The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1920-12-09
The Passing of James Behan

Although not entirely unexpected /
the death of James Behan was
shock to the people of Hays and vicin-
ity. He was taken sick Saturday,
November 9th, was taken to the hos
pital Monday, November 29th, was
operated on. The operation was said
to have been successful, but he was
suddenly taken worse and died Sun
day morning, December 5th, at about
4 a. m.
He was born at Carbondale, Penn
sylvania, March 81, 1850, and on.
August 3, 1871 was married to Miss
Mary McDermott, at Benezette, Penn
sylvania Four children were born
to this union: Mrs. c. W. Miller, Jr.,
of Hays; Robert H. Behan, of Oak
ley; James Behan, Jr., of Dodge
City, and Mrs. C. A. Miller, of Hays,
all of whom were present at the fun
eral
He came to Victoria in 1878, took
up a timber claim in 1882. About
that time Robbins Bittell purchased
a ranch of $500 acres near Victoria
and Mr.. Behan was put in charge of
it. He afterwards moved to Hays
where he has been living for nearly
twenty years.
In the death of James Behan, Hays
has lots valued citizen, and his chill
dren a devoted and indulgent parent
He was buried Tuesday morning at
1890 o'clock from the Episcopal
church, Rev. c. E. Maltas officiating.
Intetrment was made in Mt Allen
cemetery.
Ruth Badgley spent her Thanks
giving vacation at her home in
Selden.
On Tuesday of this week the
Shriners met in annual session for
election of officers, with over 1900 in
attendance, the roll showing 300
members in Northwest Kansas. The
Salina Journal says: "It was an
nounced that the spring ceremonial
would be held in the month of May
at Hays. This ceremonial is expected
to be the greatest that has ever been
held in the state, and very large
attendance is expected. The Shriners
of Isis Temple still remember the
ceremonial that was held at Norton
this summer and are determined to
outdo themselves at Hays in the
spring" They felt so disappointed
last year in the grand time they ex-
pected, they will try again next May.
Frank Merrill was chosen as Oriental
Guide.
The first of this week, the friends
of Roy Miller were surprised to learn
that on October 9Th, he and Miss
Merlin Saunders of McCracken, were
married in Larned, by the Presbyter-
ian minister of that city. The bride
is one of the prominent young ladies
living near McCracken, and was at
one time student of the Fort Hays
Normal Roy is one of the promising
young business men of Hays, and a
member of the real estate firm of
Miller Bros.
The Supper's the thing! Don't
miss it. At High School, Friday,
December IT, from $50 to 1890.
C. W. Miller, ST., went to Topeka,
Tuesday night. He was called by
| telegram, we presume, to help mix
political medicine" The sly old coon
didn't consult the Free Press in re-
gard to the matter and our statement
as to political medicine" is only con-
lecture.
Since the last issue of the Free
Press two of Hays oldest and most
repected citizens have been called to
pay the last debt of nature their
busy and useful lives ended on earth.
Last Saturday night James Behan
passed from earth to a better world
and his grieving relatives consigned
his remains to the grave Tuesday; and
on Wednesday night, Frank Have
mann, manager of the Treat, Shaffer
Lumber Company, died supposed to
be from heart trouble He had at
tended to his duties during the day
and at seven o'clock when his work
was done, he went home seeming to
feel as well as usual, but at eleven
o'clock he complained of pain In his
heart and died a short time after
ward. Both men were past the allot-
ted span of life, being over seventy
years of age, and they seemed in the
usual health up to the time of their
death. The "old must and the young
may die" is a truism that in this
work-a-day' life is often lost sight
of but is forcibly brought to our
minds by the sudden passing Of our
friends and neighbors.