The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-03-01
ONE Gi"U'S FUNERAL.
II Was In TIL Early Days 81 Montana and
Was Different From Most Funerals,

1t Was In til. Early Days OF Montana and
Was Differ ent From Most Funerals.
During the CONSTRUCTION days Of the
Northern Pacific railroad many small
towns We're born that fiourished until the
road was completed and then died. The
little story following actually occurred
and made an impression on me that I
shall never forget. To me there was a
tinge of sadness hat went straight to the
feart. occupied the exalted position of
justice of the peace. Now, a justice Of
the peace in Montana in early days wasa
bigger man than the chief justice Of the
United States is today and had a per-
petual variety entertainment. He mar
ried people, buried the dead. put out fires,
took drink with everybody, re%fereeddog
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 a wrong decision his name was
Dennis.
One cold morning | was waited upon
by a 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 "a
carat sendoff and no mistake. l went
around to see the body tu find out, if
possible, the cause of her death. | 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 a Bible in the camp. and
so | had to play it alone. 1t was a 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 Il more God torsaken place 1t
would have been hard 70 find, but it was
the best We hdLur could get.
The hour arrived: the procession form
ed, myself in front of the pallbcarers,
consisting Of gamblers. with the body III
d rough pin" box. Next al" the girls
of the town and the business men in the
rear. We wendell oar way slowly to the
last resting place, where, alone and UNI
known. amid the rocks ana pines. with
the awful stiffness of the mountains, ali
that was earthly of that unfortunate girl
would stay until the last day.
No one could pray: 10 one could sing.
[ poured ont my soul to my God in my
poor, stumbling way-told him all about
it. We We're 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 of
the old boys scattered through the north
west who will recollect that stormy
Montana day, and how we knocked at
eternity's door for admittance for that
girls soul, and all will agree that our
knocking was not in vain-that the gates
were thrown open ami forgiveness and
rest came to her. -Orting Oracle.