The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1909-10-11

turned the pallid faces of more than
million men to the sky.
He knew Napoleon thoroughly, from
Corsica to st. Helena. He knew his
statesmanship, what he had done to
build France up as well as tear 1t
down. He could describe every one
of his battles, give the number OF the
opposing forces and the names OF the
opposing generals. I believe IL all
Napoleonic history had been iblotted
out he could have come near replac-
ing it. One can easily believe that
when Hagerman was hewing the way
for his railroad through the Rocky
Mountains that he called to his mind
the success of Napoleon when he ov-
ercane the Alpine barriers.
/ have always thought that James
J. Hagerman. to use a common but
expressive phrase. was cut out for a
soldier. He could plan and execute.
and when necessary take perilous
chances against heavy odds. In his
gigantic business schemes he was as
self reliant and tenacious as Grant.
as versatile as Sherman. and as dash
ing as Sheridan. In fact he came near
being a soldier. When the shot was
fired at Sumter that thrilled every
patriotic heart, and stirred every 10y
was within one month of graduation.
but we threw away our books. gave
up the chance for our long-hoped for
diplomas and tried to rush away to
the rescue of the endangered flag A
muster roll was made out and hand
ed to the President of the university.
asking that we be given leave OF alb
sence to enlist. | have so little to be
proud of that | think / may say even
ho Grcf 1,nf
list, and as | remember 1t. Hager-
mans next. That roll. dim and faded.
Is now in the archives of the Univer-
sity of Michigan. a sacred relic, al
least 10 the class of 1861. Through
he impossibility of gaining admission
in body to the regiment then form
ing in Detroit. and needing the wise
counsel of the faculty we staid ON for
graduation.
Hagerman, of course. came through
With credit. His work on the steam
poat as well as in the class room. had
is reward.
II was a great qualification to him
that his father. who had strongly op-
posed his going to college. and
brown almost every obstacle in his
way. was present at Commencement.
and, as his son states the proudest
and happiest man in Michigan. One
Il
iege class. with a daily association
of four years. with the same hopes
and experiences. when the heart Is
enderest. and the blood warnest.
when the first friendships are plant
I'd. can not know the steadiness and
endurance of those iensIships, and
Il he pangs of a class parting or the
10Y of class reunion. Mr.. Hagerznan
himself writes in our class history:
o.
casional occupations, or recreations.
J look forward with hope. Few days
of my life have passed without my
thanking God for the good | got from
the University of Michigan. OF all the
men | have ever known, tand he knew
good many mem my classmates, ana
other friends made there. are the
nearest to my heart"
He expressed his gratitude in 9TH
ct ways than words. Upon the organ
ization OF the School of Political
Science in the university ne gave to
It a large and valuable library.
When the members of the class
catered 10 their homes the country
was in the first flames of an awful
civil war, and most of them enlisted.
Hager-nan was as patriotic and eager
as any. but the serious Illness of his
father. and other obstacles which ev-
On he could not overcome, kept him
from entering the army. and this is
why he was not a soldier. I know II
was a matter of bitter regret TO him
hen. and to the last hour of his life.
Had ne gone into the army, from
what ] know about him, and from
what you know about him, we may
believe he would have risen to i'm
Dortant command. and had he been
in battle, and not been killed, as
many of his classmates were, II
would have been known that there
had been something of a fight.
Should there be any young people
here from the schools or any young
man who is in college, or thinking OF
going to college, | beg to call their
earnest attention to the college life
of Mr.. Haeernan which I have so
briefly sketcned. II is almost uniyer-
sally true that the character. habits.
application and industry shown in
school and college appear in all the
days and years of after life. Learn
rom him that IT is not to the athlete
and sluggard that the world gives
success and hign place.
After e--r college good bye I did
net see him a1ain until soon after
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