Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-10-21

bible but known too little in life, they
said. Then the throng formed in ir-
regular line which for an hour filed
slowly past the casket, half buried in
flowers, while the bands played dirge
after dirge.
Men and women were seen weeping.
Four women collapsed at the bier and
were carried into the church. The fu-
neral services were held at the inter
section of Eighth avenue and Adams
street. The church is located on the
southeast corner. 1t had been planned
to hold the services in the church. be-
ginning at 2 o'clock But when the
doors were opened an hour earlier the
building was filled within a few min
utes. The overflow gathered on the
outside
CARRIED IN FIRE AUTO.
! At O'Clock the body was taken from
undertaking parlors at 633 Washing
ton street and placed in the automobile
fire truck. The funeral procession
+ formed and proceeded south to Eighth
avenue, turned north to Adams street,
and thence south toward the church.
The public interest in Billy" Rugh's
heroism was recognized by all, but no
one expected the enormous crowd to
pack the church and spread out into
the streets for a block in four direc-
tons. The temporary hearse crept
along until it arrived at Adams and
: Seventh The plan to take the casket
into the church was at once abandon
ed. Rev. J. NJ. Avaan. the Methodist
minister, said he would preach in the
open air.
MOUNTAINS OF FLOWERS.
The six policemen who were active
pallbearers removed the casket from
the truck and placed it on the stand
the undertaken had erected on the
pavement. Mountains of floral offer
ings were heaped upon it, pushing
back the crowd
Those in the church left their seats
and pushed their way outside. The
window of nearby residences were fill.
ed with people, the roofs of porches
were black with them. Every train
that arrived in Gary in the morning
was crowded with persons who had
come to attend the funeral
Rev. II E. Wilson of the Baptist
church climbed upon the fire truck and
raised his hand for silence. The buz
zing of conversation was hushed while
he read from the scripture. The crowd
grew more compact until those on the
outskirts could not hear what was be
ing said.
POINTS HONOR GIVEN HERO.
Rev. Mr.. Wilson was succeeded by
the Methodist pastor, who had for his
text:
He saved others, himself he cannot
save"
What means this great cOncourse?'
he began. Why is the heart of Gary
stirred? We are told that a man is
dead, that he held no office, that he hac
no particular position in life, that he
had no official friends. But he gave
his life that another might be saved
That is the explanation of this vas
pageant Some have said that the limit
he sacrificed was of no use to him
Yet he had had several opportunities
TO have il taken on without expense Il
himself
HONOR To ALL MARTYRS.
we ever will honor those who sac
riice. There is everlasting memor!
for the man who has that too rare quail
ity of brotherly love; who never asks
what is there in it for me?' That wa
William Rugh. He will never be for
gotten in GARY. No self-seeking MAJ
would draw the respect of the Grove
that is here today.
He came to Gary only two year
ago. We knew little about his past
and asked nothing. He gave his chez
0 and his friendship 10 all and in smal
e space Of time he found a place in IN
Z affections Of men that is seldom reacr
e ed. His friendly greeting was wort
? going a mile TO near. He was a ma
a among men, and IL you catch the spiri
: Of Rugh, my word will net have bee
:, IN vain
7 '"TEACHEas OF rs ALL