Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-04-04

Detroit, March ~, 1894, and was buried in
the family burial lot N Or en- Mount Gem
c.,ry, Burlington, on March Gath. He lacked
little less than three months of being 81
years OF age.
Few men OF Mr. Phelpss age" writes
Mr.. Ledyard, whose character and position
give weight TO his kind and apprcciative
words, have attained to 50 high de-
gree OF cminence IN his chosen profession.
AS an crg' ncrr he was careful in his esti-
| mates, planned with delbcralion, hut after
his work was decidodupon, pushed the same
| forward 10 completion, regardless of all
| obstacles. In his dealings with the pubic
| his first 'nsdrra'on wa' always to protect
he interests cont1ded to him. While slow
| To take offence, he would never stoop to
sanction anything which might be con-
| trary to his sense Of tight or to the interests
of his employers. While strict with his sub.
urdinates, eIactng from each the full per-
frmance Of duties, his kindly nature won 10
hm their love and affection, and in his own
| uhtirlng industry he never asked one of
| them to do as much as he did himself
| Among the officers Of the road he was held
| IN the highest respect, ind no matter how
pressing might he his own duties was always
wiling to give others the benefit of his cx-
pcrlence and education.
In social life, while he never sought d )pu.
| lari y or was fOrward to make friends, ne
| attached himself warmly to all whom he met,
and will be mohrncd 10y many good friends
whom he has made during his short residence
| in Michigan. In bis lineage, edu alton, bus
| mess qualifications and views he was q model
| tyne Of m American gentleman"
In recogni ion of Mr.. Phelps's great ability
| and growing cmincnce in his profession. the
University of Vermont in 1888 conferred
| upon him the honorary degree of Master of
| Arts.
1t must be obvious to those who have
watched this life, or who have r. ad even this
simple story of it, that its remarkable succ, IS
was largely due to moral qualities. Mr.
| Phlns was intellectually well endowed his
| mental IA 'ullies were more than ordin uily
cate, capaciOus, and well balanced. But
that which more than all else made
MIA what he was and cap lble
;! doing what he did, that which gave direc-
| ton and momentum to his native powcr and
continuity aud If ctiveneSs to his work, was a
pare, strong and high moral purpose. l. an
| ann GUS Young man should scrutinize this
| lie with view to getting its secret to use
| or his own promotion, This would be the
secret; only sterling qualities win true
| success. Manlincss, integrity, fidelity to
| iuty, open and honorable dealing first W th
ones self and then with all men, these re
| the paths TO real promotion, to the only
| astnS success" 1t is supremacy satisfy
| ~ q TIME when intrigue and triCicry and al
| manner ot dishonest arts seem to carry off
| 81 many ptiz"s, To see a young man start
| ut INTO lite depending for success u; on
| thorough preparation, and conscientious
| york, and manly arts, and then to see him
ak, one after another, all the real rrizes OF
| ME MIR. Phelps has done admirable work
n his profession. 1t is not too much to say
| hat he has added something to its available
| resour' c., and that he has shown himself
competent, had he lived, to enter upon any
work which its future progress might re-
quire Of its most accomplished masters. b II
10 showing to all young men,a he has SO i'm
prcssivcy done, thai the path to power is the
oath of!honor, Of integrity, OF fidelity to
trusts, ot devotion to duty, he has done what
IS OF more service to those he his left behind
rim than if he had hu'lt his monument in
''n" stupcndous work of cngnccrnt genius
and skill
| Ney rtau'iful, a'so, to those who were
intinA' ely a,eorittei with him, w,re his
nvrahle quail les. Modtsty, which always
| accompanies true munhness, sat gracefully
| upon him. He had voud rfu power of
| hclllng affection from those who were
around him. 1t IS said by one who knows
| 'hcll, tuiJ lue lTaChllen hlODS MS rOaQ Will
she'd tears when they hear of his death. If
he wa' so loved by those who stood a. a dis
lance from him, what must he have been to
those who were near him, to father and
mother, to brother and sister, and friend ?
| II is but tn natural sequel of all this to
add that Mr.. Phelps life was an emiuently
happy one He had an ardent love t,r his
profession. He hal great faith in the future
p 'sslbliics OF the profession in this land Of
boundles5 undevelopei resources. He knew
that in choosing it rs his profession he had
| chosen wisely. He was conscious Of powers
which grew with the growing demands made
upon them. lie SAW opportunities for pro-
| fessonal work opening before him beyond
his lDitiesl ambition. NJ wonder lie was
happy, AS every pure, strenuous, noble life
| must be. We have no rclson for thinking
that any foreblding of short life and "a
sud Zen end came into his mind. But if they
did his earnest and joyous nature would
speedily turn them into that lofty strain
that seems to sing through his lite,
And then whats brave, what's noble,
Let's DO II after the high Roman fashion.
Aud make death proud 10 take u.s.
Il is said that when Sc!cormacher's son
died, a youth of great promise, the fathe'
himself a'ccndcd lis pulpit AMI preached
the funeral sermon, and that he brushed
asi e all TIE customary topics OF cOnsola in,
and rested his heart on this thought alone :
God, my Father, is suplemc'y wise, ana
He is very pitiful. He knows why this must
be- and / trust in Him."
VI. H. BUCKHAM,
University of Vermont, Bu liusron, March
%, 1884