The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1917-07-19
NUnPHY'S EULOGY OF
WILLIAM \. PARKER
General immigration Agent of the 500
Writes Anent His Old Friend
Now Departed.
Rochester, Minn., July II, 1917.
Editor independents:

rocHeSIcI, Milln., July IL, l9If.
Editor independents:
A few days ago | learned of the
death oI my old friend, VIM. II. Park
er ! not only knew Mr.. Parker well,
admlring his vigorous and manly quail
tiles, but ! knew we'll the stock he
sprung from. His were the people
that subdued the rocky acres of the
Atlantic Seaboard, crossed over into
the valley of the Mohawk and the
Genesee in New York State, where
Mr. Parker was born (the undersigned
was born in the same county, grand
old Allegheny. Mr.. Parker was
keen observer all his life. In late
years | enjoyed many hours conversa-
tion with him, for few men there were
who saw more Of the real happenings
or had a truer sense of the underlying
causes which brought about the un-
precedented progress of the past 60
years of the country lying between
New York State and North Dakota.
Did you ever stop to realize that four
teen contiguous states-New York on
the east and North Dakota on the
west, contain 68 per cent of the ma
TONS wealth and produces "a per
cent of the nations food products?
This region Mr.. Parker knew like
book and could discuss intelligently.
Few things of a public nature escaped
Mr.. Parker's observation; he was lib
eral to a degree, had sound philoso-
ply generally and few men could hit
off situation in language more cpl
gramatic or picturesque. He had
fine contempt for hypocrisy or shams
of every kind. He was open and above
board in all his dealings and was in
capable of doing mean or unmanly
act. | believe the good Lord has a
comfortable place reserved for my
friend Bill Parker.
Very truly yours,
J. S. MURPHY.
n. B.-Judging from the inquiries
get my friends will be interested in
learning of the present condition Of
my health. Well, Pm in better shape
today than | have been during the
past 20 months. During the past six
weeks the doctors say my improve
ment has been rapid and almost phe-
nomenal. 1t is now nearly two years
since the best doctors-the knowing
ones from Johns Hopkins and else
Where-declared | would be ordering
my second pair of wings about this
time. Now while | am, ! hope, a con-
sistent Christian, believing in the res
direction, this thought did not recon-
cile me to cross the bar so many
years before my allotted time. Be-
| sides | want to see the end Of the
great European riot, and the great
| worldwide changes-poltcal, social
and economic, which will be brought
about by the war.
The changes will come, for neither
revolution, no matter how many ap-
parent injustices occurred in it's i'm
mediate wake, nor war, no matter
how bloody, ever yet caused civiliza-
ton to move backwards. History will
repeat itself in this instance. But, as
Kipling would say, "That is another
story" Anyway, the best doctors in
the land now declare, much to their
surprise, that | am past the danger
Gus points and if | only give good
: care to Mrs. Murphy's husband for a
few more months l will be as good as
new. l feel this way and my friends
say am getting to look it.
Yours,
J. S. M.