The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1903-08-12

devise and all that loving hearts could
contrive, she gradually sank until death
relieved her and on Wednesday morn
ing August 9Th at 2 a. M, her spirit
passed to the keeping Of Him who gave
it. At her bedside, as she passed the
dark river, was her sisters, son and
daughter and grand children and many
of her friends.
Last Thursday afternoon the funeral
services we're held in the parlor OF her
old home, where the casket was opened
and hundreds of her many friends took
their last look at her mortal remains.
The beautiful tlower-decked casket
was then conveyed to plot on the old
homestead here, that she loved so well
in life, and amid the touching and i'm
pressive services of the order Of the
Eastern Star and surrounded by one OF
the largest concourses of people ever
gathered together in this county. whose
presence testified to their sincere at
lection and esteem for the departed one,
the coffin was lowered to its last resting
place.
Thus to mortal eye appears she to
sleep dust to dust earth TO earth but
blessed assurance the spirit unto God
who gave 1T.
Standing beside the tomb of this good
woman, it is we'll that we should profit
by the lessons of the solemn hour.
Death is as profound mystery today
as at the dawn OF time. The intcrvcil-
ing centuric; have witnessed countless
efforts to discover the lard beyond this
mortal sphere, but there is no Columbus
of the grave.
With all the advancement of the
vaunted present we are as ignorant Of
our condition beyond the scpulchcr as
the savage of prehistoric ages.
! The light of progress which has pene-
trated SO many abysses of human ignor-
ancc, beats in vain upon the darkness OF
the tomb. Death Is the one monarch
whom resolutions cannot conquer, the
one ruler whose Kingdom ever widens.
We are all helpless beneath his sway as
weeds in the sweep of the sea. Millions
of generations have risen for brief period
of life and love, of hope and glory, Of
despair and sin. Whether they pass to
lovlier scenes or remain forever within
the somber empire of the grave we do
not know.
Beyond the fact that death is our un-
failing destiny, we are so far as mere
mortal knowledge is concerned, in utter
and in crushing ignorance. Death turks
within the farest flower: It's borne upon
the gentlest breeze. 1t sable wings are
ever lowering around us and we know
not the hour when his summons may
come. The incomprehensiblc is the
Infinite.
Yet in this sad death, all has not
passed away-the mothers fragrant
memory, soothing accents, sweet assur
ances, comforting and kind acts remain
an example to her children, beacon to
direct them as they journey through
life, shield to protect them more pre-
cious than gold, more lasting than time.
She has earned the quiet slumber of
the dreamless grave. May peace dwell
with her ashes and angels with her soul.
We believe there are palaces beyond the
glimmer of the skies, where rest and
bliss awaits us all. Beyond the curtains
of the clouds all those whom death has
separated for time, shall meet to part
and die no more, and every hope and
dream of glory shall fruit and flower
| there.
In the cities of the blest there is no
death, brtt~ttiilere is lie eternal and hap
piiHgisGss supreme. Has He not said: Il
am the resurrection and the life: he
that believeth in Me, though he we're
dead, yet shall he live. Blessed are the
dead which die in the Lord. They
shall rest from their labors and their
works shall follow them" So came and
lived and went our beloved friend "Aunt
Diana" Cotton. And when time is no
more, when the dust of the dead of
ages again become instinct with life and
bursts the letters of the grave, the ones
she has left behind and loved so well
will gather about the opening sepulcher
to welcome to the home not made by
hands, to future never to be broken by
sickness or death, the dear mother
whose irreparable loss they now bitterly
deplore. She leaves son, Mr.. L. D. Col
ton, of Burlington, and a daughter, Mrs.
James johnson, wife of our states at
torney, together with two sisters, Mrs.
T. G. Wells, of Lisbon, and Mrs. j. J.
Hunnewell. of Burlington, and two
brothers, Mr.. Sol. Robinson of Lisbon,
and Mr.. Joshua Robinson of New York
to mourn her loss.