Death of F. M. Kent.
That venerable and respected pioneer of Grand Ledge-Francis M. Kent, is no more. He had a second stroke of paralysis last Monday p. m., and about seven o’clock the following morning his soul passed over the river to the unfathonsble beyond. Paralysis of one side has made him almost an invalid for some years past, but with his indominitable energy he has kept about, and on Sunday last was as well as usual. A week ago to-day we noticed him industriously engaged in planting his garden at the rear of our office, and as he dragged his half-dead limb about we could but reflect that the sands of his busy life were nearly run, but that the last grains would soon pass through the glass we little thought.
Mr. Kent was born in Northampton county, Penn., in September, 1827, and was therefore 60½ years of age. He located in Grand Ledge in 1853, since which time he has resided here, and until stricken with paralysis was actively identified with the business interests of the place. He was a man of the strictest honesty and integrity, and was universally respected in the community. He was an honored member of the Masonic order, in which for years he occupied an official position. He was buried with Masonic honors yesterday a. m., the lodge being largely represented. The services were held at the Baptist church, and were conducted by Rev. A. E. Bolster, assisted by Rev. A. O. Jenne. Mr. Bolster spoke from the words to be found in 1st Chron., XV chap., 33-38 verses. The deceased leaves a wife and three children-V. M. and D. Kent and Mrs. Mettie Brown. The remains were followed to their final resting place by a long procession of sympathizing friends.
—Upwards of fifty members of the Michigan Press Association met in Lansing Tuesday for the purpose of considering legislative and other questions of importance to the profession, and to take steps to more thoroughly unite the association in promoting the welfare of its members. The result of the meeting was truly encouraging.
—One of the entertaining features of Mr. Yaple’s speeches is to be noticed in the concentration of thought. He puts volumes in one short sentence, and they flow on smoothly to the end of a twohours’ speech. As a public speaker there is no man of the present age who can produce a better effect than George L. Yaple.—Three Rivers News-Reporter.
—In the Eaton Co. Circuit Court this week the following criminal cases have been settled so far as the juries have rendered their verdicts: Miles Eggleston, of Hamlin, found guilty on charge of adultery. Reuben A. Hale, of Vermontville, for larceny of horse and buggy. Herman Zemke, for bastardy. The first case of civil action, Chas. Ganong, of Bellevue, vs. Wm. Green, et al, same place, was called Tuesday.
—A. A. Ellis, the Prosecuting Attorney of Ionia county, has got his “dander” up in the famous Collins case at Portland, and last Monday had C. G. Jones and Benjamin Bartow, attorneys for the Roe family in the case, and Franklin Roe arrested on a charge of libel. The alleged libel is contained in a series of circuiars issued by the Roe family, in which Ellis was handled rather roughly, and in other serious charges filed against the prosecuting attorney at the state capital. We wouldn’t be at all surprised if there was trouble ahead for the defendants, as A. A. is considered a “stayer” by those who know him best.
Sad Accident.
On Saturday last Samuel Gordon, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. C. Gordon, of this place, sustained serious injuries while breaking a railway near Muskegon. Several logs rolled on him, crushing his thigh and injuring him internally. He lingered until Monday morning, when death released him from his misery.
