The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1923-10-03
Dying in the Harness.
Sioux City Gowal Journa1

sioux City (lOwa) journal
John M. Siddall, who stayed at his
job as editor of the American maya
zine until short time before his death
although he knew the end was ap-
preaching, must have thought that
the work he was doing mattered most
in the time left him. His physicians
had said he could not recover under
any circumstances. They gave him a
year-under most favorable circum-
stances. They said he would die with
In few weeks or months if he kept
up with his work There was no
escape. He was doomed as certainly
as condemned man. In fact he was
condemned-by an incurable disease.
What others might do in situation
OF that kind only could be determined
by having the test made. 1t is a GER
talnty that great many would be
greatly distressed. Some would be
seized with panic. no doubt; others
would resign themselves to their fate.
losing interest in all things about
them. Some men might adjust their
affairs as speedily and as carefully
as possible and then await the end
quietly. Few, in all probability.
would do what Editor Siddall did.
He told the physicians to keep the
thing secret, for he did not wish
to worry his associates, and he meant
to go down to the office every day
and make plans for future issues Of
the American.
Various articles of fact and fiction
were passed up to Mr.. Siddall by his
associates for the final decision. He
handled them as though he expected
to live for many years longer. He
also was the author of some optimis-
tic editorials that ran under the head
ing, sid Says" He got bunch of
these ready far ahead of schedule.
He knew he would not be able to see
some OF the material he had selected
and written for future issues of tn,
magazine in print. He knew that
most of his own work scheduled
months ahead would appear after he
mad passed away. Just how he could
write IN an optimistic vein may puz-
zle most persons. Like the sword of
Damocles, the grim reaper's scythe
was hanging directly over his head.
He knew that, sooner or later, it would
sever the thread of life. But he kept
on.
Mr.. Siddall told the physicians and
the members of his family that he
wanted to Idle in the harness" He
was not an old man, having arrived
at 40, and was in his prime. He
was capable of doing the best work
OF his life, but the privilege of doing
it was to be denied him. Therefore,
it was his desire to go on doing as
much of the work as was left for him
to do. He would not have done that,
would not have reached such deci-
sion if he had not put his work above
himself. 1t was not that he believed
no one else could take his place. He
was too much of man of the world
for that, but he did feel that he under
stood what the American magazine
was striving for and he wanted to
help it accomplish as much of its pur-
pose as was possible.
This incident makes profound i'm
preston in view of the extreme shall
lowness of some lives, and of the self
ishness of some persons. John M.
Siddall was not shallow, nor was
he selfish. His was a great depth of
understanding as far as duty was con-
cerned. His was generosity that
would carry on until the end. The
proof of both is that he stayed at the
task until the end was at hand. Then
his life went out as a flame in the
dark, but the work he had inspired
will continue.