Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1918-03-12

remembered what he read in most
marvellous degree.
Literature was perforce the occupa-
ton of his leisure hours and hence
his literary product was not volumin-
Gus. But its quality was fine and
rare, and it sprang from source that
was inexhaustible and of infinite
variety. These gifts were manifested
no less in his conversation and in
the prodigal wealth of his letters to
his friends-and occasionally to his
enemieS-than in his essays and adj
dresses. In his after dinner speeches
and in the frequent monologues in
which he INDUCED when two or more
OF his friends were gathered together
with him, he was perhaps most inter
esting and delightful. Whether spok-
en- or written, his literary utterances
displayed sincerity, originality, phil
Osophy, humor of every shade but
always irresistible, and genuine poetic
sentiment, ever enriched with apt and
felicitous quotations. His most fin
ished literary production is found in
a volume Of essays entitled Critical
Confessions" first published in 1898,
with which was afterwards bound up
his address, John Marshall and His
Times" delivered before the Milwau-
kee Bar association in 1901-a verita-
bic masterpiece. In addition, he had
printed and distributed, other address
ses delivered by him before various
associations in Wisconsin and Illinois,
including an address on Abraham
Lincoln before the Loyal Legion of
Wisconsin, and an essay, "On Grow
ing Old" read before the Phantom
club at Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, in
1913, which is full of true and deli
cate sentiment.
To this recital of his extraordinary
gifts and achievements must be added
that in his love of nature and his
intimate knowledge of her beauties
and mysteries, and in his delight and
prJwess in out of door sports, he was
equally pre-eminent. To this testify
his "Acady on the Plover"- choicest
resort of trout fishermen, the Camp
Fire club and the Phantom club;
and Deer Foot Lodge, amongst the
lakes and forest of Northern Wiscon-
sin, of which he was founder and
the beloved big Chief"
1t is of Neal Brown personally that
his friends would most lovingly and
admiringly speak, but with a sense
OF lnadequacy TO describe him fitting
ly.
1t was said, at the death of a great
philanthropist, that if every one to
whom he had shown a kindness were
to drop one blossom on his grave,
it would be hidden beneath a wider
ness of flowers. And so, perhaps,
only a composite picture of Neal
Brown, through the varied recollec-
tons and impressions of him con-
tributed by all of his host of friends,
could fully portray him.
His most casual acquaintance could
not fail to be struck with his wonder
full personality-to be impressed with
a sense of his physical and intellectu-
al strength and power. 1t was an
impression that deepened upon closer
acquaintance, whilst, to his intimate
friends, he grew to be the only Neal
Brown, whose like they shall not look
upon again. He was essentially man
ly, honorable and sincere and so he
hated utterly all shams and affecta-
tons. To his enemies, and especially
to those who aroused his righteous
wrath, he was terrible. But with
his intimate friends he could be gentle
as child and for them he reserved
his quaint and delicious whimsical
tiles and his most delectable nom
sense. He was generous and the very
embodiment of hospitality. Thus he
could bring together and entertain at
bic hn1cn of &c hpInrD5 1xy
with equal success, men of the great
est distinction or his everyday friends
and neighbOrs, and always in a man
ner that it was hopeless to emulate.
His patriotism was lofty and fer
vent. He glOried in his Yankee an
cestOrs, who fought at Bunker Hill,
but had an impartial admiration for
the Americans who fought with equal
valor and devotion on either side in
the great Civil War. He had full
respect for the worth and virtues of
citizens of foreign birth or blood, but
fiery Indignation for those who held
any thought Of an allegiance divided
between the country whose govern
ment they or their fathers had re-
nounced and this, their land of refuge
and opportunity. If he were but
alive today in his full health and
strength, how like a trumpet would
his voice ring out for true American
ism and unstinted loyalty to the cause
of humanity and democracy, which
his country has espoused in this
world war!
His only near relative, his sister,
Mrs. Mabel Green, was with him and
did much to comfort him through
several months of his last sickness,
and until his final summons to
THE popped sleep---the end of all"
On the day of his funeral, a null
titude of his friends, of nigh and low
degree, were gathered about him as
he lay at rest in the green amphi-
theater of velvet lawn, surrounded
and shaded by the little forest of
trees that he had planted, of the
spacious grounds of his home, in
which, for so many years,
used to be
Free-hearted hospitality"
There the simple service that he
had asked for was held in memory
of him. There was felt such honest
and unrestrained grief as only the
death of a very rare and loyable
man could inspire. And there. be-
yond, doubt, the spirit of Neal
Brown looked down with approval
upon scene so fittingly ordered on
an afternoon of the most tender and
gracious day of the whole year.
Dated March 9Th, 1918. 1890
LOUIS A. PRADT,
FRED w. GENRICH,