The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1878-06-14
DEATH OF RohERr B. HURST.
EmpOrta. Saddened by the Desth of
One or its Best Citizens.


Emporta. Saddened by the Desth of
One OF its Best Citizens.
Our citizens were startled last Monday
morning, to hear that Robert b. Hurst
was dying, and the unweleome rumor
was too soon confirmed by the announce
ment about IL a. m. that he had died, af-
ter very short illness, which was not
considered dangerous until Sunday. Mr.
Hurst had been more or less troubled for
some time with sore throat, but had not
been absent from his position as cashier
of the FIRST National Bank until Thurs
day morning, last week. he having gone
to bed sick the evening before. Saturday
callers at has house found him up and
dressed, but scarcely able to talk, his
voice being almost ost in consequence of
the swollen condition OF his throat He
pthen, however, talked of soon being on
duty at the bank again. Saturday even
ing he became rapidly worse, and sank
into Inconsistencies, in which condition
he remained up to his death, about IL a.
m. Monday There were few if any bet
ter known, and more universally esteem
ed citizens OF this county, than MIR. Hurst,
and his unexpected death cast gloom
over the entire community, and evoked
universal sympathy for his wife and
children, and other relatives, including
his aged mother, who had recently come
here to pass her declining years near her
son.
The L. .. o. F. Lodge, of which Mr..
Hurst was q member, took charge of the
funeral ceremonies, which were appoint
ed for p. m. Wednesday. A very large
concourse of people assembled at that
date at the family residence, the Odd
Fellows being in full regalia. The SER
vices were conducted by DR.. C.. r. Pome-
roy, D. D. After reading of scriptures,
and prayer, the chant ''There is an hour
of peaceful rest'' was sung by Messrs. 8.
B. Riggs, j. w. Williams, Mrs. j. q.
Clark and Miss Allie Riggs. DIR. Pomeroy
then made some remarks, and Hon. G. ".
Eskridge read the following brief and ap-
propriate sketch of Mr.. Hurst's life and
character
One of the highest duties of the living
is to show proper regard for the dead
The prominent position which our de.
ceased friend, Robert B. Hurst, held in
this community and in our State renders
| it fitting that on this occasion there should
be presented at least q brief sketch of his
life. need enter no apology fer the
limited time in which to discharge the
| duty assigned me. Not that anything
which may be said will affect him. He is
gone. But his many virtues, his manly
course in life, his mental and social en-
| dOWments, his unyielding integrity. his
high moral character, should be at least
somewhat specially considered, not for
| his ears, for they are deaf, not for his eyes,
| for they are blind in death, but for the
benign influence OF noble example to
those of us who .'still i've" The excel
lent qualities make an indeIible impress
sion upon the hearts of all who had the
pleasure OF his acquaintance.
They glide above our memories
| Like shadows over streams"
| They fall upon our pathway and s'Vis!t
us in dreams" They inspire emulation
| and admonish US to higher and nobler
purposes in life:
! MIR. Hurst was born on the second day
of June, 1881, in ALTERNATE county, in the
State of Virginia. He was therefore for.
ty-seven years Of age. In 1915 his parents
i emigrated from Al bemarle and settled in
Upshire county, subsequently included
in the construction of the new State of
West Virginia. His father was q mer-
chant tailor with whom Robert learned
the tailor's trade. In 1851, being then
NEARLY tWenty-one years of age, he left the
home OF his parents and settled in West
port, Missouri, where for number of
years he was connected with one Of the
largest commercial houses in that then
hourishing frontier city. In 1859 he came
to Emporia and engaged in the mercan-
tile business. In 1881 he was married to
Miss Virginia Waskey, of WestpOrt, Mis-
souri,. and established his residence per-
manently in this city. Shortly thereafter
he constructed one OF the finest dwellings,
and one of the best business houses OF
which the then village of Emperia could
boast, and which rank among the best
that go to make up our city to-day. He
was elected county commissioner in 1858,
reelected in 1865 and again reelected in
| 1867, thus holding the position, by the
voice of our people, for three terms in
succession and during the whole time, by
the desire of his colleagues, held the po-
sition of chairman of the board. Mr..
Hurst, however, was not a politician in
the sense of seeking office. His tastes and
ambitions did Lot run in that direction.
He was not in any sense a man of bust
ness, but he was in the strictest, highest,
noblest sense business man, whose
word was as good as his note and whose
note was as good as the bank which he
aided in establishing In this city. 1t was
on account of his unblemished character
! bis unfinching integrity, his superior
business qualifications that the people OF
the county so often chose him to manage
their public affairs. While he had in the
most creditable manner discharged his
: duties as county commissioner, he haC
conducted successfully his mercantile
interests. He had built up a splendiC
trade and made many warm friends anG
pleasant acquaintances. Notwithstand
ing all these considerations, he resigned
! his position as commissioner in 1869, solo
out his stock of goods and removed to TIL
: newly organized county of Labette. N
this State, where he also had relatives anC
, acquaintances in business. Here he pur.
. chased farm and made extensive I'm
proyements. 1t was very evident tina
shortly after he left his many friends here
he began to reaIi7e that not less were thu
people OF this community endeared TO hin
than he was to them. The ties he had tries
to break by his removal from our midst on
iy grew the stronger from the efforts t.
1 sever them, So in 1870. less than one brie
year. he returned 20 EmpoPia where tn,
, warm greeting of his old friends still
strengthened the ties Of former days anc
he concluded once more to cast his for
D tunes with ours. In 1870, with a number
OF other gentlemen, he established tn
Neosho Valley Bank, which was shortl,
] thereafter transformed into the First Ma
e rional Bank of Emporia. On the first or
ganization OF this institution ne was
elected by the directors as cashier. which
position he continuously held UP to thu
Ilme OF his death. Such in brief is tn
n life OF man whose death we all mourn
to-day The worth OF suen a man to
community can hardly be estimated. W.
: mourn his loss as a friend--we mourn his
D los as business man-we mourn hi
loss as an enterprtsing citizen-we mourn
: hiss loss, not knowing how, where or b.
whom the vacant place will be filled. w
e1toll his virtues. The good men d.
{ should live after them. We speak CT hi
excellent traits of character that we ma,
profit thereby. Death breaks the stron
? gest earthly tiesi To this truth all mus
Friend after friend departs,
Who hath not lost q friendI
J, There is no union here of hearts,
I That finds not here an end.''
The hymn. EtJesus LoVer of nv soul,