The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1886-01-13
MEIKLEJOHN,S D
The Members of the Force Greatly Sur
prise Their Chief.

Yesterday afternoon, bylprior agreement,
the members of the police force, with about
half a dozen of their intimate friends, met
at the City Hall, and dispatched an officer
to notify Chief Meiklejohn that he was
wanted Immediately at the Police Court
room. Entirely innocent of any designs
upon him, the chief donned his coat and
promptly responded. When he arrived at
the scene Mr.. Henry McMurphy stepped up
to him, and pinning a~handsome gold badge
upon the lapel OF his coat, addressed him
as follows:
GENTLEMEN-I am called upon at this time to
perform, to me, a very pleasant duty. Yet l feel
that words are inadequate for me to do justice
to those who have been prompted to make this
presentation to the recipient. 1t has been said,
though we record our names in marble or in
bronze, yet time will cause them to fade away,
but if we record them in unselfsh deeds they
will remain until the heavens were rolled to-
gether like a scroll and the earth shall melt
with fervent heat. The influence of good deeds
never dies. The deed that is this day to be per-
formed by the Marshal, and his associates is a
good one. and is to be hoped will be forever in
delibly impressed upon the memory of him who
is held in such high esteem by his fellow officers,
and whose services as an officer has made him
deserving Of such a mark of esteem. David
Meiklejohn, in the name of Marshal Stoner and
your associate policemen, acting in their behalf,
l have the honor to now place upon your beast
this golden badge. Wear it with honor to your
Gal, IL III ACu1V W GAc UOSlLlOu YOU NOW
occupy upon our police force, and may this day
never be forgotten by you.
"Oh. God" said the chief, as he surveyed
the handsome emblem, completely over
come by the unexpected honor. and he
then in q few words, trembling with
emotion, thanked the donors, concluding
with the sentence: $50 long as l live no
disgrace shall rest upon this star" and
those who heard him knew well that the
words came from the bottom of his
heart.
THE emblem.
The decoration was purchased by City
Marshal Stoner, and the six roundsmen on
the force. j. P. Young, Birdie Reynolds,
Frank Mcdonald, Charles Carlton, James
Dryer and W. L. Ledford, and was made
in the East, the engraving being done by
Leyson & Turck. 1t consists of a double
fve-pointed star, encircled by a wreath,
and connected with the bar holding the
pin, with neat little gold chains, a second
bar holding them in the center, and is en-
graved as follows: On the top bar is the
name of the recipient, 'David Meiklejohn,"
while on the second bar appear the words,
''Chief Police" in the center of the inner
star is the name of the Marshal, IL. w.
Stoner," in full, while in the points of the
star are to be found the initials of
the various officers, as follows: ~. P. ""
"B. R.,""F. McD.," &C. C.,""J. D." and
Nv. L. L." the whole forming as neat and
substantial a piece of workmanship as
could be desired by anyone. Naturally,
Mr.. Meiklejohn feels very proud of the
trophy, ana it's reflection will ever act up
on his conduct as a guiding star Of light in
the interest Of justice, humanity and
duty.