The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1878-03-28
LIFE Is AIN.
Sudden and Unexpected Death Of
mir. George H. Durfee at Eesn
Lake on Thursday
Last.
The Funeral Largely Attended From
the Residence of Hon. John
F. Richards.

That life is uncertain and death is sure is n
truism which no one can gainsay, yet when
It comes SO sudden and unexpectedly as 1t did
in the case OF Mr.. George II. Durfee on Thurs
day last, IL causes US to pause and wonder
why those who are in the midst of the best Of
health should be called upon to solve the
great. mystery which lies beyond the grave
without even a moments warning. Still, We
all know that, sooner or later-whetber we be
blessed with health or blighted with sick
ness-ihe dark and dismal tomb will claim
us for its own, Eand we can hope that a
charitable world will remember only that OF
our earthly career which was good, leaving
all our faults to be hidden forever beneath
eaTth's cold sod.
The particulars of the death of Mr.. Durfee,
as nearly as we can gather them from Mr..
Charles II. Durfee and Henry Mason, who ac-
companied him to Bean lake on Tuesday
are as follows: They left this city at half past
ten o'clock on Tuesday morning, going across
the river on the ferry boat, and boarded the ii
O'Clock train for Iatan at East Leavenworth,
arriving at the lake, which is situated three
miles north of Iatan, about two O'Clock in
the afternoon. All went well with the sports
men during the afternoon of Tuesday, moth
ing Transporting farther than a remark by MI.
ID. that he could not stand to tramp around
the lake as well as he could a year ago. We'd
nesday also passed OFF quietly, and Mr.. Durfte
retired in the evening
IN THE BEST OF SPIRITS,
stating, on arising on Thursday morning,
| that he had passed the night in the "Land of
Dreams" and that he thought he was at his
cattle rancho on the North Platte river, in
Nebraska. where himself and his boss herds
man desired to take a train for some indefi-
mite point, but being too late, they hired
buggy and started in pursuit. The narrative
| of this dream was considered as dreams usu-
| ally areas only dream, and, after getting
| breakfast, George, as he was familiarity called
| by those who knew him intimately, took his
gun and stated TO the rest of the party that he
believed he would walk up 10 DRY Lake"
about two miles from the house at which
they Were stopping, and see what he could
| kill, returning to the house in time for them
| 10 take the afternoon train for Leavenworth.
Charley and Mr.. Mason remained at the
| lower end of the lake, hunting in that vicin-
ity until after eleven O'Clock, when, becom-
ing somewhat alarmed at Georges prolong-
ed absence, started in pursuit. They had not
| proceed d farther than half mile up the
| lake, on the east side, when some one on the
opposite side called to them TO know whsth-
or not they had pardner with them. On
receiving an affirmative answer, the stranger
informed them that man was
LYING READ
over where he was, and requested MeSsrS.
Durfee and Mason 20 come across and see
| whether or not he was one of their party.
This intelligence OF course caused a shudder
10 pass through the hearts of the searchers,
and it was with trembling hands they piled
| the oars of the boat which was to carry them
| across that stream which, only a few hours
previously, presented so much enjoyment
| But they steeled their hearts against every
appreh eusion, and in a few moments more
anchored their skiff on the opposite shore
II is beyond our power TO describe the sad,
sad feelings which enve!Oped their whole
beings when, advancing TO the spot indicated
by the messenger who had signalled them 10
cross the lake, they behe!d, clasped IN deaths
cold embrace, the form of their beloved rela-
tive.
| 1T WAS THE IMPRESSION
among those who found the body, that Mr..
return 10 the house, as lac had killed couple
of ducks, and had them in his hand when
| found. y log lay across the footpath that
runs along the side of the lake, and Mr. Dur
fee seems 10 just have stepped over it when
| overcome by the apoplectic stroke which
closed his life. The body was removed TO the
farm house where the party were stopping,
and the coroner notified, who soon came up
| on the scene and
ISPANNELED 4 JURY
| of neighboring farmers residing in the vicin-
| ity, one or two other persons were examined
who testified tina; they had seen the body
| lying on the ground, &C., as above described.
| the verdict rendered being that the deceased
| had come to his death from apoplexy or from
heart disease. The inquest was concluded
| about three o'clock Thursday afternoon, when
| a conveyance was dIocured, and Messrs. Dur
fee and Mason started home with the remains.
| reaching this city at three O'Clock Friday
| morning. The body was taken TO the resi-
| dence of Hon. John F. Richards, on the
North ESplanade, aud his wife, who was
passing the night with Mrs. Charles Durfee,
notified.
Only those who have experienced like
shock can imagine how this information fell
upon the wife. No language is adequate for
us to approach the slightest degree OF that
pain which so suddenly shrouded her whole
heart with Its
GREATEST GRIEF.
The body was dressed and placed In an ele-
CANT casket at an early hour, and notices of
the funeral, which took place from the resi-
dence of Mr.. Richards, at three o'clock yes
terday afternoon, circulated throughout the
city.
The notice which appeared in these columns
yesterday morning, announcing his death,
caused much sorrow among his large number
OF friends, many of whom visited the resi-
dence during the forenoon for the purpose of
obtaining a last and farewell look at his NOR
tai remains, and long before the appointed
hour for the funeral, the streets in the vicini-
ty Of the residence were lined with vehicles,
and the house crowded to its utmost with
those who had known and loved him while
living among us.
Mr.. wN. v. PAGE,
pastor of the First Presbyterian church, rem
dered the religious services at the house, and
at half past three, the body was placed in the
hearse and started for Mount Muncie GENE
tery, followed by a long procession of car
riages.
After a short service at the grave, the body
of George III. Durfee, one of our best and
most beloved citizens, and amidst the signs
and tears of many who knew him only to
love him, was consigned 10 that spot where
it is TO repose in peace until time shall be no
more.