The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-09-24
IN MEMORIAM OF
GOVERNOR JOHNSON
PROMINENT CITIZENS OF THE
CITY ExToL MANY NOBLE At
TRIBUTES OF THE FAMOUS
GOVERNOR OF MINNESOTA WHO
HAS GONE BEYOND.

There were few dry eyes yesterday
afternoon at the big memorial service
held at the Masonic temple when Rev,
H G. Leonard in his closing prayer
asked Gods blessing on the bereaved
wife of the great man whom the state
Of Minnesota and the entire nation is
now mourning.
The big temple auditorium was well
filled at the opening hour and every
person present listened to every word
of eulogy with the greatest interest and
the deepest sympathy. In the absence
Of Governor John Burke, who was at
tending the funeral at st. Peter as one
Of the honorary pail bearers, Lieut..
Gov. r, s. Lewis presided and intro
duced Rev. Chas r. Adams, Who pro-
nounced a deeply Impressive appeal for
divine comfort in this hour Of national
bereavement.
Lieutenant Governor Lewis, before
introducing Mr.. Stambaugh, the first
speaker, said:
THE late Governor Johnson had a
great many friends and admirers in
this state as we'll as his own, and 1t
seems it is very fitting that the people
of North Dakota should join with the
people of Minnesota in conducting
these services in memory of his life. "
stambaush's Address.
i Atty. W. S, Stambaugh stated that
it was not his good fortune to have
had a personal acquaintance with Gov
ernor Johnsons but told Of his associa-
ton, about year ago, with a man who
had been for years a close friend Of
the great chief executive of Minne-
sofa.
AT one time l asked this man." said
Mr. Stambaugh, ito give me his candid
opinion of Governor Johnson. Is he
what people claim of him, asked, has
he the ability, the energy, the integrity
that they say he has. He answered
me that he had From my own per-
sonal knowledge, said my friend, am
convinced that he is even greater than
his friends say. He has the ability
for president He is also one Of the
most lovable characters that have
ever met
Mr.. Stambaugh then went on to tell
Of his struggle with poverty and the
example his life should be and in con-
clusion said:
TT has been said that in an coca
sional generous mood, nature makes a
great man and feeds him at her own
breast Nurtured thus, he grows into
an understanding of all life. With
this understanding comes great
courage. love. pity and sympathy,
wide as the world; and may we not
today say truthfully that such a man
was Governor Johnson Of Minnesota r.
Colonel Benton's Tribute.
Col. John D. Benton. who was a
personal friend OF Governor Johnson
and who has followed every footstep
OF hds career, spoke at length, paying
remarkable tribute 20 the man who
left public school at Is years OF age
never to enter 1t again, and at 40 was
made the chief executive of one Of the
greatest states In the union.
He said
TT Is a beautiful custom 10 meet
and pay tribute to our great and good
men. Punishment Is calculated TO de-
crease crime. If so.sa proper recogni-
ton Of the deeds and doings of our
great men undoubEedl will be an in
centive to men to emulate their ex-
ample and initiate Them IN
He then todd Johnson's history. How
at 10 years Of age he was helping his
mo1her support her family BY carry
ing bundles Of washing and attending
public school at the same time. How
at 10 he left public school and never
returned. securing job in q grocery
store where he STAYED until ne was Is
How he then secured employment in
q drug rtpre and at the age Of Is. In
spite Of all handicaps. he was a regis
tered rnarmaciat
He told fcw the people OF his home
town respected him and In token Of
their respeey some Of the Influential
naen OF st. Peter backed him up II
tlps newspaper venture which he made
a marked success Then he told o
Johnson's success In political life.
~ knew Governor Johnson have
| met him upon several occasions. III.
was me of the most intelligent talk.
ers that have ever listened TO- on,
OF the most pleasing Of men. He wal
] q man that you could not talk witt
unless YOU would become iEnprasset
with the fact that you were III fh'