title: In memoriam. Hon. Joseph R. Bodwell, governor of Maine.
text: •4 o »tt?^i^L^^^* *o ^ •^0^ 'oK v-^' :. t<. ^^ /^Va^- '^<'. c^" '■^^%^' 4 o o_ *- 4 o 'o.»- A ^ *'V%«* A :. -^^0^ ° J\W^i^'Ki':HhJipS»-!c IN MEMORIAM. Hon. Joseph R. Bodwell, GOVERNOR OF MAINE. Bom June i8, 1818. Died December 15, 1887. ^ PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR # COUNCIL. AUGUSTA: BURLEIGH & FLYNT, PRINTERS TO THE STATE. 1888. «i ■B6(; STATP: of MAINE. In Council. December 20, 1887. Ordered, That a special committee be appointed to employ a suitable person to prepare a report of the ceremonies of the funeral of the late Governor Bodwell and liave the same printed. Read and passed by the Council, and by the Governor approved. ORAMANDAL SMITH, Secretary of State. STATE OF MAINE. Council Chamber, 1 Augusta, December 29, 1887. J Dr. WM. B. LAPHAM, Augusta, Maine. Dea7- Sir : The undersigned, a c<miuiittee of the Council apjiointod bj'' Governor Marble pursiumt to the foregoing oi'dcr, knowing your friend- siiip for our late esteemed Governor Bodwell. and having confidence in your qualifieations for such a dutj'. invite you to prepare a brief bio- graphical sketch of our late Governor, an account of his sickness, death and funeral, with such tributes from the jiress, and resolutions of respect passed on the occasion, and such other matter as may be deemed appropriate, in manner and form to be printed. Very Respectfully, Elliott Wood, Geo. M. Warren, ]■ Committee. Eben E. Rand, BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. Joseph Robinson Bodwell was born in Methuen, Mass., June 18, 1818, and was the tenth in a family of eleven child- ren. The house where he and his brothers and sisters were born, situated in that part of Methuen which, in 1847, was set off and incorporated as Lawrence, is still standing in a good state of preservation. It is now owned by Mr. Fred Clark, agent of the Pemberton Mills, who has a residence opposite, and has been occupied for a number of years by teachers of the High School. This house, which was occu- pied by five generations of Bodwells, is an old-fashioned mansion house, similar to those erected quite generally by well-to-do New England farmers a hundred years ago. It is of good size, two stories high, and surrounded by grand old trees. One of these trees is said to have been set out the day before Governor Bodwell's father was born. Joseph Bodwell, father of the Governor, was a kind-hearted, gener- ous man, was always cheerful, and had a pleasant word for every one who came beneath his roof-tree. Many a weary traveller found welcome and hospitality at his fireside and table. He was a man of influence, was one of the directors of the old Andover bridge across the Merrimack, possessed a sound judgment and his opinion was sought after and valued on many occasions. But he became involved in suits at law, lost money by signing notes for friends, and finally, in 1829, he sold the old place and removed to a less pretentious one in West Haverhill. He always predicted that there would be a city at the Falls, and lived to see it commenced. Mary How, the mother of Governor Bodwell, born January 17, 6 1771, daughter of Joseph and Hannah (Carlton) How, was a superior and cultured woman. Her family was always prominent and influential in Methuen, and her relatives sup- plied deacons for the Congregational church there for more than a century. She was a sister of the late Daniel How, a successful Portland merchant. Joseph Bodwell was a team- ster as well as farmer, and engaged more or less in conveying wood, lumber and country pi'oduce to Salem, and later, to Lowell, bringing back merchandise for the traders in Methuen, Haverhill and Andover. Joseph R. Bodwell lived with his parents upon the Bod- well farm until he was eight years of age. His oldest sister, Mary, was now married to Patrick Flemming, who owned and occupied a farm in the Avestei'n part of Methuen, about five miles from the Bodwell homestead. Joseph was her favorite brother, and when she became settled in her new home, she wished him to live with her, and he could easily be spared, for without him the family was still large. He lived with his sister eight years, at which time Patrick Flemming died. He had now developed into a sturdy youth, and already begun to exhibit many of those qualities which distinguished his maturer years. He thus early aspired to the ownership of real estate, and after the death of his brother-in-law, he and his father purchased of his sister and others, the Flemming farm, which was one of the best in that portion of the State. As his parents advanced in years, both being feeble and past labor, an arrangement was made, in 1848, by which they went to live with their daughter, Mrs. Asa Simonds, when the Flemming farm became the property of Joseph R. Bod- well and his brother Henry. The parents died before the close of the year 1848, with an interval of only three weeks between the dates of their deaths. It was soon after the Bodwells purchased the Flemming farm that the attention of the Lawrences, and other Boston manufacturers and capitalists, was directed to the advantages of the fulls upon the Merrimack river, within the town of Methuen, known as Bodwell's Falls, for manufacturing pur- poses. The land about the falls was soon purchased, building operations w^ere at once commenced on an extensive scale, and the frame for the first house built under the new regime was furnished by Joseph R. and Henry Bodwell, who now owned and were operating a saw-mill in connection with their other business. The brothers were plowing in the field when Mr. Job Jenness came and desired them to furnish the frame for a house. With characteristic energy they repaired to the mill, sawed the timber for the frame, and the following day took it to Lawrence, a distance of five miles. When the dam across the Merrimack was being built, Joseph R. and Henry Bodwell Avere employed in hauling the granite from the quar- ries in Pelham, N. H., for its construction. It required an immense amount of stone for this purpose, and it was while thus employed that Governor Bodwell took his initial lesson in that business which became his life pursuit, and in which he achieved great success. He here became familiar with all the numerous processes involved in quarrying, handling and working granite, and it was at this period, while cultivating the Flemming farm, that he formed that attach- ment to agricultural pursuits and stock-raising which he never lost, and which became his pastime in later years. In pro- cess of time the brothers made a division of their property, Joseph R. taking the farm for his share, and Henry the mills. By greater care in its cultivation, the farm had become more productive and had greatly increased in value. In 1848, Mr. Bodwell was married and brought his wife to this farm, and here his family continued to reside until he moved to Hallo- well, in 1866. It was not poverty, as has frequently been stated, that caused Joseph R. Bodwell to leave the paternal roof at the tender ago of eight years. His father had a large family, it is true, and his means had been somewhat reduced by the dishonesty of those whom he had befriended, but ho was able to meet the demands of his household, and if they lacked 8 some of the luxuries, as did most families iu those days, his family certainly never wanted for any of the necessaries of life. He left home because his childless sister wanted him and needed his companionship, and he there received the full measure of a sister's affection. He assisted his brother-in-law upon the farm, aided his sister in her household duties, at- tended the district school, learned the cordwainer's trade, and devoted his evenings and mornings to mending and mak- ing shoes. This was a busy life for a boy, but it was char- acteristic of Joseph R. Bodwell, both as boy and man. He was early noted for honesty, perseverance, economy and thrift, and these sterling qualities became leading traits in his character. He developed physical as well as mental strength, and thus, with mind and body evenly balanced, in bis maturer manhood he possessed great poAvers of endurance, and was able to execute the business projects which his fertile and active mind conceived and matured. As has been appropri- ately said of another distinguished New Englander who came up from the lower walks of life and attained to the highest honors, " the defects of his scholarship, the laborious period of his youth, and the humble avocations of his early man- hood, were favorable to his fortunes." In the case of Gov- ernor Bodwell, they seemed to keep him on a level with the masses of the people, and enabled him to understand and in- terpret their desires and purposes with accuracy. He early developed in a marked degree that peculiar assemblage of physical, mental and moral qualities so requisite to the suc- cessful management of great business enterprises, requiring the employment of large numbers of men. In 1852 in company with Hon. Moses Webster, who deceased at Rockland about a year ago. Governor Bodwell came to Maine. They had been friends in Massachusetts, had worked together at the Pelham quarries, both in their earlier years had worked at shoemaking, and besides they were remotely related, though it is doubtful if either of them was ever aware of this fact. It was in this way. Henry Bodwell, the ancestor of the Governor, married Bethiah, daughter of John Emery, Jr., of Newbury, whose mother was Mary, daughter of John Webster of Ipswich, and John Webster was there- fore the common ancestor of Moses Webster and Joseph R. Bodwell, about six generations back. Under the firm name of Bodwell and Webster, they commenced operating in granite, in a small way, having their headquarters upon the South Fox Island, now the sea-girt town of Vinalhaven in Penobscot Bay. At their small beginning, it is said that Mr. Bodwell drove the ox team used in moving the granite, and shod the animals with his own hands. From this small starting point, spi'ang wondrous results. Soon the business increased, the fii'm name became Bodwell, Webster and Company, and cap- ital sought investment in the new enterprize. The next change was the organization of the Bodwell Granite Company with a sufficient capital, and leading busi- ness men to aid in the management of its aft'airs, but the moving and master spirit from the very tirst was Joseph R. Bodwell, who, soon after he came to Maine, was recognized as the leading granite man of the United States. He was chosen the first president of the Company and held that position to the day of his death. Under his prudent and energetic management, it became the leading granite corpora- tion in the country. Mr. Bodwell had long felt the need, in his business operations, of granite of a lighter color and Hner texture than thtit which he had quarried at Vinalhaven, for monumental work, and for artistic designs in architecture. The llallowell granite presented all these rare qualities, and in 186G, Mr. Bodwell moved his family from Methuen to Hallowell, and a little later, organized the llallowell Granite Company, of which he was made president and chief executive officer. Soon after the Company was organized the business assumed huge proportions. The products of the association have been sent into almost every State in the Union. Its colossal statuary, rivalling in durability and beauty the iinest marble, is to be found in all our great cities from Portland to New Orleans, and it has an increasing and widely extending demand. The following: list embraces some of the more 10 prominent buildings nnd monuments which have been con- structed from the product of the quarries of the two associations of which Mr. Bodwell was president : New State, "War and Navy Departments Building, Wash- ington, D. C. ; Masonic Temple, Record building, and Penn- sylvania R. R. Passenger Station, &c., Philadelphia ; new Court House and Post Office, Atlanta, Ga. ; new Custom House and Post Office, Cincinnati, Ohio ; new County and City Build- ing, new Board of Trade Building, Offices for Pullman Co., Counselman Building, Home Insurance Co. Building, Chicago, 111. ; St. Louis Bridge, Missouri ; New York and Brooklyn Bridge, Welles Building, Mutual Life Insurance Company Building, Manhattan Bank Building, Kelley Building, &c., New York ; Wellington Building, Jordan, Marsh & Co. Build- ing, &c., Boston; new Custom House and Post Office, Fall River, Mass. ; Peabody Town Buildings, Peabody, Mass., &c. ; Gen. A\'ool Monument, Tro}', N. Y. ; Pilgrim Monument, Plj'mouth, Mass. ; Yorktown Monument; Smith jNIonument, Philadelphia, Pa. ; mausoleum and monument for Dr. Gibson, Jamestown, Pa., &c. ; new Post Office and Custom House, Brooklyn, N. Y. ; basement of new Post Office and Court House at Erie, Penn. ; North Western Insurance Co. Building, ]Milwaukee, Wis. ; polished granite for the State House, Indianapolis, Indiana, ; New York Equitable Life Building, New York City; State Capitol Building, Albany, N. Y. : West Museum of Art Building, New York City ; mausoleum for Governor Fenton of Jamestown, New York, &c., &c. The Sphynx in Mount Auburn Cemetery, a stupendous mon- ument, was quarried and cut at Hallowell. This list embraces only some of the larger operations undertaken and completed by the two companies. The minor contracts for soldiers' monuments and other monumental work are far too many to be enumerated here. But the list given is sufficient to indi- cate the vast amount of responsibility which rested upon Gov- ernor Bodwell as the chief business manager, and the success- ful completion of all these numerous contracts, involving the outlay of many millions, shows business tact and ability of a 11 very high order. It involved the constant employment of a small army of workmen, including first class artists and arti- sans, and workers of every grade. The two corporations nnder Governor Bodwell's management never found any diffi- culty in the employment of help. They never had any strikers among their workmen, and a good man once in their employ never thought of leaving it. From his own experi- ence, Governor Bodwell knew how to sympathize with the laborins: classes. He interested himself in their individual prosperity, and men in his employ soon came to regard him as their personal friend. The active mind of Governor Bodwell, not content with the business intrusted to him by the two great granite compa- nies, sought investment and profit in other enterprises. He had interests in ice and lumbering on the Kennebec, in land, lumbering and milling operations on the Penobscot, in, several water supply companies, and in a projected line of railway between New York and Boston. A minor operation but one which promised important results, was the develop- ment of a sea-side resort at Cape Small Point on the coast of Maine. He never lost his interest in agriculture, and soon aftei' he came to Hallowell, he purchased a fine farm in the suburbs of that city, which he improved and enlarged frqm time to time, by purchase, until he possessed one of the best and most productive farms on the Kennebec. A few years ago, he purchased for a small sum an old and run-down farm situated some five miles west of Hallowell, of one of his workmen who had failed to get a living from it. It contained a large area of bog-land, the bed of an ancient pond, and by draining and other improvements, under Governor Bodwell's direction, it soon became one of the best stock farms in the county. In 1879, in partnership with Mr. Hall C. Burleigh, Gov- ernor Bodwell commenced the importation of pure-bred stock, and this was continued for several years. The importations embraced Hereford, Polled Angus and Sussex cattle, and Shropshire and Dorset sheep. This was not entered into as 12 a money-making enterprise on the part of Governor Bodwell, but as a pastime from more arduous duties, and as a means of assisting a friend. The business was eminently success- ful, and not only served its original purpose of an amuse- ment or diversion, but it was a source of financial gain, of great importance, at least to one of the partners, and also accomplished a great amount of good in the improvement of stock in numy parts of the country. They sold animals from their farms in Hallowell and Vassalborough all over New England, into several of the Middle States, and no small part of their importations went to improve the breeds on the great stock ranches and ranges of the far west. Governor Bodwell was not a politician in the ordinary meaning of the term, but he always took a deep interest in public affairs, and few men had a clearer appreciation of what constitutes true American citizenship. He never sought offi- cial distinction, but office was sometimes thrust upon him. Twice he served in the lower branch of the Maine Legisla- ture as representative from the city of Hallowell, where his vigorous manhood and excellent financial judgment, as well as other sterling qualities, were quickly recognized, and gave him a high standing in this popular branch of the State Gov- ernment. For two terms also, by virtue of the almost unan- imous suffrage of her citizens, he served as mayor of his adopted city of Hallowell. His name was mentioned in con- nection with the gubernatorial office some years before he would consent to become a candidate. A ^e\v years ago he told the writer that he had been approached upon the subject by leading and influential men of his party, but he said most emphatically that he did not want the office, that his time was so taken up with his large business interests that he could not afford to be Governor. But being constantly impor- tuned, in 1886, reluctantly, as many well know, he consented to have his name presented to the nominating convention. It only required this to insure a unanimous nomination, and an election by a very large majority. After his inauguration, the public well know with what modesty he assumed the 13 great trusts imposed upon him, and with what fidelity he ad- ministered the affairs of the government. Simple in his habits, easily approachable, a patient listener, prompt to de- cide and act, courteous even in his refusals, he won the esteem and respect of all with whom he came in otficial contact. The eulogiums gathered from the press of the State, and re- printed in another place, indicate the esteem and regard in which he was held by all, without regard to party. He was decided in his convictions of oflicial duty, and all his acts as Governor strongly bear his impress. In private life Governor Bodwell's character was above re- proach. During the exciting gubernatorial campaign, when, if a candidate has any defects, or has been guilty of any lapses, they are sure to be brought against him, and when it is frequently the case that false accusations are made for par- tisan purposes, no word was written or spoken affecting the good name of Governor Bodwell, and he was opposed on party grounds alone. Honest in his dealings with mankind, acquiring wealth only by legitimate means, he was generous in his impulses and his private benefactions were many. Pie also contributed liberally of his means in aid of public chari- ties, in support of educational institutions and for the cause of religion. In his quiet, unostentatious way, he was con- stantly aiding those whom sickness or adverse fortune had made needy, and the poor of Hallovvell were among his most devoted friends. His nature was sympathetic, and in his in- tercourse with those with whom business or office brought him in contact, he was invariably courteous and kind. The members of his council and his military staff recognized him not only as their official head, but his demeanor toward them was such that they soon regarded him as a personal friend, and interested in everything pertaining to their welfare. This is why these officials and all associated with him in the State Government, as well as hosts of friends, regard the death of Governor Bodwell as a personal bereavement. In religious belief Governor Bodwell was a Universalist, but he was free from bigotry, and was a Christian in the 14 broadest sense of the word. He had faith in our reliirious institutions, and believed in giving them a cheerful and lib- eral support. He was a member of the Board of -Trustees of Westbrook Seminary, and often contributed liberally to its funds. He believed in temperance and in the enforcement of the laws ag'ainst the infamous traffic in intoxicatins: drinks. No previous Governor of Maine had manifested so much in- terest in this matter, and while he thereby made enemies of parties in interest, the law-abiding citizens of the State, and all those whose support is of any value, were rallying around him. He believed in kindness to dumb animals, and nothing vexed him more than their abuse, either from lack of food, from overloading, or from the unreasonable api)lication (»f the whip or goad, by those in his employ. He made it a prac- tice to caution all newly hiied teamsters that their term of ofBce would depend very much upon the treatment of the animals committed to their care. His kind and sym[)athetic nature rebelled against the ill-treatment of either animal or person. He was especially kind to the young, and among his sincerest mourners are little children, to whom he has spoken words of encouragement or aided in ;i mure material way. He received his friends with generous, old-fashioned hospitality, and with no useless forms and ceremonies. In his iamily he u as kind and indnlgciit, giatif^ iug ever}' reason- able desire, a model husband and father. The loss of a man possessing these grand qualities, even from the quiet walks of life, is keenly felt, but when a public man, (jue so inti- mately connected with our material interests of business and government, is suddenly removed by death, it creates a void not easily filled, and causes a whole State to mourn. Governor Bodwell enjoyed robust health, rarely losing a day from sickness. He had naturally a strong constitution, and his early physical training, and life in the open air, com- bined with strictly temperate habits, kept his physical system in excellent condition. His fatal sickness, therefore, coming upon him so suddenly, without premonition, striking him down in the vigor and strength of well matured manhood, 15 was to many almost unaccountable. On the 5th day of Decem- ber Governor and Mrs. Bodwell took the cars at Hallowell, intending to go to Rockland, and while away his purpose was to make an official visit to the State Prison at Thomaston. Arriving at Brunswick, and while waiting for the Bath train, having taken Mrs. Bodwell to the ladies' room, the Governor went out to meet some gentlemen who had expressed a desire to converse with him on some matters of business. He had been out only a few moments, when a waiter from the dining room came in, and, motioning for Mrs. Bodwell to come out, he informed her that the Governor had been taken suddenly ill. When she reached the dining room she found him sitting by a table and leaning over it, his face deadly pale, with great beads of perspiiation covering his forehead, and suffer- ing the keenest anguish through the chest, left shoulder and left arm. A messenger was instantly despatched for Dr. Alfred jMitchell of the Maine Medical School, and he was soon in attendance upon the Governor. He pronounced it angina pectoris,* a veiy dangerous disease, and one of the most painful known to the medical profession. By the ap- plication of the proper remedies, the Governor soon had tem- porary relief. Govei-nor Bodwell had every needed attention while at Brunswick, and remained there until the arrival of the after- noon train, when a bed was extemporized on board, and he was brought to his home in Hallowell. It fortunately hap- pened that his family physician. Dr. W. L. Thompson, (homeopathic) was on this train, and, having assisted his patient home, he afterward, with the assistance of his son, Dr. W. S. Thompson, took charge of the case. Dr. Mitchell of Brunswick called once, and Dr. George E. Brickett of Augusta, twice during his sickness, at the request of the fam- ily, but the case continued in charge of the Doctors Thomp- * Literally, "anguish in the breast." This is the disease of which Charles Sumner died. The precise nature of the disease is not vei-y well known. It is generally connected with some morbid condition of the heart, and is called sometimes neuralgia of the heart. The first attack is sometimes fatal, and it is the opinion of Dr. Thompson that but for the prompt and vigorous treatment of Dr. Mitchell, Governor Bodwell would have died at Brunswick. 16 son until the end. Under their treatment he improved, and Tuesday nio:ht was free from pain. He remained better until Thursday noon following, when he had another severe attack of pain in the region of the heart. This was relieved by his physician, and after that time he suffered scarcely any pain. His tongue cleared, his appetite was soon restored, and his family and friends felt confident of a speedy recovery. From Friday, the 9th, to Monday, the 12th, he continued to im- prove, and rested well at night. Then he began to have restless nights, would lose his breath on dropping off to sleep, and required a frequent change of position. He continued much the same through Tuesday night and Wednesday, On Wednesday evening he felt encouraged, and dictated a tele- gram to a friend stating that he "felt himself on the up- grade." During the early part of the night he was somewhat restless, but had occasional short intervals of sleep. At three o'clock he was helped to his easy chair, reclining in which, he had two hours of quiet, refreshing sleep. At five he awoke and asked to be conducted to his bed. He remained there only a few minutes, when he Avished to be returned to his chair and exclaimed, "Get me there quickly." Tlicse were his last words. His attendants aided him in reachiufy his chair, but before being seated he dropped back into it and expired Avithout a groan or a struggle — a painless death. He died at 5.30 A. M., Dec. 15th. The particulars of his sickness were kindly furnished by Dr. Thompson, who pronounces the immediate cause of his death to have l)eeu " heart failure," and the more remote cause, congestion of the anterior left lung from a cold contracted on the night '>f Friday, Decem- ber 2d, while the Governor was returning from Bostcju. It is the opinion of the writer that Governor Bodwell over- tasked himself, and that overwork had much to do with bring- ing on the fatal disease. There will be those who think differently, but some of his most intimate I'ricnds coincide with this view. All will agree that there is a limit to human endurance, and Governor Bodwell certainly had business cares and responsibilities sutBcient for any one nuui before he 17 became Goveinor. His time for years had all been occupied, and he gave himself scarcely any vacations or periods of rest, lie Avas obliged to spend more or less of his time in travelii g upon business matters, and was necessaril}' somewhat irregu- lar in taking his meals and in his hours of sleep. It was a maivel to those acquainted with his immense business respon- sibilities, and the enforced irregularities in his mode of living I'equired in its prosecution, how he could l)ear up under the constant tension, and continue so apparently I'obust and healthy. Hir naturally strong constitution, his powerful muscular de- velopment, his life-long total abstinence fiom the inebriating cup, and his indomitable will, all conspii-ed to keep up his health and strength. But Governor Bodwell had arrived at that age when the powers of life, undei' the most favorable circumstances, begin to weaken, and when, instead of assum- ing more and greater responsibilities, it is the duty of every business man to begin to relieve himself of those which he already has. Governor Bodwell had thought of this and talked of it, but he had not yet found the place where he thought he could I)egin to curtail his business or transfer his responsibilities to other hands. He alhnved himself to be elected Governor of Maine, and no man ever assumed the duties of the gubernatorial office with a higher sense of its responsibilities. A residence in the State of nearly forty yeai's had made him familiar with her great material interests, and the day he was elected he began to take measures to render himself familiar with the State institutions, with a view to intelligent administration of State aflairs. He gave largely of his time to these objects, and still kept pace with the demands of his private business. When he was inaugurated, he was all ready to assume the duties of his office, and Maine never had a more conscientious, painstaking chief magistrate. The duties of Governor are moi'e arduous than formerly, and the calls upon his time in- crease from year to year. No great public occasion is now considered complete without his presence and co-operation. 18 These duties, with the demands of his ever increasing busi- ness, kept Governor Bodwell almost constant!}- on the move. Then there have been petty annoyances which are inseparable from the gubernatorial office, misrepresentation of his acts and perversion of his motives, which are always more or less annoying. As chief executive of the State, he felt it his duty to see that the laws were enforced against crime. The prohibitory law, which had not only been upon the statute books from the time when he first came to Maine, but had recently been made a part of the organic law of the State, and which, by non-enforcement, was becoming a by-word and a reproach, he determined to have enforced, and he went about it with characteristic energy, and every prospect of success. But the manifold duties of the gubernatorial office added only so much more to his previous cares, and while he claimed to bear up under his accumulated responsibilities, with health unimpaired, his friends, or most of them, felt that the strain was too much. He had not looked as well as formerly, and his face sometimes bore a care-worn appearance which made his friends anxious. In September, just before starting for Philadelphia to attend the Centennial Celebration of the Con- stitution, he had an attack of severe pain in his left shoulder and arm, which may probably be regarded as the precursor of the more serious attack at Brunswick, two months later. While his active mind was wholly engaged in the performance of his manifold duties, a fatal disease had been insidiously de- veloping and hastened by the exposure and severe cold, as well as other complications mentioned by Dr. Thompson, it speedily carried him off. The case of Governor Bodwell pre- sents an illustration and a warning. It illustrates the too close application and intense energy of our leading business men, and it is a warning that those God-given powers of mind and body with which they are blessed cannot be over-taxed with impunity, more especially by those who are fiiv along on the down grade of life. There is not much space for eulogy here, nor is eulogy necessary in this case. The respect in which Governor Bod- 19 well was held while living, and the universal regret manifested at his death, are more potent and convincing than mere words. He performed well his part in life. He entered upon no oflScial position withoutfirst acquainting himself with its duties, and then he unhesitatingly took upon himself the responsibili- ties of administration. He asked advice of those in whom he had confidence, but when he came to act, it was in accordance with his own convictions of right and duty. He was a born leader, and there could be no greater mistake than to suppose that he was, or could be, led by others. He was not trained to public speaking, nor schooled in debate, but when his duty as Governor required him to respond to a sentiment, or to speak at the anniversaries of public institutions, or at other public gatherings to which he had been invited, he did it with a facility that surprised his friends, and even himself. His words were always well chosen, fitly spoken, and his remarks, though brief, were always to the point. In his intercourse with Gov- ernors and officials of other states, as he was called upon to have upon several occasions during his brief term of office, his bearing was dignified and consistent with the high position he held and the sovereign State he represented. And now as he passes into the domain of history, with his life work done, and nobly done, he will be recorded as one of Maine's fore- most and most valued citizens, and as one of her most con- scientious chief magistrates. HOW THE SAD NEWS WAS KECEIVED. The news of Governor Bodwell's sudden demise was soon wired over the State and produced a profound sensation. From reports sent out the day previous, it was confidently be- lieved he would recover. His death occurred too late in the morning to appear in the morning papers, and from the tele- graphic offices of the cities and large towns, the sad intelli- gence passed from one to another, and the deepest grief was depicted upon every face. Reporters rushed to Hallo well, and during the remainder of the day, every available scrap of in- 20 telligence he.-u'ing upon the Ciise was gathered up and sent to 1 the various daily papers in, and to many out of the State, i The family of the illustrious dead was overwhelmed with their great alHiction, and the whole city wore a pall of sorrow and sadness. ''He was our greatest and best friend," was I'epeated on every hand. The gloom settled heavily over the school children, and their sad faces, as they walkedsilently along the streets and orljmced toward the office of the Hallowell Granite Company and toward the desolate house, showed evidence of heartfelt sorrow. In Augusta, the Court adjourned, and as the news spread, all the courts ol' justice in the State, then in session, took the same action. Telegrams of sorrow tor the dead and sympathy for the family came pouring in fi'om all parts of the country, iVom friends of the deceased, and from State governments. At the State House, the intelligence caused the keenest regrets. Grief choked the utterance of many, and every face was expressive of the deepest sorrow. It became the duty of the Secretar}' of State to notify Hon. Sebastian S. Marble, President of the Senate, who, l)y the provisions of the Constitution, became acting or ex-officio Governor from the moment of the death of Governor Bodwell. Mr. Marble ar- rived in Augusta on the evening train of that day. The mem- bers of the. Executive Council were summoned to Augusta, and with sad hearts assembled at the Council Chamber on the day succeeding Governor Bodwell's death. The relations be- tween Governor and Council had been uncommonly confiden- tial and pleasant, and when he was stricken down by disease, the memi)ers of the Council felt much more than an official in- terest in his recovery. From reports received from the sick- room, they had every reason to believe that he was conva- lescing and would soon be able to rejoin them, and the report of the fatal termination of his disease was received by all with great surprise and filled them with transports of grief. Acting Governor Marble oflScially notified the people of the State of the death of Governor Bodwell by issuing the follow- inof circular : 21 STATK OF MAINE. EXECUriVK Dki'ahtment, } Augusta, DeceinbtT la, 1SS7. J It is witli deep sorrow :iu(l n>o;i-ot tliiit I umiomice to tlie people of tlie State the death of Govenior Joseph It. B (hvell. wliicli oceiin-eJ at his resideuee in Halloweil, Dec. lotli, at o 30 o'clock A. M. In iiis man}' j'ears of active business life, his wide circle of personal friends, and his yet wider circle of business acrjnaintances have learned tolove and respect him fci- his manly, tjenerons clia-actei'. and in his brief official career he has endeai-ed himself to all the citizens of this State. The body will lie in state at the capit(d from Sunday notni until the funeral, which will take place at the State Mon<e on Tuesday, l>ec. 20th, at 11 A. M. I have already designated comnnttees of the Senate and House of Representatives to |)articipate in the exercises. 1 now invite all who may desire to do so ti> be i)resent at the funeral services. I desire that all ])ul)li<! offices he closed on that day between the hours of 11 and 2 o'clock, and request that all business be suspended during that time so far as practicable, as a tribute of respect to our late chief mao^istrate. SEBASTIAN S. MARBLE. The M.ilne Milititi were also notitied in General Orders as follows : HEADQUARTERS MAINE MILITIA.^ Adjutant Gknehai/s Office. V Augusta, December 1(5. 1S87. ) General Ohdehs. ) No. 19. ) 'I'he Governof- and CommandiM'-in-Chief announces with i)rofound sor- row the death of his disrino;uished predecessor. Joseph R. Bouwell. which occurred at his homt! in Halloweil, Thursday morn'rio-, December loth, instant, at ') iJO. Govei'uor Bodwell's life has been a bright and inspiring record of i)nrity and fidelity in social and business relations, and integrity and ability in exacting ami trying official position. He was a ma'i whose im])nlses and inclinations were to kindliness, to truth and right. He w;is a faithful, generous and steadfast helper of friends, and an able and lip! iglit guardian of publ'e good. Govei'uor Bodwell's death is |)eculiarl_v saddening, in that it has conn- so suddenly. It has come at the end of a life of great accom])lisliments. It is a desolation to family and friends that no form of words can desciil)e. It is a loss to the State that cannot be estimated But there is relief to tlie deep S(U-row, to the heavy sense of loss. We can all b(dieve that when death came to so good a man, the portals of the eternal worlil were arched with the radi- ant bow of promise. II. In honor of tne memory of tluMlistinguished dead, and in special recognition of his earnest and helpful devotion to the interests of the mili- tia, it is ordered that the colors of the several regiments and the guitlon of the artillery be dra[)ed in mourning, and all officers will wear the usual badge of mourning u|)on the left arm and upon the sword hilt for the en- suing thirty days. By Command of SEBASTIAN S. MARBLE, Governor and Commander-in-Chief. S. J. GALLAGHER. Adjutant General. 22 PREPARATION FOR THE LAST SAD RITES. The State officials had a conference with the family, and it was decided to have a private funeral at the late home of the deceased in Hallowell, on Sunday, the 18th, after which the remains should be conveyed to the State House, there to lie in state until Tuesday, the 20th, when the public obsequies should be had. Meantime, a responsible duty rested upon General Harris, Superintendent of Public Buildings, that of putting the State House in order and having it properly draped. The draping was very elaborate, and was done under the direction of Capt. Geo. E. Brown of Portland. Black draperies covered the windows upon the portico, and the transom above the door, and as one entered the door, he felt that he was passing into the house of mourning. The fountain in the centre of the rotunda had been removed, and upon the site of it, between the four large central pillars, upon a raised platform covered with black draperies, was erected the €atafiilque. It was covered with black broadcloth and deco- rated with silver fringe and silver stars. From the large diandelier above, broad streamers of black crape and white thibet festooned to opposite sides of the room formed a canopy ■over the catafalque. The doors leading from the rotunda were draped in crape, with the exception of the main entrance, where two large flags were used, caught in at the sides with crape loops. The windows were curtained with flags. Festoons of black crape and white thibet hung about the sides of the room. On the right side of the rotunda, heavily draped in mourning was a large crayon portrait of -Governor Bodwell. The large pillars of the rotunda were encased in crape, and festooned with smilax and silver stars. The corridors and stairways were draped in black. The Council Chamber was also filled with signs of mourning. The Governor's desk was draped in mourning and the edges fringed with smilax. Upon the table was the Governor's ebony gavel, decorated with white ribbons. In the Govern- or's private room, the same evidences of bereavement were 23 seen. The table and chair were in mourning, and the room looked mournfully silent and sad. Representatives' Hall was also appropriately draped. THE PRIVATE FUNERAL. Governor Bodwell was a Free Mason, having joined Rock- land Lodge, February 14, 1859, and the several lodges in the vicinity turned out m large numbers to escort the remains of their late brother from Hallo well to the State House, when the private funeral should be over. At ten o'clock Sunday mornino-, the citizens of Hallowell met at the City Hall and chose Col. D. P. Livermore as Marshal of the citizens' escort to Auffusta. The Masonic Lodges of Hallowell, Gardiner and Auo-usta formed in line, after the arrival of the special trains, and marched to the Governor's late residence. Samuel B. Glazier officiated as Superintendent of the funeral, and the religious services were performed by Mr. Bodwell's pastor, Rev. J. S. Gledhill of Gardiner, who pronounced the following feeling and touching eulogy : This whole life is walked under a shadow. Mystery hangs over every- thing. "We do not understand anything about us. But the greatest mys- tery of it all is the dark fact of death. Into its shadow and darkness I come to you, dear friends, to say words of comfort and consolation. What I shall sJiy will not take away your darkness, nor perhaps allay your grief. But I pray that the few words I speak may be to you as glints of light amidst the darkness, which shall help you to place your feet in the next step of vour journey.. There have always been two ideas about death held by the mmds ot men. The earliest 'idea was that death was a covered way which led the soul into a silent region of shadows and darkness, where were gathered all those who passed out of the earthly life. 