Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-03-01
CAPTAIN MERCER
IS LAID TO REST
Masonic Funeral for Aged Past
Grand Master Of the Order and
Veteran of Civil War.
SPLENDID TRIBUTES GIVEN

Captain John ]. Mercer. Nebraska
pioneer. civil war veteran and Masonic
past grand master. was carried to his
final resting place in Forest Lawn
cemetery yesterday by fellow Nesons.
whose affection he had long cherished
during his lifetime.
So many persons gathered at the Ma
sonic temple. Sixteenth and Capitol
avenue to do honor to the dead man,
that before o'clock. the hour at which
the services were scheduled to begin. II
was necessary to close the doors of the
building. a large crowd waited TIL after
the services for the privilege OF enter
ing to pay their final tribute OF honor
to the "old comrade."
Mr.. Mercer, before his death. left d.
rections as to the arrangements for his
funeral and his wishes we're scrupu-
lously observed. He chose the following
panbearers. who performed their duty
yesterday:
Masters Of various Masonic lodges;
Edward L. Hoag william p. wherry
Charles $. McGill Alfred N. Ionewell
Samuel Reese jr. William b. Tegg
| F. c. Tym william r. Bourke
| f. J. Jumper Frank Bryant
z, A; Parmalee Charles 4, Dunham
| Frank w Boyer John 8. Harmon
William NJ Robertson
Masonic Ritual.
| The services were in charge of the
Masonic grand lodge and Capitol lo,-ge,
and consisted of the impressive Masonic
ritual. The body was escorted to the
temple by the commandery at 10 o'clock
in the morning and lay in state there
until the hour of the funeral The fv-
neral sermon was preached by Rev. Ed
win II. jerks At the grave the Masonic
burial service was brought to a close.
Mr.. Mercer's son, David Mercer of
Washington, d c., and Daughter. Mrs.
C. II. Fowler of Omaha, attended the
services War veterans, some of whom
/ were associated directly with Mr. Mer-
GER I'm the civil war. were present.
| Although the Masons sorrowfully con-
signed TO the grave IT, body of their
old companion who was also a past
grand master of the Nebraska lodge,
and there were many evidences OF emo,
tion. perhaps Rev. Mr.. jerks struck the
keynote which was best attuned to the
sentiment of the gathering when he re-
joiced that well lived and long life
had closed, only to bring the spirit to a
better day."
1T has been a long and toilsome day,
but he's come at last to the perfect
day." said the minister.
Radiates Cheer.
Rev. Mr.. Jenks- spoke of the unvary-
ing uprightness OF Mr.. Mercer. OF his
long life OF labor which continued al
most 10 the end af the cighty~two years
which he lived ana OF the cheer which
he radiated in his, daily relations with
men lF
His face was filled with fellowship -
he said. You members OF this lodge
know better than can tell you wha,
was the value Of his companionship.
He was very fond of children. !
have been told that he used to stop to
greet the little ones who lived along his
way to work and that they loved the
gray haired man whose heart went out
to them. 1t affords significant in
sight into his fine character"
! Lead Kindly Light.
quest. Lead Kindly Light" was suns
by George johnson.
Robert French, whose friendship with
Mr.. Mercer was of thirty-one years
standing, was given the opportunity tC
speak of his associate by Samuel p
Davidson Of Tecumseh. past grand mas
.. ter of the lodge. who presided. Mr.
French spoke few words OF sorrow
and praise for the dead man.
THE green grass may cover youl
grave, old friend" he said. the bird,
may sing above you and natures won
ders may surround you. but nothing.
think, can be sweeter to you than tn,
knowledge of our loving memory fol
Iyou"
A long procession followed the bod,
to the grave