OB ITUARY.

Words can tut feebly express the universal sorrow into which the entire community has been plunged by the sudden and unexpected death of Col. Josiah E. Hayes, nor is this sentiment a mere conventionality expressed on the demise of every good person, for Col. Hayes was a man who stood pre-eminent among his fellow men as a philanthropist; a man whose heart and hand were ever open to relieve the distress of the suffering, and in any enterprise that involved the up building and advancement of Johnson county or the city of Olathe, he was always in the lead, and his abundant means were always ready to be applied in that direction.

 His life has been one of continual activity, and no business enterprise has been to gigantic for his undertaking. It is natural that in so many business ventures, reverses will sometimes occur and the well laid plans of a most careful management thwarted. The business experiences of Col. Hayes was no exception to the rule. Most of our readers are familiar with the circumstances attending the failure of the First National Bank a few years ago, of which he was the president. Although the bank failed for a large amount of money, he asssured his creditors that every cent should be paid with interest, a pledge he faithfully kept, and the only instance probably on record where the same can be said.

Numerous other instances might be cited descriptive of the intergrity, loyalty, and honesty of heart pf Col. Hayes, but they are unnecessary. No greater monument will rise to perpetuate his memory than the one of love in the hearts of his countrymen, nor no more fitting epitaph could be indicated than that inscribed in the fleshy tablets of the hearts of this people, expressed by them in universal accord: “He was an honest man.”

During the past severe winter his health has been very poor so that at limes he was unable to leave his room. The difficulty he attributed mainly to his wounded limb, which for the last few years has given him the most excruciating pain. About the 1st of March, he decided to take a little rest and recreation, and in company with his wife and daughter, Mrs. Geo. B. Lord, went to Eureka Springs. After their arrival Col. Hayes was taken with a violent fever which baffled the influence of medicine or the skill of his attending physicians. Tuesday morning, March 8^th, after less than a week's illness he gently passed away, surrounded in his last moments by his faithful partner, his daughter, Mrs. Geo. B. Lord, and her husband.

The announcement of .his death came like an electric shock to the entire city. Every person to whom the intelligence was communicated seemed to take it upon himself the responsibility of giving the sad news further circulation, and in less than an hour after the telegram arrived every body in town had heard of the death opf Col. Hayes. The body arrived on the train from the south Thursday afternoon and was conveyed directly to the late residence of the deceased, to await final arrangements, for the funeral to occur the next day.

THE FUNERAL.
The lowering cloudy weather on Friday morning augmented the gloom in which the city was already enshrouded, The Opera House, which Col. Hayes h so liberally appropriately  his means to erect for the entertainment of the people of Olathe had been appropriately selected as the place for the last sad ceremonies. The stage, which was heavily draped in mourning, was occupied only by the officiating clergy men, Rev. Mr. Vail, Pastor of the Baptist Church; Rev. A.T. Burris,  and Gov. St. John. The casket containing the remains were placed in front oi the stage, while the choir occupied a position to the right.

Both the auditorium and gallery were densely packed, but a solemn stlllness prevaded the entire assembly. The choir, consisting of Misses Allie Myers and Jessie Egelston, and Messrs. H. M. Hedrick and C. H. Williamson, with Miss Kate Huntoon as organist, chanted a dirge, after which Rev. A. T.Burris stepped to the front and offered a very impressive prayer, which was followed by a short address by Rev. Mr. Vail. After the choir had again rendered some very fine music. Gov. St. John stepped to the front of the stage and delivered a short eulogy on the life and character of Col. Hayes. The Gov. was greatly affected and came near breaking down in the midst of his address. The audience was then allowed to view the remains as they passed out of the room, after which they were taken charge of by the pall bearers, consisting of the following gentlemen: Wm. Pellett, C. M. Ott,  Jonathan Milliken, Dr. Thos. Hamil, John C. Collins, R. M. Atchison, J. W. Norvell and John L. Price, and conveyed to their last resting place.

BIOGRAPHY

Josiah E. Hayes was born in the village of Sanbarton, New Hampshire, July 17^th, 1818. At the age of 18 he removed with his parents to Putman county, Ills., and continued to reside in that state until 1857, when h e came to Olathe, and located where he resided at the time of his death. He was selected a member of the first Legislature after the adoption of the state into the Union. At the breaking out of the war he was mustered in as Capt. of Co., A, 4th Regt., of Kas., Vol. Infantry, and on the formation of the 12th Kansas Regiment he was promoted to the position of Lieut. Col.  At the battle of Jenkins Ferry, he was severely wounded necessitating the amputation of one of his limbs, at the same time he was taken prisoner and lay In one of the prison pens of the South in his disabled condition until he was finally exchanged and allowed to return home. At the close of the war be was elected Treasurer of Johnson county, and at the expiration of the term was elected State Treasurer, and re-elected at the end of the first term.

Besides his bereaved widow, Col. Hayes leaves four children, Chas. L. Hayes, Emma J. Lord, wife of George B. Lord, Arthur L. Hayes, and Holly E. Hayes, all of whom are grown and were present to perform the last sad office of committing the mortal remains of their husband and father to our mother earth.

Olathe Mirror
March 17, 1881
Page 1, col 3,4