The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-11-06
Conrad Henrik Ludwig Kruger.

The march of the reaper Time canno
be interrupted, as he swings his scytht
and cuts his swathe among human gen
erations. He never overloOks single
stalk. So 1t has come to pass that al
the age of Y years, months and 2
days, another old and respected pioneer
citizen and builder of waste places, who
in Kansas has made the wilderness tc
blossom as the rose" has been gather
ed into that great store house-the gar
ner of God-to take his place among
the ripened grain.
Conrad Kruger first saw the light in
the city of Warnow, Germany, July 6,
1912. He was baptized in infancy in
the Lutheran faith of his fathers. At
the proper age he was confirmed at the
same altar in the city of his birth. He
received his education at the University
of Rostock.
In 1870 he came to the United States,
locating first in Douglas County, Kan
sas. Later in the year he moved to
Rush County, Kansas, where he took
up homestead on the Walnut. 1t was
here that he married Miss Bertha Kru-
ger, of the same name but not related,
on April 1, 1872. In 1873 he moved to
Ellis County, Kansas. He spent some
time in Colorado, but he always con-
sidered Ellis County, Kansas, his home
He was the father of six children,
three sons and three daughters. His
son John was the first white child born
in Rush County. His faithful wife,
who shared in his ambitions, labors and
successes during the years of sunshine
and shadow, left his earthly companion
ship nineteen months ago. This was
hard blow to him; but he endeavored to
maintain the cheerful disposition so
characteristic of him, though it left his
heart empty. Suffering from the re-
turn of an old asthmatie Ill, due to
heart trouble, he sought relief at Ex-
celsior Springs, but there was no
chance for him. He declined rapidly.
He died shortly after his sons, John and
Conrad, reached his side.
The funeral service was held in his
country home on the Smoky. Rev.
West, pastor of the Lutheran church
at Hays, preached the sermon. He en-
phasized the idea of the rest that had
come to this stalwart lover of the soil
which now received him, symbolizing
the rest that remains for the people
of God" A choir from Hays furnish
ed the music. The floral tributes were
many and beautiful Interment was
made at Winterset cemetery near Cor
ham, by the side of his faithful help
meet.
The coming of Conrad Kruger was
not an ordinary event in the history OF
Ellis county. He represents type OF
pioneer whose handiwork gave to the
soil an emphatic individuality. The
spot of earth in which he labored be
came different from the common land
scape and yielded something more than |
common results. He understood nat |
ure, communed with it and loved it. |
He had the greatest respect for it and |
its laws. It was his theory that if nat |
ure were given a chance to do her law |
full work, the Industrious man would
find that he never had better friend. |
This respect for nature, which he
caressed and wooed, made him a sue
cessful farmer. He believed In timber |
ing streams, in scientific crop produc-
ton, ETC. His combined intelligence,
industry and thrift made him hus-
bandman to be initiated, an example to
be commended.
The passing of Conrad Kruger is a
distinct loss to Ellis county. In a sense
he has gone to the soil, whence he
sprung, but not ''unwept, unhonored /
and unsung." He had an ambition in !
his lifetime to build up q good farm
and leave name for himself, based !
upon the highest ideals Of common
sense and honest labor. He realized I.
his ambition, and for this deserves un=
stinted praise.
We sympathize with the sorely be-
reaved family and heartily commend
them all to the loving kindness and
tender mercy OF God, the God of their
father, who always talked much about
Him and recognized Him IN all his
ways. We could wish them nothing
better. humanity speaking, than to live
worthily of their fathers ideals.