1,000 in
the Druids.
When his death was announced the courts
were adjourned for the day out of respect to
the deceased.
| THE FUNERAL.
The funeral will take place tomorrow
(Thursday) afternoon at half past one o'clock,
. and will be, according to his own request, under
the especial charge of the Masons, though all
of the societies to which he belonged will par.
ticipate. meeting of the bar is to be held
this morning, and meeting of the County
Commissioners has been called for P. NJ to-
day to make arrangements for attending the
funeral and paying their tributes of respect.