Durango semi-weekly herald., 1905-09-18
SAM HERR WAS
BURIED IN FLOWERS


messed in Durango, the line TO the
grave numbering over thirty carriages
IN addition to the Elks In full uniform
TO the number OF nearly fifty, and
about the same number of Woodmen.
The handsome casket was imbedde1
~ flowers. offerings from friends, tn"
Woodmen and Elk lodges each hay
ing provided beautiful floral designs
Rev. W. II. Ferguson conducted the
services AT the house, choir COM
posed OF Mrs. r. G. Perkins, Miss
Katie Copeland. Harry Ware and c.
c. Perkins singing several appropri'
ate selections. At the close or the
remarks by Mr.. Ferguson friends wero
given an opportunity OF taking last
look at their bonored citizen. The
pail bearers. Messrs. ] A. Porter. w,
N. Bagby. VIM. p, Wales. A. p. Camp.
j. l.. Parsons and r C. Graden then
conveyed the casket To the hearse
The Elks took charge at the grave
Rev Ferguson closing with prayer and
the choir singing Nearer, NV God, to
Thee"
Loving hands had transformed the
grave and surroundings into n ilowei
garden, the inside Of the grave being
lined with choice blooms. while on an
incline were mass OF sweet peas
red in the center with white blossoms
for border. placed upon evergreens
and bordered with black ribbon. the
ribon and red aud white sweet pen
being the Woodmen colors. Then the
nearby grave of Harry. ms well as
that of the brother who preceded him
two years ago we're covered win
flowers.
Rev. Ferguson's remarks at the
house were as follows:
Beloved, we are here this morning
for the burial of Samuel f. Herr.
His death has brought little sur
prise. Those who have known him
hest have felt for the last year that
his days were being measured by hu
man endurance. and nature Is power
less to sustain itself for any length
of time at the point of agony. but
though there were such premonitions
the occasion is none the less sad
Forewarning is a poor antidote for the
pain OF separation. Death is always
an ordeal.
MIR. Herr was born in 1881 In Ohio
His earlier years were spent there
but when he was or 10 years of age
his parents moved to Missouri. There
he grew into manhood.
Samuel was the third from the old
est Of a large family, Besides him
there were six children, FIVE sons and
daughter. but, as In n great many in
stances time has wrought hayo,
among them. His fearful mission wa
TO bury both his father and mother
two brothers and the sister. and his
demise added sixth member of the
household to the number.
But. after all, death is its own physi
clan. If two-thlrds OF the number
have gone before, and the thought oi
separation wounds those who are left
behind, the thought of reunion In the
beyond should he balm for TIL,
wounds. That which brings sorrow
here takes JOY there. Earth's tear,
make heavens rainbow
Mr Herr lived most OF his life II
the West His nrst adventure was II
Knnsas. There he mad to do with tn,
oe"-ruction Of the Missouri Pacif,
railroad. and when the work of lay
Ing the rails across the barren sand,
OF the plains was complete. he cam,
on to Colorado. The excitement IL
the San Juan in '7G took him to Sil
verton. There he became a prospect
or and miner. and laid the foundation
for competency. which he at las
got, and, In 'Si he came to Durango
After that ne was identified with tn,
Porter Coal & Fuel company. and
during the period of '92 and '93, rep
resented La Plata county in the state
legislature. ,,s
So he led strenuous life. Every
public movement found him in Its
front ranks. The suggestion of an
industrial enterprise came to him as
call for the expenditure of his own
personal strength. and none wondered
Few months ago at the discovery
that his nervous system had given
away beyond the curative arts of the
doctors and the natural health-giylng
'iihHte OF southern CalltOrnla. His
ceaseless efforts to grow had ripened
him in midsummer and. when the
sickle was thrust In. and the sheaf
was garnered day before yesterday.
September IL. all felt that he had
pressed the work of tnree score and
ten years into a few days less than
hftyfour. -WJ
Nor should we lower such men into
the grave without solemn reflection
Those who have gone before MS and
made the way for us merit our high
est appreciation We now sleep in
pleasant houses and burn electric
lights. and eat the fruits of the tropics
where the old trail.blazers silent in
tents, and burned tallow candles and
ate from tin cans. and the railroads
helds OF coal and veins OF silver and
gold which are emptying their con
tents into our laps every day. gifts
of their toll, hardships and endurance;
OF their labors do follow them. Our
comforts, conveniences and wealth are
beqnest from them, and the least
we can do is to bow before them with
reverence in humble recognition of the