The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-08-31
ONE OF GODS HEROES.


Heroes in history seem to US poet
ic because they are there. But II we
should tell the simple truth of some
of our neighbors it would sound like
poetry" So wrote George William
Curtis once upon time. Equally In
line with our present thought and
purpose are the words of Farrar:
ITO live well in the quiet routine
of life, to fill little space because
God wills it, to go on cheerfully with
petty round of little duties and lit
tie avocations; to smile for the joys
OF others when the heart is aching
who does this, his works will follow
him. He is one of Gods heroes.
That is what the late David A. Kerr
was-one of Gods heroes-as GER
tainly as that he lived and suffered
and died. The tribute comes tardily,
for he is now beyond the reach OF
either praise or blame; but it comes
from the heart, and though too long
withheld it is none the less justly his
due Herein is where We all commit
grievous error We withhold the
words that should be spoken in life
time until too late for them to rejoice
the heart and give fresh courage in
affection. But despite their absence
when they would no doubt have been
very grateful to him in the sore trials
to which he was subjected for so long.
David Kerr fought a good fight with
splendid courage and the exalted faith
of a martyr 1t has been said that
the grandest of heroic deeds are those
which are performed within four walls
and in domestic privacy; that more
heroism has been displayed In the
household and the closet than on the
most memorable battlehelds of history
David Kerr's example is wholly con-
frmatory of this view. Doomed to GER
tain death by lingering and excru-
ciatingly painful disease for which
there is no balm this side of the
grave, he faced his fate unfiinchingly.
Tortured to the utmost limit of human
endurance, he bore his sufferings with
la spirit akin to the divine. Angels
may indeed surpass such heroism, but
they cannot initiate and must admire.
!; During the Civil war Mr.. Kerr as a
/ gallant Union soldier demonstrated his
/ possession OF the high qualities for
which he was distinguished in after
life. He was ever ready and willing
to do his part whatever it might be
and he left no known duty unperform-
ed. He was modest and unassunling
and had couDlete dominion over him.
self at ali times, governing wisely and
well a voice that cannot err has
said that he that rules his spirit is
greater than the one who takes city
No man had finer sense of personal
honor or better discrimination be
tween right and wrong. Nor was
there ever more steadfast determine
ton TO do the right, let come what
may. As husband. father, neighbor
friend and citizen he measured up tt
the highest standards While there
are all too few such men in the worlt
no one acquainted with the facts in hi.
case viii begrudge our departed FRIEND
the relief that has come TO him. Thu
messenger that beckoned him mus
have been most welcome visitor at
ter long months of suffering. In ceas
ing TO be numbered with mortals b.
J has entered upon the heritage of
: diviner life and earned the welcom
OF the Master: We'll done, good an
: faithful servant, Enter thou into tn
Joy OF thy Lord"