The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1913-10-09
TRIeurEs 70 MAJOR LACEY.

Ilic church: John X. Lacey in his
life and, his death has been visibly
land signally death with of God. He
blessed him with high purpose, an
lambition to live a noble and an ideal
life in keeping with creature created
Iby the living God, "a little lower than
1.-THE angels" and this Mr.. Lacey real
lied and dignified in an open and fear.
LESS way He was citizen of Ameri'
ca, free, independent and blessed
with republican form of govern
lment. God blessed him in his search
for material out of which to construct
1.-THE edifice of life. He was tried in
1.-THE fire of civil war, citizen of a
lcountry where people live under the
protection of government of, by and
Ilfor, themselves. He worked out his
life plan in the school house as a boy;
lin manual labor as a youth, on the
battle field as a young man; in prac-
Etice of the law OF the land; in legis-
llative halls; both in private and pub
llic life here, there, everywhere, find
ling something worth while which he
lcould and did use as. only the Master
workman. Lacey, could use in such
life as he, was engaged in living. He
Twas further, O. blessed by longevity,
imany years. more than allotted to ordi-
mary mortal-yeafs full :, of esteem,
lconfdence, affection, love of family,
Ifriends-with more of life's pleasures,
joys, worlds goods and health, and
sense to enjoy the same. And even
in his death was he blessed. BY it's
livery suddenness are arranged and
correlated, subordinated and placed
! in proper perspective to be rightly
appreciated and understood the dis
ltinct features of a life's accomplish
ment. What to us were disjointed,
disconnected, solitary happenings and
doings rather than the well fitting
parts of a perfectly made masterpiece
life, are made one magnificent whole
| in his death and its suddenness. We
saw him not as a boy in, school;
young man at work: in service of
country on battle field; before court
lpIeading clients 4 cause; . in legisla-
tive halls, championing =; measures
looking toward amelioration, better
ment and uplift of the people or the
preservation of our natural resources,
or the prevention oil, slaughter of bird
| or animal: presiding with grace and
lcipating in reunions of his old soldier
comrades. taking an active part In
public affairs: living an ideal Ameri-
can citizens home life. blessed with
1.-THE companionship of the wife of his
lyouth--but the very suddenness of
death, coming with the sure swiftness
and brilliancy of the iighning's flash,
rift the. clouds that ,obscured our
view; pulled back the curtains and We
beheld in all the refulgence of trans
| figuration, Lacey, as he. was before
his God, the perfect masterpiece of
the highest and noblest in American
life. We never knew, never beheld
Lacey in proper light until the very
lsuddenness of his death brought him
before us as finished product, the
iTeally great man he was. And on that
day, when he stood revealed and the
tears started from our eyes, We look
| ed up and beheld, Nature, as If to
show the fullness of her sympathy
with our loss became shearer in our
sorrow. The skies were hidden and
she shed rain, tears of heartfelt grief.
Sudden death was Gods public seal
lof approval, His o. X. or the pro
lnouncing of open Judgment, well done
thou good and faithful servant upon
THE life work OF John F. Lacey. He
needed no time to patch up, look over,
correct mistakes or eliminate errors
lfrom his life's work His accounts
made a better accounting of his tai
tents to his Master. During life he
was man after Gods own heart and
lin death by a signal public manifesto
lHpn God would show this apprecia
ltion before. the eyes of this people
that, seeing, they might glorify the
Father and honor him who had the
lcourage to live the Cody life before
Imen. Lacey worked hard to success
He spent long hours at his work, sac
rificed pleasure, underwent personal
lhardships to accomplish what we mus
lcredit to his life His was no lighi
task, the building of this life edifice
He had no advantage, at the start
but his success grew from the use Of
Ibis talents and the holding to the life
ideal. He was ready when the enc
lcame and so may we all profit from
this great example of work anC
worth"
Washington Journal: Major Lacey
was one OF Iowas big men. He en-
ljoyed wide personal acquaintance
was a very approachable gentleman
land his death win be mourDed by
thousands of intimate personal
friends. y w 1901
Hon. A. G.. Clark, representing tn,
IAfro-Americans: In the death o
Major John r. Lacey we realize tina
the negro race has lost tEae tapt
tried friend. From the day keshotG
dered musket and went to the from
lin defense OF the union he has eyeI
been found in the front ranks o.
those who believed In the doctrine o.
lfredom and equality before the Law
flor all men. In civil and political life
he always defended our cause and
sought to give to the race all the
rights guaranteed 10 them under the
law. Here In his home town he has
always encouraged and aided every
effort of the race to better its con
dition by contributing literally to its
Churches, attending and speaking al
tits public ceiebrations, advancing and
helping individuals TO purchase and