Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1900-04-05
The Last Of Earth.

.
of respect to the lives Of Two we'll
known residents, +. NJ. Bonham and
William Schaben, deceased.
The people OF Beetown are called
upon to mourn the death of Frank NJ
Bonham which occurred suddenly at
his home in the center of the village
on the morning of March -, 1900,
aged 20 years and Is days.
The funeral was scheduled to take
place at 2 o'clock on the following
Saturday. Long before that hour
many teams were driven in from the
surrounding country bearing friends
who came to pay the last tribute TO
the pioneer citizen. AS further
mark OF respect all business houses
we've closed, and at the appointed
hour the church was packed to its
doors, it being difficult to bring the
casket and the members of the family
OF the deceased through the throng.
The services were opened by the
singing of local choir, after which
the Reverend j. A. Jamison address
ed the audience, his voice growing
husky with emotion as he attempted
to pay tribute to his old friend and
nearest neighbor. He spoke touch
ingly of the little store across the
way-a rendezvous for the children
to whom Mr.. Bonham was always
kind and generous. The children
were not the only recipients Of his
indulgence. He was considerable and
kind to those in distress, and to all
laborers, as was shown by the many
who came that day to drop tear al
his burial. If the expressions of re
greet at his demise are a criterion. then
Frank Bonham leaves many friends.
If he hath hidden the outcaSt on let III
A ray of sunshine to the cell OF sin
II he hath lent
Strength to the weak and in an hour Of
need,
Over the suffering mindless OF his creed
Or home, has bent,
He has not lived in vain"
Mr.. Bonham had been in failing
health for some time, Dr. Black bourn
had been in attendance, and the only
son, George, who was in Montana
had been notified of his fathers i'll
ness, and came home. But still the
fathe went back and forth from the
home to his place of business, keep
ing on his feet until almost the last
ounce of strength was used. About
ten days before the end, his condition
became alarming. DR.. Holf0rd of
Cassville was called and with DR..
Blackburn, pronounced the patient
in serious condition. Mr.. Bonham
! did not know that he was so i'll, as
there seemed no disease, only rapid
decline, and the members of the fam
| lily, while aware Of the lack Of hope
and ministering to his every want
with the most watchful assiduity,
never dreamed of so speedy termi-
nation.
A sudden heart failure and the
charmed circle of home was broken:
the first link in the chain severed and
the loved father transmitted from
this life of disappointment, pain and
care into eternal rest. What sweet
departure for him. No struggle, nc
agonizing death-bed scene, Just a
dropping off to sleep. How calm the
features, how peaceful he looked in
his last repose, reminding one Of the
noble patriarchs of old, with the long
beard sweeping over his breast No
more toll for him, no more worry
about the welfare of his loved ones.
A most indulgent parent, ne was
the kind of father that is most sore
ly missed and mourned. Coming in
and going out day by day, and many
times day, ever kind and thought
full in his family relations, no wonder
the home hearts are almost paraivzed
with grief. 0 these sudden deaths.
how they strike us chill and dumb,
| There are emotions, which swell in
the human heart that lie forever be-
yond the domain of human express
sion. Such are the feelings that take
possession of our souls when heart 5
dearest treasure is thus sud denly
transferred from our embrace. We
refuse to accept as real that which is
inevitable, and cling with hopeless
hope to something that shall make it
unreal Only those who have been
bereft can understand or know the
depth of such a sorrow. And the
first break in the home, the first form
missed from its accustomed place -
how bitter the days, how long the
nights ere sweet peace again finds a
dwelling place there. All the preach
ing and philosophy in the world can
not fill the yawning gap.
In this broken home the beauties Of
approaching spring bring not the re-
juyenating joys that they are wont to
disclose. In the springing grass and
budding tree there will be the thought
of the vanished hand" The sweet
MARBLE of birds will breath ever an
under cadence of the 'yoice that is
still"
The little grandchildren who know
nothing of the great mystery, will
wonder again and again where is
"Grandpa, /" and their innocent ques-
tioning will many times day open
anew the wounds in the older breasts.
But eyes believed with tears look
oftenest toward heaven. And,
when the day dawns-that other long long
day
When night beyond our ken has passed.
When home and rest are reached at last
think, perchance, that we will say
The toll but makes more sweet the rest
And sorrow was not sent in vain.
If patient strength be learned through pain
And we shall see his way was best.
Q Frank NJ. Bonham was born in Pike
county. Missouri. He came to Wis |