Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1899-02-24

Fitting tribute was paid Wednesday to
the memory of North Dakota's departed
governor, Frank A. Briggs. Assembled
in the senate chamber at the capitol, in
whose offices he was Tonga conspicuous
figure, members of the legislative as
sembly, state officers and citizens of the
state gathered to lay a tribute of respect
to the memory of IN honored public Of
fetal, a good citizen, a kind friend and
an upright man among men. In fitting
addresses, breathing sincerity and sor-
row at the untimely decease Of one who
had so young reached so distinguished a
station and whom death had called from
the midst Of life's honors and pleasures,
the virtues of the late governor were
COMMUNICATED, his integrity paid trib-
ute and his true manhood attested.
The senate chamber was filled with
those who united in the memorial. From
the desk of the lieutenant governor rose
a single cross of white flowers while ut
the back of the desk was a portrait of
the governor, draped in folds of Grape
mingled and floating forth with a flag
intertwined. The memorial services
were opened with prayer by Rev. Ander-
son, whose invocation was eloquent, fit
ting and sincere. Lieutenant Governor
Devine then presented Governor Fan
cher, who spoke as follows:
GOV. F. b. FANCHER.
Mr.. President, Mr.. Speaker and Gen.
tlemen of the Legislative Assembly: We
meet together today to pay a tribute of
respect to Frank A. Briggs, who died on
the 9th of August last, while occupy ing
the honorable position Of Governor Of
North Dakota. Gov. Briggs was my
warmest, nearest, personal friend. I
knew and loved him well. We came in.
to office in this capitol building as col
leagues, together. We consulted to-
gether frequently. Two years ago I
stood by his side as he was about to take
the oath of Office as governor of this
state. While waiting for the judge, an
imperative came for me at the
telegraph office. l received a telegram
announcing the death of his eldest
daughter, Stella, at Minneapolis. Mrs.
Briggs and Bessie were with her. The
governor would have been with her ex-
cept for the Inauguration. At this SUI
prcme moment it became my duty to
break the news to him. l performed
that duty, and the memory of chat hour
will remain with me always. Frank
Briggs was the bravest man lever knew.
He faced death absolutely with a smile.
At the last, as he grew weaker, his cour-
age increased and as I said the other
day-he yielded only to exhausted ma
ture, and went out to meet the future
with a spirit as brave and dauntless as
the summer day is long. To other
friends of his l leave his eulogy. After,
his death we bore him tenderly to his
boyhood's home in Minnesota, on the
bank of a lovely lake. in one of the
most beautiful spots it has ever been my
fortune to see, surrounded by hundreds,
yes thousands of those who had known
him in early life. We laid him to rest,
remembering that the grave is but the
reception room to heaven, dreary though
it seems, and that since the world began
it has been the fate of hearts like his to
live and break and die, and we know
that when the flowers bloom over his
grave. the angels of God will kiss them,
and fling their fragrance like blessings
on the summer air.
The Lieutenant Governor: 1 desire
to recognize at this time one who was
connected with him for a long time, MI.
George IL. Phelps his private secretary.
GEORGE r.. pHETpS Es
Mr.. President and Gentlemen of the
joint Assembly: I did not come here to
deliver a eulogy IN my late friend. 1 sim
ply came here that by my presence J.
might in a feeble manner show my res
pect and appreciation for him. Ny
heart is SO full of the things that I would
say and the time SO limited that I have
thought best to condense into a few
minutes talk the thoughts that occur to
me as the uppermost, the leading salient
points in the character OF. Gov. Briggs.
It is my privilege to speak a word Of tri-
butte to the memory of Frank A. Briggs,
as a man. My relation with him during
his term as governor, as the name pri-
vate secretary implies, was most init
mate, and afforded me m opportunity
to judge of and value his character.
Time permits me to select only his lead.
ing characteristic-his manliness. / use
the term in its highest broadcast, truest
sense, synonymous with true honor,
fidelity, courage, firmness and courtesy.
Truth was the pole star, guiding his life.
He hated a lie and scorned a dishonest
act. He never by word or act told. an
untruth, OF by insinuation led to a false
belief on any subject. His every bust
ness act will bear the minutest scrutiny.
He was the soul of honor. His word
once given was a sacred nladpa nerer