South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-03-09
South Bend Lawyers Hold
Annual Banquet and Hear
Goodbye to one Departed
Eulogy of John KHch
on John Barleycorn
Said for Lawyers
BY JOHN W. KITCH.

Barleycorn. who was stricken down
after having lived far beyond the
hen OF man.
/ have been asked TO officiate
at these sad rites. and say a few
words concerning the life OF our
friend and offer what consolation
and condolences may to the chief
mourners here assembled about
the bier.
While 1 was not personally ac-
quainted with the deceased, yet
his life was well known TO me
through years of association with
his intimate friends and compan-
ions
No one knows the nativity.
birth. or early career OF old John
Barleycorn. We do know, however,
that far bacf in the dim and
musty ages of the past, he lived,
moved, and circulated among men.
History supplemented by tradi-
tion tells US that Noah met John
Barleycorn as he disem barked
from the ark at the dry dock on
Mount Ararat, and that he played
pfnochle with him until the old
navigator was fairly paralyzed
when he lay down on the floor OF
his tent without even his pajamas
on. This spectacle so shocked the
sensitive nature Of his son, Ham.
that he turned black at the sight
and so he and his descendants
have remained to this day.
John Barleycorn frolicked with
the slaves and slave-drivers who
built the pyramids.
He journeyed with Zerubbabel
and his companions when they
went up to Jerusalem to aid in re-
building the temple.
He spread his cheer over an
cient Carthage in the days when
Aeneas and Queen Dido were
dreaming loves sweet dreams.
He was the boon companion OF
Cleopatra and Mark Antony when
they were chipping small blocks
off Of the moral code.
When Belshazzar called the
voters Of Babylon in caucus az
Mannechor hall, John BarleycOrn
was present as chief entertainer.
So well did he amuse and enter
tain them that late in the evening
a number OF the faithful from
down behind divers fence began
10 see strange sights; not pink
mice or snakes. but human fingers
writing on the tobacco stained
wall. Meme. Meme Tekel. Up
harsin" said the writing. which
interpreted. meant, "Ah there.
Belshazzar. We have your num-
Der. You are I'm wrong. Your
board Of public works has been
I grating and your police force has
been winking at lawlessness.
Wherefore your days are number
ed. and you shall be cast out and
the democrats shall again inherit
earth
In the dark ages. when the story
Of the ancient world was seeming
Is lost. IL was John Barleycorn
who cheered the monks in their
lonely cells. while they toiled TO
preserve for future generations.
the glorious records OF the past.
He who lies before us danced
with the druids around the stone
piles of old England. He accom-
panied Horsa and Hengist when
they descended upon the British
shores. He was present when the
barons. at Runnymede, wrung
from King John the Magma
Charta.
In fact wherever history has
been made. there has John Barley
corn. with rippled laughter and
song and dance cheered the souls
OF men.
But he is dead now.
No longer can a Webster or
Clay imbibe his freshness and
cheer. preparatory TO startling a
nation with his oratory. nor can
again a Grant join forces with
John Barleycorn in winning world
important battles
He's dead now.
Only the cold. dark charnel
house shall know him henceforth
and forever
II is no doubt bad form. on an
/ occasion like this 20 lay bare 10
public gaze the vices OF the de-
ceased. and vet can not refrain
from saying that John Barleycorn
was not. at all times, a model and
law-abiding citizen. I have often
warned his friends that unless he
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