The Livingston enterprise. [volume] (Livingston, Mont.) 1883-1914, 1889-02-23
A MOurnful Ride.

A Mournful Ride.
At II 40 p. m. last Saturday all that
was mortal of the late Assistant General
Manager N. D. Root passed through
Livingston in special train. The
Helena Independent thus describes the
train and its accompanying features.
"When the train reached Helena delega-
tion of employees entered the private car
of the deceased superintendent, where
his body lay in heavily draped casket,
and placed pillow of roses, lilies and
other beautiful flowers upon it.
In the center of tile beautiful pillow
was the inscription ''Our beloved chief"
Another tribute, floral broken locomo-
tive wheel was placed at one side of the
casket. Attached to this was beautiful
bouquet from Mrs. Wells, of this city,
also a wreath from her husband Another
beautiful wreath which found place on
top of the casket was from L. G.. and w.
McC. White.
The funeral train contained five cars
drawn by engine No. 318 which was
elaborately trimmed in mourning. On
the number plate was rosette of white
and black, foot and half in diameter.
Over the headlight were the initial letters
IN. D. r." On each side of the cab
hung two large roseites while the railing
was deeply draped in graceful folds of
white and black. After the baggage car
came Supt. Whites private car "Oriole;;"
next Mr. Roots car No 7, followed by
Chief Engineer Hendricks car "Mon-
tana" The latter gentleman was with
Mr.. Root from the time of the accident
to his death. A Pullman sleeper was
added at this point for the accommoda-
ton Of the party which joined the train
here. The train remained just one hour
and will continue on its solemn way to
Brainard, Mimi, where the remains will
be entombcd, and at which point large
number of railroad officials will meet.
Euory division superintendent along the
route acconpanins the train to the end
of Ms division.
Mr. Roots loss is mostly felt among
those who daily associated with him and
who looked upon him as a friend. His
motto was, mo enemies to punish and
no friends to reward" This excellent
trait of character endeared him to all.
One of his associates said last night
"Ingersoll with all his great eloquence
and beautiful diction, could not do JUS
tice in an eulogy to the memory Of that
noble man." As a husband and father
he was much loved and those who know
say that no happier home existed than
tile one over which Mr. Root presided.
The grief of Mrs. Root is such, that those
who have accompanied her say she has
not shed tear; she cannot realize what
an awful thing has happened, and since
the fateful occurrence she has entirely
changed. The little 9-year-old girl,
Mabel tries to cheer Eer up, but she
can not.'
The party accompanying the remains
were Chief Engineer Kendrick, F. 3.
Hubbard, Alfred Anderson, private secre-
tary to Mr.. Root, Mrs. Loesby of Living
ston, Mr.. Hopes. of Livingston, DR.. }. }.
Buckley, chief surgeon, John Hogan,
,oadmaster. Geo. McCauley and wife, and
W. McWhlte. Col. and Mrs. Sanders came
as far as Bozeman and several others
onlv went as far as the end of this dlvis-
ION. Railroad buildings all along the
line were drapcd in mourning which will
remain on them 80 days. The Living
ston depo: is draped with black and
white Grape from top to bottom and many
of the engines on the road are also suit
ably decorated. The tram stopped here
ten minutes to allow friends Of the de-
ceased to take last look at his kindly
features. The news of his death was re-
ceiyed here with almost incredullty ny
his MANY friends who saw him here
short time ago the picture OF perfect
health and manhood. He was IN the
prime of life and had apparently fine
career vet to run. Holding as he did
most important position on great north
western road, having the entire conf
dence and good will of all the powerful
railroad men in the country there was no
limit to the height he might have climbed
had he been spared to round out notable
life. Notwithstanding his rapid rise IN
position he was simple and unpretend'ng
and had the :espect and admiration OF all
the railroad employees. Mrs. Root, her
son Mark and her little 0 year old
daughter Mabel were frequent visitors IN
Livingston and the first thought OF every
one on the reception of the news was one
of the deepest pity and sympathy for the
bereaved widow and fatherless children.
It is one of the saddest deaths we have
ever been called upon to chronicle and
words are but poor means of picturing
the sadness and desolation caused by this
awful and mysterious action Of Provl-
dence.