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Power of the Pen
January 02, 2008I wrote a story about the Texas Ranger Memorial Cross program that appeared in our paper Wednesday. My story concerned 79-year-old Charles Albus' pursuit of the cross for his grandfather, John F. Stengel, who had served in the Texas Rangers in the 19th century.
Stengel died in 1911 and is buried in the Rhineland Cemetery behind the old Catholic Church there.
Mr. Albus sent me copies of two articles that appeared in the Munday Times in 1911 after Stengel's death. One of them was a typical obituary. The other one, titled "Necrology of Mr. John F. Stengel," was simply written by "A Friend."
I thought I'd share it with you, mainly because I find the wording fascinating. Gosh, why don't we write like this anymore?
Here's the article:
Again has Death, the merciless reaper, mowed down with his terrible scythe a man, well honored, and highly esteemed by all his fellow citizens, John F. Stengel. The grave has closed over the remains of a dear friend, a grand, great man has gone, we have said the last fare-well, the last good-bye.
Deceased was born on 10 November 1854, down in Louisiana. His young life was full of manifold privations and wanting in those great benefits, which, by his tireless labor to bestow upon his own beloved children. For a few years he dwelled in the city of Austin, Texas, but city life could not fascinate him, who was accustomed to the roaming life of a farmer's lad. Texas, being at that time the home of the cowboys and rangers, he entered their camps and shared for many years with them their work, dangers and joys of a perilous, adventurous existence.
In the late eighties he settled down at Menardville, Texas, married, after having entered the more peaceful life of a farmer. Five children were born to him, who helped him along on the hard path to relative prosperity. In 1900 Mr. Stengel moved with his family and relatives to Rhineland, where he bought an extensive tract of fertile land, three miles west of the town. A few years ago his loving wife was taken from him, and only the sacrificing true love of his children consoled him in his great sorrow. Together with his children, he managed his well-tended farm. It was a sweet, sweet home.
Often had Death sent his unpleasant messengers, the rough life of a ranger, had undermined his health, and although he was looking the picture of robust health, there lurked a mortal disease in his system. Last Saturday, Death called again, the last time, while Mr. Stengel was in Munday. It was a terrific struggle of three days between grim Death and his assigned victim; and Death was the conqueror. Fortified with the religious consolations of the Catholic faith, John F. Stengel departed life on the 16th of May, in his 57th year of age.
The funeral took place from the Catholic Church at Rhineland on the Mount Calvary cemetery. The members of the St. Joseph’s Society, wearing their regalia, with their banner draped in the colors of mourning, attended the interment in a body; Mr. Stengel having been a devoted member of this beneficial society. There has been in the history of this colony a funeral as well attended as this, proving the true respect held for the deceased by all, and the friendly sympathy felt for the surviving members of his family. During the singing of the somber liturgical plain chant of the Church the coffin was lowered, and praying that God may grant him the eternal light and balm of consolation to his children, the procession returned to the church. On the following day a solemn Requiem was celebrated for the deceased at the church of Rhineland. The sweet voices of the children blending with the more somber tones of the male choir helped to heal the deep wound struck into our hearts by the untimely departure of dear Mr. John F. Stengel.
Posted by Lara Richards at 06:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
