The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-03-20
JUDSON LAMOURE

When, at some time in the future an adequate
history Of North Dakota is written, there will
stand forth in it as one of the important factors
in the growth of the young state the stalwart fig
IRE Of Judson LaMoure, whose death in Florida
occurred on Saturday, for, in more striking man.
ner than most men even Of the group of pioneers
to which he belonged, Mr.. LaMoure was Influential
in shaping the affairs of the commonwealth.
With the adventurous spirit of youth he came
to the west while the west was wilderness peo-
Piled with savages, and whatever of development
there has been since he came to what is now the
state Of North Dakota has been brought about
since his arrival, and in very large part Of that
YORK he vas z direct participant.
E Mr. IaMourc vas best known TO the public
through his political activities. Starting with leg
jaIatiVe experience in the old territorial council,
he was elected I. member of the North Dakota
senate Immediately on the admission of the state
to the union, and term after term he was reelected
until at the close Of the session Of 1913, with the
infirmitieS Of years bearing upon him, he an
nOuUced definitely that he would not again be a
candidate for the position that he had filled so
long. The farewell given TO him at that time by
MS associates many Of whom had worked with
hirn for years, was one Of the most impressive
tributes ever paid toa public man in this state.
There were present men who had opposed, and
who had been opposed by MIR. LaMoure on almost
every conceivable question of public policy, and
in whose intercourse with him not little bitter
ness had been developed. But in the hour of part
ing Ill bitterness was forgotten and those who
had been known as his political friends and those
VINO had been considered his political enemies came
forward, and, with strong hand clasp, and in not
lew cases with misty eyes, said goodbye to the
man whose worth, in spite of all the differences
that had arisen between them, they had learned
TO price
Mr.. LaM0UIc was a man Of strongly marked
Reserved, sarcastic, sometimes
gers to approach, and because of this there grew
up around him number of traditions such as are
sure to grow around men who are not we'll under
stood. But in this man those who had been able
to penetrate his rugged exterior found most COM
panionable human being, and those who have
known him we'll are convinced that much of his
frequent severity of manner was assumed for the
purpose of concealng from public view traits Of
tenderness which he preferred should not be rec
ognized by others.
Throughout his entire active life in this state
he was thrown constantly into contact with men
who were unfortunate, and who needed help. If
those who formed their opinions Of him only from
the manner which he often assumed in public were
TO ask Of some hundreds of the early settlers in
Pembina county what manner of man he was, they
would learn of acts of generosity which gave many
I poor man chance for a new start in life, and
which kept the wolf from the door of many fam
ly through a hard winter. These things are not
written in the books, and Mr.. LaMoure would
never discuss them. He was often charged with
Undue secretiveness in his political methods IT.
s certain that he was secretive in his methods of
1oing acts of kindness to his needy neighbors.
A man Of positive character, and of strong
likes and diskes it was inevitable that in his long
public career he should be subjected to fierce and
frequent criticism But he brought to the service
IF the state sound judgment and a practical know-
edge Of affairs, and while, according to the opn-
ions which are perhaps usually entertained today,
his tendencies were too strongly in the direction Of
his wise c6ufser aided in guidngtt