Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1892-12-02

in the service of the the road, and who has
been a firm and steadfast friend of the
deceased for upwards of twenty years.
Brief services were held at the family
residence, as the illness of Mrs. Davidson
precluded her attendance at the church
and covered with floral tributes the
casket was carried into the church, and
to the sally sweet tones of the funeral
march followed the relatives of the dead
and the members of the Masonic lodge
who walked slowly and solemnly to the
front. Sweetly consoling was the vocal
of a quartette, and it was
touching to see the venerable form of
Rev. Sloan as he stood before the altar,
and with quivering voice bowed his head
in prayer.
"For what is your life? But a little
vapor, which appeareth for a little time
and then vanisheth away" So did Mr..
Sloan preface his sermon over the dead.
There was unbroken silence as he spoke
of the uncertainty of life, the certainty
of death, and the consoling knowledge
of a better world. For the deceased
nothing need be said. To the comfort
ing of tho living must all efforts be
made.
Rev. Sloan spoke of the dead as hav-
ing been one of his firmest friends.
Honest in his business capacity, stead-
fast as a friend, an earnest Christian,
universally admired, respected and be-
loved. "We shall miss him at the depot
where his face and figure were so we'll
known" he concluded. "Socially we
shall miss him. Aud among his Masonic
brethren, where he was a leader, will
his loss be, keenly felt"
Rev. Anderson followed with a touch
ing eulogy of the dead. OF his integrity
and honesty, his earnest Christianity
and eager defense of the sacred word.
And especially of his liking for home
and family as evlnced in his designation
"Braeside," in memory of his native
land, it's valleys and it's hills.
The funeral rites of the Masonic order
were then performed over the dead.
Aud following this beautiful ceremony
the body was borne without. Ahead of
the hearse walked the Masons, slowly and
with heads bowed reverently, down
Maine street to Seventh where carriages
were in waiting, and the body of the de-
ceased was sadly followed to Fairview,
where the remains were inferred.
A Tribute to John Davidson.
The jamestown Alert has the follow
ing letter from one of J%amestown's
Oldest citizens, regarding the death of
Agent Davidson:
The death of John Davidson at Bis
marck ought not to be allowed to pass
without a tribute of respect to a most
worthy, faithful and honest man. l first
knew him in the spring of 1871, when he
was the cashier OF the Lake Superior and
Mississippi railroad (now the st. Paul and
Duluth rallrOad) at Duluth. The North-
ern Pacific railroad leased that road in the
winter of 1912, and Mr.. Davidson con
tinued in it's employ, being sent on duty to
Saltwater, MINI. When the two r0ads
failed in September. 1875, and the auditor
OF the Northern Pacific wanted a man to
act in the highly responsible position of
paymaster, he selected Mr.. Davidson for
that position. From this he was selected
for the high and more responsible position
of general agent at Bismarck, the then
end of the road and which position he
filled until his death. A line of boats were
then running from Bismarck to Fort
Benton n the road received and handled
Immense quantities of freight to and from
these boats. He was the right man in the
right place, and the name of "Old Fidelity"
given to him by his friends who knew his
worth while at Duluth chung to him, and
it may be said was the cause of his ap.
pointment by the auditor of the road to the
position of paymaster. This familiar and
honorable title lie we'll deserved and he
maintained it all through his career.
Faithful devotion to duty was the main
spring of all his actions. He was a most
FAITHFUL servant and a true friend, remark
millions of tons Of freight handled was
d0ne with order and quick dispatch, while
the necessary bills of lading and transfers
were ready with equal dispatch. BrusGue
III ms manner, courteous in all his inter-
course with those he met, it was always a
pleasure to meet him and receive his hearty
and sincere words of greeting. After an
acquaintance Of more than twenty-one
years, and | may add of unbroken friend.
snip, anu on my part of the highest
esteem, l hear of his death as that of a
most sincere friend, whose memory l shall
warmly cherish as that of "An honest man.
the noblest work of God"
b. S. RUSSELL.