Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-11-19
DIED.
DIED.
Truckee, November 14-Infant son of Mr. Menk.
A GOOD MAN HAS GONE.

WIN. +. HICKS whose unsulleG name stands at
the head of this obituary, has passed to the
land of the pure and blest. On Friday even
ing, November 18th, at about 9 O'Clock, he fell
asleep as gently US a babe in its mother arms.
Mr.. Hicks was born in Westbrook, Maine, in
1890 and was therefore in his fifty Fourth year
at the time of his death. He received lis edu-
cation at Westbrook Seminary, came to Califor-
MIA in 1851, and located for time at Folsom.
He was engaged il mining and bookkeeping
for ]. H. Carroll and G. W. Move. From Fol
som he removed to Reno, New, where for two
years or more he acted as agent for II. G. Smith
& Co. He has been in the employment of the
same firm in Sacramento for about fifteen
years Four or five months ago he was obliged
to leave his desk as bookkeeper, in order to
recuperate his falling health. But his vitality
was so low that he was unable to resist the
encroachmert of disease and quick consump-
ton soon accomplished its deadly work The
last act of his life was performed on the 4th of
November, when he was carried by friend
to the polls to vote From remark he made
at the time, he seemed to have the Fremont
ton that he should never vote for another
President The deceased leaves wife, who
seemed proyidentiaily raised for sick bed, TO
render patient loving, watchful service in
his last hours; also two sisters one in West
brook, Maine, and the other in Lynn, Mass.
The only other near relatives are stepmother
and two halfsisters. Mr.. Hicks was most
loving and devoted husband, a warm and
genial friend, man of unimpeachable integ-
rity and the most scrupulous honesty. He
said at one time: Though l have handled
millions OF other peoples money, yet it had
no more value to me than so many chips"
Would that in these degenerate days of vio-
lated trust men in public and private life
might be governed by such principles of
honor His great unselfshness OF character;
his constant generosity in his humble
way, to the poor and to the needy; his kind
and gentle bearing, rendered him approach
able and attractive 10 all who knew him.
One other prominent trait OF his character
was unostentatIon. lie loved the quetude of
home and retiracy of family life. Modest and
gentle as a woman's nature, he loved life of
scclusion, wherein he might crafty his literary
tastes and enjoy communion with 1.-THE true,
the beautiful and the good" While he never
made public profession of religion, he was q
constant reader of the Bible, and never laid
his head upon his pillow without lifting his
heart to God in gratitude for all His goodness
and mercy to him through the day. In per
feet harmony with this lifelong custom, it
was but natural on his death-bed to clasp his
hands once more in prayer and say 80, my
heavenly father l love Thee, l love Thee,
love Thee Thou hast always taken care of
me, and now Thou wilt not forsakc me 0,
my heavenly father, protect us, and keep us
from all evil" Then placing his emaciated
hand upon the head of his heart broken wife,
he offered most touching prayer for her.
He had no fear of death. He said TO his wife
'My future is as clear as the sun. l am going
home We so through the dark river alone,
and this is to try our faith. l shall wait for
you there. The only thing dread is the last
wrench" Then turning to his loving and de-
voted wife he said: do not leave me. When
open my eyes let NE see you near. want
to look upon your face last" In keeping
with his quiet walks and ways he desired
that his funeral be private. Only few In
yited friends were requested to follow him to
his last resting place. The funeral took place
at his late residence, attended by those
who knew him well and loved him for his
sterling qualities Two of his favoritc hymns
were sung at his funeral:
al would not live Away ask not to stay
Where storm after storm rises dark o er the way.
The few lurid mornings that dawn on us here
Are enough for life's woes, full enough for its
cheer"
The other entitled:
When the mists have cleared away
We shall know as we are known,
Never more to walk alone
In the dawning of the morning
When the mists have cleared away
At the grave appropriate music was also
rendered. After the floral tributes had all
been bestowed, costly and rare, the desolate
widow performed the last sad and touching
ceremony. "Let me see your face, let your
hand perform the last kind Office" was his
dying request. Accordingly the bereaved one
stepped forward, assisted by loving friends
and laid most beautiful bunch of violets (his
tayorite flowers) upon the new-made grave.
That same devoted hand wrote for another
the following words, appropriate to this hour
as well;
safely thou hast crossed the dark river,
And safe on that beautiful shore
Thou hast found thy long-lost loves ones,
And met them TO part no more
Thy cares, thy sorrows and thy tolls are ell DONE
Dear spirit, wait for me till comet