Franklin's paper the statesman., 1912-08-10
A TRIBUTE.

New gifts can make:
All flow from Thee alone,
When Thou didst give it
1t was Thine;
When Thou retookst it,
Twas not mine,
Thy will be done"
Once more the silent messenger
has entered a home and broken the
family circle. Again the sacred ties
of friendship have been severed and
we mourn.
Early on Thursday morning, Aug
ust 1st, Mrs. May Bowser Branche
one of the most intellectual women OF
the two Kansas Cities, passed to the
great beyond after an illness of sew
eral years.
A great woman has gone from oul
midst and life of usefulness closed
Physically and mentally nature
was lavish in rich gifts to her, name
ly, a strong mind and a strong body
What splendid equipment for lite's
struggle.
And in that struggle did she mar
shall her forces, valiantly did she
fight for the sweetest gift on earth-
life.
The warfare is ended. Death has
won the victory but the influence OF
her life, like the flow of the silent
river, will go on and on.
Our intellectual world has lost one
of its most brilliant leaders, one
whose happiest moments were spent
in studying the works of the Master
Literature, philosophy and kindred
subjects furnished food for mind
richly endowed by nature to grasp It's
precious truths.
Nor was she satisfied to enjoy alone
those pleasures but was always anX
ious that others might drink of those
same streams so she was one OF the
first to organize clubs on this side ol
the Kaw for Intellectual improvement
The title Mother of Clubs" rightly
belongs to her. for she was instru
mental in their initial development
and was a charter member OF the
Pierian. the Music and the Art Clubs
of this city.
Hers was strong individuality
which abhorred shams OF all KINDS
Society, as we know the term, with
it's shallow frivolity, for her had nc
charms. What the world might say
for her, had no terrors.
Independent in thought and action
she was actuated only by those meth
DDS which in her judgment were
right.
Although aggressive as a warrior
when an occasion demanded action on
the other hand. she was gentle as q
mother to the feeble, the sick, ano
the distressed. Many were the visits
made to some sick friend, wher
health permitted and always some
token. a few flowers, or some dainty
was left to cheer and brighten the
life of the afflicted one.
Hers was the quiet way to do deeds
of charity.
Strength of character is beautiful
attribute in health, when nature re-
spends to ones efforts to hold him
self under perfect control. But when
sickness comes, when all ones pow
ers become weakened, when still
those prominent traits, patience, fort
itude and other virtues shine forth
we are lost in amazement and silent
ly wish that those qualities were
more widely possessed.
An attempt has been made to give
an insight into the character OF one
whose mental attributes and strone
personality together with broad,
sympathetic disposition has endearee
herself to host of friends. who fee
a personal loss and regret that the
short span OF her life was but b'
years. =
There will be vacant chair II
the household which none can fill;
presence missed from those meetingi
held for the uplift of humanity; bu
she will never be forgotten.
Be quiet, soul.
Why shouldst thou sadness borrow?
Why sit in fear and sorrow
The live long day?
God will mark out thy path tomorrow
In His best way.
AS to the inner thoughts whicl
overwhelmed the deceased in her las
moments, they are best told in he
own words: