Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1908-05-29
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 30. 1913. He spent
his early boyhood in Mississippi. where
his father owned a large plantation.
Later the family moved to Hagerstown,
Maryland. and from that place moved
to Lampasas, Texas, in 1857. He lived
there until 1868. 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
i'll this county with John Tinnin. The
business WAS aftcrward conducted under
the name of the Sparks.Harrcll Com
pany. Later Governor Sparks sold his
interest to \. j. Harrell of California.
He was the owner of extensive cattle
ranges and cotton plantation i'll Texas.
which he visited every year. He WAS
also largely interested in breeding
blOOdcd cattle and the Icrefords and
Durhams from his Alamo ranch are
g., tI, =
In 1902. he was nominated by the
democrats for governor of Nevada. lie
was successful at the polls and became
governor in January 1908. In 1904, he
was the democratic candidate for United
States senator, hut was defeated. His
record rs governor cndcarcd him To his
party and i'll 1906 he accepted an unan-
imuus denomination for governor
though he had previously declined the
honor. He yielded to his partys de-
mand, made the race and was re-
elected hy an increased majority.
Last year the labor troubles at Gold
field were great strain on Governor
Sparks. He made frequent trips to that
camp and did all in his power to bring
the contcnding factions together OH
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 i'll the
state he could call to his aid, nc request
cd President Roosevelt To send United
States troops to Goldlicld to enforce
low and order. His request was grant
and he followed up the coming of the
troops by convcning the Legislature in
special session to enact legislation by
which the state could enforce its laws
without the aid of the federal govern
ncnt
and abused by labor ngitatOrs and Il
few brainlCSs members of the Legislature.
lie stuck t0 his duty mamfully ana tho
law abiding element Of the state
without regard to party rallied around
him and sustained him in his efforts to
put down lawlcssncss.
His efforts were successful, hut the
mental strain and worry were too
much for his constitution. When the
the legislature adjourned, he was Il
tired, sick man. He went to his home
near Reno and placed himself under
the care of II physician. Failing to
improve. he went to San Francisco in
the hope that Il change Of climate
would benefit him. But this WAS not
to bc and he returned to his home Il
few weeks ago. Since then he has
hruvCly struggled against the inroads
of what the physicians call multiple
ncuritis. hut the odds against him were
too great and yesterday morning he
peacefully passed over the river
Ills devoted wife and family were AT
his bedside when the summons came,
lie was unconscious all the night be.
fore but revived about o'clock in the
morning and in n slow quiet way began
talking to his wife. children and fow
friends ut his bedside. He said 81 do
not fear To die. have worked hard for
the best. and now | am ready to 20.
Good bye all good bye; | want to 10
away from here" He aftcrward saw