Jefferson Jimplecute (Jefferson,Texas) 5 July 1907

Laid to Rest at Jefferson

From Marshall Messenger, July 1

Sunday morning at 10 o'clock in Oakwood cemetery at Jefferson all that was mortal of John W. Neidermeier was laid to rest until the great judgment day.
As the light of day began to dawn the sky looked dark and cloudy, and in the distant clouds the roar of thunder was heard, but undaunted by the elements, about seventy of the members of Marshall logde, P.P.O. Elks, No 683, assembled at their home on North Washington avenue, where at 8 o'clock a lodge of sorrow was organized, after which the members filed down the stairs and took up the march to the Texas & Pacific railway station. At the station a special train of three coaches and an engine, the gift of the officers of the Texas & Pacific railway to the Marshall Elks and friends of the deceased, was waiting and when all were on board the sad journey to Jefferson was taken up.
The train arrived there at 9 o'clock and conveyances were in waiting to convey all to the home nestled among sweet scented flowers, where lay the deceased's remains, surrounded by his aged mother, sisters, brothers and friends. The home was crowded with kind and loving friends who had come to pay their last sad rites and to look for the last time upon the face of their relative and friend. As they looked upon the flower-laden casket one could not keep from thinking surely he was loved and honored by these friends.
At 9:30 Rev. Julian Woodson began the funeral services by reading a passage of Scriptures and invoked the Divine Blessing, after which the sixtette, composed of Mesdames B.F. sherrell, J.M. De Ware and Thomas Torrance, and Messrs. Dave Smith, Charles Stutz, Lee Hawley and Will Pierce, sang so sweetly "Asleep in Jesus," and as the soft, sweet strains died away, Rev. Julian Woodson delivered a few words of comfort to the bereaved family.
Marshall lodge of Elks then took charge of the services, which were very impressive, and which were concluded at the grave. The flower-laden casket was borne to the hearse between the line of Elks, and just as the casket was placed in the hearse, a mocking bird alighted on the corner of the roof of the house and began to sing, oh! so sweetly, as if the little heart would break. The funeral cortege then moved slowly down the street to Oakwood cemetery, where the services were concluded by the Elks lodge.
At the grave the following eulogy was delivered by Jno. B. Tullis:
Brothers and Friends: -- With a sad heart I am here not to eulogize the departed, but to lay a flower upon the grave of a departed friend, a schoolboy friend, a friend of youth, of manhood, and pay a tribute to the memory of our brother. I have come to weep with those who weep.
Our lodge has lost one of its best and most faithful members, the world a good and charitable man, the mother a devoted son, the brothers and sisters a loving brother. This body we lay here this morning is not John. Go into the walks of life and you will find his spirit breathing its blessings upon suffering humanity, relieving the sick, helping the distressed, feeding the poor and dispensing charity to all. John W. Neidermeier was born in this city December 21, 1871, and on the morning of the 26th of this month his spirit spread out its white wings and soared to the God who gave it. He stands today on the other side of the river and beckons from amidst the mists and gloriuos mysteries of the other shore. Though he be silent, yet he speaks, for the words of comfort he spoke, the deeds he did are treasured in memory's golden casket. He was the soul of honor, ever thinking of the comfort and pleasure of those around him. His faults were few, his virtues many. He has left us: In the prime of life, in the noon of his day, when the clouds of his zenith were driven like a halo of glory he floated away to the home of his Father in Heaven. "His faults we write upon the sands. His virtues upon tablets of love and memory."
At the conclusion of the services the sixtette sang "Nearer My God to Thee," and Rev. A.A. Wagnon pronounced the benediction.
The grave was one of the prettiest ever seen, being trimmed throughout in the Elks colors, purple and white, every piece in its construction being with white and purple cloth, even the shovel handles with which mother earth was placed back in the grave by the hands of his brother Elks.
The floral offerings were many and beautiful. They were tendered by friends who had known him all his life and could they speak, they would have spoken fragrant and touching eulogies to his noble, gentle, unselfish character. When the grave was finished it was a huge mound of sweet, fragrant flowers, and the brother Elks were gathered close around and a picture taken of the scene, so that the dear old mother can see the grave of her boy, and the brothers and sisters ever have a picture of his resting place.
The following were the pall-bearers, the deceased's closest friends in life: L.E. Purcell, A.M. Urquhart, Herb Brown, A.W. Buron, Vernon McMollough, Mat Menger, W.H. Erambert, Jr., C.E. Bancker.