The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-09-19
'sIn the Midst of Life We Are in Death. .,


minutes before ten clock. Had he lived until
the goth Of next month he would have been "a
years old. His demise had been expec ed for
number of weeks. an yet when the end did come
it proved no less shock to the loving sister and
devoted brothers we'll rs his numerous friends.
Late Monday afternoon he told his brothers that
the end was near and desired them to remain with
him. At nine o'clock Deputy Westby entered the
hospital and Bob asked him to remain. AS the
end approached, Bob whispered few words oc-
casionally or turned his eyes with affection I'M
speakable upon the dear sister, and the last words
he spoke embodied a request that they would
not weep for him. The end had come and the
loving vigils of sister and brothers at end
No words of ours fifty describe the faithful
devotion of the sister or the treless attention of
the brothers; the latter had been excused from
their regular duties during the last few days. and
by day and by night they watched at the bedside
OF their dying brother; and those who know them
well. know that their grief is sincere and deep.
The remains were taken to the undertaking
rooms Of e. j. Spindle, embalmed and placed in
plain. rich casket bearing silver plate with
the inscription, "At Rest" The chapel
draped in mourning, and the funeral services
were conducted yesterday afternoon by Chap
lain Albert. Appropriate muse was rendered
and at the close of the services, the inmates
were given the privilege of viewing the remains.
Many an eye grew dim AS it looked for the last
time upon the well-known features, grown
so wan and pale; and many hon
est heart beat the faster under the
striped jackets in earnest, sincere sympathy
with the bereaved relatives. The pail bearers
were selected from among the Oldest of Bob's
friends and with one exception were life men,
bers and very reverently and lovingly did they
fulfil this last sad office. MIR. Albert read the
l4th chapter of st. John. Those beautiful words
of comfort spoken by our Saviour which have
brought peace to 50 many troubled hearts. Mr..
Albert's remarks were very brief and dealt mainly
with Bobs life and character known by all
with whom he came in contact during the thir-
teen wears of his Imprisonment. He said:
There are many things upon which we differ
and there are also many other things upon which
we agree. A little reflection will show that in the
main agree the fundamental principles
| of life and death. look upon your faces this
afternoon, and see many characteristics in COM
mon ard yet also many differences. But there is
| one thing upon which all unite and that is
| death. We know that we shall not live forever
| and the time will come when few words will be
| said dead body and will be laid
away. Knowing then that we all must die how
much ought we consider it; yet how many go
day after day paying attention to it. This is
the height of folly. But on the other hand it is
| the worst kind of cowardice t. live in the con-
| slant fear of death. The real way is this: we
should recognize it as a fact and keep the fact in
| sight that death is the end of life. We should
view it like the does who is going to emf
crate to far country. He gets his goods in
der, settles all property questions and prepares
himself in every poss BILE way for his journey and
new home. And this is what should do, we
should get together what we will need in another
world. When we are called to look down upon
the cold remains of a loving brother. then we
| better fitted to receive these things. Uncon-
scously call to minds the traits of char
acter of the departed one that would like to
keep alive. What it in his life that was best
that admired most? AS look at this inan
mate clay l can recall many characteristics which
we would like to possess. will take the liberty
to recall one or two of them. One of them is this
A firmness of purpose VIII. This was very no.
ticeable in his last bitter struggle with death
Everything tended TO discourage him ard yet his
firm will rose above it all and no heard
him make a complaint. Another characteristic
was strict regard for the truth; and again, his
honesty both regards his dut es and also in re-
gard to other people. He was never heard
| TO SANDER any one tr to speak i'll of them. If
there anything he abhorred it hylo-
| critic. and no inmate ever stood higher in the
opinion of the officers; he had their every conf
| dence. This is worthy of remembrance.
When we too come to pass away. we should like
this said of US. His reading and thoughts were
always of purer, higher kind. Several times 1
| have gone past his cell and found him writing,
| and upon questioning him, would find that it
was to little nephews and nieces and of an ad-
| visory nature. W IL speak also of religion. Bob
never spoke to me of it, but if you asked my Op.n-
I hat oh be