The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-12
Mortal Remains of Col. johnson
Are Laid Away.
Body I'm Church Beneath a Will
derness of Flowers.
TOUCHING TRIBUTES.
Pastor of First III. e. Church
Tells of Useful Life.
knights Templar Hold Brief
Service for the Departed.

Amid tempestuous elements, which
were driving cold and harsh from the
north, the remains OF Colonel Alexan-
der s. johnson, the Oldest native Kan
san, were laid forest on Sunday after
noon in Topeka cemetery The words
at the grave were simply the brief ones.
Earth to earth, dust to dust, ashes to
ashes" and the benediction.
1t was planned to have the Knights
Templar, of which the deceased was
an honored member, conduct the SER
vices at the cemetery. But because Of
the Indictment weather, it was deter
mined to hold them in the First Meth
odist church, after DIR. w G. Evans
had completed his funeral sermon Al
that place the simple service of the
Templars was read and conducted by
William Green and w. C. Chaffee.
Crossed swords were laid upon the
bier of the dead, and the cross, the
symbol of Templarism, was placed
with the swords. The knights were in
full uniform. The entire commandery
was present, and stood at attention
during the Templar ceremony
A private service was held at
o'clock at the home of George NJ Noble
The immediate relatives and friends or
the family were present.
At 2:30 o'clock the body was taken
to the First Methodist Episcopal church
When the cortege arrived, the knights
Templar formed on either side of the
door to the pulpit, reading aloud from
the Scriptures, while the organ softly
intoned THE Religious Meditation"
The bier was placed before the chan
eel rail. A wilderness Of flowers was
placed about 1t. The private contribu-
ton from personal frfendsA was alone
a mountainous tribute of their regard.
The Topeka Commandery sent a cross
of pink and white roses: From the
Topeka club, of which the deceased
CHI al
of American beauties. in which were
more than so blossoms Topeka lodge
No. II of Masons sent sheaf of white
roses The Central National bank, of
which Colonel Johnson was at one time
a director and vice president offered as
q tribute bank of roses and carna-
lions.
Half of the middle section of the
seats in the church was reserved for
the family of the deceased, the friends,
and the knights Templar. With Mrs.
johnson was her daughter, Mrs. C. E.
Fargo, and Mr.. c. E. Fargo of Dallas,
Tex. A number OF immediate friends
were also. in the group.
The services opened with the reading
of the nineteenth Psalm, after which the
choir. composed of MIS- George w.
Moore and Mr.. Harry Pribble, sang,
Jerusalem the Golden.
"a great and good man has passed
away" said DR.. Evans as he began his
He was one of the prophecies come true
of her destiny. He was her first son.
Colonel johnson has passed away,
finished his labors and gone to his
reward. 1t is unnecessary ITO review
his life if done with a view of mag-
nifying his name. But to impress
upon those who hear this, his manly
characteristics, his unimpeachable
honesty, his spirit of fairness and
justice, we will go back over the span
of his life and tell its story from his
deeds
DR.. Evans then reviewed at length
the life of the deceased. He told of
his birth in the Shawnee mission,
where his father was the first Meth
odist missionary to work among the
Efaawnee Indians. He told of that
1ather's death by the bushwhackers,
of the boys education in the mission
schools. Then of the career at col
lege, his entrance into mercantile pur-
suits, his going to the Kansas legis-
lature, formed themes for the min
listers address. With regard to Col
mol Johnson's public life, DR.. Evans
said: He went to the legislature
twice. In all of his years these were
the only offices which he held under
the state. His great natural modesty,
held him out of public offices to which
his wide acquaintance entitled him.
"As a railroad man." continued DR..
Evans, 'you knew him best. His ac-
cession to the Office of land commits
sioner for the Santa Fe, brought him
high minded chivalry, his by choice,
won him unstinted respect and honor.
To his everlasting praise and glory be
it said. that Colonel johnson died a
comparatively poor man. He had
millions of acres in his charge-acres
that laughed back with glee when
tickled by the hoe of industry.
Throughout Kansas today, there are
hearts and homes that are sad. sad
because they know that a friend has
gone-a friend who was a friend. and
must always be the noblest work of
man. Then behold in Colonel John
son. one of Gods noble men.
An index to his character and
work and an Illustration of the high
esteem in which he was held by those
who were most intimately associated
with him and knew him best, is fur
nished in gathering in Topeka of
his Santa Fe land agents, who in 1886
presented him with a silver service,
with this address:
''If we looked for business indus
try. we have found you at your desk.
eff we have looked for friendship
we have found kind counsel.
If we have looked for truth, you
scorned falsehood and misrepresenta-
ton
"If we looked for charity. you were
considerate for all industries.
"If we looked for honor, we found
you unmoved by every bride of in
terest-
IF we looked for constancy to
friends. we found you defending your
boys
''If we looked for the broadest man
hood. we found in you a Christian
gentleman.
His great heart is stilled; he has
gone to the great beyond" but he
has left the memory of a life full of
usefulness and beneficence which can
not fail to be an inspiration towards
the highest type of manhood and
Christian citizenship
And from this death we should
draw a lesson. What should be our
proper view. What should be seen frr
II. There is but one YieM-but one