Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1902-07-02
Funeral Services.

Without a hymn or spoken prayer, |
the body of James Fergus, the pio-
neer, was laid away this afternoon
at Forestyale. An infidel all his life.
Mr.. Fergus had died believing that
death ended all. and at his request
there was no religious services of any
kind over his body. Friends surround
ed the flower-draped casket at the res
idence of his daughter, Mrs. s. c. Gil
patrick, GOA Dearborn avenue, and
heard an eloquent funeral grafton by
Z. d. Weed, an old frienS of the fam.
lily. There were no other ceremon.
les.
At 2 o'clock many persons had as.
sembled at the Fitzpatrick residence.
Included in the number that reverent.
ly paid a last tribute to the pioneer
were many old-timers. It was a not.
able gathering in that respect, for at
no recent funeral in the state has
there been Sc many pioneers assem-
bled.
The body lay in a front room, in
which n the family and a few in.
innate friends. Included among the
number were: Andrew Fergus. son
OF the dead man; Mr.. and Mrs. S. C.
Gilpatrick, and Mr.. and Mrs. II. S.
Hamilton. of Lewistown. Mrs. Gil.
patrick and Mrs. Hamilton are daugh.
tiers of Mr.. Fergus. Mrs. Frank Mau.
rey, of Dilley, Ore, another daughter.
was not present.
On the casket and about Il were
many floral tributes. Prominent
among these was a beautiful wreath
of American Beauty roses from the
Montana State Pioneers association,
OF which Mr.. Fergus was the first
president. There were two other
wreaths, one of which was sent BY
the Helena Elks. A pillow of pink car
nations from Mrs. c. b. Nolan was
one of the notable pieces. There was
another pillow of flowers from Mrs.
Fitzpatrick. Cut flowers in profusion
decorated the room.
At 2 o'clock Mr.. Weed arose and
made the funeral grafton. There
were no preliminary services of any
kind. Standing by the fiower-drapeJ
casket, Mr.. Weed paid an eloquent.
tribute to the dead pioneer. His voice
was low at first, but after the first
few sentences. his words could be
heard by many OF the waiting friends
out In the front yard on the walk.
Mr.. Weed preceded his Grafton by
saying, concerning the absence of ex.
Senator Sanders:
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 1t Is that illness
in a distant city prevents the elo
quent voice of Senator Sanders fron
testifying here today to the virtues
and the worth of his dear friend.
AT the request OF the family | ask
your kind indulgence. while | endeav.
or to speak a few words OF tribute D.
his memory"
When Mr.. Weed had concluded, tn,
~pall-bearers selected from among old
!. time friends, carried the casket e
the waiting hearse. The p~allbearer,
were: Ex-Governor Samuel 7. Har
ser, John T. Murphy, Colonel Samue
Word, ex-senator Thomas c. Power
General Charles d. Curtis and W. {
Gillette.
: Many friends followed the body {
the grave at Forestyale. The bod
Of Mrs. Fergus, who died a nunbe
Of years ago, was buried in the oil
cemetery. II will be taken up an
- fF. GOD i.ptdc that nj ba, buebanJ