The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1909-03-20
A THOUSAND
AT FUNERAL

| AT FUNERAL
Dickinson Citizens Pay Last Rites
To Body of the Late Hon.
Frank Milton Baker-Impress-
i've Military Honors.
The news of the death of Represen-
tative Frank M. Baker. of which brief
announcement was made In the PRESS
of last week, cast a deep gloom over
the whole city when it became known
late Friday afternoon that the end had
come. Death was not expected so soon,
although little hope was given of his
recovery The sick mans heart. which
had given the physicians uneasiness,
refused to work any longer and he was
barely able to recognize his devoted
mother and his fiance, Miss Emma
Coleman of Bismarck, and give them
his parting message before he passed
away at S 20 O'Clock.
While those about him did not, at
the time realize how near death he was
there is no doubt but that Mr.. Baker
himself was fully aware of his condition
for he was very uneasy around o. clock.
when Miss Coleman was expected to
arrive from Bismarck and even gave his
attendants messages for her in case he
should not see her.
Mr.. Baker was i'll only six days, the
actual cause of his death being pneu-
monia. While at Bismarck, attending
to his duties in the house of representa-
tives. he caught severe cold and the
last few days of the session he was in
no condition to be out of his room.
However. he was determined to look
out for the interests of those who sent
him to the capital to the last minute of
the session, and against the advices
l of all his friends he resulutely stuck to
his post and was present when the final
adjournment was taken.
Then came the reaction and he COL
lapsed, taking to his bed at Bismarck
Saturday. He refused to let his mother
or any one in Dickinson know of his
sickness, even when the attending
physicians pronounced his case pneu-
monia. On Monday he nerved himself
up to the hardships of the journey home
and though he was in no condition to be
moved, he insisted on being token to
his home. At the depot here he again
collapsed and friends assisted him to
his home on Marguerite Boulevard.
He was ill here several days before
it was generally known how sick he was
and to many of his friends the announ-
cement of his death was the first know
ledge of his Illness Everything
possible was done for him but he was
to weak to make winning fight.
AS soon as the end was reported. the flag
on the armory was placed at half mast.
The funeral was held from the armory
on Sunday and was the largest attended
of any funeral in the city.
In no greater way could it have been
possible to show the honor and respect
in which he was held and his general
friendship with all classes and creeds
than by. the thronss Of people from all
ranks and stations, rich and poor,
great and small, Of all beliefs and
nationalities, who long before the hour
set for the funeral. gathered at the
armory, with sober faces and quiet
manner, all drawn together in cne bond
of common sorrow to pay the last honor
to one of the most promising and re
spected members of Dickinsons s younger
rank of leading citizens. Fully 1000
people occupied the 500 chairs available
or stood at the rear and in the balcony.
An altar of black and white had been
erected on the platform which was
draped win flags and knots of crepe.
On front of the altar was the bier for
the coffin wrapped in the folds of Old
Glory ..-...
Over the body were paid the last
honors according to military rule.
Prayer was said at the house by Rev.
4 w. j. Brown at 3 O'Clock and the flower
laden casket was then escorted to the
armory, guarded by the full ranks of
Co. X. with reversed arms and solemn
tread The members of the Stark County
Bar Association also accompanied the
casket in a body. When the armory
was reached, the body of the dead
comrade, borne BY six of his fellow
soldiers, the six sereeants of the COM
pany, was slowly carried between the
ranks of the company to the flag draped
bier within. The mourners, distin-
edished visitors. members of the bar
association and Co. X occupied seats
IN tho frnn< ~ tho ho1l