The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1881-02-22
DEATH OF HON. OSCAR A. sEDMAN.
MORNING SESSION.

MORNING SESSION.
Blake announced that the death of his
colleague, Hon. Oscar A. Sedman, of Madison,
took place in this city at p. m, yesterday,
the 18th inst.
The speaker appointed Cullen, of Lewis &
Clarke county, and Eastman, of Madison, a
special committee to inform the council of
the sad event. and to invite that body to meet
the house at II O'Clock, in the hall Of the
house.
The chaplain offered solemn and appro-
pirate prayer, and alluded feelingly to the
great loss the family and community had
sustained in the death of Mr.. Sedman.
Blake, Cullen, DeWolfe, Parchen and Gar
lock were appointed committee to draft
resolutions appropriate 10 the occasion.
The house then TOOK a rcess for one hour.
The first notice that most persons had of
the death of Mr.. Sedman was on seeing Grape
affixed to the doOr-knob of the house. The
vacant seat was appropriately draped, and The
vacant chair was turned backward to his
desk. The members took their seats in
| silence and with sorrowtul faces.
At IL o'clock, the members of the council,
preceded by the president and officers, ap-
peared in the hall of the house, and on being
seated, the president called the members to
order.
The clerk called the roll of both houses,
and a noticeable silence marked the call of
Sedman's name.
The president then announced the object
tor which the two houses had assembled to-
gether.
Blake, from the committee on resolutions,
presented the following:
WHEREAS, Hon. Oscar Alfred Sedman, a
member Of the council of the 18th legislative
assembly, and of the house of representatives
Of this legislative asst mbly, passed to the i'm
mortal life on the 18th day of the present
| month ; therefore be it
hesolued, BY the council and house of
| representatives :
1st.-That by the death of Mr.. Sedman the
people Of the territory have been deprived of
| the services of a faithful and upright legisla-
| tor, and that Madison county has sustained
great loss OF all efficient and high. minded
| representative.
| 2d.-That JOINT committee, consisting of
one member of the council and one member
| of the house of representatives be appointed
| to accompany the remains of the deceased to
| Virginia City.
3l.-That as a further token of our respect
| for the memory of the deceased, the house
of representatives and council do adjourn for
this day.
4th-That the clerks of the council and
|
to spread upon the journals these resolutions
on the 18th inst, and that on the journals of
this day the following entry shall be made:
| SIN MEMoRIAM
HON. OSCAR ALFRED SEDN1AN.
Born March 9th, 1888.
Died February 18th, 1881"
| 5th.-That we hereby tender to the widow
and children of our late associate the SYM
pathy of all the members of this convention
| i'll their hour Of bereavement, and request
the clerk of the house to transmit to the
widow Of Mr.. Sedman copy OF these resolu'
tons.
Mr.. Blake then spoke as follows:
For the first time in the history of Montana
a member of the legislative assembly in the
time of It's session, has been called away from
earth. The name of Hon. Oscar A. Sedman
will no longer be borne upon the roll of the
house. Upon occasions of this solemnity
many persons express their feelings in the
most appropriate manner by silence. While
l have wished at this time any action could
be controlled by this sentiment, l deem it
proper,as the colleague of Mr.. Sedman in rep
resenting Madison county, as well as his
neighbor aud friend, to render to him the
tribute which his life in its manifold relations
demands.
Upon the ninth day of March, 1888, in
Sweden, Mr.. Sedman was born. He re-
manned at the place of his birth until the age
of seventeen years, when he emigrated to the
United States. Pushing westward from the
Atlantic coast, he was pioneer of Colorado
and in 1858 became miner in Alder Gulch
where he has since resided. During this
PERIOD comprising the chief part of his years
and industry, Mr.. Sedman has been identi
fed with all the interests of the territory. He
has been ap ardent supporter of the system Of
free schools, and served as trustee of his
district in order that education might thrive
He has been associated with the Masonic fra
ternity, the Royal Arch Chapter and Knight:
Templar nearly ts enty years. aud discharged
in these organizations the duties of a number
, of their offices. In 1878 and 1880 the voters
of Madison county thrust upon him the mem
bership of the 1lth and 18th legislative as
spmblies, and he performed with integrity
and ability his labors in the council and
house of representatives.
While Mr.. Sedman suffered from the dis
, advantages OF his instruction in toreigr
tongue, he sought by untiring efforts to over
come these obstacles, and achieved a remark
( able success III acquiring the English Ian
| guage. But he was endowed in the highest
, degree with the genius which is known as
common sense. have known few men wht
welded a greater influence over their fellow
citizens, and my associates upon the floor O
the house will testify willingly to this fact
Mr.. Sedman renounced early his allegiance
, to the kingdom of his nativity and gladly
qualified as a citizen of the United States. Ii
this matter he was animated with the zeal of
convert, and no person showed deeper love
fpr his adOnted cou ntry and its re nublican in