The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-06-30
His Advance Epitaph
BY ADA PATTERSON.

Dr.. Harvey W. Wiley is the most
fortunate man / know. He has read
his epltaph in advance. II is an In
cstlmable privilege which most men
would give several years. or a good
right arm. or would hobble on one leg
through the remainder OF their lives
TO enjoy II we revisit this earth IL
is probable that our motive for the
return Is vanity, desire TO know
what people say OF us after death.
and II ghosts visi, sraveyards it is
doubtless TO read the inscriptions on
their own tombstones.
Or. Wiley, who struggled so man
fully and long to give his fellow ciu-
zens clean, sound food and pure and
nourishing drink. and is continuing
that struggle in another than the gov
eminent sphere. knows what people
will say OF him after death, because
they have reached the high water
mark OF praise. Higher praise no
man could have than the sentiment
engraved on chest OF silver present
cd TO him by his associates In the
department OF chemistry.
Please note carefully that they are
former associates. Dr. Wiley having
resigned. there was no flavor of what
a great man termed Kitchen poll
ties In the gift. 1t was made with
out thought or any possible return, And
It was a gift made by his associates
That is a highly significant fact
Association is a great leveler. A man
must be a hero indeed II he seems n
hero 10 persons who meet him every
day. in shirt sleeve attire and Dstu-
ral moods. Meeting day after day is
severe test OF character. n harder
test than the long accepted one or
travel
On plate on the side of the silver
chest was inscribed: ITO Harvey w
Wiley. whose leadership has been an
Inspiration TO all who have the prlvl-
day. the breadth and depth Of his
well-stored mind. his unsuitable in
tegrity. and his splendid poise and
91eeT,er-failing geniality under all con-
don't know who wrote this
culosy signed From the Bureau Of
Chemistry OF tho United States De-
partment Of Agriculture" but / know
That he is equipped 10 write epitaphs
that would satisfy even their post
mortem wandering subjects
II Is true. because these former as
Hocldtes OF the apostle OF clean nutri-
ment could have no motive except n
desire TO express the truth OF their
one time chief, Policy. Shiny word Of
the coward, could have prompted no
such expression, because DR.. Wiley
had quarrced with the present ad-
ministration. and the department OF
may accept it's truth.
Consider the altitude OF the praise
we have known personally day by
day" Is the testimony. Routine never
dulled him. multiplying cares never
h0rassed him to such point that he
sank from tho height on which he be-
longcd. In the eyes OF those who sur
rounded him. Keen eyes. critical
eyes, impatient eyes. as are those
that sec us every day,
Those who touched elbows with
him. who breathed the same air with
him. felt tho same cold and suffered
the same heat through all the irk-
ink routine OF day after day labor
testified 10 THE breadth and depth
of his well-stored mind" In his case
familiarity bred not contempt but
esteem
His unshakablc integrity Is the
next unmistakable phrase. They had
witnessed no moral compromises, no
coauettipS with the truth. no slight
est surrender OF principle.
They praised This splendid poisr,'
Fortunate department OF chemistry TO
have looked always upon that rare
bird In tho character aviary. The
eulogist wisely saves his strongest
phrase for his last Never falling
geniality under ali conditions III
all employees and all business asso-
ciates held convention In which they
were compelled to tell the truth. OF
whom else could they truthfully say
that7
Wherefore il is true that Dr. Wiley
is not only the most fortunate man,
but cne most unusual.