Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1894-06-21
ONE GIRLS FUNERAL.
u Was In the Early Days of Montana and
Was Different From Most Funerals.

Was Different From Most Funerals.
During the construction DAYS of the
Northern Pacific railroad many small
towns were born that fourished until the
road was completed and then died. Ths
little story following actually occurred
and made an impression on me that
shall never forget. To me there was
tinge eof sadness that went straight to the
heart. | OCCUPIED the exalted position of
justice of the peace. Now, a justice Of
the peace in Montana in early days was q
bigger man than the chief Justice of the
United States is today and had per-
petual variety entertainment. He mar.
ried people, buried the dead, put out fires.
tooka drink with everybody, refereed dos
fights, settled family rows, preached,
made speeches and had to be ready for
any kind of work. For this aggregation
of duties he was called Judge, but if he
rendered wrong decision his name was
Dennis.
One cold morning was waited upon
by delegation of gamblers and inform
ed that one of the girls was dead. They
said she had passed in her checks during
the night, and as she was the slickest
girl in the camp she was to have "a
carat sendoff and no mistake. | went
around to see the body to find out, if
possible, the cause of her death. l was
satisfied that the girl had taken morphine
and died from the effects, and SO | rem
dered my decision, which satisfied all.
set the hour for the funeral and returned
to the cabin to prepare my remarks.
There was not Bible in the camp, and
so had to play it alone. 1t was cold,
stormy Montana winter day, and that
added much to the sadness of the occa-
sion. The grave was dug out among the
pines, and more God forsaken place it
would have been hard to find, but it was
4 , best we had or could get.
The hour arrived; the procession FORM
ed, myself in front of the pallbearers,
consisting of gamblers, with the body in
a rough pine box. Next came the girls
of the town and the business men in the
rear. We wended our way slowly to the
last resting place, where, alone and un-
known, amid the rocks and pines, with
the awful stiffness of the mountains, all
that was earthly of that unfortunate girl
would stay until the last day.
No one could pray; no one could sing
I poured out my soul to my God in my
poor, stumbling way-told him all about
it. We were unanimous in the belief
that she was more sinned against than
SHINING, and would he in his infinite good
ness and loving kindness forgive her
wipe out all the black spots ON her soul
forget her past and save her for her souls
sake? Would he suspend all rules, throw
open wide the portals of heaven, have
sweetest music played on a thousand
golden harps and bid that poor, tired
sin stained soul enter the realms of hap
piness, purity and rest?
1t was our funeral, because everybody
did all they could. There were but few
of all kinds, to be sure, but humans
with souls to save. There are many O.
the old boys scattered through the north
west who will recollect that stormy
Montana day, and how we knocked a
eternity's door for admittance for tina
girls soul, and all will agree that ou
knocking was not in vain-that the gate
were thrown open and forgiveness ant
rest came to her.-Orting Oracle.