Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1908-06-05
MEMORIAL DAY

Memorial Day was properly observed
by the people of Elko. The banks and
stores were closed and the flags floated
at half mast.
AT 1 o'clock II large audience gathered
u: Odd Fellows hall to listen to the cx-
ercises of the day. conducted by Elko
Lodge No. ~.
The program as heretofore published
in these columns was rendered. The
singing by the choir and the song by the
school children was excellent and the
address by DIR. Clark was one of the best
and most appropriate the writer has
ever heard in Elko.
He began by paying II touching tribute
to the men who had laid down their
lives that the union might lie maintain
ed and the government founded by the
patriots of 171G might live. He then
touched upon the appropriateness of
Odd Fellows keeping the day in re-
m%elnbrance of their brethren who had
laid down the burden and now sweetly
sleep in the silent cities. He closed
with the following tribute to the men,
DRY of our late governor, John Sparks:
\ weekago and our beloved state WIS
smiling and happy On Sunday all IL
flags were placed mt half mast and II
condition of sorrow and depression pass
ed throughout the state rs the result
of the death of IN man. 4 mar occu-
pying the highest position in the state.
Personally known to many Of you and
loved by all who knew him and re-
spected by all who came in contact with
him. a man who closed Il life of great
and noble deeds with the words:
II am not afraid 20 die. I've done my
best all my life and / am ready to go"
Through turmoil, almost amounting
to internecine strife, John Sparks stored
the ship of state to n safe harbOr. To-
day his body lies in the tomb and the
dcstinics Of the state are transferred
TO another hand. Tomorrow and we
shall have joined him.
Large of stature, large of heart large
of mind and of idea was John Sparks.
To few is it given to bc rs sincerely
mourned, mourned not only by friends
and those of the same political opinions
but also by all, without regard to the
lines of the past. His life is written in
indclible characters upon the pages of
Nevada's record as n state. His in
tiuence will live long after his body has
crumbled to dust. Though his ashes
may be inferred in the cold, cold ground
the warm humanity of his life will re-
main in the memory of his friends and
acquaintance like IL rare perfume"
OF him it has been said:
HE was the soul of honesty and the
type of liberality.
HE has not only been IL citizen in
fact but IL citizon in deed.
He aimed to do what was right and
tn do his duty rs he saw it without fear
and without reprOach.
His generous nature was grand and
noble and his every act was prompted
by the purest motives and the interests
of the state he loved and served so well.
He was prone to regard I'LL men us
having some element of good in their
composition and he acted on that idea"
The words of the immortal bard apply
to him:
His life was gentle and the elements
so mixed in him
That nature might stand up and say to
all the world:
This was a mani"
Friend and foe, acquaintance and
stranger each today mourn John
Sparks.
DR.. Clark was listened to with wrapt
attention and his address made II mark
ed impression upon all who heard it.
At the conclusion of the exercises in
the hall, a procession was formed and
the Odd Fellows and Rcbckahs, fol-
lowed by citizens, marched to the |. o.
o. f. cemetery, where the Memorial
services adopted by the Sovereign
Grand Lodge were performed and
flowers strcwn on the graves. After
which, the procession reformed and
returned to town.