The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1907-10-25

The following tribute to the memory
of G. w, Braasch, deceased, was read
by II. G. Matrau at the regular meet
ing of Norfolk lodge No. 653, B. p. o.
f., Oct. 10, 1907:
Exalted Ruler and Brethren.-The
story OF mans life IL quickly told
A child is born, endowed by his ere
ator with that divine spark, a human
soul, with powers and capacities I'M
developed-almost infinite were II not
limited by a physical body.
Helpless innocent infancy. growing
childhood, budding youth, vigorous
manhood, mature years, declining pow
ers, old age senility or second child
hood, death and the grave, Is the life
story OF every human being unless in
teTfered with or interrupted by acct.
dent CT disease.
There are two sides to every human
life; that which the world sees and
makes note of, and an inner life which
is only in "A limited degree revealed
to a few intimate and trusted friends,
ana is only clearly known and under
stood by an omniscient God whose all
seeing eye searches the hidden secrets
OF all hearts.
The writer of this paper came to
Norfolk twenty-five years ago, and in
the performance of his duties as rail.
way station agent made the acquaint-
ance of Mr. Braasch, a substantial,
shrewd business man, always reliable
and reasonable, an old army comrade,
and n true and loyal friend. Almost
daily contact in business seemed some
how to create feeling between us of
personal friendship and love.
In many things we did not agree,
but these differences seemed but to
accentuate our mutual regard and
friendship for each other.
Brother Braasch had his faults but
they were on the outside, and visible
TO all men. He was not the kind of a
man who can be model of virtue and
propriety at home, and a gay Lothario
when away from home where his
home folks are not likely to hear Of
his escapades. Our brother scorned
deceit and hypocrisy and never at
tempted to hide his faults under a
mask of false responsibility. His bust
ness associates, neighbors and friends
among whom he moved In this place
for a third of a century saw him daily
passing in and out among them, at
tending to his business, on our streets,
him ever the same transparent char
acter corcealing no fault or imperfec-
ton from his fellow men. To some
his faults may have seemed ineXusa-
BILE, but we as Elks, admonished by
the beautiful precepts of our order,
will write them on the sands" where
the tide of passing years will oblit-
crate them forever, while we "inscribe
his virtues on the tablets of love and
memory"
Brother Braasch loved his family
and his home. To his wife and chill
dren he was ever a kind husband and
father. No sacrifice was too great for
him to make for their comfort and
pleasure With sufficient means to
provide for their wants, he used the
same unsparingly for his loved ones
benefit and pleasure, but money could
not purchase health, and we all know
how fatal disease attacked one after
another of this family until in the
short space of six years the wife and
mother, daughter, and three sons al
passed away leaving him, an old man
alone and solitary in home that had
been the center of his hopes and af
fections.
Brother Braasch was a social man
his nature seeming to crave the so
ciety OF old acquaintances and friends
To them he was ever the same bill,
a wholesouled, genial and entertaining
companion. This very lovable qualit,
OF mind and temperament contributed
doubtless to his chief weakness, an(
habits that may have shortened hi
life.
AS a son he was unmindful Of hi
Iol To hic n,
told me more than once that he turned
over a large portion Of his wages t
his father until he was twentysevel
years of age. His parents were poo
and money scarce when the family set
tied here, and Brother Braasch walked
to Omaha and found employment will
a railroad company, and his fathe
would drive his team to Omaha, tim
ing his trips to arrive there about pa,
day, when he would load the old man
wagon with -four, meat and groceries
and send him home with a little mon
ey in his pocket to pay expenses OF
the road His railroad boss becam
accustomed TO periodical requests TO
a days lay-off from work and an eXtr
installment of wages, and would as
him, lis the old man coming again?
AS an American citizen Brothe
Braasch offered his life for his adopt
ed country, and shed his blood on tn
field of Gettysburg in the defense @
the union. AS a citizen Of Norfolk h
contributed of his time and means I
the building up and prosperity of thi
his home city.
He loved children and flowers.
is little thing to mention, but hav
seen him many at ime stop littl
child on the street, give 1t dime an
say, 60 and get some candy"
You all know and have seen HI
home with It's beautiful lawn, shad
trees and flowers. These were plan
ed, nurtured and cared for by him
give pleasure to his loved ones, an