The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-06-09
ON HIS DEATH-BED

An Eccentric Physician Arra1p.s for Ills
Buriat, and Even Charters a Funeral
Train.
There were some incidents connected
with the death of the late DR.. S. j. Ford,
formerly of Richmond, Indiana, and
iatteriy oil Hagerstown, whose burial at
West Sonora, Ohio, has been chronicled
tnat render his going" rather remarka-
Die one. He had accumulated quite a
competency by notably close and careful
business habits, but he was regarded
square in his transactions, even when
most exacting and when he came to die
the traits that had marked his course
through life characterized his preparations
Tor the grand finale. He thought then, as
he had always believed before, that il one
wanted thing doe well he had better do
II himself, and he not only dictated the
arrangements for his funeral, but negoti-
ated with the parties who were to carry
them out in detail. After fixing on the
accustomed preliminaries, and having
agreed to pay Rev. Shack ltord, of the
Methodist church S25, and Rev. Warbing-
ton, OF the Christian church, $l5 for con-
Quoting the funeral services, he sent for the
station agent to negotiate special rates for
taking friends, including Masonic escort
ana brass band, together with his re.
mains to West Sonora. He was informed
that when twenty or more went, excursion
rates could be procurred-i. O., 81 40 for
the round trip, and If fifty or more, 81. 90 a
head woald do it. He at once accepted the
latter terms, and bought and paid for llO
tickets. Later it occurred to him that his
friends would have to hustle around incon-
venently early to get his remains to the
90 rain N,
IN the mording, in order to make cOnnec.
ton in Richmond with the Little Miami
train for Sonora, and he again summoned
the station agent to know what a special
train would cost. The agent communicated
with Superintendent John Il. Miller, of
Richmond, who agreed to send an engine,
baggage-car and coach for 5000 in add.
ton to the regular fare, and the dying man
at first consented to the proposition, but
he, on reflection, concluded that, while he
had n baggage-car almost entirely to him"
sell. his o mourning friends would be too
much crowded in one coach, and asked,
since he was patrohzng the road to the
amount OF $3.50, that Mr.. Miller send two
coaches. Had it been for the purpose of
going to the races, or even campmeeting
$40 more would have been asked; but the
big'hearted superintendent could not hold
ouI against uylnb request, anu III was q
go. Mr.. Miller not only sent tive coaches,
but three. That perfected arrangements to
Sonora, and there he engaged and paid for
the entertainment of the entire company
at the best inn in the town, aud then he
felt resigned. Everything, even to the fun
eral wreaths, had been provided, and he
awaited the grim monsters coming, con-
scious to the last. He was So years of age,
and left wife-his third-but 81 years old.
He married her when she was but Is, and
always treated her more like daughter
than a wife, having known her from child
hood. Between her and son by former
wife, he divided the bulk of his pile, but
he left So coo to be distributed in sums OF
from $500 to $500 between those of his old
sweethearts who are now widows and old
maids and need it, He also left $3.50 for
the hired girl, tore up 81 600 worth of notes
against people who could not pay them
and to party to whom he had sold a 500
home, on which he paid but 1925, and
seemingly could not pay the balance, he
was equally kind, providing that he should
have the house on the payment of SIS
more to the widow.