The Oakes times. [volume] (Oakes, N.D.) 1906-current, 1913-01-02
MISS MCPHERSON
PASSES TO REST
Succumbs on Friday Night
After Six Months Siege
With Typhoid.
One of Our Most Beloved
Teachers.-Was Elected
for Third Year.

Last Friday night when the earth
was robed in snowy whiteness, and
when all the world was IN the midst of
Christmas gladness, the spirit of Miss
Jessie Mcpherson of Valley City,
winged it's way to the Great Beyond.
The end came gradually as she had
been seriously i'll for long time, ever
since last June in fact, when she was
taken sick with typhoid fever. Dur
ing her long illness, she at times
seemed to be getting we'll, and she
was continually looking forward to the
opening of the schools when she hoped
to be able to return to Oakes to re-
sumo her work as teacher. When
school opened she was unable to re-
turn, but still she hoped and dreamed
she would be able to take up herr work
at the beginning of the new year. For
six long months she made brave fight,
uncomplainingly, never for moment
giving up hope of complete recovery,
but the fight was too much for her
strength, and at last she passed peace
fully away.
During her two years stay among
the people of Cakes as teacher in the
public schools, Miss Mcpherson, by her
winsome ways, her true womanliness
of character and by her natural sunny
disposition, made every one with whom
she came in contact, her friend. Sym
pathetic to the extreme almost, and
always thoughtful Of others, she lived
most unselfsh life. She was always
cheerful too, and no matter how dark
the cloud, she made others see the sill
very lining. Her life was such that
she unconsciously endeared herself to
all who knew her. She put her life
into her work; she labored not for
money merely, but for the JOY of SER
vice, and in her school work; she be-
came part Of the lives of her pupils.
She was faithful member of the
Methodist church and consistent
christian. She believed in a christian
/ ity of deeds more than in one of words
and scattered the seeds of the Christ
love everywhere she went. During
her first year in Oakes, she was a
faithful worker and teacher in the
Methodist Sunday school, and during
the last year she labored in the Pres
byterian Sunday school and filled the
position of church organist. She was
ever ready to do her best in any worthy
undertaking no matter whether in
school, the church or social life, and
not infrequently did she give up some
pleasure and overtax her strength that
she might help others. Hers was truly
life of self sacrifice and service; un-
knowingly she "Carved the Angel
Within Her Heart" and by reason of
it she daily grew more beautiful in
christian character.
Strange, it may seem, that such a
helpful and useful life should be cut
short just at the time when the noblest
characteristics of womanhood were de-
veloping within her; just at the time
when she was fitted to do the most of
life's great work. Strange, it may
seem, that the ship should sink "Just
in the happiest, sunniest hour of all
the VOYAGE; vet life is not measured
by its length in days or hours, but by
the unfolding and the development of
it's powers in the accomplishment of
worthy work and work that is worth
while. And who shall say that the
beautiful life just closed did not ac-
complish more for the betterment Of
the world; did not give to the world,
more of real service; did not exper-
ience more of life's true joys and hap
piness and pleasures than do the most
of those who are permitted to live out
the full span of life usually allotted to
man?
Death has for the moment, left sad
and desolate hearts in the home in
Valley City where she grew to woman
hood. She will be missed in Oakes,
not only in the schools but IN the
churches and in the social circle of her
friends; but she will live on and on in
the memory of those who knew her
best and the influence of her pure life
will be living presence ever, where
ever she has lived or taught.
"There is no death: the stars go down
| To rise upon some other shore;
And bright In Heavens jeweled crown,
| They shine forevermore.
"There is no death; the dust we tread
Shall change beneath the summer showers
To golden grain OF mellow fruit,
Or rainbow tinted flowers.
"The granite rocks disorganize
To feed the hungry moss they bear;
The forest leaves drink daily life
From out the viewless air.
"There is no death: the leaves may fall,
The flowers may fade and pass away;
They only wait through wintry hours,
1 The coming Of the May.
There is no death: an angel form
Walks DER the earth with silent tread: