The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-12-31
FRANCIS COPE DEAD.
He Passed Away at IL O'clock on
Sunday Night.
A BRIEF SKETCH OF HIS CAREER.
Mr.. Cummings Successor-Mr. Cameron on
the Utah Railway Situation-Direct
to Salt Lake-General.


Francis Cope Is dead"
Such was the announcement made on the
streets of Salt Lake at an early hour yes
terday morning, and it was confirmed a
short time after by the sight of a couple of
knots of the customary Grape on the doors
of the Office of the Union Pacific. The sad
event occurred at II o'clock on Sunday
evening.
It has been many year since the an
nouncement of the death of a Salt Laker
shocked and thrilled the community as did
the first four words at the head of this ar
ticle. Occupying the positions which he
has for so long held in this community, it
was but natural that he should have a
wide personal acquaintance, and there
was not one heart among all these
that did not respond with throbs of
sympathy and respect when the news
~ his sorrowful demise was learned
Courteous kind, gentlemanly and just to
all. no matter whether it was the poor
man asking favor or the merchant tran
sacting business, it was but natural that he
should have made friends, when others not
so gifted would have made enemies. To do
business with Mr.. Cope was pleasure,
and while there is an old saying to the
effect that ''no one man can please every
bodyn yet we say here and now that While
the adage is undoubtedly true, Francis
Cope came as nearly pleasing everybody"
as any man that ever lived. He was al
ways fair and impartial in his dealings,
and although necessarily receiving many
unreasonable requests, yet even these were
answered in a courteous and polite manner
in such way that no offense was given.
In the Union Pacific Office yesterday, and
indeed everywhere, when the name of the
deceased was mentioned, there was gloom
Nnd sorrow perceptible Not one who dis
cussed the matter in the presence of the
writer, but who expressed the deepest re-
greet at the sad event, and each one felt
that he had lost a personal friend. That he
was friend to Utah none will deny; that
he had rare and marked ability no one will
dispute: that he was lone of the noblest
works of God" an honest man, every man,
woman and child who ever knew Francis
Cope will say.
The deceased was born in Birmingham,
Staffordshire, England, March3, 1871, max
ing him scarcely forty-three years of age.
He came to Utah in August, 1869. Soon
after his arrival, he first entered railway
Ne in the employ of Hon. John W. Young,
EhO had a construction contract on the
Xtah Central he acting as timekeeper,
&mmissariat and general agent. For many
wears he was employed by the Utah Cen
trial company, and gradually climbed from
one position to another until he reached the
one he held at the time of his death-gen
eral freight and passenger agent of the
Oregon Short Line & Utah Northern.
When the announcement of his appoint
ment was made but short time ago, 1t was
generally conceded that the right man had
been selected for the important position.
The immediate cause of his death was
heart trouble, FASTENED no doubt, By over
work and a bronchial affection. When he
returned from recent trip to Omaha, he
was suffering from severe cold, which
was so aggravating as to cause consider
able loss of sleep. At that time, his friends
advised him to be careful, or serious con-
sequences might be expected. To the
writer, he said about three weeks ago: Il
really feel as though should be at home,
rather than in the Office, and just as soon as
matters incident to the changes, the re-
moval of the Office and other business lsat-
tended to- | shall try and take a rest"
He had made all arrangements for trip to
the coast in search of relaxation from bust
ness, and had he not been taken so seriously
i'll as to colfne him to his
room, he would ere this have been gone.
Less attention to the good of his employers
and more care for himself would have seen
Francis Cope alive and well to-day, with
many wears of prosperity and success be-
fore him. Years of incessant toll had
gained for him reward in the position to
which he was recently appointed, and that
he should not have lived to enjoy its fruits
is to be deeply regretted by ali.
In the death of Francis Cope, is the going
\ ia of brilliant light; the departure of a
Ander and affectionate husband; a kind
AND loving father; a staunch friend; an
upright citizen; and as near as can be on
this earth-a perfect man.
The funeral services will be held'at the
Eighteenth ward chapel at l p. m. to-
morrow.