Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1884-05-09


The deaths of Z. W. Payne and Geo.
Geppert were indeed calamities to this
community that will be felt for long
time. They were born TO be leaders.
movers and public benefactors. Both
were self-made men, and did not owe
their success to being rocked in the lap
Of luxury. They had both been tried
and trusted in many ways they had
been called To positions of honor and
trust, and il was theirs 10 be faithful
and true. Their standing IN this com
munity was evidenced by the hundreds
who followed them TO their silent homes
in the city Of the dead youth and old
age followed their collins those from
near and far we're here all politics, all
creeds, all religions, were present and
shed soTrowful tears over their graves.
The sobs and means Of their widows
and 'orphans were taken up by scores of
sympatbizing friends. and brave hearts
were opened as if it were for their
own dead they were weeping.
We knew Z. W. Payne when he was
just entering public life in Missouri (;
we saw the young farm boy from Dav-
less county enter the legislative halls
where all was new to him, and we
watched him master the intricacies of
legislation saw him succeed rs a bold
and useful member, and heard of him
being received among his constituents
with welcome plaudit "Well done thou
good and faithful servant
We have worked with him here for
nearly two years, and during the time
learned 10 love and admire him as q
brother, and after closely noting the
man under every condition, having seen
with what ease he could master every
detail in business, and with what Won
derGul perspicuity he could calculate in
the affairs of business life, we say in
earnest that he was wonderful man !
His native ability was unexcelled by
any man we have ever met, and had he
been spared but few years longer, he
would undoubtedly have carved out a
name to1be coveted by any man.
His death is a sad bereavement to his
estimable and devoted wife and his nine
children :. but they have many warm
and tried friends here and at their old
Missouri home who will see that they
are always cared for.
George Geppert was universally res
pected and loved by every one with
whom he came in contact. a man of
wonderful energy, of thorough business
habits, honest in every act. the ideal
husband, father and companion, he was
one of natures noblemen. lie was but
entering what must have been n long.
happy and prosperous life, and it does
seem so cruel that he should be thus
suddenly launched into eternity with
out even n moments notice. Only the
night before his death he had been
unanimously elected president Of the
city council. without solicitation, and
in this official position rs in all pri-
waite ones. he occupied, he would have
proved faithful and true.
His position as cashier OF the bank
was one that required rare business
judgment and foresight. and this he dis
played TO a wonderful degree. and in
him WIS TepDsed all confidence by his
co-directors and officials.
lie leaves his widow and only child. q
bright lad Of thirteen, in comfortable
financial circumstances but had he
not, they would never have needed for
the comforts Of life.
Thus do We lay to rest our two tried
ard true friends, men who knew and
valued friendship, and who, under any
and al circumstances, were the friends
OF the friendless, the protectors Of the
weak and the respected ofevery class.
The will of God is accomplished Sc
mote il be. Amen.