The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-03-30
Martin FUNERAL.
Continued from Page One,

| aside from the floral membranes.
George w. Martins funeral was az
simple and plain as that of man
whose affairs in state building extend
ed no further than the reading of the
achievements of others.
Yet in all it's plain and simple set
! tings, the Martin funeral was deeply
impressive. In the audience were men
who had worked almost side by side
with George Martin for half century
Colonel j. M. Harrison. Farmer A.
w. Smith, Captain Joseph G. Waters.
Chief Justice w. A. Johnston. Judge
Frank Doster and many others. all Of
whom played their part in the building
of the SunflOwer state and whose
achievements we're chronicled by Mar
tin as secretary of the state historical
society.
1.-The words leaped into my mind on
the instant as 1 tried to think Of q BIZ
BILE passage that should furnish the
keynote of the life Of the friend in
whose memory we are gathered here"
explained DR.. Estey as he read his text
from II Timothy 4:7-9.
81 have fought a good fight. read
the minister. "T have finished my
course. l have kept the faith. Hence
forth there is laid up for me a crown
of Righteousness which the Lord the
righteous judge shall give me at that
day"
That was the text in full.
Then DIR. Estey told OF the fighting
qualities Of George w. Martin and
through the minds Of the western Kan
sans in the audience ran the thrilling
! incidents of the uncompromising stand
of the pioneer Kansan in demanding
! the things he believed to be right
George Martin was a staunch fighter
| for what he deemed right il ever a man
was" said the minister as he referred to
tiny of q new state. "Once his conscience
convinced he never deserted cause.
no weakling to depend on other men for
his convictions or to change them at their
behest. It is men like him who build en-
ciple Of right and Justice. although all
the world opposes.
the world over as the state which puts
| moral convictions into its laws and life.
because in it's early days its foundations
stand for it. Such state makers are the
Wne Of ther herds% s fes
the blood Of the people. and claims them
for high things -, i was a strong. yisor-
Wherever he was. he counted: In those
early Kansas days. when Christs teach
ing vas ' fishtins it's way to rscosnit lon
through the worlds 4ge old crime Of slav-
cry. George Martin was Its fearless de-
fender.
Men Of today like to tell Of his abso-
lutely fearless ways in those days which
| tried mems souls. AS editor, as politician.
| as Office holder. as a man. q church
member. no one ever saw him lower the
flag of his convictions when q storm
| ragged or the crowd called for lowered
colors. do not think he was ever tempt
Il ed to do weaker men are, native.
| SO instructive, was his loyalty to con-
! science. He was true to his convictions.
/ Not because he struggled to be 30. but
because he could more help being &c
| than iron can help being strong.
| ~ have fought q good fight what
4 other words could 50 well stand an cpl
taph for his strong. warrior soul whose
i departure we mourn today-
That was a part OF DR.. Estey's tribute
to the work Of George w. Martin in his
fight for q free Kansas, for brave and
fearless men rather than partisan weak
lings for public office and for the years
i Of work in compiling the records Of his
toric importance to Kansas.
At noon the body of the former secre-
tary Of the Historical society was taken
to the former home in Junction City,
where brief services were held this after
noon. Burial was in the Junction City
cemetery.