Morning journal and courier., 1889-01-17
THE LAST SAD TRIBUTE.

The Funeral of Colonel Tolles Yester-
 day-The Services at tho First Meth
 odIst Church.
 The First Methodist church was filled
 with the friends, comrades and brothers of
 the late Colonel Samuel Tolles yesterday
 afternoon to observe and honor the solemn
 comrade. The body of the church was occu-
 pied by the members of the organizations of
 which Colonel Tolles was prominent mem-
 ber The various I. o. o. F. organizations
 met before Odd Fellows hall on Orange
 street at 2 o'clock and marched to the
 church. AS they entered they moved slowly
 down the center aisle preceded by Rev. M.
 B. Chapman, who read the funeral psalm.
 The sight was very impressive and tears lodge, I. O. O. F., the active and veteran Grays, the G. A. R. and survivors of the
 Fifteenth regiment were represented in great numbers. The bearers were Philip Pond, J. W. Pond, George N. Moses and A. w..
 Phelps of the Odd Fellows; Charles s. Pen nell and Joseph Joachinson for the custom
 house officials; Col. Upham, Col. George M. White, Captain Butricks and Captain Davis for the Fifteenth regiment. Handsome fo- ral pieces were brought by all the organiza- tions The remains lay in a black casket
 bearing the insigna of the Odd Fellows prom
 inently upon it.
 After reading the burial ritual, Rev. MT. Chapman made touching address upon the deceased soldier and brother. I suppose
 that human words never seem so inadequate, J
 said he, 'tas when uttered in the presence of the dead. These lips, which are now dead on earth forever, are yet more eloquent than any human voice; and the hushed silence of I.s- I<,-n S.. l-, man speech. We might well be silent in this
 presence and sit still for little time to see if the great God has not something to say at the coming of his age worn child. And yet this great company of busy men who have paused in the struggle and strife of toll to come to pay a last tribute of respect to a citizen, brother and friend; to remember kindly one who has mingled with them in the enthusiasms and patriotic efforts of men-this is 8 past of great significance to me. I perceive that this quiet, reticent, self-contained man must have touched many interests in society, swept many strong chords in the human heart and mind. By this know many things as to the worth of his integrity, the strength and kindness of his heart.
 Colonel Tolles was born in West Haven and came to this city, where he engaged in business connections with many here to-day. For thirty years he continued in this tranquil life and then came great break in his life as in many of yours many memories of that time, strong, vigor- ous, fresh, of the stirring days of '61. There was nothing in the air, eye or ear, to tell of the great happenings, but a mighty thrill was darting over the whole comnuni- ty. We remember then, when men thought to be sordid and mercenary, flung down all toll and went out to battle. They rose up and left everything to follow the lacerated | flag. Among those who first gladly gave themselves to their couptry's service we are glad to remember to-day was our brother whom we have now come to mourn. AS the commander of the Grsys he brought that or ganization to high degree of soldiership. ] Many of you remember how he rode away at 1 your head into the blaekness and tumultous void, which we call war. The same stesd- fast devotion to high purpose which marked his business life marked him in. the camp and field. You were with him in bivouac and battle, and when he rode before your charging lines up to the defenses of Freder- icksburg.
 He came back with his regiment and took up again the quiet life of citizen. He was perhaps the most reticent man in your town. And this sacred reticence he maintained in life, which now has sunk into the sacred si- lence of death. Looking over the long record, shall we not get some noble lesson from it? to be steadfast and loyal to all obli- gation of dutya to meet the sacred tolls of life and always seek for something higher spiritually and better! It will not be long
 before our fellows will look over our lives. Let us seek some strong purpose, that we
 may go from here with some faithfulness to
 our fellows, to reform rather than deform
 them, and their blessings will be eternally
 with us."
 At the close of the services the long pro-
 cession of the deeeased's comrades and
 brothers followed the remains to the Grove
 street cemetery, where the interment was
 made.