Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-12-09
ELKS HONOR M IlORY
OF DEPARTED BROTHERS

He was full of life, youth and hope, be-
loved by all who knew him. A sad ac-
cldent deprived him of his life just as
he was entering the splendid portals
of manhood.
wv. E. Williams was superintendent
OF the mines at Keb He was born in
North Wales and came to this country
many years ago. He was a coal miner
and followed that occupation in this
country. He worked for several years
at keb, and through hard work and
perseverance he rose to position of
trust and responsibility, as superin-
tendent of the vast mines at Keb. He
was quiet, unassuming, studious and
good manly man.
"To dwell upon the life of Isaac H.
Sickel. whose sad death occurred SO
recently would make this meeting
seem Eeore like funeral service than
stated memorial. To give him the
mention he deserves would be out of
place at this time. and will leave it
to those who conduct next years me-
mortal service to pay to his memory
the tribute which is due. Personally,
however | want to say a few words
about Isaac Sickel. Well do | remem-
Der the time, nine or ten years ago,
when he came to this city,then mere
boy. He began his life's work with
all the enthusiasm and spirit which
characterized his subsequent life, and
his splendid character, manly bearing
and cherry good nature. | can safely
say that Isaac H. SicEel died without
known enemy and that his death was
mourned by the entire community. 1t
is hard indeed for us to become easily
or quickly reconciled to fate which
strikes down in the full bloom of use
full life one so universally loved and
respected.
Il wish now to speak at some length
of James R. Burgess. whose death oc-
Cured within the past year. Mr.. Bur
CESS was born near Louisville, KY,
April 5, 1858, and died in Ottumwa
July 10, 1902. He spent the greater
part of his life in Wapello county,
though during his boyhood he lived
for time in Keokuk county Those
who knew him as boy say that he
was studious, ambitious and honor
able in his dealings as he was in after
years. His was disposition so full
of kindness and good cheer that to
know him once was to love him al
ways.
Having completed his course in the
public schools of Ottumwa and also in
business college here Mr.. Burgess,
then little more than boy, engaged
in business. He devoted his time to.
the work and in few years he had
built up most successful business
herein Ottumwa. He became a poll
tician also and in 1885, 'S6, 81 and '8S
was a member of the city council He
was member of the twenty-first and
twenty-second general assemblies of
Iowa and in 1891 he was elected may
or of Ottumwa After the presidential
election of 1892 he was appointed
postmaster in this city by Presidett
! Cleveland and served in this capacity
| for four years"
Mr.. Lewis then read letters frim
known Mr.. Burgess while living and
who wrote to pay tribute to his mem
cry These letters were from Hon. A.
M. Utterback Of Sigourney, boyhood
friend; Hon. w H. Robb and Hon. A.
B. Cummins, both of whom served in
the state legislature with Mr.. Burgess;
Hon S.. I. Babb, political and per-
sonal friend; Hon. S. l.. Bestow, who
was lieutenant governor when Mr..
| Burgess was member of the state
legislature, and A. w. Lee, who sue
ceeded Mr. Burgess as postmaster in
this city.
Mayor Picker Pays Tribute.
Immediately after Mr.. Lewis ad-
NJ n IT nsnJrI
a few minutes upon the life of James
R. Burgess, touching upon his own
connection with him in politics and
business and as his deputy postmaster
He described him as honest, honora-
BILE, upright. loving and devoted to
his family, generous almost to fault
and an ideal citizen.
The quartet sang an anthem, 90,
the Day Is Deepening" and this num-
Der was followed by an address by
Captain w. H. G. Jaques on the sub
| ject, "The Ell1s." Captain Jaques gave
a brief account of the origin and his
tory of the Elks. telling how the order
had been founded by theatrical people
4 in New York in 1867 and was at first
known as the "Jolly Corks." Later,
I in 1868, the name 'Elks" was adopted.
i The speaker told of the marvellous
growth of the organization since 1876
and stated that at the present time
I there are 500 lodges in the country
1 with combined membership of about
/ 100000 He referred to the policy of
/ the organization as to liberality with
regard to religion and its restrictions
and the vows it's members take on
j questions of honor.
After Captain Jaques' address
James Swirles sang tenor solo, "The
] Way of the Cross" and the meeting
was formally closed, according to the
ritual of the lodge, by the exalted rul.
en- The quartet Lien rendered the
anthem, "Shout the Glad Tidings,
and the entire gathering joined in
singing the doxology. The benedic
! ton was then pronounced by Rev.
:. Lynch and the meeting came to an
end.
l WILL HAVE BANQUET.