Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-06-21


brought It back without star miss
ing, Major HAYES marched at the
head Of his battalion. II civil life he
never failed 10 discharge his duty and
n 1890. Woodcraft IN It's hour OF
trial. summoned him TO the position
Of head clerk and there he served
his neigh b0rs for a years-served so
faithfully that-when, with broken
voice and trembling limbs. he told Us
he could not serve longer and thar his
mantle must pass 10 other shoulders,
we felt and knew that a great scr
row had come 70 Woodcraft. Con-
scious that his work was done. he re-
turned from Toledo to his old home
where he might enjoy the ministra-
tons Of his comrades and neighbors
unrII death whom he faced al the can
mons mouth should claim him as his
own To him there was in English
tongue, but one more sacred word
than snefghbor.f and that word was
scomrade He loved his neighb0rs be
cause they were enlisted with him IN
the cause Of humanity, and his COM
rades because they. with him. had
earned the right 70 speak that word
amid the death and carnage OF the ma
ti0n's battledeIds An honest man. q
we bid you farewell
Loyalty Of Eorthcott-
"woodcraft has produced many
great men-men OF high character and
great ability. but its greatest contri-
button 10 the fraternaI world was VIII
liam A &orthc0tt Born OF the
masses. he loved men and women and
his highest ambition in life was to
serve In the cause or humanity. OF
mis- generation and time. he was a
part, and no man can measure the
mighty Influences that he created. He
was ever he friend Of man and Wood
craft. i'm the midst of q storm, sum-
nonad this great leader from the field
Of law 20 lead in its onward march
%oblv did he lead and wonderfully did
he succeed. In the midst Of bitter
competition he never doubted the sue
cess of his own society and scOrned to-
attack others He loathed methods
of faIsehood and trcacnery for they
were not s. part Of his nature or vo-
cabulary-to change the figure. they
were weapons which mis- exalted man
hood could not WELD and, when they
were turned upon him. the honor and
integrity of the man SIS great a shield
turned their edges and they fell harm
less al his feet His patience with
the weakness and foibles Of his
friends amounted almost TO a weak
ness. His great nature was SO loyal
that he was swift to forgive and re-
store the eTring one to the circle Of
trusted friends Often have we who
knew him best heard him excuse the
failure of a friend. By pointing TO
some fine trait Of character in the de
Linquent. He never sought the n1eaner
ana baser part IN men--agd he
could never hate an enemy for hate
was impossible in William A North
cott. Ills sense OF Justice was SO
keeuIy developed that he was eager TO
hear rhs defense Of the wrong doer
and swift to forgive unless justice
demanded punishment
For Is wears he served this So
cieJy and his love fer It and the
ueighbors amounted 70 passion.
Without disparagement to the efforts
Of others in the organization we can
justly say that his wonderful ezecu-
tive ability WIS the foundation stone
upon which rested the unparalleled
growth of this Organization. He had
Chat peculiar and inde6nable trait OF
character that inspires sub0rdiuates
and secures from each the highest de-
gree of service. To those who were
associated with him a head officer. he
was ever loyal aud true No act Of
imposition or tyranny ever character
lied his official relations with his as
s0ciates- He respected the authority
of others and. as the expense Of his
department reached dangerously near
to the limit OF the treasury ne never
complained when checked by the
board Of directors, and accepted with
q smile the request and made us love
him the more and regret that haan-