Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1899-03-18
TOO Soon"

died suddenly Monday evening. 18th
inst, at his home, 172l Sydenham
street, Philadelphia, Pa.
Before retiring it was his habit to
wind a small clock in his mothers
room. This he did in his usual health
shortly after o'clock. In husky
voice he complained of 'faintness."
A remedy was suggested. To this he
paid no attention, but ran with all
possible speed downstairs, threw him
self across his bed and was probably
dead when he fell.
His physician pronounced it "dis-
ease OF the heart"
He had sought and worked hard for
about eight months for leading posi-
ton in the press-roOms of the new
Lutheran Publication Society. Mon
day morning last he entered upon mis-
duties. The first and last days work
was done. He returned home delight
ed with the new, clean, bright place.
The expectancy of success realized, re-
action set in then collapse, death
He was a master in his line. With
a predispositiOn for mechanics amount
ing to genius, he had become an auto
crat over printing machinery, no mat
ter how complicate. About twelve
wears of rule in this domain led him at
length to design mechanism for feed
ing single sheets to presses and ruling
machines, the final accomplishment
being one of the most skillful cOmblna-
tons of automatic and electric devices
ever made. Only a short while ago,
when his attention was called to the
numerous efforts making by others in
the same direction, he said with SUI
preme confidence
No machine will ever be made that will
do work, now accomplished only by the
human hand, that will not infringe upon my
discovery and development,
And so think hundreds of his friends
who are qualified to appreciate the
value of his achievement.
On the day of his funeral, Thursday
last, the chiefs and employees of two
big publishing houses testified by at
tendance their estimate of his worth.
The floral contributions were numer-
Gus and massive. One from the Press
mems Union, represented a printing
press. with roll of paper, bed, cylinder,
the last carrying a section of paper,
printed His Last Sheet" A half
dozen others were similarly suggest
i've, beautiful and impressive.
Rev. NJ. H. Valentine of the Lutheran
church, officiating, made remarks firt-
ing the sad occasion and high character
of the deceased.
Under care of the Order of Red Men
the remains were inferred in Glenwood
cemetery, beautiful level of green en-
vironed by the growing city. AT the
close a white dove was loosed.
The pretty bird, seeming to know its
Office in the ceremony, walked and
futtered around the grave until taken
again.
Robert Sterling would have been 80
years old July Is, next. He was born
near Front Royal, Va, lived a short
while here next went to Kansas city,
Mo. Later he married Miss Annie
Heintz, Of this place, who survives
with two infant daughters. A few
years ago he returned and located IN
Philadelphia, where his growth in
mechanical development was stimulat-
ed by the wide reaches which that
great city affords. The other near
survivors who have. occasion in his
death to deplore great loss are his
mother-Mrs. Margaret Oder, who liv
ed with him sister-Mrs. Mary r.
Dennis, of Kansas city, Mo-, and two
sons-Charles w. Oder, of Denver,
COL, and this writer. The youngest
son, he assumed care of his mother, to
whom he dedicated devotion complete
and unfaltering. To all he was con-
slderate, kind, gentle-making, never
losing friends. He professed no
special UNCONVENTIONAL creed, but liv-
ed life void of offence to his fellow
man and marked throughout with con-
Germ for the future. He was an ON
niverous reader of all English liter
ature, and his kindly nature was de-
noted by his keen sense of the really
humorous.
Looking at his calm features, un-
wasted by long illness, natural in a
death that must have been painless,
he seemed to answer mo- to these
lines
Shall be left forgotten in the dust
When Fate releDting, lets the flowers revive?
Shall Natures vOice-to man alone uni ust-
Doom all to perish-bid us not hope to live?
From the President.
Owen England, chairman of the
committee in charge, sent President