The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1885-07-30


mind, as we'll es useful exercise To the
body.
Prof. NoriOn's feet might be IN the
furroW and his hands upon the pillow,
but his mind was ever upon the height
Manual labor was with him always glo-
Eified by the attendant mental visions
reaching out TO the farthest confines OF
the known and eyer seeking 70 Wrest It's
secrets from the unknown.
Prof. Norton's acquaintance with ma.
ture was profound and sympathetic All
departments of natural science were
alike familiar 20 him, and in each he
was remarkably strong and Belf-rellant
and accurate. He especially delighted
in the occult studies OfIthe human mind f;
sociology aud psychology were favorlte
pursuits. He at one time made care
full study OF Fourierism and the various
forms Of community life as practiced at
Oneida, New York, and elsewhere In
this ceuntrY. He Was especially famil-
/ lar with the brook farm experiment of
the New England theOrists- But his
mind was too broad and comprehensive
TO be led of into these various imprac-
ticable schemes for lettering the cOndI-
lions of human life. except for the pun
poses Of study. And BY virtue of such
study he became firmly convinced Of the
not recognize the family a. the unit, and
as the only sure foundation upon which
to build To him the sacredness of the
marriage relation and hallowed IndueR-
ces emanating from the Christian home,
were TO HIM Q vitalized conviction.
Among Mr.. NortOn's faVorite authors
were Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne,
Whittier, Tennyson, Dickens, Theodore
Parker and George Elliot. OF Longfel-
lows works, 10 was EVAnRellne that
dwelt most on his memory. Tennyson's
Princess was TO him q source Of unfail-
ing delight.
Prof. Norton's literary work was Of
no mean order. His various addresses
on popular and scientific subjects. has
sketches of travel, stories and occasional
poems ought to be collected and pub
lIshed In permanent book form. Pro-
fessor Norton's contributions TO the
Kansas Magazine in 1671-72 were
among the most valuable articles pub
lished IN that short lived but excellent
periodical. OF which all early Ransans
were 30 justly proud.
As Journalist, Mr.. Norton had ex-
perience as the editor OF the Daily Pan
tagraph, of Bloomington, Illinois, at an
important period In the growth Of that
city and during the later years of the
war Of the Rebellion. He infused lHto
that newspaper q literary excellence, and
. vigor, especially in his war editorials,
that were the admiration Of the journal
Istic profession of that state. The amount
Of editorial work done by Mr.. Norton
for the Paragraph was the astonish-
ment of Its proprietors and the grave
concern OF Mr.. NOrton's friends. It was
the work of q round half-dozen men, and
terminated, IS all such work must ter
inmate, in physical and mental ex-
haustion. Mr.. Norton was car
ried from the editorial rooms
Of the Paragraph on a
stretcher IN the grey dawn OF a Novem-
Der morning, after he had responded to
the last call for copy for the morning
edition. For many weeks it was q
struggle between the powers of life and
deAth-With much question where the
mastery would be.
Nr. Norton slowly recovered, and
yielding TO the peremptOry advice of
physicians, reluctantly relinquished his
editorship of the paper, and sought the
quiet of his fathers home In Ogle coun-
tY, where, by the loving ministratiOn of
wife and mother, and the fresh air OF his
childhoOd's home, he was lured to
health. BY the Partially OF his friends
and neiShbors he was chosen county
superintendent of schools for that
county. After serving in this position q
few months, being invited by the direc-
tors of the State Normal school of Kan
sas, he came TO EmpOria, AMI COM
menced his labOrs in this institution of
learning, holding the position Of assOci.
ate principal. This was in the fall
of 1865.
OF his valuable services to the cause
of Normal education In Kansas, need
not speak TO an EmporIa audience.
They are too well known and deeply
written IN the hearts OF all his
old pupils, many OF whom are here pres
ent to-day. And they are too firmly
grounded n the memories of the Nor
NAL school itself to need more than
passing mention. Suffice 1t to say that
IN my judgment the marked success OF
the Normal school during those early
days was due largely TO the efficient
labOrs of Prof. Norton. And / say this
with q vivid memory and kindly appre-
citation of the very capable lAbOrs Of
Mrs. Gorham, Prof. DlIw0rth, Miss
Watson, Mrs. Morse. Miss Plumb and
the other teachers who contributed their
valuable services To that institution in
It's earlier days.
Mr.. Norton's mind was essentially re-
ligiOus-withoul cant, without bigotry,
with q mind broadened and liberalized
by culture, he was one OF the most truly
faithful, trusting and religious OF men.
Mr.. Norton In the pulpit was q religious
MISUNDERSTANDING the doctrines of
Christ with Q wealth of illustrations and
. direct and sincere devotion, eminently
satisfying to the religious wants Of q cul-
tivAted and devoted congregation. HIS
fret public ministry was &C Arkansas
- ae.eA l..
dained by the members Of the church
under the directions of the Rev. MI.
Turmoil who has to-day SO kindly as
sisted in this memorial service. No
better illustration Of Mr.. NortOn's deep
religious nature and the strength of his
ministry could be found than that of this
first church presided over by HIM. II IL
alao an illustration Of the unity which
prevailed among the denominations there
represented. There was no meeting
house In Arkansas City. No one denom-
ination was strong enough TO erect q
church edlflce. It was agreed among Us
all 70 erect building and organize Q
religious society that would serve the
temporary needs of the young town. A
subscription list was circulated. All
signed IL, of every denomination and of
no denomination, and the building was
erected. A church organization. with
simple forms was adopted and all be-
came members, with Mr.. Norton as
pastor. There were represented in the
membership of that first church ~ Ar
kansas City, Congregstlonallsts, Prcsby-
teT1ans, Methodists, Baptlsts ana those
who heretofore had not formally be-
lOnged TO any church organization.
Never was there greater harmony, q
more neighbOrly and helpful spirit
among members, nor q more Christian
spirit manifested than in and by that
church membership SO long as
Mr.. Norton remained its pastor. After
his departure the society resolved itself
iRto It's original Observation-Disclosures
became MethOdists, Baptists again were
Baptlsts and so on. The church build
ing became the property Of the Prrsby-
terians who. have ever since occupied Il as
= place Of worship. But all have pleasant
memories Of Professor Norton's pastor
ate and OF that first church organization.
OF Professor Notions services as pastor
OF this church / need not speak. The
rare excellence of his sermons, the
felicity of the language In which the
thoughts therein contained, were ex-
pressed and the unerrIng dlrectness of
his appeals in favor of the higher life
are within the memories of this cOngre-
CATION. The teny0ars that have elapsed
since Professor Norton occupied this
pulpit, hay Q not erased the impression
they then produced. Nor has the gen
ueness of his ways, the mOdestY of his
demeanOr. nor the courage and peril
nacity with which he held 10 his con-
victions, faded from the recollection OF
this people.
Professor Norton, taken ell for all,
was . kind and good man, q good neigh.
bor and citizen, O good husband, and
father, he was fittingly prepared to
enter upon the realities OF the higher
world.
The informal reception rendered Mr..
and Mrs. J. r. Walkup Saturday eve
ming was greatly eojoyedF by the host and
hostess and the guests. The *. p band
discoursed excellent music and refresh
ments were served for The enteTtalnm emit
of all who called Mr.. WAlkuD and