The Billings gazette., 1902-07-04
NOTABLE FUNERAL OF LATE
JAMES FERGUS.
ADDRESS BY f. D. WEED
Col. Sanders Prevented by Circum
stances From Keeping Engage
ment Of Long Standing.

Helena, July AL that was earth
ly 1of the late James Fergus, pioneer |
Of pioneers, most beloved of fathers |
and husbands, and the stanchost OF
friends, was laid away in Forest Vale
cemetery with ceremony betting
the closing of such a grand career.
Many tears were shed by IT,. gray
haired veterans at the funeral aS they
gazed upon the placid countenance OF
their departed comrade and friend as
it lay in the coffin in thI sleep that
knows no awakening.
Pioneers who had known Mr.. Fergus
in early days came to Helena to be
present at the burial. The Gilratrick
home was crowded when the time set
for the funeral arrived, and many
persons stood in the yard heads un-
covered, as they heard the brief but
Impressive funeral sermon, the only
thing constituting the service, for Mr..
Fergus was believer in no creed or
faith.
Prominent among the floral tributes
was a beautiful wreath sent by the
Montana Pioneers association OF
which Mr. Fergus was the first presi-
dent. Another was sent by the Lewis
and Clarke County Pioneers associa-
tion
At 2 o'clock former Mayor E. D.
Weed delivered the funeral sermon,
in which he paid glowing and fitting
tribute to the character of the depart
ed. Mr.. Weed said in part:
''For many years there had been a
loving pledge. between James Fergus
and Wilbur F. Sanders, that when the
former came to die his old-time friend
should pronounce for him the words
of eulogy. And among the last words
of the strong and gentle man who has
gone from among us was reference to
this lifelong promise. Unfortunate
and sad it is that illness in distant
10 eoIoA lu9nboIe eql s4ueAeId Hllo
Senator Sanders from testifying here
today to the virtues and the worth of
his dear friend.
James Fergus was type OF noble
citizenship, as rare as it is admirable.
Modest to degree, never interfering
with the affairs of others, he yet
guarded his own privileges as an in
dividual and followed the right as he
was given to see the right. In the
best sense he was frontiersman-a
term not we'll understood. 1t was his
nature to explore, to press forward,
to penetrate to- new fields of endeav-
or Always at the front in every form
of thought and action, he was a pio-
neer of pioneers, a pathfinder, build
er of highways, a founder of states.
Upon his deathbed Cecil Rhodes
said: SO much to do and so little
accomplished Doubtless this is the
cry of every noble soul. For years
it was the regret of Fergus that cir
cumstances seemed to limit his pow
er of doing good. He had a noble am
bition to- serve his fellow men. All
the duties of citizen, of neighbor
of friend, of all the sacred relations
of private life, he discharged with
fidelity, but he had higher purpose
to be of substantial benefit to his fel
lows. Who shall say that in all his
life he did not build better than he
knew and thus leave the greatest c1
all benefactions to his fellow
James Fergus, brave pioneer, in
trepid breaker of the way for civiliza
ton, great of heart, noble of purpose
deep and rich in all the kindly traits
that go to make the purest gold o
nobility and worth, has gone ava!
with the gathering shadows. And ye
the world, brighter and better for hi
having lived, goes on forever. So
shall always be. He has left tn
heritage of his greatest useful life t
history. All men are sharers in tn
wealth of his noble memory. His III
went out like the ceasing OF ea
quisite music 1t went to mingle wit
the elements, to become part of tn
breath of the morning, of the midda
sunlight, of the stiffness of the ever
ing.
"Pharaphrasing the word of Ber
cles, it may be said Of such as ht
Their glory shall never die; the Who'll
world is their sepulchre; their ep
taphs are written in the hearts of mai
kind, and wherever there is speech K
noble deeds their names are held |
remembrance
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Weeds r
marks all who wished were permitte
to look at the features OF Mr.. Fergu
after which the casket was closed an
...a - &ho hoorso hv tho fn11oyvin