The herald., 1898-11-02
THE LAST SERVICES
FUNERAL OF MAI. BONEBRAKE
LARGELY ATTENDED
Short, Simple Services at the House,
Followed by Impressive Ritual
istic Rites at the Grave

George H. Bonebrake, held at the family
residence, 26l9 Figueroa street, yesterday
afternoon, were very largely attended by
representative fraternal and business organ
izations, prominent citizens and old friends,
many of them of twenty years standing.
Owing to the length of the services which
were to be held at the grave, those at the
house were short and extremely simple, and
arranged under the auspices of the Loyal
Legion, Stanton post, G. A. R., and South
ern California lodge, No. 278, +. u A. M.
The services were conducted by Rev. Burt
Estes Howard and the music rendered by
the synagogue choir, under the direction OF
oghue presided at the organ. Consider and
Hear Me-" by the choir, was followed by the
reading of the Twenty-third Psalm by Rev.
Howard. Lead, Kindly Light" and "Cal-
vary" were sung by the choir, and Mrs:
4aralson sang Come, Ye Disconsolate.
Rev. Howardfs sermon touched upon the
principal events in Maj. Bonebrake's life,
and he spoke feelingly of the sterling worth
and genial characteristics of the man. He
said: 49,.
"Sixty years ago, in village in Ohio,
George H. Bonebrake was born. The son
of a clergyman, he was given the advantage
of a high education, and in course Of time
entered upon the study of law. His life
has been one of varied pursuits; newspaper
man, teacher, a lawyer and a banker.
Early in the civil war he responded to the
call for troops, enlisting as private in the
Sixty-ninth Indiana. At the close of the
war he was mustered out as major, securing
his title and rank by good service. Later,
when the rank of lieutenant colonel was
rendered him he refused it on the ground
that he had not earned it on the field.
"After the war he resumed the practice
of law, and subsequently entered upon
lad 70 70
here twenty two years ago, since which time
he has been familiar figure not only in this
city but in all this region.
"There is small need to rehearse the story
of Mai Bonebrake's life since he came to
this coast. would be only repeating tale
that has been told, not in words, but in
deeds and transactions every day for more
than score OF years.
"For those of you who have met Maj.
Bonebrake in business and social intercourse
during these decades of activity and enter
prise, any word of mine would be an utter
superfluity.
''For twenty years he has gone up and
down our streets and has entered the COM
mercial life of this city. His record is writ
ten substantially in the manifold enterprises
with which he has been identified. For his
was a life of unwonted energy and activity,
and even when the rigid fingers of death
had seized him he still burned to put on the
harness he had worn SO long, and enter
again the lists of commercial activity.
''For the sixth time in as many weeks Los
Angeles has been called upon to yield to the
grim reaper one of her well known citizens.
AS the march lengthens the ranks grow thin.
The regiment of youth moves out 1000
strong, breasting bravely the opposing years.
One by one they falter and fall, till but
handful totters across the line of three score
and ten.
As we grow older these silent gatherings
of friends to perform the last sad office for
one of our number fallen at his post, follow
each other with bewildering swiftness. And
as we turn away we clasp hands with a
closer grip and, looking wistfully into each
others faces, wonder whose name shall next
be stricken from the muster roll.
"The threads of fate run swiftly through
our fingers, and none can tell how soon the
revolving wheel will reel away the unwind
ing filament of life leaving the empty
distaff to mark the place that once was ours.
Our tenure upon these emblems of mortality
is but a paltry lease. Nature is rigid
when, bankrupt, we fail to pay our rent.
"'For some we loved, the loveliest and the
best,
That from his vintage rolling Time has
prest,
Have drunk their cup round or two be-
fore,
And, one by one, crept silently to rest.
"'And we, that now make merry in the
room
They left, and summer dresses in new
bloom,
Ourselves must we beneath the couch of
Descend-ourselves to make couch-for
whom?
"This world waits not upon any mans
convenience, nor stops long to weep for him.
Life whirls on like the chariot of the sun,
halting not at the wells of sleep. The cries
are resounding on every side, summoning us
to duty. There is little time for tears and
signing in a world so full of labor and of
obligations.
"Ours is simple part to play. Like the
gladators of old, it is ours to face the COM
ing days with undaunted courage and de-
voted spirit; and, lifting the old cry clear
and strong out of stout hearts: fMorituri
Salutamus!-We who are about to die salute
you! leap forth bravely to live like gods,
and, when the hour strikes, die like men,"
The casket was surrounded by greater
profusion of exquisite set floral pieces than
is common, even in this great country of
flowers and sunshine. Amongst the pieces
most noticeable for beauty were an anchor
OF white carnations and roses, with the
word, "Grandpapa," worked on the stand
ard in violets, from Maj. Bonebrake's little
namesake, his granddaughter George; a
broken column of white carnations on a
standard of SNOWFALL crysanthemums and
purple feur de lis, from his children, Mrs.
j. w. A. Off and Percy Bonebrake; large
chair of white carnations, roses and maiden
hair ferns, Los Angeles National bank a
broken wheel of SNOWFALL crysanthemums,
ferns and violets, Los Angeles clearing
house banks; another broken wheel of pale
pink roses and white carnations came from
the State Loan and Trust company, and the
Los Angeles bank employees sent chair of
chrysanthemums, violets and ferns; an en-
blematic wreath Of English ivy, tied with
lavender ribbon, came from the military
branch of the Loyal Legion; pillow Of
white carnations and maidenhair ferns from
the Turnverein Germania; wreath of La
France roses, Miss MacDougall; large rustic
basket, filled with immense SNOWFALL chrys.
anthemums and brake ferns, Ferd X. Rule
for the Jonathan club; handsome floral
flag came from Gen. G. F. A. Last and staff ::
harp of white carnations, Los Angeles board
of trade; standard star of roses and white
chrysanthemums, Mrs. G. w. Wasson and
son; wreath of purple violets and ferns.
Capt. Wankowski; wreath of carnations
and ferns, Maj. Offs brothers and sisters:
basket of ferns and white carnations. Mrs,