DR. BEAL LAID AT REST

Funeral of the Veteran Pioneer Held Yesterday.

MOST SOLEMN CEREMONY

 A Touching Tribute Paid to His Memory
by Dr. Shoppen who told of his splendid career

Silently, sadly and tearfully the remains of that grand old pioneer, Dr. G. W Beal, were laid in their last resting place yesterday afternoon.  Smothered in beautiful flowers whose fragrance filled the air, the plain black casket was lowered into the earth whose falling particles forever shut from sight the face and form loved by such a host.  It was a pathetic sight to see the gray heads and time worn countenance of his old friends bearing the body of him who occupied their hearts with a love granted to few to the grave from which none return.

Although Mountain View church, where the services were held, was not filled, the members of the silent crowd were made up of those whom the old man would have wanted there, his old, true, tried friends.  A sudden indescribable feeling came over one, a feeling that the house of worship had become, if possible, more sacred, as to the soft accompaniment of the organ, the flower covered casket was borne down the aisle.

The casket was carried by W. H. Young, John F. Forbis, ex-Governor J. E. Rickards, John O’Rouke, J. W. Cannon and Capt. J. H. McCormack. The members of the family, followed by the intimate friends, entered next and took seats at the front of the church.  A sudden moisture came to the eyes as in slow and solemn tones Dr. Shippen read a passage from the sacred scriptures. The Episcopal church quartette choir, Mr. and Mrs. John Thomas, Mr. Sully and Mrs. R. Hobbs, sang “Abide With Me,” and then followed a prayer by Dr. Shippen.  It was a most fervent utterance and the whole soul of the speaker was in his appeal to the Almighty God for His blessing on the dead and the comfort to the living.  As the aged clergyman rose from his knees and sank into his chair he buried his face in his hands in silent grief.  The quartette then sang the ever beautiful “Rock of Ages,” after which the minister paid his last tribute to his old-time friend.

The text for his discourse was a paragraph from the 14th verse, fourth chapter of the epistle of James, “What is our life?” His discourse in brief was as follows:


“I think I have never attended a service of this kind possessing such a multitude of conflicting emotions.  The significance of the inquiry of James is answered by himself in the same chapter.  Scripture oftentimes refers to life as a short journey, and this would seem to me to be a proper definition, for although it may be three score years and ten it is still short.  Some of us may see the life of a man today and it might in a sense seem as if the journey had been a long one, but when we look back over the years it sees but yesterday.

“When I look back to the time that I first met him whom we have loved so well, nearly 25 years ago, it seems but a short period.  Those years have swiftly passed and gone and there are only a few of us here who recall them.  Life is a scene of social intercourse and amenities, and in this how filled was our friend’s life.  You all know that smile which was never missing and which greeted you wherever you might meet.   You all remember, ah, yes, who could ever forget that outstretched hand which was ever thrust forward with ‘What can I do for you?’  There are men today in Butte and in Montana in good fortune now who remember what it was in those years past to be without a shelter or without a meal. No man ever went away from him unhelped. If hungry he was fed; if naked, he was clothed, and if homeless, he was sheltered.  And every man who ever came in contact with him will say, ‘He was my friend.’ Such was his social life and the generous, kindly nature of his heart.  Kindness, charity and goodness were his blessings to those less fortunate.  “In business circles he was foremost in the enterprises for the promotion of the best interests of the community.  He was a progressive and aggressive businessman of the fullest, purest measure.  His benevolence was a byword and he was always to the front of the promotion of any good work.  All along his life he did those things which the Master would choose, ’As you have done it to them so have ye also done it to Me.’

“Can we not drop a tear, nay, more, can we not contribute the heart’s greatest tributes of respect, love and gratitude?  When we come here with those who are left our hearts are filled with sympathy and respect for their sorrow is the greatest tribute we can pay to them.”

At the conclusion of the service the procession moved to Mount Moriah Cemetery, where the interment was made.

The Anaconda Standard
Anaconda, Montana
Wednesday, June 12, 1901 · Page 8