Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1903-05-27

BY times swift tide we're driven.
How sweet the thought that every wave,
| But bears us noRrer heaven!
There we shall meet when life is DER.
In that blest home to part no more"
A wave of genuine sorrow and regret
swept over our little city Sunday morn
ing when the intelligence was spread
that Hon. Daniel Buchanan. our pioneer
and prominent resident. had answered
the roll call of death shortly before mid
night. About month ago the deceased
was taken suddenly i'll with what ap-
peared to be a breaking down of the
nervous system. Continuing to decline
until there seemed to be little hope for
recovery. the entire family were speed
lily summoned. At the end of two weeks
he rallied and when apparently out of
danger the sons and daughters. with the
exception of John Buchanan of Rio,
Wisconsin, returned to their homes.
Saturday morning DR.. John NJ. Adams
announced that the end was nearing and
would occur within forty-eight hours.
The subject of this sketch was born in
Glasgow. Scotland. February IS, 1890.
and was therefore in his S4th year. A
day or so before his last sickness he re-
marked to the writer that his work was
done-that he was very, very tired and
longed for rest. There are not many
words to say. All may be summed up
in the statement that noble man has
been called from his labors. Such men
are indeed missed and sincerely
mourned.
Mr.. Buchanan was man of COM
handing presence. magnetic personality.
even temperament and great force of
character. Wherever he lived, his rare
business gifts. combined as they were
with a heart full of philanthropy, made
HIM man pre-eminent among his tel
lows.
He made many friends and kept them.
Such a man is indeed rare, and his un-
timely death will be regretted through
out the state and elsewhere.
He said what he thought and did
what he said. His promises were never
neglected. He gave his word with
great caution. but once given it was
sacred and was always redeemed.
He was conspicuously brave, but not
SYSTEMATICALLY so. He never lacked
courage to meet any emergency nor to
face any condition. His moral courage
fully equaled his physical bravery and
he knew no fear. He was public spirit
ed to degree, and his thoughts were
more for his state, his country and his
countrymen than for himself. He was a
patriot. Such man is indeed a bless
ing to the community in which he makes
his home.
Turning to those tender qualities
which make men especially near and
dear to their fellows. MIR. Buchanan was
kind. charitable and tender. He sought
to relieve suffering. He wept with the
afflicted, mourned with them in their be-
reavements and gave freely to the poor.
He loved his children with touching
tenderness and cherished the memsry of
his wife and kept it green, watered it
with his tears and believed it with ten
der and holy memories many long and
lonely years after she was taken from
him. and until the very hour Of his
death.
Let young people know. and let older
ones remember. that such a man lived
his noble life amid the strifes of parties
and the bitterness of faction; that he
left legacy to Rltzville in the public IL
brary, which now should bear his name.
and that such acts for beneicent institu-
tons do not spring from low and sordid
minds, but are the overflow of the life
and character Of more than an ordinary
man. His thoughts we're pure and his
conversation elevating. He was human
and no doubt had faults. 1t is surprising
that the greatest and best men should
have such pronounced weaknesses in
some direction. Yet if Mr.. Buchanan
had them they we're not known to the
general public. while his great and noble
life is an example worthy of emulation.
1t will be many a day before the
memory of "our grand old man" fades
from the hearts of his friends. The de-
parted was married to Mary Shaw. conf
ing to the United States in 1850. first
landing on American soil in New York
city. July 4 of that year going to Wiscon-
sin. where he resided thirty.four years;
came to Washington in 1884; lived first
year in Seattle. and since then his home
has been on the farm. FIVE miles west Of
this city.
To Mr.. and Mrs. Buchanan we're born
seven children. six of whom are now
living. He was brought up in the
Presbyterian faith. later joined the Bap-
fist denomination, but since coming here.
has always attended and supported the
First Congregational church. Funeral
services were held in the latter named
place of worship Monday afternoon al
2 p. m. the edihce being packed to the
doors.
A splendid quartette. consisting of
Mrs. Matte E. Martin. Mrs. Clayton E.
Shipman. Mr.. F. P. French and Mr.. r.
Clyde Kennedy. assisted by Mrs. l. Wat
son Myers as org anist, rendered several