The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-09-30
IN NE N 0 RAM
Sauk Centre Pays Tribute to
Dead Governor
PUBLIC SERVICE HELD
All Unite in Meeting at Opeaa House
- Sunday Afternoon to Mourn
for johnson

Sauk Centre appropriately honoret
the memory of the late John A
johnson, Minnesota's beloved gov
ernor, who died at the Rochester hos
pital Sept. 21st. AS soon as the new:
of the governors demise reached
here, flags were half masted, ant
remained thus until after the fun
eral at st. Peter on Thursday, Sept
%. From to p. m. on the day oi
the funeral, all business houses were
closed. The tribute to the dead exc
cutive was brought to a fitting term
ination on Sunday when, at p. M
q public memorial service was helt
at the Opera House in accordance
with a proclamation issued by Mayor
F. E. Minette, who appointed a com
mittee consisting of DR.. NJ. j. Nc
Masters, 10. Capsser, w. S. Dean, l.
Bishop, Geo. Fish, Geo. c. In
gram and ]. NJ. Wilson to arrange
the details
The speakers for the afternoon We're
Fr. T. ]. O'Connor, Rev. J. +. B.
Smith, d. J. A. Du Bois and Rev. F.
II. Oehler. A double quartet choir
consisting of Mesdames R. f. Han
sen and Geo. Fish, sopranos; Mes
danes P. Lamb and E. f. Compton
altos; Jas. A. Norris and DR.. H. F
Hermann, tenors; A. F. Strebel and
A. Nj. Welles, basses; rendered foul
selections, Miss Winnifred Cooper Of
ficiating as accompanist.
The stage had been appropriately
beautified for the occasion. A small
stand for the use of the speakers and
draped with an American flag, with
fine steel lithograph of John A.
Johnson drapeed with crepe, occupied
the center of the stage. Cut flow
ers and foliage plants were placed
ar points of vantage on the stage,
while at the rear and acting as a
background, was hung a large "Old
Glory On the stage, sat Mayor
Minette Hon. Jos. Capser, the speak,
ers. and the choir. Jas. A. Norris
presided. The following program was
rendered:
"In Heavenly Love Abiding" Choir
Scripture reading, Rev. F. H. Och
Ter.
Prayer, Rev. J. T. B. Smith.
my Jesus, as Thou Wilt" Choir.
Address, FIR. T. F. O'Connor.
Address, Rev. J. T. B. Smith.
Lead, Kindly Light" Choir.
Address, DR.. ]. A. Du Bois.
Address, Rev. F. H. Oehler.
Nearer, My God, to Thee" Choir
and audience.
Benediction, FIR. T. F. OConnor.
The scripture selection was from
the fourth and fifth chapters of Sec
ond Corinthians, beginning with the
words: "For our light affliction,
which is but for a moment, etc. 1t
was read we'll in Mr.. Oehler's best
style.
FIR. O'Connor, the first speaker,
opened his remarks by reciting one
verse from Longfellow's psalm OF
Life,'" as follows:
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime;
And departing leave behind US
Footprints on the sands of time.
The speaker said the record of
johnson as a husband, a neighbor,
citizen and governor, will live
long after we are gone. 1t was a
record of which any man might we'll
lie proud. FIR. O'Connor spoke Of the
obscure birth, the life of poverty, the
hardships and the early struggles of
the dead governor, emphasizing the
fact that Johnson rose superior to
all these handicaps and that by the
force of his will and the strength of
his character attained the eminence
which he occupied when death called
him hence. Johnson's life, he said,
is an inspiration for all, especially
for the youth of the land. The speak
er urged the boys to emulate the
example of him for whom we now
mourn, assuring them that if they did
so. the world would be better for
their having lived in it. He closed
with an eloquent tribute to the dead
executive.
Rev. ]. T. B. Smith emphasized
the fact that Governor Johnson was
a lover of hard work. He sprung