The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-01-26
ONE GIRLS FUNERAL.
1t Was in the Early Days of Montana,
and Was Different From Most
Funerals
From the Orting Oracle.


During the construction days Of the
/ Northern Pacific railroad many small
/ towns were born that f1ourished until the
road was completed-then died. The lit
+ tie story following actually occurred, and
made an impression on me that shall
never forget. To me there was tinge Of
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 a bigger man
than the chief justice Of the United States
is to-day. and had perpetual variety en-
tertainment He marries people, buries
the dead, puts out fires, takes drink
with everybody, referees dog fights, set
ties family rows, breaches, makes
speeches, and must be ready for any kind
of work For this aggregation of duties
he is called judge; but if he renders a
wrong decision his name is Dennis.
One cold morning l was waited upon by
a delegation of gamblers and informed
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 24-carat send
"a and no mistakes. / went around to see
the body to find out if possible the cause
of her death / was satisfied that the
girl had taken morphine and died from
Inc GlGCBS, anu 50 1 ItuuCItO my dtNlolols
which satisfied all, l set the hour for the
funeral, and returned to the cabin 10 pre-
pare my remarks. There was not Bible
in the camp, and so l had to play it alone
1t was cold, stormy, Montana winter
day and that added much to the sadness
Of the occasion. The grave was dug out
among toe pines, and more god-forsaken
place it would have been hard to find,
but it was the best we had or could get.
The bouY y.T,iyad tho npoppcgiOn formed
myself in front of the pail bearers, con
sisting 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 wendell our way slowly to the
last resting place, where, alone and I'M
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.
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 sin
ming, 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 sakel Would he suspend all rules,
throw open wide the portals of heaven,
have sweetest music played on thous-
and golden harps, and bid that poor,
tired, sin-stained soul enter the realms Of
happiness, purity and restl
1t was our funeral, because everybody
did all they could. There were but few
of all kinds, to be sure, but human with
souls TO save There are many Of the old
boys scattered through the northwest
who will recollect that stormy Montana
day, and how we knocked at eternity's
door for admittanca for that GIRLS sOul
and all will agree that our knocking was
not in vain-that the gates were thrown
open and forgiveness and rest came TO
her.