Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, May 29, 1909, Page 1

THE BEMIDJI e VOLUME 7. NUMBER 36. JOHN T. BLACK ANSWERED SOUNDS OF FINAL ALARM Father of lke Black of This City Died at Duluth Yester- day.— Was Chief Duluth Fire Department, and Prominent Mason. BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA, SATURDAY EVENING, MAY 29, 1909. DECORATION DAY WILL BE OBSERVED MONDAY, MAY 31 Complete Program Prepared by R. H. Carr Post.—Public Services in City Hall Tomorrow Forenoon.—*‘Vets” -Addressed the School Children THE UNKNOWN BLUE AND GRAY. (By A. G. RUTLEDGE.) g [Dedicated to the “Boys in Blue” of R. H, Gan'l’ost No. 176, G. A. R, of Bemidji, Minn.] There are unknown graves in the valleys That the troops of war possessed, Where the bugles sounded for rallies But the bullets sang of rest; And the mountains hold without number Hidden graves from war’s mad day, S5 Where the unknown men have their slumber In their shrouds of blue and gray. For the God ‘of battle is kindly With none of mankind’s hate That is cherished ever too blindly— And these pawns of warfare’s fate Have their tombs of nature’s splendor Each set forth in proud array < Through an impulse holy and tender, Though they wore the blue and gray. Funeral Tuesday Afternoon. A telegram was received in this city this afternoon, stating that the funeral of the late John T. Black would be held at Dulutk Monday afternoon, at 3:00 o’clock. her of his condition, and, with her husband, she boarded the next train for Duluth, arriving here at 11:15 o’clock this morning,twenty minutes after her brother’s death. A tele- gram was also sent to his brother, Abe Black of Buffalo, and the latter Sunday Service. Public Memorial services will be held at the City Hall, Sunday, May 30th, by all the churches, commenc- ing at 10:30 2. m. Sermon by Rev. tion Day have been issued by H. W Bailey, post commander: “Headguarters R. H. Carr Post, i “No. 174, G. A. R., Department of Minnesota. “Bemidji, Mion., May 19, 1909, And no drums will rumble and rattle, And no fifes blow sharp and shnll In the valleys that knew the battle Where once were the guns that wrangled Sounds the peace song of the thrush, And the roses and vines are tangled John T. Black of Duluth, father of Ike Black of this city, died at Duluth yesterday forenoon, at about 11 o’clock. (Through no fault of our own, the Pioneer published a report last evening; taken from the Duluth Herald, that Mr. Black was better, We were not informed that a tele- gram announcing the death of Mr. Black had been received in this city yesterday noon, otherwise we would not have published the Herald article.) The Duluth Herald tells of the death of Mr. Black and of his great ability as a fireman: “John T. Black, chief of the Duluth fire department for the past fifteen years, died at 10:54 o’clock this morning, at St. Luke’s hospital, of septic poisoning, following an operation for appendicitis. “He was 59 years of age, and is survived by a widow, four daughters, two sons, a brother and a sister all of whom were at his bedside at the time of death, with the exception of the brother and sister. “Funeral arraagements have not yet been made but it is expected the services will be held on Monday, and doubtless they will be in charge of the Masons. The deceased wasa thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, and was grand captain general in the grand commandery of the Knights Templar. Formerly he was captain of the Shriners patrol, but did not hold that position at the time of his death, he pertaining to the order in Duluth. “Mr. Black had a national reputa- tion as a fire chief. He was recog- nized as one of the most efficient and capable fire department heads in the Unjted States, and has had several opportunities to leave the Duluth department and go elsewhere, at any attractive salary, but elected to remain in this city, where he has made his home for fifteen years. «The death of the chief came rather suddenly, He was at his office at headquarters last Sunday, but along towards evening com- plaiued of feeling ill, and Sunday night was very sick. It is believed that he sustained a rupture of the appendix about a year ago, when, in making a run to a fire, his horse colided with a team and he was thrown from the buggy. This is the third attack of appendicitis since the accident. ‘“Monday morning the health of the chief seemed greatly improved, but along towards night he was again worse and was removed to St. Luke’s hospital, where he was operated upon Tuesday. It is understood that he was an hour on the operating table. The fact ot his being fleshy made the opera- tion the more difficult. “The appendix was removed, and it was believed that the chief would recover his health and be able to leave the hospital within a short time. He rested easily through Tuesday night, but Wed- nesday did not show the expected improvement. Septic poisoning set in and Wednesday might there was a turn for the worse. Yesterday the patient was very ill, but his condition was hardly regarded as critical. It was still believed he would recover, Last night how. ever, there was another turn for the worse, and early this morning it was announced that there was no chance of the chief living. Dr. Braden was the attending physi- cian. “A telegram was last evening sent to Mrs. George Knowles of Milwau- kee, sister of Mr. Black, apprising is now on his way to Duluth. He will arrive in time for the funeral. “All other immediate relatives of the deceased were present at his bedside at the time of death. They were: Mrs. James G. Vivian, Mrs. W. A. Abbett, Mrs. T. B. Bradley and Miss Sadie Black, all daughters, who reside in Duluth; Mrs. Black, Isaac Black, a son, residing in Be- midji, Minn., and the second son, John T. Black, Jr., =2 resident of Duluth. All the children are grown. The chief’s mother died last year and his father died two years ago. “Chief Black had been a fireman for the past thirty-three years. He was born in Montreal fifty-nine years ago, and shortly after he was of age his parents moved to Milwaukee, Wis. "Mr. Black began his career as fireman at the age of 26 years. Beginning as common fireman, faith- ful and intelligent work soon won him promotion, and when he quit the Milwaukee department he held the position of assistant chief. He went from Milwaukee to St. Paul as assistant chief in the latter depart- ment, at an increased salary, and his record in the Saintly City was a brilliant one. From assistant he was promoted to the position of chief. “He left the St. Paul department to come to Duluth as chief, and took up the duties of the Ilatter office on Oct. 15, 1894. He has filled the position ever since then, and his record here has been an excellent one. Mr. Black was fre- quently mentioned in journals deal- ing with fire departments, always in the most complimentarey terms, and was generally regarded as one of the most efficient and capable chiefs in the United States. “Heknew fire fighting from A to Z. A natural leader, he kept the local fire department thoroughly sys- tematized, with results seldom equalled in other cities of the country. He was strict as to dis- cipline, believing that was the only method of getting out the best there was in his men, but he was gen- erally liked and respected by the men under him. He never asked them to enter a dangerous place which he himself would not enter, and was always brave and courage- ous in fighting fire, but at the same time cool and constantly on the alert to protect his men and at the same time put up the most effective fizht possible against the flames. ““Mayor Haven, immediately upon the news of Chief Black’s death, ordered the flags on the fire halls of the city and on the city hall, placed at half-mast. The flag at hall No. 3 was purchased only a few days ago. At the time it was bought, Chief Black advised the purchasers to get a “good strong one, that will not fray out in the breeze.” It israther a curious fact that the first time the flag is raised it should be to place it at half-mast, marking the death ot the chief who gave this advice con- cerning its purchase. “Besides his other lodge con- nections, Chief Black belonged to the Red Cross of Constantine. “In his long fire-fighting experience the chief had several narrow escapes from death. One story is told of such an escape in St. Paul. There was a big fire in an office building, and the chief, asusual was inthe thick of the smoke, directing the fight being waged against the flames. “While on the third floor, plung- ing about through the smoke and directing operations, he suddenly stepped into the elevator shaft, the guard of which had burned away, Nor atop the lone, high hill; But the silent stars know the story And the broad sky of the day Bends and whispers low their glory To these men of blue and gray. * And no banners o’er them are waving, No marchers come and pause With cheers for the land of their saving Or tears for their lost cause; Yet the twilight stars intermingle With the hues when ends the day, And the striving flags now are single O’er the men of blue and gray. There are unknown graves in the thickets, On the hillside and the plain, Of the missing scouts and the pickets, Yet they did not fall in vain. Though their names may not be engraven And the pla‘ces in the fray, In our hearts now each finds a haven— They who wore the blue and the gray. — e They are nature’ In the solemn, sacred hush; Where the cannon one day would hurtle Their missles in the fray Grows the rue and the creeping myrtle O’er the graves of the blue and gray. s hands that are strewing The flowers on each mound; It is God’s own beautiful doing That each unknown-grave is found Where the cypress leaves are aquiver, Where mountains lift through the day, Where the forest sighs to the river Of “The Unknown Blue and Gray.” Cass Lake, May 29,—12 m.-— (Special to Pioneer.)—Peter of the Northern car shops at Superior, Rosser, foreman Great was drowned at an early hour this morning on the north shore of Cass lake, near the mouth of the Turtle river, and Albert Shaw, ot Foster, Minn., acompanion who occupied the boat with him, was rescued from the water in an unconscious condition, and lies in a bed here still bereft of his senses, unable to explain how the accident occured which over- turned the boat and snuffed out Rosser’s life. Rosser and a number of com- panions came from Superior on and fell three stories, to the ground floor. “His men rushed down the stairs, expecting to pick up their chief’s dead body atthe bottom of the shaft, but were filled with surprise at see- ing him sitting on the top of the elevator. The wire netting across the top had in a measure broken the force of his fall. He was ruefully rubbing his shoulder. ' back,’ he said, with a smile, and climbed down to again assume com- mand of the fire-fighting brigade. 0ld Soldiers Free. Manager Brinkman, of the Brink- man Family Theater, extends a cordial invitation to all old soldiers to attend his popular place of amuse- ment tonight free of _chorge, as he bas a special attraction in a film feature, entitled “Stirring Events in Old Virginia,” including Lee’s sur- rendey, which-he would like them to see. . Lopa! news on last page. | *“‘By George, boys, that jarred my the early Great Northern train this morning. They were taken accross Cass lake to the mouth of the Turtle river, where the party divided, using row-boats, two occupying a boat, and each of the boats going in a different direction, After the party had been doing considerable fishing, a son of Rosser, who was a member of the party and was in another boat than that occu- pied by his father, noticed from a distance that some sort of an acci- dent had happened to the boat occupied by Rosser. Young Rosser grabbed the oars and rowed to the point where his father and Shaw had been fishing. GLASS PLAY WAS GIVEN WITH MANIFEST ABILITY He found an “‘Mitsu-Yu-Nissi” Proved Fine Play.— Class Exercises of High School, Held Last Night. The exercises in conjunction with commencement week of the Bemidji High, School were inau- gurated last evening with the pre- sentation of the class play and program before a large audience in the City Opara House, given by the members of the Class of 1909. The stage was prettily decorated with crimson and white pennants, the colors of the class, and pen- nants of other schools and with flowers, The program was divided into two parts, 1n the first of which the difterent class papers were given. ‘The High School Girl’s Glee club SUPERIOR RAILROAD MAN DROWNED AT CASS LAKE Was Fishing With Party on North Shore Cass Lake.---Ros- ser’s Boat Overturned.---Rosser’s Bedy Lost; Companion Was Rescued, and Was Still Uncenscious at Noon. overturned boat with Shaw lying in the water. He rescued Shaw, who was in an unconscious condition, but could find no trace of his father. Some of the party brought Shaw to Cass Lake and told of the acci- dent, leaving Shaw in a room here. A number of Cass Lake people went to the place where Shaw was rescued and are searching for the body of. Rosser. Up to noon, today, no news had come from across the lake as to whether the body of Rosser had been recovered or not. Just how the accident occured that caused Rosser to drown will not be know until Shaw revives and should ke not recover a true account of the accident will never be known. 1 opened the program with a fine chorus. Signe Wallin delivered an excellent history of the class and was followed by Eliza Brondby, who had a unique prophecy of the future of the members of the class of| thirteen, which is about to graduate. Clara Fisk rendeted an exception- ally fine class poem, written' in iambic pentameter. The class will was full of neat witticisms on the characteristics of the class members, Ida Hendrick- son being the author. Iu closing this part of the pro- gram Arabelle Neal presented each member of the class with some characteristic gitt in accordance with the prophecy. When the curtain was again raised it was to reveal the first scene in the presentation of the class play, “Mitsu-Yu-Nissi, or A Japan- ese” wedding.” The leading parts of “Mitsu” and “Tasaku Jamamota” were taken respectively by Clara Fisk and Mayme Stanton. The [Continued on Last Page.) McKee. The public is most cor- dially invited. Seats will be reserved for the G. A. R. post, ladies of the G. A. R. and Company K. Per Order, —T. J. Martin, Chaplain, Decoration Day will be observed in Bemidji on Monday, May 31, when appropriate exercises will be held under the auspicesof R. H. Carr Post, No. 174, G. A. R., of this city. Decoration Day(the 30th of May) is on Sunday this year and: the local Grand Army post decided, at its last meeting, to observe Monday for Decoration Day purposes. C. W. Stanton of this city, judge of the Fifteenth Judicial district, will deliver the oration at the city opera house in the afternoon. Every person in Bemidji, regard- less of what nationality, pursuit or calling, should join inm making the observence of Memorial Day, Mon- day, an enjoyable one to the old veterans of the G. A. R. and the ladies of the Circle. The time is drawing near when the “boys in blue,” who fought so nobly for the country, will have answered the final bugle call and while they are still with us we, as staunch citi- zens of the republic, should give them every assistance possible to brighten their path on their last milestone. By special request of the G. A. R. the local management of the ball team decided not to play any games either on Sunday or Monday, there being a sentiment among the old soldiers that sports of any kind should be eliminated from the Decoration Day program. The following official orders con- cerning the observanceof Decora- “The following program will be observed Memorial Day, Monday, May 31st, 1909. “Forenoon. *“10:00 a. m.—Members of G. A. R. Post and of the Circle will meet at the Odd Fellows hall at 10 a. m., sharp, and proceed to Greenwood Cemetery. “At cemetery, 10:30.— “Song, ‘America’ “G. A. R. Memorial Exercises. Song, ‘Nearer, My God, To Thee. * ‘Flag Drill’—School Children. “Remarks—I. Peart. "Decorating Soldiers’ Graves. “Afternoon. “At City Hall, 2 p. m.— “Call to Order. “Song,‘ ‘Battle Hymn of the Re- public’—Audience. “Prayer—Comrade T. J. Martin. “Governor’s Proclamation—Prof. A. P. Ritchie. *“Song—Andrew Rood. “Recitation — Miss Clara Fisk. “Song—Ladies’ Quartette. *“Recitation, ‘Old Glory’ — Mrs. G. H. Hansell. “Violin Solo—Miss Leila Stanton. “Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address— Prof. W. B. Stewart. “Song—Miss Ruth Wightman. “Recitation—Mrs. H. W. Bailey. “Song—Miss Mary McCutcheon. “Address—Judge C. W. Stanton. “Song—Ladies’ Quartette. “Benediction—Comrade Martin. “—H. W. Bailey, . Post Commander. “—]J. M. Fuller, “Adjutant.” “Vets" Spoke to School Children. As has been the custom for several years past some of the members of the R. H. Carr Post spoke to the students of the Bemidji schools yes- terday afternoon. Commander H. W. Bailey addressed the children in the Mayer building, the scholars from the four rooms being assembled in two rooms to hear his address. He spoke along patriotic lines, and his talk was greatly enjoyed by the children. Comrades Martin, Fuller, Barrett and Phillippi of the R. H Carr post and Comrade Ludington of Adel, Iowa, visited all the rooms in the Central school building except those occupied by the high school and the eighth grade, where the students were taking state examinations. The Comrades addressed the scholars in a feeling manner and all the speeches were very well received. DOINGS IN THE VARIOUS CHURGHES OF THE CITY Hours of Worship and Subjects of Ser- mons {o Be Delivered in the City Sunday. Episcopal—Services in the Odd Fellows hall at 8 p. m. Sunday sohool at ‘4 p. m. Rev. E. M. Davies will officiate. Baptist—Union services at the City Hall at10:30, Subject, “What Mean Ye By This Service?” Sun- day school at 12:10. The evening service will also be a union meeting held in the Presbyterian church. Presbyterian—We will join in a union Memorial service in the morn- ing at the City Hall at 11. Bible class and Sunday school at 12:15. Jr.C.E.at3. Sr.C.E at7. At 8 there will be a union service when the annual sermon will be preached to the graduating classof the high school. The public is cor- dially invited to be present at these services. Norwegian Lutheran—There will be Pentacost ~services morning and evening at the usual hours. Sunday school at 2 o'clock. The church will be especially decorated for both services and there will be special singing. No Paper Monday. Desiring to give its employes an opportunity of observing the legal holiday set aside for Memorial Day, the Pioneer Publishing _company will not’issue any paper on Monday next. 4 Card of Thanks. To those who have been with us in. our bereavement and by kind words and kindly acts have tried to lessen our sorrow, we extend sincere thanks. —A. Godbout and Eamily, Frank Brooks and Cora Barden of Hines were registered at the Hotel Markham last night.