The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-03-14
THE FUNERAL OF THE MURDER
ED POLICEMAN.


an INDICATION OF sympathy Jana regret LOT
the unfortunate fate of the brave officer,
and an expression of sentiment that may
we'll strike terror to roughs and despera-
does. The various civic and military
bodies assembled at the house on 10Th
street at 8 o'clock and formed 10 process
sion in the following order,
Davenport police under command of
Capt, Tilebein.
Moline Police under command of Mar
shall Fish.
The Rock Island Police.
Bleuer's Band.
Rodman Rifles in white gloves with
arms reversed.
The Mayor, City Council, and all city
officers, followed by the Coroner and Fore.
man of the Coroner Jury.
Board of Supervisors.
The Hearse with six policemen as pail
bearers
Next came 20 carriages containing
mourners and citizens.
As the body was conveyed from the
house to the hearse the band played fun
eral dirge, which, together with the military
display gave solemnity to the scene,i in con,
trast to the deadly struggle that had been
enacted only few blocks away, at that
midnight hour, with the cowardly MUIR
derers whom it is to be hoped will suffer
the full penalty of the law. The pro-
cession moved slowly down 10Th street to
second avenue, thence to st. Joseph's
church where the solemn and impressive
ceremonies peculiar to the catholio religi-
gion were performed by the Rev. Father
Mackin, after which the body was taken
to the Catholic Cemetery for burial. The
City Council and officials accompanied the
body to the grave. The Rodman Rifles
and Firemen formed an escort to the city
limits. Where the Rifles formed 10 open
order and stood a rest on arms as the
hearse and p recession passed.
The services in the church were very
impressive. The Rev. Father spoke from
the following text:
And he said unto them what manner of com ,
municati0ns are these that ye havetone to another
as ye walk, and are sad?' Luke XIV. II.
The manner Of communications which
makes you fellow citizens, as you walk, sad,
is the stern reality of death.
1t is sad to hear of deaths havoc in the
tenderness of youth, in the strength of
manhood, even in the decline of old age.
Appalling, indeed. is the news, when death
steals into the haunts of domestic happi-
ness, and snatches, through lingering i'll
ness, the victim Of his rapacity, from the
grasp of flial love. from the embrace Of
coDjugal affection, from the endearing ties
of warm friendship; from sill that earth
holds dear and most cherished. Sadder,
yet, is deaths visitation when no time is
given to say farewell or parting word
of adieu to those near or beloved.
But, oh death, how frightful and how
painful to hear that thou CONTEST like a
thief in the night with a horde of bastard
~ assassins to strike down him who was of
Spartan vaIor, and who, like Leonidas, in
the Thermopyie of old, guarded until
death the sacred path which led to cur
city's peace. 1t is this news, worthy
friends, that makes you sad. For this
reason are you, of all Municipalities
and forms Of belief, assembled to mourn
the loss and honor the memory of our noble
and heroic Police Officer Joseph Rosen-
field, who fought and died for the sec urity
of our homes sndLour lives.
In the dark Of night, our city wrapped in
sleep, no eye upon him. save that of the
OmDisciept to urge him to eduty, or impel
him to rush to the scene of danger. be, the
faithful officer, the honest custodian of the
sacred trust Of the city, feared not to as
sert and vindicate the high .behests of the
law, of which he was then the executor, in
the endeavour to restrain and bring to JUS
tice wreckless young men who 20 proving
about our streets. like savage beasts of the
forest in quest of prey. How he performed
his task is known to you ALL Did he on
that fatal night shun the line of their
march? Did he screen himself from their
furious gaze2 Did he quail before their
bowling noise aud retire to the precincts oil
his home close by. leaving defenceless citi.
zens to their mercy and honesty? His
face all maDgled and torn answers, No
His life blood (pointing to the place. on
yonder street answers, MOI His cold
remain, inelosed in that casket answers,
Nol-No! No! Express his words, unuttera.
BILE on his dying lips, presdmablyswere these.
10 tell the mayor and city council, the
lawyers, doctors and ministers of the COS
pei, the bankers. merchants and laborers,
the citizens all that have died in defence
Of their lives, their liberty and possessions.
This testimony of self-sacriGce We &C
cept as rich legacy, and with grateful
hearts will transmit the same to our chill
dren, that the memory of the death of
Joseph RosenEeld may glide down the ages
N Cfn pF ha -
Rock Island, never to be forgotten.
Born in Germany, Joseph RosenGeld
came to this country at the age of four
years. 10 the days of our civil war, he
fought as soldier to save the Union from
dismemberment. At the age of 81, he
leaves vile and Eve childfeO to mourn
his loss.
Domestic relations found him husband
faithful, kind and true; father. loving,
prudent and respectful; brother tender
and sincere. Religion found him a child,
dutiful and obedient; society found him
man of integrity and honor; his country
found him patriot and an intrepid SOL
der his city found him dead in obedience
to her sacred laws, and we hope and pray
that heaven to-day finds him leading the
life of the blessed in reward for his we'll
spent life.
AT the conclusion of Father Makin's
remarks the vast audience in the church
filed around the aisles and viewed the
the corpse and then the military and civic
bodies passed out followed by the pail
bearers with the casket. And thus closed
the solemn and impressive services at the
church. There were none there but felt
sad. None but had some kind word to re-
memher Or some deed To Relate Of khn rnnr-