Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1908-05-23
NEVADA
MOURNS
John Sparks, Gov
ernor of Nevada.
Passed Away.

John Sparks, governor of Nevada,
died at his home near Reno at $50
o'clock Friday morning.
Governor Sparks was born in Miss
issippi on August 80, 1943. He spent
his early boyhood in Mississippi, where
his father owned large plantation.
Later the family, moved to Hagerstown,
Maryland, and from that place moved
to Lampasas, Texas, in 1857. He lived
there until 1858, when he moved his
family to this state and from that time
until his death he lived in Nevada,
making his home most of the time on
the Alamo stock farm near Reno.
Governor Sparks at one time was
largely interested in the cattle business
in this county with John Tinnin. The
business was afterward conducted under
the name of the Sparks Harrell Com
pany. Later Governor Sparks sold his
interest to A. J. Harrell of California.
He was the owner of extensive cattle
ranges and cotton plantation in Texas
which he visited every year He was
also largely interested in breeding
blooded cattle and the Herefords and
Durhams from his Alamo ranch are
famous throughout the United States.
In 1902, he was nominated by the
democrats for governor of Nevada. He
was successful at the polls and became
governor in January 1908. In 1904, he
was the democratic candidate for United
States senator, but was defeated. His
record as governor endeared him to his
party and in 1905 he accepted an unan-
imous denomination for governor
though he had previously declined the
honor. He yielded to his party's de-
mand, made the race and was re-
elected by an increased majority.
Last year the labor troubles at Gold
held were great strain on Governor
Sparks. He made frequent trips to that
camp and did all in his power to bring
the contending factions together on
common ground. But when peaceful
methods failed he took his stand in
favor of law and order and used all
lawful means at his command to main
tain peace and order in the state.
There being no organized force in the
state he could call to his aid, he request
ed President Roosevelt to send United
States troops to Goldfeld to enforce
low and order. His request was grant
and he followed up the coming of the
troops by converting the legislature in
special session to enact legislation by
which the state could enforce it's laws
without the aid of the federal govern
ment.
In taking this stand, he was reviled
and abused by labor agitators and a
few brainless members of the legislature.
He stuck to his duty manfully and the
law abiding element of the state
without regard to party rallied around
him and sustained him in his efforts to
put down lawlessness.
His efforts were successful, but the
mental strain and worry were too
much for his constitution. When the
the legislature adjourned, he was a
tired, sick man. He went to his home
near Reno and placed himself under
the care of a physician. Failing to
improve, he went to San Francisco in
the hope that change Of climate
would benefit him. But this was not
to be and he returned to his home a
few weeks ago. Since then he has
bravely struggled against the inroads
of what the physicians call multiple
neuritis, but the odds against him were
too great and yesterday morning he
peacefully passed over the river.
His devoted wife and family were at
his bedside when the summons came,
He was unconscious all the night be-.
fore, but revived about o'clock in the
morning and in slow quiet way began
talking to his wife, children and q few
friends at his bedside. He said IT do
not fear to die, have worked hard for
the best, and now am ready to go.
III L.