Omaha daily bee., 1915-12-29
LETTER READ AT
CALDWELL RITES
Communication Written by Banker
Best Expresses High Character
Of Man, Says Rector.
CHURCH CROWDED BY FRIENDS

BY reading an old letter from
Victor B. Caldwell. Rev. Thomas J..
Mackay made an unusual departure
yesterday at All Saints church in the
Episcopal funeral service for the de-
ceased president OF the United States
National bank.
1t was a most impressive and
touching service. attended by a
crowd of men and women OF many
races and creeds, which completely
filled the church. The reading of
the letter was an incident that
emphasized the high character,
broadmindedness, magnanimity,
kindliness and charity that marked
the life of the departed financier and
churchman.
Mr.. Caldwell wrote the letter TO DR..
Mackay last spring. while the rector was
i'll and the bank president, who was
unior jwarden OF the church vestry, had
been forced to seek rest and recreation
from the strain Of his duties in con-
nection with the bank and it new build
ing.
Letter Expresses Character.
Writing primarily to apologize to the
minister for being unable to call upon
him during his illness, Mr.. Caldwell
opened his heart to the rector in burst
of personal thoughts. which showed the
true character Of the banker better than
other words could express, Rev. DR..
Mackay declared.
| The latter made only brief eulogy in
addition to reading the letter. Many eyes
were dimmed with tears when he fin
ished He tenderly laid laurel wreath
upon the bier of the deceased, who was
close personal friend of the rector. as
we'll as an active member of the parish
and staunch supporter of church and
/ charity work.
There was added sentiment in the fact
that the body was carried to its final
resting place by six of Mr.. Caldwelrs $
fellow officers and employees, who served
under him in the bank for many years.
Twenty-one Omaha friends and asso-
ciaJos in Mr.. Caldwelrs many activities
and three bankers from Chicago and
Denver, acted as honorry pallbearers.
Masses of Flowers.
So many floral tributes were sent by
friends and organizations of Omaha and
other cities that all could not be placed
in the chancel of the church and many
had to be piled In window lodges aiong
the sdies. a quartet sang Peace. Perfect
- ARh M
selections. The funeral cortege was by
auto to Prospect Hill cemetery, where
Rev. DIR. Maclkay conducted the burial
in the Caldwell family lot.
Prominent bankers from out in the
state and from Kansas City, Joined rep
resentatives from the Omaha banks. local
organizations and business houses and a
large gathering OF friends. TO attend the
funeral. All national banks were closed
for the day at o'clock. out of respect
for the deceased banker and to. allow
officers and employees OF the banks to
attend the services.
Bankers from state.
The following were among the promi-
nent bankers of the state who came to
Omaha TO attend the funeral and thus
pay their tribute to the memory of the
departed financier: Thomas Murray. Dun
bar. president OF the Nebraska Bankers
association; ]. c. McNish. Wisner past
president OF the state association; Ed f..
Gallagher, ONeill; IT. J. Kastle, North
Bend; II. l.. Matthews, Il. r. Gurney and
F. B. Knapp. Fremont; H. d. Wilson, e.
A. Duff and r. o. Marnell. Nebraska
City; r. Il Williams. Aurora; c. +.
Gruenig Mullen.
Scores of other state bankers wired
their regret that illness or press of busi-
ness made it impossible for them to at
| tend the funeral.
Because of the funeral leaders in the
executive committee OF the Omaha Com
mercial club decided to postpone thelI
regular meeting. scheduled for the noon
hour. Some were honorary pallbearers
and many of the others also attended thC
services.
Choose Successor Next Month.
No successor will be chosen to Mr.
Caldwell until the annual meeting OF the
bank to be held the second Tuesday In
January. Until then, the bank will be
without a president. so far as formality
is concerned. Milton T. Barlow. vice pres
ident and chairman OF the board OF
directors. who was president OF the bank
until year ago. is temporarily perform
ing the duties OF the presidency again