Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-01-13
THE DEAD OF 1888
Over the river they beckon to me-
Loved ones whO've crossed to the further side.

Over the river they beckon to me-
Loved ones who've crossed to the further side.
Priest.
At the close of each year we are called
upon to chronicle the death of noted
persons, whose demise occurred within
the year just past. The year 1885 was
very eventful one in the way of mortal
ty; and now the year itself has just left
US, to pass into the dim unknown. and
be numbered with the things of the past.
like the many who have passed away
during its reign.
King Death, with his icy fingers, was
exceedingly busy during the past year.
He visited the mansions of the rich and
the novels of the poor alike; no class Of
people escaped his notice, or his chilling
touch. Tears, pleadings and heartaches
failed to make any impre ssion upon him.
or check his rapid strides over the land
on his mission that causes mourning and
distress. The saddest thought of all is
that lie will never cease from his labors
ont rather increase his work as the years
roll on.
During the year Just closed, the politi-
cal arena has suffered perhaps more than
all others; republican and democrat
seemingly have shared alike. The
familiar words Happy New Year." of
one year ago, had hardly ceased ringing
in our ears, when ex-Vice President Col
fax died very suddenly. and was the first
among eminent men to head the death
list. Since then ex Secretary Frellnghuy
sen, Senators Fenton and Sharon, and
tx Governor Ryland Fletcher, have pass
ed away. all Of whom we've republicans
On the democratic side are Vice Presi
dent Thomas A. Hendricks. ex-senator
Gwin. ex-eecretary Jacob Thompson, ex-
ex- governor and Confederate general.
Robert Toombs. These men have long
been before the public. and their voices
have many times rung through the halls
of congress in debate, when great issues
were at stake. Lise their venerable
compeers who long since passed on be-
fore them, they are gone. they are dead.
The religious world has also been call
ed upon to give up many Of its valuable
members. The Episcopal church has
lost DR.. Stephen H. Tying; the Presby
terrain church has been called upon to
mourn the loss of DR.. Samuel Irenaeus
Prime: the Methodist church has bowed
its head in sorrow at the death of DR..
Benjamin F. Tefft, and the Catholic
church Is yet weeping over the loss of
Cardinal McCloskey. who was the first
American ever hOnOred with that Office.
:Faithful in their Masters service here
below. they have gone homo to their
reward"
The circle of literature has also been
called upon to wear emblems of mourn
ing, as some of ITS best talent have laid
down the quill forever. Among these are
DR.. Joseph Alden, editor and author.
Hugh Conway. who was paving his way
for q bright future. Richard Grant
White. the spicy writer and critic. Hin
ton Rowan Helper, who wrote the I'm
pending Crisis" = book that made such
an impression on the people just before
the war; Mrs. Helen Hunt jackson, the
gifted poetess; James Reese, the poet,
known rs Cooley Cibber;" T. 8. Arthur,
author and publisher; Victor Hugo, the
famous French writer, who was pos
ssssed with great powers of Imagination.
and was great dclipeator Of character;
and Henry w. Shaw. long and we'll
known as Josh Billings, noted for his
ready wit aud bad spelling, have gone
tho way Of al the earth, and who will
take thslr places cannot now be told.
Sir Noses Nontefiore, the philanthro-
pist, who lived TO q ripe old age-lived
TO know that the work he 50 long ago
began will be carried on. King Alphon-
so, of Spain. DR.. Machtigal. the explorer,
and Franz Abt, the composer, have been
called away by deaths resistless hand.
John G. Draper, member of the New
York Academy OF Medicine. and pro-
fessor of natural history; James G. Bar
clay, the oldest member of the Philadel.
phia bar, and Colonel Burnsby, whose
ride to Khiva made him famous in Ameri-
ca. also fell victims in 1885. John Nc
Cullough. the act has disappeared for
ever from before me footlights; and only
few days ago the great railroad mag
ate, and the wealthiest man in the
world: Wialiam II. Vanderbilt. left his
trensuers and stately mansion In the
great city, and has gone forever.
The gallant soldier who faced death
many times 10 the GAYS Of the civil strife
Among et thos. Who = have ~. fallen dur;ne TIE
past year IS that invincible and most
remarkable of men. General Ulysses 8.
Grant; General Irwin Mcdowell; General
Charles McDougall. General George
Mcclellan, Commodore C. K. Garrison.
and Chief Engineer John Q. A. ziegler,
called away during the .ea.t Yaar though
they were net 90 well knoAn % the
world, perhaps, as those mentioned. but
whose memory will long be cherlshed BY
their loved omen Who arc lett behind.