Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-10-27

from Webster. Andover, Groton, Langford,
Aberdeen and Milbank and a large num-
Der OF members of the Grand Army Of
the Republic, headed by Capt. j. III.
Hauser as the personal representative of
Commander Farr. Hundreds had assem-
bled at the church and when the body
had been placed upon the bier not more
than n quarter of the people who had
gathered to pay the last tributes of res
pect to their beloved brother and neigh
Dor could gain admittance to the church.
The floral tributes were many and beau
tiful. The funeral sermon was preached
by the friend and pastor Of the deceased
Rev. Mr.. Mellette of the Presbyterian
church and was an eloquent and touch
ing tribute to the memory of the late
governor. Supreme Court Judge Haney
spoke feelingly and lovingly of the dead
and his remarks touched many to tears.
Judge Haney spoke in part as follows:
It'll better to praise than blame; better to
believe than doubt; better to hope than des-
pair; better to love thar hate. Selfishness is
a crime. Our departed friend was brave,
truthful and above all else, he was generous
and self sacrificing. He was among those
who in the dark days between'6i and IS pillowed
their aching brows upon the damp earth barred
their breasts to storm of leader hail, kept
constant company with disease and death.
that the principles OF civil liberty might not
A-s,A - ALsA ..x.A-w To- - H.
he was ia ithful to his friends, and one who is
faithful to his political friends is usually loyal
TO his family. his country and his God. Deaths
cruel shaft touched his brave and generous
heart while he was e.oquently defending the
cause OF the political party to which he be-
longed.
1t was my privilege to become intimately
acquainted with the departed during the last
year OF his administration as chief executive
of this state. / hope / then possessed his con-
fidence. During the closing days of his term
when the pillows OF partisan passion, preju-
dice and and seltishness were surging through
the corridors OF the state house, and conse-
quences of most Sc rious import depended
upon the governors action. / was in a position
to read his thoughts, impulses and purposes
rs clearly as it Is possible for one human being
to read the thoughts. impulses and purposes
OF another. and in the solemn presence of
natures awfu mystery, / say to this mourn
ing wife and these sorrowing children to
these neighbors and friends; TO all the world,
that in that supreme crisis of his life Charles
III. Sheldon did his duty under as trying cir
cumstances as any man ever did upon this
earth did what was right because he believed
IL to DC right.
Those whe are nearest and dearest to the
dead should think of him as he was in life, as
he will be in the hereafter, rather than as he
seems to be today. They should cherish the
memory of his good qualities, and can best
prove their lore by striving to be, in all things
what he would wish them to be. Thcy can
honor his momory in no better way than by
meeting the trials of life with tho same cour-
age an q devotion that he did.
Our friend was not perfect. None save the
Divine Master are free from fault, but he pos
scssed such qualities of heart and mind and
made such use of his opportunities that his
character will be respected and admired by all
the people of this state in years to come
The Masonic rites were then conducted
by w. NJ, Frank Gruby, officers and
members of Coteau Lodge, at the con-
clusion of which the friends filed through
the church to take a last view Of the
honored dead.
The procession again formed and es-
corted the remains to the Pierpont ceme-
terry where they were laid to rest accord
ing to the burial service of the Masonic
order conducted by the Lodge. Charles
H. Sheldon was at rest by the side Of his
beloved son, Jimmie.
Charles Fl. Sheldon was born in La
Noble Co. Vermont, Sept. 18th, 1S4o,
the son OF Gersham and Mary B. Shell
don. His father was but 30 years OF
age when his death occurred, bnt his
mother lived TO the age OF nearly SO
years, dying at her sons home in Day