The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-03-02
AT Rest"

on the funeral of Comrade James A.
Sweet, late of Co. X, 9th Regt. Ohio
volunteers. First, however, to note
the asperty of fate, will state few
facts concerning his life, as gathered
them from reliable sources.
He was born nearly 90 years ago in
Clermont county, Ohio, of Christian
parents somewhat neted for their de-
cided Methodistic proclivities.
Early in the year 1854 as mere
boy he entered the army and gallant
ly defended the Flag he 80 much
loved and after the close of the war
In 1866 was honorably discharged d.
Returning home, crowned with the
laureis of war and q stout young man
hood, he entered vigorously upon the
sterner battles of civil life. Dame
Fortune smiled upon him and
wealth poured into his exchequer.
He married one of the fair maidens
of the neighborhood, and all went
merry as q marriage bell. But bark |!
in q few years the Geld hand Of afiiIc-
ton came. His bright and cheerful
companion began to droop and
wither. The fell destroyer, consump-
ton, had reached forth his icy hand
and grasped her in his releutless en-
brace. A physician, after consults-
ton, advised a foreign trip as pos
sibls escape from the dread monster.
The kind-hearted husband took her
to Europe, but after . brief sojourn
there the physicians informed her
that she must go the way of oil flesh.
She, having, dou btless imbibed much
of the fiery patriotism OF the early
! Sixties, expressed desire to die
where the Stare and Stripes fioated
triumphantly over all. They hurried
home ana her young life went out,
after having been married some three
years. Then and there the noble
usband seemed to bury all his hopes
of married bliss and, true to his first
| affection, remained wldOwer until
death.
But misfortune never seems to come
singly, and he, with others, having
become security on the bond of the
county treasurer VIXEN a defalcstion
was discovered and this soldier was
the only solvent man on the bond
and 1t took his property, about
$4,000 worth, to llquidato the debt.
But with his meek and Christian
resignation, in his old age, he MUIR
INJURED not, ut.said 1t lie only the con-
dition OF thousands OF mankind.
A bout a month ago he came to lola,
on an order from the Pension Depart
msnt at Washington to appear be-
fore the board of examiners here, but
before the hoard met he fell sick and
went to the Hospital where he was
kindly ministered to under tho super
vision of McCook Post, No. 81, &. A.
r. of this place. Nothing was left
undone to make his last days COM
Portable, but that came fell destroyer,
consumption, had marked him AZ a
victim, and at few minutes past Il
o'clock Friday, the 18th, he calmly
fell asl eep in death.
He had the satisfaction of meeting
one of his comrades, of his soldier days
with whom he had touched elbows
and marched to the fray, moro than
thirty five years ago, John w,
Thomas, officer of the Guard of Nc.
Cook Post, who knew him we'll both
having been in Company X, but had
not met since the war.
February Is, on the beautiful
bright sunny Sabbath morning, at II
a. m. while the Church bells of the
city were ringing out their peals so
peace on earth, good will towarC
men," inviting saint and sinners tt
come to the gospel feast, the funers
cortege. under the auspices of Nc
Cook Post, with slow and measured
tramp followed by large concourst
of old and young soldiers and cltizenI
with the hearse bearing the corpse
preceded by band of music render
ing "a solemn funeral lmarch, thu
column led by his old Contradict. w
Thomas bearing the stars and stripe
at half mast and heavily draped will
crepe, marched to the Reformed
church where very appropriate anC
impressive sermon was delivered
by the pastor Comrade Shuey, Pos
Chaplain, from the XIX Chapter, 2
verse of Job. "Have pity on me
have pity on me, o ye friends: for tn
hand of God hath touched mo-" Al
ter which the casket was opened ant
we took q last look at the face OF