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ij . S. 5^cl C^.. \^ sess. , \w\-m'> 
 
 52D Congress, \ HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. ( Mis. Doc. 
 
 2d Session. ( \ No. 99. 
 
 MEMORIAL ADDRESSES 
 
 LIFE AND CHARACTER 
 
 JOHN R. GAMBLE, 
 
 (A REPRESENTATIVE FROM SOUTH DAKOTA.) 
 
 DELIVEREli IN THE 
 
 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND IN THE SEN.-VTE, 
 
 FIFTY-SECOND CONGRESS. 
 
 be 
 
 \V 
 
 PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF CONGRESS. 
 
 WASHINGTON : 
 
 GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 
 
 1893. 
 
 J 
 
EUif 
 
 Resolved liij the House of Bepresentalives (the Senate eoneurring), That 
 there be printed of the eulogies delivered in Congress upon the Hon. 
 John R. Gamble, late a Representative from the State of South Dakota, 
 eight thousand copies, of which number two thousand shall be delivered 
 to the Senators and Representatives of the State of Sovith Dakota, which 
 shall include fifty copies to be bound in full morocco, to be delivered to 
 the family of the deceased; and of those remaining, two thousand copies 
 shall be for the use of the Senate, and four thousand copies for the use of 
 . the House of Representatives ; and the Secretary of the Treasury is directed 
 to have engraved and printed a portrait of the said JoHX K. Gamble to 
 accompany said eulogies. 
 
 Agreed to in the House of Representatives, April 15, 1892. 
 
 AgTced to in the Senate, April 20, 1892. 
 
 2 
 
DEATH OF REPRESENTATIVE GAMBLE. 
 
 John Eankin Gamble died in Yankton, S. Dak., Friday, 
 August 14, 1891, aged 43 years 7 months and 13 days. 
 
 " John Gamble is dead." These words greeted the early 
 risers Friday morning and were told at many bedsides in the 
 early day. John R. Gamble dead f There must be some mis- 
 take. He can not be dead. We can not realize it; and yet he 
 is gone, and this city, the State and the West, have lost a good 
 citizen, a loyal champion, and a grand representative. 
 
 jVIr. Gamble had been a sufferer with a heart trouble for 
 many years. Indefatigable, as he seemed, and as indirstrious 
 and persistent as he was, there was a limit to his strength, and 
 he reached it. Thursday he complained of an indisposition, 
 and at 6 o'clock last night Dr. Turkopp, the family jihysician, 
 was summoned. He left some medicine and called again at 9 
 o'clock. Mr. Gamble seemed to be f(>eliiig b(^tter then: but 
 at 12 o'clock the heart trouble, of which the mild illness of the 
 day was a symi>tom, attacked him, and Dr. Turkopp found him 
 very weak and very much wearied when he reached the bed- 
 side. His brothers, Hugh and Kobert, were with him until 
 late last evening, but they had not the remotest idea that he 
 would not be well on the way to recovery to-day. John ral- 
 lied from the attack and rested easily until about 3 a. m., Dr. 
 Turkopp and Mrs. Gamble remaining with him. The doomed 
 man seemed, however, to realize his own condition, but was 
 
 3 
 
4 DeaiJi of Rcprcse)itatr<.c Gavible. 
 
 much encouraged that he felt stronger. At about 3 : 30 o'clock, 
 however, there came another attack, and Dr. Turkopp asked 
 for a consultation of physicians. Dr. McGhunphy was sum- 
 moned, and the two doctors applied external restoratives and 
 made every eftort to relieve the sufiferer. Their efforts were 
 partially successful, and Mr. Gamble rallied again. At 5:. 30, 
 however, be began to fail rapidly, and at 6 : 15, after having been 
 unconscious for fifteen minutes, he drew one last feeble breath 
 and was dead. Robert Gamble had been called at .5:. 30, but 
 his brother had passed into a partial unconsciousness and did 
 not know him. 
 
 John Eankin Gamble was born in the town of Alabama, 
 Genesee County, State of New York, on the 15th day of 
 January, 1848. He was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. On his 
 mother's side he was related to Andrew Jackson, his mother 
 being a third cnusiu. He was brought up upon the farm, and 
 attended the common schools in the neighborhood. He re 
 moved with his people to Fox Lake, Wis., in the year 1862 and 
 contimied to reside on the farm. He was always an energetic, 
 active, and studious young man, and was a leader in his work 
 and the best student in his classes. By his industry at an 
 early age he mastered all the studies taught in the schools of 
 the neighborhood, and he then took up the work of self- 
 instruction. He was always a great reader, and he made such 
 advancement that when he entered Lawrence University at 
 Appleton, Wis., in 1867, he graduated the first in his class in 
 1872, taking the fall classical course. Prior to his entering col- 
 lege and during his course he taught school, and largely paid his 
 own way through his entire course. After his graduation he 
 studied law with Dawes Brothers, at Fox Lake, one of the lead- 
 ing firms of central Wisconsin, and was admitted to the bar in 
 August, 1873. He moved from Wisconsin and located in Yank- 
 ton, S. Dak., in September, 1873, and commenced the practice 
 
Death of Representative Gamble. 5 
 
 of law. He has resided here contiuually since. In November, 
 1S7.5, his brother, Eobert J. Gamble, joined him at Yankton, 
 and the two have been partners in the law business since that 
 time under tlie name of Gamble Brothers. 
 
 On the 22d of September, 1875, John was married at Fox Lake, 
 Wis., to Fannie Davis, a daughter of the Hon. John W. Davis, 
 a leading citizen of that part of the State. He leaves a wife 
 and three children, Lillie M., aged 13, Alice J., aged 11, and 
 John W., aged 7. His mother died in November, ISSO. His 
 father is still living at Fox Lake, at the advanced age of 79 
 years. He has also two brothers and one sister residing there. 
 William A. Gamble, the eldest brother, keeps the old home- 
 stead, and the aged father is with him, Hon. James C. Gamble, 
 a leading and representative citizen of the county. His sister 
 Margaret is the wife of Lieut. S. G. McDowell, who has held 
 many official positions in that part of the State, and was an 
 ofidcer in the Eighth Wisconsin Eegiment diu-ing the war. He 
 has also another sister, Mrs. L. B. Bridgeman, who resides at 
 Wakonda, in this county. His two younger brothers, Hugh S. 
 and Robert J., are residents of Yankton. Mr. Gamble's dif- 
 ferent periods of public service were: 
 
 As district attorney for Yankton County from 187(1 to 1878. 
 
 As United States attorney for Dakota Territory, after the 
 death of Col. Pound, and until the appointment of Hugh J. 
 Campbell, in 1878. 
 
 As a member of the house of representatives from Yankton 
 County iu 1877, 1878, and 1870. 
 
 As a member of the legislative council from Yankton from 
 1881 to 1885, inclusive. 
 
 He was elected a Representative in Congress from the State 
 of South Dakota to the Fifty-second Congress, and was pre- 
 paring to go to the National Capital and take his seat at the 
 time of his death. 
 
6 Death of Representative Gamble. 
 
 He had been admitted to practice before the Supreme Court 
 of the United States, aud had the reputation of possessing the 
 greatest legal ability and knowledge. 
 
 His law business had been lucrative, aud he had accumu- 
 lated moderately of the world's goods. 
 
 The death of Hon. .Tohx IJ. Gamble is an event altogether 
 unexpected. The intelligence came with a shock that has 
 served to intensify the feeling of bereavement which pervades 
 the city and i^s keenly felt in every heart and home, A few 
 days ago he was mingling with his fellow men, apparently in 
 the best of health, planning for the work which his newly as- 
 sumed official i>ositiou opened before him, inciting to a career 
 that ijromised lasting honor to himself aud great usefulness to 
 his fellow citizens. His whole mind was in this work, and 
 urging him to its performance was the will and the ability of 
 one whose successes in life have proven that he possessed both 
 qualities in a remarkable degree. 
 
 Mr. Gamble has been a conspicuous figure in the affairs of 
 Dakota for the past fifteen or twenty years, and his name is as 
 familiar as a household word throughout both the States that 
 made up the former Territory. His active business life had its 
 beginning and its ending here. From the young and briefless 
 lawyer of twenty years ago he had grown to be a leader and an 
 authority in his profession, ranking second to no one of the 
 ablest attorneys and counselors in South Dakota. His natural 
 endowments wei-e of a high and valuable order, and these were 
 supi)lemented by a liberal education and a mind thoroughly 
 and intelligently disciplined. He was intuitively a lawyer, 
 aud grew step by step in his profession, spurred by an am- 
 bition that never flagged or wavered. He was a rare worker. 
 His application was a distinguishing trait. To his tireless 
 
Death of Representative Gamble. 7 
 
 will was he indebted for the uiiiuterrupted successes which 
 greeted his professional labors. In this feature of his life the 
 young who are striving to make headway may learn a valuable 
 lesson. 
 
 As a leader of public opinion in matters of a political nature 
 Mr. Gamble held a first place in the State. Here again his 
 indomitable spirit, good abilities, and strong practical common 
 sense made him eminent and influential, and during a period 
 of nearly twenty years, always foremost in the tliickest of the 
 conflict, his career was one of almost uninterrupted achieve- 
 ment. And better than this is the record of his public acts, 
 which bear uo stain or blemish to reflect upon the honor of his 
 name. He was an uncompromising Itepublican. His politi- 
 cal principles were inborn aud inseparable. He was an un- 
 flinching and indomitable fighter and truely knew no such 
 word as fail. Sn(;h a nature always attracts the attection and 
 confideuce of political friends, and can not escape the censure 
 of political foes. Mr. Gamble was uo exception to the rule, 
 and yet no political leader in the State has enjoyed the resiiect 
 and confideuce of all classes to a greater extent than he. 
 
 lu private life Mr. GAMBLE was a loving husband, a gentle 
 and iudulgent father. As a citizen he enjoyed the confidence 
 aud esteem of tile entire community of Yankton, where his 
 years of manhood have been passed. It can be said of him 
 that here he was thoroughly known and thoroughlj- respected. 
 
 His mourning relatives and sorrow-stricken wife and chil- 
 dren may surely know that their inconsolable grief is largely 
 shared by the entire population of the city. Strong men 
 strive in vain to check the tear of sorrow and bereavement. 
 All feel bereaved — that if not a brother, a true friend, a worthy, 
 able, and trusted citizen, whose future career promised so 
 much of usefulness and honor, is lost to them. Yankton 
 mourns the death of her foremost citizen — her gifted and hon- 
 ored son. 
 
THE FUNERAL CEREMONIES, 
 
 August 16, 1891. 
 
 John Rankin GaiVIBle, the deceased statesman, was buried 
 Sunday, August 10, 1891, amidst the tears of the community 
 and the sorrow of the entire State. Of all South Dakota's 
 afflictions, the death of Mr. G-amble has called forth the 
 greatest number of expressions of sorrow, and the funeral was 
 a State tribute to the memory of a departed son. 
 
 ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE REV. D. T. BRADLEY. AT THE 
 CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, YANKTON. 
 
 The occasion that calls us together to-day is one that has 
 made this entire community to bate its breath. Pei-haps never 
 in the history of this community has there been an event that 
 has so profoundly moved it, or so suddenly startled it with 
 dismay and sorrow. "We have lost our chiefs in times past, 
 but we were somewhat warned of their approaching departiu'e, 
 and we watched and waited while the lingering hope vanished. 
 Xot so with us now. We are awakened out of slumber at 
 early dawn, only to learn that the heavy stroke had fallen, 
 and that our brave and honored chieftain only now walking in 
 health among us would speak to us no more. The stroke has 
 made us speechless with grief. It is not necessary to say tluit 
 
The Funeral Ceremonies. 9 
 
 the feeliug of personal loss, and especiiilly of the community's 
 loss, is shared by men of every faith and men of every thought 
 .in this city. While men live they are rivals; they are ojipo- 
 nents often. They seek similar ends by different methods 
 and disagree. When men die, rivalry vanishes, opposition is 
 quiet, and the limits of the city contain no man so narrow 
 who is not glad to bring his meed of praise to him who loved 
 his people, and with all his heart and power of mind endeav- 
 ored to his best Judgment to serve them. So it is with us 
 to-day. We are united in paying our respect to this serva t 
 of his people, this man who loved Yankton and South Dakota, 
 and lived for their honor and renown. 
 
 Leadership makes it impossible in our democnvtic communi- 
 ties for any man who is the leader to become universally 
 popular. Every question that arises for settlement in the 
 city and the State has two sides. It is susceptible of being 
 looked upon by honest men from opposing points of view. 
 Men who lead in these opposing views incur the prejudice of 
 those who hold different opinions. In proportion as they are 
 earnest and successful, in that proportion do they have strong 
 public foes. In the strife of opinions there come to be per- 
 sonal estrangements, coldness, lack of syinpathies. Leadership 
 has this burden to carry — the burden of condemnation from a 
 portion of the community. So that a true leader of men 
 can not be universally popular. But he can be universally 
 respected. Men who oppose him may say he was wrong in his • 
 opinion, faulty in his method, short-sighted in his outlook. 
 And the reverse is said by those who follow him and believe 
 in his wisdom. But all can say he was true in his purpose, 
 honest in his convictions and brave to follow them — he was 
 loyal, patriotic, generous, and noble in character. It is so 
 .with us to-day. However much we have differed in our views 
 we can agree together and say here is one who tried with his 
 
10 The Funeral Ceroiiouics. 
 
 best effort to serve his people, and spared uo pains to give 
 them good government and peaee and prosperity. A man 
 who according to his light sought justice for the individual, 
 prosperity for the commuuity, and honor and dignity for the 
 State. 
 
 It has been plain during all these years that here was a man 
 who had in an eminent degree the qualities of leadership, it 
 was no accident that made his brother attornej'S in all this 
 region where his counsel and his advocacy were known, to con- 
 cede to him the foremost place. It was no accident that placed 
 him at the front among older and more experienced men in 
 political life. There were qualities of mind and heart here, not 
 distributed freely among all men, qualities of vision that could 
 see through the intricacies and mazes of a legal problem or a 
 political question to the very principle that lay at its heart. 
 That quality made him a leader. There was a power of con- 
 centration that could bring all the faculties to bear upon the 
 given point, long enough to grasp and master and handle it. 
 That was no common quality that made him a leader. There 
 was a quality of earnestness here which having led him to take 
 up a cause, made him carry it thiough with tremendous energy 
 to success. No one could (juestion the earnestness of this man, 
 who, whatever he undertook, pushed it with all the power of his 
 nature, regardless of obstacles. Then there was the (luality of 
 industry — tireless, ceaseless industry, that worked brain and 
 ■ nerve and body until all fell exhausted under the trenu^ndous 
 purpose of the will ; that was a zuarked quality, an imperial 
 quality. Then there was his courage that would lead him to 
 undertake hard things, and things that made other men cringe 
 and (puiii, undertake them and carry them bravely to a suc- 
 cessful issue. Tliere was a quality of will— an imperious will, 
 that having set forth to attain carried him to the goal in spite- 
 of discouragement. These qualities made him a leader. 
 
The Funeral Ceremonies. 1 1 
 
 It i.s vain to thiuk that fortuitous cii'cumstances or lucky 
 combiuations or accidental events brought to the very front 
 of professional and political honor that penniless law student 
 who arrived here in 1872 without alliances, without office, and 
 without influeutial friends. These things were worked out 
 in strenuous toil, by a gifted soul that knew its powers and 
 industriously employed them, conquering all obstacles— ob- 
 stacles that were by no means few or feeble. Men in this 
 presence knew how it was done, and how while other men 
 were idling or were sleeping he was plodding late and early 
 at the books or the papers, or studjing to know the last de- 
 tail of the political situation or the trend of public affairs. 
 
 But such leadership binngs with it grave responsibilities 
 and serious temptations. There are opportunities for the 
 leader to secure temporary success by dishonorable means. 
 It is sufticient to be said of our friend in his various public 
 places of trust his integrity of character has never been im- 
 peached. No stain of corruption ever rested against his pub- 
 lic fame, no taint of pollution ever was whispered of his private 
 life. His hands were clean and his integrity and honor he 
 preserved stainless amid the contention and strife of eighteen 
 years of earnest and persistent public effort which ended in 
 high public honor. 
 
 I thiuk it will be generally conceded by friend and partisan 
 foe alike, that when the votes were counted last November 
 and it was found that the cause he had espoused had triumphed 
 in this State, the greatest credit for stemmingthetideof defeat, 
 for courageously meeting the people, and for brave utterances 
 that checked disaster, was given to John E. Gamble. 
 
 It is needless to add that in all these spheres of labor he 
 has been of the greatest usefulness to the community and to 
 the State. There is a sort of feeling abroad, indefinable and 
 hard to describe, that the people owe no debt of gratitude to 
 
1 2 llie Funeral Ceremonies. 
 
 tlie men who guide the aflairs of the State in times of peace, 
 unless they accomplish some moniimental thing that lives in 
 history. But is it not true that to hold the State or com- 
 munity true to its ordinary course, to give it chance for proper 
 development, to shape its laws, guide its policy, to ma.nage its 
 machinery, and to see to it that the people are brought up to 
 their political duty, in other words to let the true nature of 
 the State and the people be so unhampered and unhindered as 
 to jiermit it to move swiftly and smoothly in its course of nor- 
 mal prosijerity — are not those who aid in the accomplishment 
 of these ends worthy of our deepest gratitude? In time of 
 war we want soldiers, and we deck their brows as they return 
 victorious, or deck their graves when they come back slain. 
 But in peace we need leaders who will so lead that peace shall 
 steadily flow on uutrammeled and unimpeded ; that the 
 genius of the people shall have no check and drawback; that 
 the will of the majority sliall have sway. We need to be 
 grateful that as a State we liave had such leaders, and that 
 to-day, as a commonwealth, the people have the rule, and that 
 they are checked and hindered by no unnatural and needless 
 obstacles, and that the lionor and integrity of the State stands 
 before the world inferior to none. For these results and for 
 the victories of peace we owe to such men as our friend here 
 a debt of jirofound gratitude. 
 
 But upon these matters other men may speak more wisely 
 than I, and tlie public press has already, without exception, 
 whether friend or public opponent, spoken without ciualifica- 
 tion and with perfect unanimity in recognition of his eminent 
 public services. I need not sjteak further of this. This com- 
 munity and this State will surely miss in the months just before 
 us the strength and help and sound judgment of this man, this 
 capable and honored citizen. How sorely he will be missed 
 only those who carry the heavy burdens of the community can 
 adequately testify. 
 
The Funeral Ceremonies. 13 
 
 I will speak of liiiii as a man. He was my friend, and in 
 these brief years I had found something of his worth. But 
 those of you who worked with him, those of you who had found 
 him helpful to you for many years in the time of need, and I know 
 not how many there are who have thus found him a helper ; 
 those of you who had come in contact with his generous heart 
 can speak of this better than I, and can think of him and his 
 noble service in personal gratitude to-day. Some men come 
 to Ije naturally the men to whom others go for favors and ben- 
 efits. It comes to be expected of them that they will use their 
 time, tlieir efforts, their money in the way of conferring per- 
 sonal benefits upon all who need. It was so with our friend. 
 Men sought him from far and near for help. I do not now re- 
 fer to professional help, but to other help for which there was 
 no compensation intended or expected, and they received it, 
 and time, money, influence, all was freely given to the service 
 of those who sought it. 
 
 Then again, this was a friendly man. He had a friendly 
 heart. Men did ncjt easily discover it. It was not worn upon 
 the sleeve. It was not manifested in the ordinary ways and 
 expressions. It was found only after time had passed, and 
 when trial and trouble had tested it, and penetrated to its hid- 
 den depths. 
 
 These brothers and sisters who for these long years have 
 showed the love of an unbroken family, especially those who 
 worked side by side— first in the wheat field, then in the school, 
 and then in this ample oflice; these men who have grown 
 mature together, who, like Jonathan and David, have been 
 loyal and just and aftectiouate under circumstances of business 
 relations that would sorely test the greatest love — they found 
 fhis man's heart, and found it true. These others who have 
 shared the shelter of this happy office and have been insi)ired 
 to higher and better things in life by this man, found his heart 
 
14 The Funeral Ceremonies. 
 
 and fonnd it generous. These public men, whom the people 
 honor, who have traveled over this State in ijolitical eani- 
 paigns together, and together with him have entered the fierce 
 strife of party caucus and public convention, found his heart 
 and found it loyal. 
 
 And if we may for the moment enter the sacred portals of 
 the home and speak of her to whom he gave the full meas- 
 ure of his deepest affection, in the home the loyal wife who 
 with him wrought out their success, found his heart and found 
 it always undivided and unalterably true. 
 
 These little children, about whom this sturdy man's heart 
 clung with the affection of a strong, earnest nature, found his 
 heart and found it gentle, noble, and affectionate. 
 
 This private life of loyalty and love, how pleasant it is to 
 think of ? Uow the memory of some of you goes back to the 
 boyhood, when this young soul, earnest to attain the better 
 things, inspired by a sainted mother whose spirit and whose 
 faith were imparted to all of her children, stirred by a right 
 ambition, went away from home and by dint of strenuous effort, 
 sacrifice, and economy, helped and urged on by the older ones 
 of the family, won his way through college. What an affec- 
 tionate family, inspiring each other to good works, toiling to 
 help one another and glad to see, without envy or unworthy 
 thought, the success of the other. And that private love and 
 loyalty has never suffered abatement, never known any change. 
 In the most intricate business relations there was needed no 
 papers of agreements or contracts. These men and women 
 trusted one another, never doubted each other, nor gave oppor- 
 tunity for doubt, and when one suffered all suffered together, 
 and when one succeeded all rejoiced. It is a consolation to 
 think of these things at this hour when the earthly tie is sun- 
 dered and the charmed circle is broken. 
 
 1 have spoken of the faith of oui- friend. He received a her- 
 
The Funeral Cereniojiies. 15 
 
 itage of faith from a devout parent, and he kept it to the end. 
 TJnfortunatelj; in the stress of public affairs and of ofiBcial life, 
 that active interest in the sjiiritual work of this church, of 
 which he became a member in 1875, was wanting, and both his 
 own experience and tlie work of tliis cluucli felt the lack, but 
 he was ever a loyal and liberal supporter of the church, and 
 never lost faith in the fundamentals of a Christain hope. On 
 the great principles of righteousness his views were those of 
 evangelical religion, and in more than one conversation on 
 these matters I have found him heartily in accord with those 
 fundamental truths. But few of us whose lives are placed 
 where the temptations to lose sight of the spiritual are only 
 slight can appreciate the difliculty of adjusting a taxing and 
 trying professional and public political life to the deeper 
 concerns of spiritual things. It is certain that many of our 
 best public men miss a great source of strength and solace in 
 failing to secure the i)rofounder spiritual influences, and the 
 church loses the strength of mind and judgment that it should 
 receive from them. It is a matter of regret that those who are 
 most capable of receiving the deepest spiritual impressions and 
 impart them are thus deprived of the support and the serenity 
 that comes from keeping a firm hold on spiritual religion. But 
 with our friend these spiritual things were not despised or 
 counted as of no value. It was simply that they became over- 
 shadowed in the great struggle of life. The har<l, incessant 
 work of mind and body left little time for the tilings of faith. 
 But the shadows came. In the prime of life they came. In 
 the best days of manhood the vital powers received a deadly 
 blow. It was prophetic of the end soon to come that our friend 
 made special efforts to finish up his business that had been 
 accumulating, and get all tlie old cases out of the way. He 
 looked upon it as a preparation for the great assembly of law- 
 makers at Washington, where he was to have an honorable 
 
16 Tlic Funeral Ceremonies. 
 
 place- iu representing his State. Little did ho think that lio 
 should so soon be ushered into that vaster company of those 
 who have suffered, toiled, and struggled in the battle of life, 
 and weary with its strife have passed over to the other side. 
 But so it was to be. The end came, and it came swiftly and 
 with little pain. 
 
 May we not trust that as the darkness of death fell upon 
 the strong, earnest soul the sun of righteousness dawned into 
 liis heart with the radiant light of hope and faith. May we 
 not believe that as the tender ministrations of a loving hand 
 soothed away from the brow the agony of pain the profounder 
 ministrations of the Divine spirit spoke of a Savior's love and 
 mercj' and sins cleansed in a Redeemer's blood. May we not 
 hope that as the night settled thick upon the fast ebbing life 
 he could catch the breath of a better land and discern a ray of 
 light from the brighter morning. 
 
 After Mr. Bradley, Eev. Mr. Olough prayed most eloquently 
 for the final rest of the departed soul, the choir sang "Lead 
 kindly light," and the funeral procession took up its way to 
 the cemetery. At the grave the last ofldces of the church 
 were iierformed, the earth was deposited upon the coffin, and 
 John It. Gamble took his place iu memory, there to live 
 in devoted remembrance through the lapsing years. 
 
PROCEEDINGS IN THE HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. 
 
 ANNOUNCEMENT OF DEATH. 
 
 January 5, 1802. 
 
 Mr. PiCKLER, of Soutli Dakota. Mr. Speaker, a melaiiclioly 
 duty it is, that I auiioiiiice to tlie House the death of oue uf 
 its members, my late colleague, the Hon. John R. Gamble, a 
 Representative from the State of S(juth Dakota. 
 
 He died at his home in the city of Yauktou, suddenly, of 
 heart disease, ou the 14th day of August last, aged 43 years. 
 
 Although youug in years, aud. as humauity reckons too young 
 to die, he lived long enough to impress himself upon the his- 
 tory of his young State, for whose admission into the Union 
 he had long and faithfidly labored. 
 
 He was a genial gentleman, a talented lawyer, an honest 
 man, a favorite with the people. 
 
 He was honored with the publico offices of district attorney 
 of Yankton County, United States attorney for the Territory 
 of Dakota; as a member of both branches of the Territorial 
 legislature; as a member of oue of its constitutional conven- 
 tions; and was elected to the Fifty-second Congress, for tlie 
 duties rff which he was preparing when death terminated liis 
 young manhood. The members from his State will later in 
 the session ask that a time be set a part, that appropriate ac- 
 tion may be taken in memory of the deceased. 
 
 17 
 H. Mis. .s:! 2 
 
IS Proceedings in the Honse of Representatives. 
 
 Mr. Speaker, 1 now ask uuauiraDus eoiiseiit for the iiuineili- 
 ate consideration of tlie following resolution: 
 The Clerk read as follows : 
 
 Hesdired. That tho House h:is hcanl with profoiuul sorrow ol' the death 
 of Hon. John K. (Jamble, hitc :i Representative tVoni .Soutli Dakota. 
 
 Hc.iiilred, That as a mark of respect to his memory tlie House do now 
 adjourn. 
 
 The motion was agreeil to. 
 
 And accordingly (at o o'clock and ')S minutes p. m.) tlie House 
 adjourned. 
 
EULOGIES 
 
 March 12, 1,S!)2. 
 The Speaker. The Clerk will i-ej^nt the special order. 
 The Clerk read as follows: 
 
 liesoJved, That Saturday, March 12, beginning at '1 o'clock p. m., Ijo set 
 apart for paying tribute to tlie memory of Hon. John R. Gamble, late a 
 member of the House of Representatives at large from the State of South 
 Dakota. 
 
 Mr. PiCKLER. Mr. Speaker, I ofler the resolutions I seud 
 to the desk. 
 The Clerk read as follows: 
 
 Resolved, That the bu.siuess of the House be now suspended that an 
 opportunity be given for tributes to the memory of Hon. John R. Gamble, 
 late a Representative at large from the State of South Dakota. 
 
 It'esolred. That the Clerk be directed to communicate a copy of the reso- 
 luticms of the Senate. 
 
 UcidU-ed, That, as a further mark of respect to the memory of the de- 
 ceaseil and his public services, tlie House, at the conclusion of these memo- 
 rial proceedings, shall stand adjourned. 
 
 ADDRESS OF Mr. PICKLER, OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 
 
 Mr. Speaker : It is seldom the House commemorates the 
 death of a member so young as he who is the subject of the 
 special order of today. 
 
 The Hon. John R. Gamble, my late colleague, a Eepresen- 
 tative from the State of South Dakota, was born in the town 
 of Alabama, Genesee Coiruty, N. Y., on the 15th day of January, 
 
 19 • 
 
20 Address of Mr. Pickler, of Soutli Dakota, on the 
 
 184S, aud died at his lionie in the dty of Yankton on the 14th 
 day of August, ISUl, aged 43 years 7 mouths and 14 days, and 
 before he had taken his seat in this House. 
 
 He removed witli his people to Fox Lake, Wis.^ in the year 
 1862. 
 
 He was bi'oujjht up on a farm, attended the common schools, 
 was active, studious, aud energetic. He was at the liead of 
 his classes, later a school-teacher and self-instructor. 
 
 He was always a great reader. 
 
 He entered the Lawreuce University at Appleton, Wis., and 
 graduated in 1872, tirst in his class, having taken a full clas- 
 sical course. He paid his way through college principally 
 fi-om money earned teaching school. 
 
 He was admitted to the bar in 1873, aud in September of 
 the same year removed to Yanktou, S. Dak., and conunenced 
 the practice of law. His brother, Kobert J. Gamble, Joined 
 him in 1875. and the two entered into partnership in the 
 practice of the legal profession at that place, which partner- 
 ship continued until the death of John. 
 
 He was a natural debater, a persistent and energetic stu- 
 dent, and rai>idly rose to distinction at the bar. 
 
 He was haiipily married, in the year 1875, to Fannie Davis, 
 a daughter of Hon. John \Y. Davis, a prominent citizen of 
 Wisconsin. His wife and their three children, Lille M., aged 
 13; Alice J., aged 11, and John W., aged 7 years, survive 
 him. 
 
 His brother Kobert. his law partner, himself an able law- 
 yer and distinguished citizen of the State, and who was his 
 most intimate associate, says of him, in answer to my inquiry 
 concerning his brother's history : 
 
 " For two years we roomed together while at college. He 
 was always an inspiration to me by his industry and enthu- 
 siasm through my early years at school and college and in the 
 
Life aiiif Character of John R. Gainb/e. 21 
 
 practice of law. He was capable, uutil the last few years of 
 liis life, of accomplishing- more work in the same amount of 
 time than any other person with whom I have come in con- 
 tact. This was characteristic of him in all his undertakings 
 and throughout his whole life. As a lawyer I regarded him 
 as the most painstaking, thorough, efficient one 1 ever knew,_ 
 not only in his preparation in the law but :is to ;ill the details 
 of the trial. He could take in the essential and prominent 
 features of the case with the safest judgment, and know at 
 first upon what lines the contest would be made, and with the 
 greatest grasp of any person with whom I have ever been 
 associated. In all his contests at the bar he was always pos- 
 sessed of indomitable persistency and would never give up. . 
 He was always conservative in his judgment, and appeared 
 to have an instinct of the reasons of the law and the princi- 
 ples applicable to each case in hand. He was strictly honest 
 in his practice as a lawyer, and would scorn to do anything 
 mean or low, even though it might be of temporary advantage 
 to him in his practice. This was characteristic of him in all 
 his business transactions. I do not know that I ever heard, 
 throifgh all my business with him, of any person who inti- 
 mated a word as to his integrity or truthfulness. 
 
 " He was positive in his convictions, and under all tircum- 
 stauces was loyal to principle as well as party. At times he 
 was subjected to severe criticism; it would naturally arise 
 from the bitter contests involved; but through it all, whether 
 local or during his connection with Territorial politics, I think 
 even his bitterest enemies accorded him political honesty, and 
 that in no case did they ever charge him with the betrayal 
 of a friend or anything that would be construed as dishonest 
 or dishonorable. 
 
 " He was a man of noble instincts, and it is of the greatest 
 bereavement to me that his life was so untimely cut ofl'. I 
 
22 Address of Mr. Pickler, of Sou/ h Dakota, on the 
 
 deeply miss liini and his aid and couusel, aud there is scarce 
 a book iu the library or an article about the office which is not 
 a constant reminder ot bini." 
 
 In this noble and truthful tribute of a loving brother every 
 one acquainted with bis true character will cordially join. 
 
 The unexpected announcement of his death produced a shock 
 to the people of the State seldom if ever before felt at the 
 death of any other citizen. From a human standpoint his time 
 had not come. This conclusion is one of the common mistakes 
 of humanity. A life's usefulness is not always measured h\ 
 the years it numbers. A man's success is not recorded bj' the 
 months of the calendar. Histoiy is rich in examples of men 
 whom death has claimed in young manhood, who, by tlieir in- 
 dustry, perseverance, genius, great hearts, and nobility of 
 character, are — 
 
 Of the few, the iiiimurtal uames. 
 That were not boiii to ilif. 
 
 John E. Gamble lived long encmgh to impress himself in- 
 delibly upon the history of his young Commonwealth, to stamp 
 his thought into its formative period, to have been at various 
 times honored with positions of trust in its government, and 
 until he had entered upon an enlarged field of action as its 
 representative in the councils of the nation, placed there by 
 the popular voice of the people of the State — a life long 
 enough to establish a character for honesty, integrity, and 
 ability that has endeared him to the hearts of the peoi>le, and 
 which will iierpetaute his memory in the long years to come as 
 one of the State's tried and most trusted public servants. 
 
 He was :i politician — a politician in the broader and better 
 sense of the term. Where, under the present classilication in 
 American politics, the line separating the politician from the 
 statesman shall be drawn, is a difficult (juestion to answer. 
 
Life and Cliaracier of John K. lianible. 23 
 
 To deflue whit duties perfonned constitute tbe politician, 
 and what others the statesman, remains an unsolved problem. 
 The politician in the broader, better, and higher sense is the 
 statesman. Such were the characteristics of John E. Gajible. 
 He was an honest i)olitician, he was a citizen interested in the 
 artairs of his State, he was alive to the public welfare, and de- 
 sired the best government for the Commonwealth. lie was 
 loyal to her aims and interests, and he had faith in her success. 
 He came to her when a Territory; he battled in her develo]»- 
 meut. He was fixed in principle and stable in character. 
 While firm in his own (>])inions, he was tolerant of those who 
 differed from him. 
 
 Had death spared him, he wonld have been found in the na- 
 tional Congress, bringing the same ability, industry, and perse- 
 verance to bear upon national questions that had characterized 
 him in the public affiiirs of his own State. The nation would 
 have learned of him wliatthe State had known for years past. 
 
 Logical in the treatment of questions, a master in the co.ii- . 
 mittee room, argumentative in debate, clear in presentation, 
 and earnest in advocacy, his ability would have impi-essed 
 itself uiion the aflfiiirs of the country. 
 
 The history of the State and its long struggle for statehood 
 would be wholly incomplete without the connection of John 
 R. Gamble thevewith. And in the great contest for the di- 
 vision of the Territory he stood firm and immovable for tiie 
 division. I am fully convinced that there were more times 
 than one during that memorable and most important contest 
 that if a half dozen of the old leaders, including Gamble, 
 had wavered in their support division would have been lost, 
 and the great possibilities of two States would have been for- 
 ever sacrificed. 
 
 Who can estimate his and his colleagues' great work in lead- 
 ing in the accomplishment of this grand result, forming two 
 
24 Address of Mr. Piclicr, of Soulli Dakota, on the 
 
 States instead of one, to coutiune diiriiig the existence of the 
 American Union, witli ;ill the sniiid possibilities that two 
 States liave more tlian one? Xor can we of this generation 
 even contemplate the importance nor what it may mean in the 
 years of the future, by the two additional votes in the United 
 States Senate in the contests for sujjremacy whi(^h may arise 
 between the ditt'erent localities of the nation. 
 
 It was political sagacity and true statesmanship that in- 
 spired sucli leaders as Gamble to persevere against all oppo- 
 sition until two States were carved from the broad Dakota 
 Territory of the Northwest. 
 
 The tiag of our country will for all time be indebted to these 
 men for an additioual star. Their acts grow great in impor- 
 tance as the years go by. To divine the magnitude of this 
 deed is to measure the possibilities of a coming great Common- 
 wealth in all the future years. 
 
 No member of the legislature of 1885 from the southern half 
 of the Territory which met at Bismarck can forget what a tower 
 of strength John R. Gamble, then serving in the council, was 
 in the consideration of all questions which tended to make 
 division certain and further the interests of South Dakota. 
 
 I have no hesitation in saying that for severity, continuance, 
 fierceness, and equality of strength, no contest in the Territory 
 or State has sur])assed the struggle of the men of the South in 
 that legislature against the men of the Xorth in the attempt 
 of the former to remove the capital of the Territory from Bis- 
 marck to Pierre. 
 
 The ))eople of the South, owing to their remoteness from the 
 scene of conflict, never fully realized the magnitude of the un- 
 dertaking of their members in the passage of this measure; 
 their heroic endurance (luring all the weeks of the struggle; 
 nor their chagiin and disajjpointment when, after its final pas- 
 sage, the results of their arduous labors were dashed to the 
 ground by the governor's veto. 
 
Life and Character of John R. Cauiblc. 25 
 
 As a, member of that liousc, elosely watching the action of 
 the other and upper body, I may say that that legishitive 
 council, never, in my ojiinion, lias been surpassed in ability 
 by either branch of a Dakota legislature, either Territorial 
 of State. 
 
 My deceased colleague was an acknowledged leader in that 
 council: and in the contest alluded to, a contest which was en- 
 tered u])on brtlie members of South Dakota more to empha- 
 size the determination of the peoi)le of the South to battle to 
 the end and by all legitimate means for the division of the 
 Territory than from the desire to change its cai)ital, John R. 
 Gamble, the mendier from Yankton County, from the first 
 reading of the bill to the vote to lay on the table the motion 
 to reconsider the vote by which it was passed, was its firm, 
 unflinching, able, and determined advocate. 
 
 And right royally were these leaders for the division of the 
 Territory supported by practically all the people of the jnes- 
 ent State of South Dakota. Xo people were ever more con- 
 scientious in au opinion than were the people of the south 
 half of the Territory tliat the division of this large Territory 
 into two States was for the highest interests of both sections, 
 and seldom if ever were a people more determined, more pa- 
 tient, and more persistent in battling for any object than were 
 the patriotic, wise, and farseeiug citizens of South Dakota, 
 struggling for division through long years of trial and disap- 
 pointment to a tinal and grand success. 
 
 They budded better than they knew, as will more clearly 
 appear as the years go by. 
 
 And it is safe to say that a people with the vigor, determi- 
 nation, and intelligence exhibited in the contest for division 
 by the people of South Dakota will erect a State worthy of 
 
 the honored sisterhood into which it has been admitted a 
 
 State whose history shall lie a fitting ci'own of the efforts of 
 
2(') AMrrss of Mr. Picklcr, of South Dakota., on the 
 
 John R. (i amble and the pt^ople whimi lie was elected to rep- 
 resent in tlie Fifty-secmid Congiess. 
 
 The lifeof lay late colleague is an added example of the benefi- 
 cence of our republican form of government, and the large 
 possibilities tliat are open to the earnest, energetic, deter- 
 mined American youtli. 
 
 A ])oor boy, acquiring his education almost solely through his 
 own earningsand exertion, he supplemented the same by a thor- 
 ough course in law, rising to distinction in that profession, to 
 rank among the first lawyers of his State. Political preferment 
 was likewise accorded him at various times. 
 
 He was honored with the public ottices of district attorney of 
 Yankton County and United States attorney of the Territory 
 of Dakota; was a member of both branches of the Territorial 
 legislature; a nu^mber of one of its constitutional conventions, 
 and was elected to the Fifty-second Congress, lor the duties of 
 which he was preparing when death terminated his young man- 
 hood. 
 
 He visited the House during the closing days of the Fifty- 
 first Congress. He was deeply interested iu all that tran- 
 spired, noting the methods of procedure, familiarizing him- 
 self with the rules, inquiring as to the details of business, and 
 in every way striving to equip liimself to render the best serv- 
 ice to his constituents. 
 
 We were elected at large as Representatives from our State 
 upon the same ticket, and in our frequent commuuications and 
 consultations, until his death, his fair and frank conduct in 
 the treatment of various public matters had drawn me toward 
 him with a warm regard, and T felt tht^ growth of a pers(Uial 
 friendship, from which I contenqilated mucii i)leasure as well 
 as profit in the future. 
 
 His death is a calamity to the State, to myself a source of 
 real bereavement. 
 
Lijc and Cliaracler of John R. Gamble. Tt 
 
 His character was that of the frank, rugged, resolute. West- 
 ern pioneer. He k)ved the new Iniirt into wliich he came iu its 
 very early history. His miiul was as broad as the boundless 
 prairie in which his life was spent; his will as resistless as 
 its winter's storm; his spirit as genial as its summer breeze; 
 his purpose as constant as the How of the great river upon 
 whose banks he dwelt, and attuned to whose measured mur- 
 mur his life weut on. 
 
 He will be missed by the courts of the State in his clear, log- 
 ical and painstaking presentation of the contentions of which 
 he was an advocate. He wiU be missed by the members of the 
 bar in his genial, jovial, kind-hearted intercourse with them. 
 He will be missed by the Rci)ublican party of the State in 
 its councils, consultations, and conventions. He will be missed 
 by a large concourse of friends in both Dakfttas, drawn to him 
 by long years of pleasant and intimate associations while the 
 States comi)rised one Territory. 
 
 He will be missed by his fellow-townsmen in his own city, 
 with whom he had so long gone in and out, and wliose esteem 
 he had won as a high-minded, i)nblic-spirited citizen. 
 
 But above all, and more than all, he will be missed by that 
 wife with whom he had so long traveled life's Journey, who had 
 lovingly shared iu his trials and ambitious and rejoiced in liis 
 successes and achievements. Her sorrow is her own. And 
 his children, to whom he was a peculiarly tender and affection- 
 ate father, will miss him and mourn his loss with the over- 
 whelming grief that only conies to the child in the h)ss of a 
 pai'eut. 
 
 To the stricken wife and children in this day of their trouble 
 T desire to tender the siiu'ere symi)athy of the people of the 
 whole State, commending them to the tender mercies of the 
 Father of all. 
 
28 Address of Mr. Perkins^ of hnva., on llic 
 
 Kindly in iijitmi'. .i;iMieiinis in (lis7)0.siti()n, true in fiicndsliiii, 
 the people of Smith Dalcota mourn liis loss. 
 
 For honesty of puiiyose, devotion to principle, and nobility 
 of fhiUiicter the life of John E. GA?,inLE affords an illustrious 
 example to the people of his State. 
 
 Peace to his ashes, honor to his memory. 
 
 Fleet foot on the conei. 
 
 Sage coun.'sel in cumber, 
 Red hiinil in the foriiy, 
 
 How sonnd is thy sIuuiIut! 
 
 Like the dew on the mountain, 
 
 Like the foam on the river, 
 Like the l)ul)lile on tl e fountain, 
 
 Thou art gone, and forever ! 
 
 ADDRESS OF MR, PERKINS, OF lOWA. 
 
 Mr. Speaker: In August, 1891. in the summer days, the 
 mortal life of John Eankin Gamble suddenly went out. In 
 the previoirs November he. had been elected by the jjcople of 
 liis young State to a seat in this House. For eighteen years 
 his home had been at Yankton, the old capital of the great 
 Territory. From the wilderness, threaded by the turbid Mis- 
 souri and stretcliing northward to the British possessions, he 
 lived to see two States of this Union fashioned. 
 
 He lived to see the thought of his own mind blazoned in im- 
 mortal stars upon the flag of the great Republic. Wliat this 
 meant to him I know something; for my home is Just over 
 the border in Iowa, on the same river, and from the bluffs that 
 skirt it I can look over on the plane of that promised land 
 stretching out between the Missouri and the Big Sioux rivers 
 like a diamond. The work of John R. Gamble was done at 
 home. He was loyal to his own country and to his own jicoiile. 
 
Life and Character of John R. Gamble. 29 
 
 By inliereut strength of i]«irp().se and character he was a chief 
 among tlieni. lie fought a good tiglit. 
 
 His life was not peaceful. It was a life of strong contention. 
 He was a leader upon issues that appealed to the courage and 
 to the patriotism of men, for in his time were determined ques- 
 tions whose relationsliij) was beyond his day, beyond his gen- 
 eration, beyond his century — aye, Mr. Speaker, whose rcia 
 tipnship is with all the years of the measureless future. The 
 battles he fought, the victories he helped to win, were not for 
 himself, save as he was one of all; tlley were battles fought 
 and victories won for the children and the children's cldldren, 
 for the time being and for all time, for the Dakotas and for the 
 great sisterhood into which they have come. 
 
 The American spirit is generous toward achievement. It 
 does not crown the family name, it does not dignify lineage, it 
 gives no approval to title, but it crowns and dignities and ap- 
 proves that nobility of jjcrsonal character, that loyalty of serv- 
 ice, that excellence of the life of the individual with whicli, 
 from whatever origin and over whatever ]>atliway, he may be 
 able to characterize himself. 
 
 In our American civilization no bar is raised against any 
 man. The kingdom may be his in this kingly land. And 1 am 
 glad here to-day, ]Mr. Sjieaker, in this ])resence, to point tlie 
 American boy, the poor, the tried, whosoever in his environ- 
 ment looks at every turn into the haid face of discouragement, 
 to the life and example and triumph of John K. Gamble. 
 
 I need not follow his record minutely. Others are better 
 (pialifled to do that. But here in the far East, in the great 
 Empire State of New York, he was born, no longer ago than 
 18-18. He was a farmer boy. He was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. 
 He had from his mother's side the blood of Andrew Jackson 
 iu his veins. That he had resolution, that he had strength of 
 
•30 Address of Mr. Perkins, of loica, on the 
 
 purpose, that lie bail courage, no one who ever knew liini ever 
 ([uestioned. He was born to battle and reaily armed. 
 
 At 14 years of age he removed with his family to Wisconsin, 
 whore the farm life was coiitiiiued. He keenly api)reciated 
 the importance of an education, and it was a happy day for 
 him when, in 1SG7, he became a student in Appleton Univer- 
 .sity, and a proud day for him when, in 1S72, triumphant 
 against all the odds of poverty, he graduated the first of his 
 class. Like many others, he helped himself along at intervals 
 by teaching school. A simple story, familiar through repe- 
 tition. 
 
 The silken thread binds mauy men and families together. 
 The jewels men grown old and growing old hold priceless in" 
 the security of their memories are earnings of their selfdenial 
 and of their self-sacrifice, the fruits of which eniiclicd their 
 minds and added strength and fortitude to their characters, 
 and overflowed into the lives of othei's. There is no reward, 
 ;\Ir. S|ieaker. which outlasts life ami sweetens all life save that 
 won in deprivation, in hard struggle, in pursuit of a standard 
 set higher than jtersonal ;iml)itiou. We prize those things 
 which cost us dearest: we knit ourselves into other lives as 
 we make those lives our life. The way to glory is the humble 
 ■way of service; the shining way is the way of sacrifice, and 
 the retrospect lights up radiantly in the measure of the hero- 
 ism, the patriotism, the love, in which hoi)e kei)t courage 
 com]iany in the struggle through the years, by day and by 
 night. All final recompense in living for self is in living and 
 doing for othei's. 
 
 In August, 187.3, Mr. Gamble was admitted to the bar to 
 practice law, and a month later, a young man of 25 years of 
 age, he api)eare(l in Yankton, Dakota Territory, to make 
 a linme. Two years later, at Fox Lake. Wis., he was mar- 
 ried. 'His wife and. three children snrvi\e liiin. At the time 
 of his death his aye was 4'? years 7 months and 13 days. 
 
Life and Character of John R. Gamble. ?A 
 
 Mr. Gamble was an active participant in all the sliaip con- 
 tests of the people of the Territory pending its final division 
 and admission into the Union as North and South Dakota. 
 Few about ine here to-day can n^alize the vigor of those con- 
 tests or appreciate the magnitude of the issues involved. He 
 never faltered in his loyalty to the city of his adoption, up to 
 ISS;! the capital of the Territory. la that year, following a 
 remarkable contest, the capital was removed to Bismarck, a 
 city created by the Northern Pacific Railroad at the crossing 
 of the Missouri Kiver. The removal was involved in the 
 division and statehood (piesti(ui, and Mr. Gamble, putting 
 l)ehind him all minor (questions, lield his leadership as a pru- 
 dent counselor in the greater contest which terminated in the 
 fall of 1889— statehood for North aud South Dakota. 
 
 Mr. Gamble was' district attorney for Yankton County from 
 187() to 1878; he succeeded Col. Pound, on his death, as United 
 States district attorney, which office he held until the appoint- 
 ment of H. J. Campbell in 1878; he was a member of the Terri- 
 torial house from Yankton County in 1877, 1878, and 1879, and 
 a member of the Territorial council from 1881 to 1885, inclusive. 
 1 simply cite the record to establish my point that his activity 
 in public affairs was continuous. He was not ambitious for 
 public ofia(;e; he was ambitious to be of help in directing tiie 
 policy of the new. country into the best channels. The antag- 
 onisms at times were extreme; the divisions at times were bit- 
 ter—and John R. Gamble was always where the fight was 
 thickest. 
 
 And yet, Mr. Speaker, no tribute to his memory is equal to 
 this, that every shred of enmity was blotted out of every heart 
 when tlie news was spread tiiat August day that John R. 
 Gamble was dead ! All the war was over. All now were tlie 
 tender friends of the one gone lieuce in a night from the activ- 
 ities of this life into the shoreless life hidden in eternity. All 
 
32 Address of Mr. Perkins., of Iowa, on the 
 
 now were ricli in syniiiatliy, wliereof liuiuan nature is so con- 
 strained to make concealment, toward those in the narrow cir- 
 cle of the stricken home whence the life of tlie tender liusbaud 
 and lo\iug father had gone out, and upon \\ hich the shadow 
 inii)enetral)le had settled. And wliy! Because at last to 
 every man comes justice. Because at last the character grown 
 in the slow years shines out in the night of death, and illumines 
 the way of the soul's grandeur and immortality. 
 
 There are no riches, Mr. Speaker, comparable to the riches 
 of character. It is the light of man's immortality. It is the 
 anchorage of the soul. It is the shield against malice. It is 
 the light in which some day, near or far, we may see eye to 
 eye. It establishes in all the world its kinship, and, to the 
 grave, if sadly not before, it brings the homage as it is known 
 of all its kindred. And thus it is to be victor over death and 
 the grave. In this ultimate triumph John Gamble died! It 
 is my royal privilege here to-day, his neighbor and his friend, 
 to commend the story of his resolute life to the American 
 l)eoi)le. 
 
 We lose our.selves, Mr. Speaker, in the byways of our lives. 
 Death calls us home. Death unlocks a life and lets it out into 
 the inlinite world, and death unlocks the secret chambers of 
 our hearts and lets forth the sweet sympathies which refresh 
 as a heavenly shower the i)inclicd and parched ground of our 
 small ambitions and narrow and selfish prejudices 
 
 There is but the one ambition worthy of an American citi- 
 zen; and that, ^Ir. Speaker, is to be a loyal soldier in the army 
 of truth. Where truth is God is. To be in the company and 
 in the service of truth is to be in the company and in the serv- 
 ice of the Everlasting! 
 
 The absolute is beyond our reach — beyond our comprehen- 
 sion. Contradictions are much in company. In each of our 
 lives, as we know, are battlefields upon which the opposing 
 
Life and Character of John R. Gamble. :3.3 
 
 forces of our uature go ofteu to contest, where they make 
 truce, aud where they camp. If truth shall have most of vic- 
 tory finally; if final surrender toother leadership shall never 
 have been ; if in the night of death love comes in benediction- 
 blessed be God, our Father ! 
 
 It is well, Mr. Speaker, that \vc who are here in this House 
 come at times and look into that common grave where we all 
 soon must sleep. There is pain in it, but there is exaltation in 
 it, and in that exaltation we rise above the petty discords of 
 the working day, out of the partisan bickerings of narrow liv- 
 ing, and turn our eyes upward from the gloom of the narrow 
 home into the glory of the home of peace and of perfect and 
 eternal liberty. Aye, Mr. Speaker, disarmed of all enmity, 
 listening to the music faintly floating in upon our weary souls 
 from the far-off morning stars, we catch a shadowy picture of 
 the perfect union where love reigns, where foul suspicion comes 
 not, where truth has no rival, where the understanding is un- 
 clouded, where death is not and life is— life in its fullness, in 
 its richness, in its sweetness evernu)re. 
 
 Are we the representatives of the American people? May 
 we flatter ourselves that out of the sloughs of political life we 
 have been brought here as types of a people unrivaled on the 
 earth in power of self-government ? Then let us remember 
 how short the day is, and how the life that is and the truth 
 that is born or given wings in the hour make in feebleness or 
 in strength an eternal flight. 
 
 The sun that disappears at evening in a bank of clouds or 
 in the glory of a golden sky will return again and again as the 
 wonderful flight of the earth goes on. Error may live long, 
 but obliterati\)n will overtake it finally. Truth alone is born 
 to immortality. The life that is of true nobility is the life of 
 service; not service of self, not a life of scheming for personal 
 gain through ftilse pretense. The life that is of true nobility 
 H. Mis. 83 .3 
 
34 Af/dress of Mr. Johnson^ of North Dakota^ on the 
 
 is the life of honest service of one's people. Thus is one iu 
 humility exalted. Thus is one who casts himself down 
 lifted up. 
 
 We honor oui" dead always for what they did for others; we 
 cast away the follies, we put the weaknesses under our feet, 
 and we bring forth the tried gold of the ultimate character, 
 and before it our souls bow, for iu it we see eternal life, the 
 kill of our better lives, the hope immortal, the indwelling 
 God ! In the tender testimonies we otter to our dead we give 
 testimonies to those ambitions, to that loyalty of service, to 
 those ideals of citizenship which ought, in the fullness of our 
 strength, to control every action and purpose here. 
 
 It is not so much, Mr. Speaker, that we shall have reward 
 at the hands of our fellows, or vindication from them; but 
 that in the clear light of our personal insight into the secrets 
 of our own lives we may have justification unto ourselves — 
 the unspotted and kingly, aye. Godly crown of our own con- 
 sciences. 
 
 John R. Gamble died a yonng man. He was on the 
 threshold of larger opportunities. But out of the tg,nglewood 
 of his life, through the hard struggles with poverty, out of the 
 contentions of the years, the immortelles of his sturdy charac- 
 ter and work marks the place where he sleeps and will keep 
 « green in the memory of the Dakotas his name. 
 
 ADDRESS OF MR. JOHNSON, OF NORTH DAKOTA. 
 
 Mr. Speaker: JoH>f E. Gamble was born in Genesee 
 County, State of New York, on the 15th of January, 1848. He 
 inherited neither rank nor wealth, but what was more signifi- 
 cant and more to his advantage as a candidate for recognition 
 as one of nature's noblemen in the e(iual contest of American 
 
Life and Character of John R. Gamble. 35 
 
 citizeusUip, lie inherited a mens sana in corpore sano and all 
 the natural instincts and traditions of a patriotic, a virtuous, 
 and a pious race, his ancestry being Scotch-Irish, his mother 
 a third cousin of Andrew Jackson. 
 
 At the age of 14 he removed with his parents to the State 
 of Wisconsin, and at the age of 25 he again followed the star 
 of empire in its westward march to the Territory of Dakota. 
 
 We ask especially the participation and sympathy of the^ 
 members from New York and Wisconsin while we pay these 
 last tributes of affection and respect to the memory of our 
 honored dead. 
 
 His nativity and golden days of happy childhood for four- 
 teen years belong to the great Empire State of New York. 
 
 His youth and educatioTi for eleven years, devoted to the 
 development of intellectual and moral power and crowded 
 with achievement and promise at school and in college, belong 
 to our noble sister State of Wisconsin. His Tnanhood years 
 and earnest life work for eighteen years as a frontiersman, a cit- 
 izen, a jurist, and a statesman, crowned with all the honors and 
 emoluments that a brave and grateful people could lay at his 
 feet, belong to the Dakotas. His fame, his example, his con- 
 duct, so well calculated to inspire the youth of this land with 
 hope and courage, with a lofty and a noble ambition, belong 
 not merely to the keeping of the records of this House, but 
 have become a part of the true wealth of the whole Eepublic, 
 while the great, m:inly soul of John E. Gamble belongs 
 in the eternal years of God to the omnipotent power which 
 made it. 
 
 As boy or man, at work or play, at home or in school, he 
 was always a natural leader. Eeared in a large family, where 
 there were no drones, and where necessity as well as principle 
 reqiiired each member of the family to contiibufe a share in 
 earning the daily bread for the common support of the house- 
 
.'5() Address o/Mr.Jo/iitsoit, of North Dakota, oti the 
 
 hold, he was ever a dutiful sou and au aftectiouate brother. 
 He must be esteemed fortuuate that his early life kuew neither 
 the hojielessuess of extreme poverty uor tlie lassitude of in- 
 herited wealth, which, by eliminating the immediate and 
 apparent necessity for work, destroys the incentives to per- 
 sonal effort and a Just appreciation of the true dignity of laboi-. 
 His was the golden mean — answer to the pious apiilieation, 
 "Give me neither poverty nor riches." He was au omnivor- 
 ous reader, a thorough student, and a delightful companion. 
 His preparation for college was broad and ample. His mind 
 had already traversed a wide range of the best English liter- 
 ature. He was proficient in mathematics and an enthusiast in 
 the exact sciences. His memory was phenomenal. He pur- 
 sued history with a zest that few give to fiction. 
 
 When, in 1808, he entered Lawrence University, at Apple- 
 ton, Wis., he brought to his task not only good health and 
 splendid courage, but a nund accustomed to the delights of 
 good literature, trained to mathematical accuracy and scien- 
 tific exactness, and garnished with the cameos of history in 
 ancient and modern times. Thus well equipped for his task, 
 although hampered with frequent absence to teach school and 
 do other work to deft-ay the expenses of his education, he easily 
 maintained his supremacy in the class throughout the course 
 and graduated from the classical deiiartment in 187-' with 
 the highest honors as valedictorian of his class. 
 
 For the practical purposes of settlement Dakota was dis- 
 covered about that time. Although purchased for the United 
 States by Thomas Jefierson, from ]!Tapoleou Bonaparte, as a 
 part of Louisiana, as early as 1803, yet the Territory of Da- 
 kota, with the exception of a little triangle in its northeast- 
 ern corner and the nari'ow strip of shore line that could be 
 seen from the hurricane decks of the steamers passing up and 
 down her gxeat rivers, was at that time as much a terra huvg- 
 
Life and Character of John R. Gamble. 37 
 
 nita as iire to-day the forests of Africa l)etween the head- 
 waters of the Oonji'o and the sources of the Nile. 
 
 The antelope, the elk, and the buffalo then ranged tlieir 
 limitless and immemorial pastures where now the peaceful 
 domestic herds are grazing on the homestead and the ranch. 
 
 The battles of the Kose Bud and the Little Big Horn were 
 then several years in the future and never dreamed of as pos- 
 sible. 
 
 ■'Xo. 1 hard" wheat had never yet been lieard of in the 
 busy marts of commerce, and the only harbinger nf its com- 
 ing that had ever been wafted within the contines of civiliza- 
 tion was the diffused haze of smoke from the annual piairie 
 fires consuming- the perennial growth of natural meadows, 
 which ■softened the scenery and mellowed the light in the 
 Mississippi Valley in the beautiful autumnal days. of Indian 
 summer. 
 
 Foremost among the brave, strong, and well-eiiuipiied 
 young pioneers who then went up to possess this goodly land 
 was John K. Gamble. 
 
 Haxing been admitted to the bar, he settled at Yankton in 
 1873, and was eminently successful from the very stait. He 
 soon built up a large and valuable practice extending all over 
 the Territory and into many of the adjoining counties in the 
 State of Nebraska. He was a man of wonderful energy and un- 
 tiring industry. He was always loyal to his clients as well as 
 to the court. He succeeded emiheutly at the bar, and enjoyed 
 the admiration of his asso<'iates, the respect of the court, and 
 the support of a large clientage. He never knowingly advo- 
 cated the wrong, and never, for any reason personal to himself, 
 neglected the cause of the defenseless or the poor. 
 
 He was a man of earnest convictions and from early life 
 always took a deep and active interest in politics. The princi- 
 ples and policy of the Eepublican party early met the ai)i)roval 
 
38 Address of Mr. Johnson, of North Dakota, on the 
 
 of his judgment, and to that party he remained firmly loyal 
 and devoted to the last. 
 
 He was unreservedly trusted and greatly honored by his 
 party and his State. He loved the profession which he adorned 
 with his learning and with an integrity of character that was 
 never drawn in question. He prefeiTcd the uninterrupted 
 pursuit of his calling, but always left his time, his means, and 
 his judgment at the service of the public whenever his city, 
 his county, his party, or the State required him to respond 
 to the call of duty. 
 
 He served with honor as district attorney of Yankton 
 County, as United States attorney for the Territory, in both 
 branches of the Territorial legislatui-e, as a member of the 
 Sioux Falls constitutional convention of 1883, and was elected 
 to the Fifty-second Congress from the State at large. 
 
 In the sharp controversies which preceded division and state- 
 hood he was always for division and always loyal to the in- 
 terest of South Dakota, but his warfare was ever of that brave 
 and honorable sort which never failed to command the admira- 
 tion and respect of us, his rivals and competitors, who some- 
 times necessarily represented conflicting interests, simply 
 because we hapi)ened to reside north of the forty-sixth parallel 
 of latitude. 
 
 In 1S75 he jiiined the Congregatiimal Church of Yankton. 
 During all the subsequent years of a busy life in his great 
 career as a lawyer and statesman he remained an unostenta- 
 tious but faithful and consistent member of that church. 
 
 As an unobtrusive member of that church he exemplified in his 
 life the graces of a true Christian character, abounding in good 
 works and strong in the faith. From the altar of that church 
 his remains were borne to their last resting ijlace in the bosom 
 of Mother Earth, on the banks of the longest river in the 
 world, whose murmiu'ing waters shall for all time sing his re- 
 
Life and Character of John R. Gamble. 39 
 
 quiern as they roll on ceaselessly iu their stately onward march 
 from the mountains to the sea. Our colleague died suddenly 
 at his home in the prime of life, and after an illness of only a 
 few hours. 
 
 He fell, not like the decayed trunk of the leafless cedar before 
 the wintry blast, but like the strong oak upon the mountain 
 top, shivered by the lightning, when its great boughs are 
 clothed in the full leaves of summer. 
 
 Both by the tests of classic paganism and the requirements 
 of Christianity our dead friend has achieved immortality, both 
 as an earthly fame and a heavenly crown. "Well could he sing 
 with the poet Euuius, old and fragmentary, when quoted by 
 Virgil — 
 
 Let no one decorate me with tears , 
 
 Or eelebrate my funeral ol)se<iiiies with weeping. 
 
 Or with his favorite Horace he might say: 
 
 Here I have erected a monument 
 More lasting than bronze 
 , And higher than the royal pyramids. 
 
 While the blessed light of Christian faith and promise 
 shining througli the darkness enables us to write on his tomb — 
 
 "I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, 
 though he were dead, yet shall he live. Blessed are the dead 
 which die in the Lord. They shall rest from their labors and 
 theii- works shall follow them." 
 
40 Address of Mr. Liiid, of Minnesoia, on the 
 
 ADDRESS OF Mr. LIND, OF MINNESOTA. 
 
 Mr, Speaker : In rising to pay tribute to the Hon. John 
 Gajible, late a liepresentative-elect from a district adjoining 
 my own, tliougli iu a neighboring State, I am unable, ti'om a 
 lack of iiersonal intimacy with the departed,to go into those 
 details of his everyday life and character which determine the 
 place that a man -shall occupy iu the hearts and memory of his 
 friends and associates. 
 
 My limited acquaintance only afforded me opportunity to 
 observe those salient points that even at tirst sight distinguished 
 the individual from his fellows. 
 
 I first met Mr. GtAmble in coiu't, some ten years ago. I saw 
 him engaged in the trial of a cause. His terse and vigorous 
 method of i)resenting his case attracted my attention. I was 
 struck with the spirit of self-reliance, discriminating power, 
 and good judgment which characterized his every move and 
 utterance. * 
 
 He impressed me as a typical Western man; self-made, 
 physically and mentally strong, fearless, and self-reliant. 
 Personal intercourse verified my lirst impressions. 
 
 I found that he pos.sessed all these traits and none of the 
 prcijudices which so often mar the mental vision of men who 
 have grown up under ditt'erent conditions. 
 
 Young, vigorous, and ambitious, it was but natural that he 
 should play a strong part in the embryo Commonwealth of 
 which he was a member. He helped launch the ship of state. 
 He heli)ed guide it in its formative — the most imi)ortant — 
 period. He soon received its highest confidence by the election 
 to a seat in this House. 
 
 To our shortsighted judgment death stepped in as a robber. 
 
Life and Character of John R. Gamble. 41 
 
 depriving liiiii of a well-earned reward, the State of an able 
 servant, and us of a genial eolleagne. 
 
 If faith and hope presented no promise to the human heart 
 of another sphere of existence and activity, death under these 
 circumstances would not only make life a vanity, but it would 
 stamp existence as a crime. 
 
 To those of us who enjoy that abiding confidence that our 
 going as well as our coming are in the hands of a kind Provi- 
 dence, whose decrees are the dictates of justice and love, 
 there comes a feeling of submission even in the presence of 
 death, for we know that His will is done. 
 
 Address of Mr. Bryan, of Nebraska. 
 
 It was not my good fortune, Mr. Speaker, to be personally 
 acquainted with the deceased; but living just across tlie line 
 in a neighboring State, his fame had reached us, and we shared 
 in the sorrow which the members of this House felt when the 
 news flashed along the w'res that he was dead. 
 
 In his early life he represented the truest ty])e of American 
 manhood. His boyhood days were spent upon the farm, and 
 there, in conununion with nature, he supplied himself with, 
 perliaps, the best preparation that any man can bring to the 
 duties of this life; and when he emerged from that farm he 
 came strengthened by the associations of such a life, aiul free 
 fi-om those vices which elsewhere often dwarf the boy ere he 
 realizes the dangers before him. He sought an education; he 
 had that yearning for knowledge which indicates in its posses- 
 sor the ability to use an education after it is obtained. 
 
 .He was a self-made man, and proved, as multitudes before 
 him have proved, that any person who desires an education in 
 this country can obtain it. Lack of effort and lack of ambi- 
 
42 Address of Mr. Bryan, of Nebraska, on the 
 
 tioii are tlic only obstacleis in the young mau'.s way. He liad, 
 theietbre, t'urnislied an example which will l)e a heuefit to 
 every rising geueratioii. After the struggle which was neces- 
 sary to obtain an education he might have been discouraged: 
 but the obstacles which he overcame simi)ly excited a desire 
 to encounter greater obstacles, and at the conclusion of his 
 education he entered upon that arduous profession, the law, 
 in which his greatest achievements were attained — a profes- 
 sion iu which the successful advocate finds his greatest ad- 
 vantage and his greatest protection in the long, the weary, 
 and often thorny way that separates the lawyer beginning 
 from the lawyer independent. 
 
 That he was an able lawyer the reports of iiis own State 
 and of the Federal courts furnish abundant testimony. But 
 he was more than an able lawyer. He was an earnest and an 
 industrious lawyer. He carried into his profession that 
 energy and perseverance which characterized his earlier days. 
 More than this, lieyond being able and industrious, he was an 
 honest lawyer. There is an impression among some that 
 honesty is not an aid to success at the bar. I am glad that 
 by his life our deceased friend had given the lie to this 
 assumption, which has so little support in actual experience 
 at the bar. It is one of the great truths of which we may all 
 be glad that the paths of duty in this world run parallel. A 
 man can be a good citizen, a good father, a good husband, a 
 good church member, a good politician, a good lawyer, and 
 not lind his duties conflicting. He can serve in all these 
 capacities, and serve well in each. 
 
 Mr. CtAmule went to Dakota as a pioneer. Those who are 
 surrounded by the comforts and conveniences of older com- 
 munities scarcely realize the undertaking which is l)efore one 
 who turns his back upon these advantages and seeks his for- 
 tune in a new country. Yet it is such men as John R. Gam- 
 
• Life and Character of John R. Ga^nble. 43 
 
 BLE who have made our great West and Northwest whit 
 they are todaj'. Tliey have goue from their earlier home. , 
 carrying with them their education, their integrity, their 
 industry, their perseverance, and liave converted that country 
 from a wilderness into a garden. They have built up cities 
 and towns, schoolhouses and churches. They have given to 
 these sections greatness, wealtli, and influence. 
 
 It is not strange that one who had the experience and abili- 
 ties of Mr. Gamble should have been called upon for pubhc 
 service. It is one of the glories of this country that the people 
 are able to select those who prove themselves worthy of confl 
 deuce, and are compelled to rely for guidance and for govern- 
 ment upon those born to rule. It is not strange, therefore, I 
 say, that such a man as Mr. Gamble should have bieeu se- 
 lected by, his people for various positions of honor and of trust; 
 and it can be said to his credit that in allot these capacities he 
 proved himself worthy of every confidence reposed. It is a loss 
 to this House that a man as well equipped as he was. as well 
 prepared for the arduous duties of pul)lic life, should have 
 fallen in the st-rength of early manhood and at the very com- 
 mencement of his Congressional career. We need such public 
 men. We need men of his approved integrity, of his high char- 
 acter. We need men who take for their motto, as he did — 
 
 Til thine own self be true, 
 And it must follow, as the night the day, 
 Thou cans* not then be false to any man. 
 
 They are a blessing to the country, they are a service to all, 
 and I come to-day as one who, by investigation, was led to a 
 diiferent political faith from that held by the deceased, to 
 mourn with his friends and political associates that one like 
 him should be taken from us, and that we should be denied his 
 his aid and companionship. 
 
 His death was sudden. It came in a way that reminds us 
 
44 Address of Mr. Jollcy^ of South Dakota., on the ' 
 
 that, however strong we may be, however fiill of health and 
 hope, however surrounded with all the things that indicate a 
 long and usetiil lite, death is ever present in our midst, and 
 that none of us are able to tell the day or the hour when we 
 may be called upon to render an account of our stewardship. 
 
 While we mourn the departure of a man elected to this 
 House, the greatest burden of grief must fall upon that home 
 which he honored and blessed by his presence ; and while we 
 regret the loss of a public servant, we mourn with her, his 
 widow, and with the children whom he has left. He has be 
 (jueathed to them a spotless name, an estate greater than 
 wealth can piu'chase. The grief-stricken comj^anion of his 
 home can remember a husband who won no less her respect 
 than her love. And while the children are at an age when ill 
 able to lose a father, they have the x^roud consolation of know- 
 ing that they have lost a father whose life is an example, and 
 whose industry, whose perseverance, and whose character 
 should be to them an inspiration. 
 
 Address of Mr. Jolley, of South Dakota. 
 
 'Sir. Speaker: South Dakota for the first time mourns for 
 the death of a public officer. In the meridian of his life, 
 crowned with the confidence of the people of his State, sent 
 by the electors of the young State of South Dakota as their 
 Representative at the national capital, on the threshold of a 
 life that would have been useful and honored, John R. Ga:\i- 
 BLE died. Without any warning, in seeming perfect health 
 to all human appearances, with years of health and prosperity 
 before him, his young life was suddenly ended, and his wife, 
 his family, and his friends were compelled to sever the tie that 
 bound them to a kind and faithful husband, to a fond and in- 
 
Life and Character of John R. Gamble. 45 
 
 dulgeiit father, to a firm and true frieud, and to an able, ener- 
 getic, and trusted public servaut. 
 
 Youug in years but old in experience, he was a true repre- 
 sentative -of the energy, perse\-erauce, and courage of our 
 Western civilization. He knew thoroughly all the wants and 
 needs of the people of his adopted State as few men did, and 
 his natural endowments, as well as his cultivated acquire- 
 ments, (pialified him as few men are equipped to supply every 
 want that the people who chose him as their Eepreseutative 
 required and to procure for his State all that it needed. No 
 difficulty delayed him in attaining an object he set out for, 
 and no obstruction that energy, perseverance, and study could 
 overcome barred him from the end he sought to attain. 
 
 Thoroughly honest, always fair, firm as a rock, a ripe 
 scholar, a. diligent student, gentle and kind to a friend and 
 open and defiant to a foe, such was the man we mourn, and 
 such was he who won the confidence, love, and support of the 
 people of the State who sent him here as their honored Eepre- 
 seutati\e. 
 
 JohnE. Gamble was born in the State of New York on 
 January 15, 1848, of Scotch- Irish ancestry. He moved with 
 his parents in 1862 to the State of Wisconsin. Until 18G7 he 
 worked on his father's farm, a hard worker and an earnest 
 student. In 1872 he graduated from Lawrence LTniversity, at 
 Appleton, Wis., first in his class. After grad uating he studied 
 law, and in September, 1873, he settled in the city of Yankton, 
 in the Territory of Dakota, where he lived until he died, on 
 August 14, 1891. 
 
 From the time he located in the then sparsely settled Ter- 
 ritory until his death he was prominent in every public move- 
 ment and in every public enterprise. As a lawyer he moved 
 from ol)scurity to the front rank with a swiftness that seemed 
 marvelous. For years he was acknowledged as one of the 
 
46 Address of Mr. Jollcy\ of South Dakota., on the 
 
 leaders of the bar of the Territory and later of the State. And 
 he deserved and maiiitaiiied his place there. It was never 
 given him as a favor; he attained it as a right. 
 
 Few cases in our Territorial and State courts of importance 
 were tried that John R. Gamble was not an attorney on one 
 side. When his services were secured, he served his client 
 with all the ardor of an honest man. In his professional life 
 he was serving a master who demanded an undivided loyalty, 
 and he servetl that master well. He was loyal to his clients, 
 he was loyal to the Judges, and he was loyal to his profession. 
 In a large practice of eighteen years not one word of criticism 
 was ever heard against him. He studied his cases with an 
 energy that never weakened, with an honesty that never was 
 questioned, and with a zeal that few equaled. The i-ecords of 
 the courts of the Territory of Dakota and of the State of South 
 Dakota show the labors of his professional life. It is a grand 
 record; one that his friends may weU be proud of, and one 
 that shall ev^er serve as a beacon light to those who shall 
 follow lam in his chosen calling. 
 
 To one who has often met him in the courts as an assistant 
 or as an opponent the memory comes and shall always live of 
 an able lawyer, an elo(iuent advocate, and a thoroughly honest 
 and honorable gentleman. In every meeting of the bar held in 
 our State, so long as the members of the old Territorial bar 
 live, some story of John E. Gamble's kindness will be related 
 and some eye will be dimmed with tears because of his death. 
 We could have parted with him if he had lived his allottetl 
 time, but to have him taken from us in the prime of his man- 
 hood we can not yet submit without a murmur. The public 
 will remember him as an able, brilliant, and learned lawyer; 
 the members of the bar will cheerfully yield to him all that, 
 but to them he was more, he was always a kind friend and 
 brother. 
 
Life atid Character of JoJm R. Gamble. 47 
 
 A man with the abilities of John R. Gamble could not re- 
 main in private life, much as he desired to. In a new country, 
 such as Dakota was in Territorial days, public questions were 
 more generally discussed than in an older country. The peo- 
 l)le are independent in the expression of their opinions on all 
 political measures, and are always well informed on every mat- 
 ter that affects their interests. They are thoroughly self-reli- 
 ant, and their judgment of men and measures is based on real 
 merit. For shams and demagogues they have no use in their 
 active and stirring life. They are full of charity for honest 
 mistakes; for deceit and dishonesty in a public officer they 
 have little charity and no forgiveness. All the characteristics 
 possessed by .John K. Gamble riualifled him for a leader of 
 the pioneers in his Western home. 
 
 Soon after settling in the city of Yankton he was elected 
 district attorney by his party friends. Before his term ended 
 criminals knew that a man who never feared to prosecute all 
 violations of the law with strictness, ability, and energy would 
 manage all criminal cases on the i)art of the Territory. At tlie 
 commencement of his term an unknown boy, at the end of tlie 
 term of his office his name was known throughout the Terri- 
 tory. In 187S he was elected a member of the Territorial house 
 of representatives. During the session all the laws passed by 
 the legislature bear the impress of his mind. His abilities 
 forced him to the front, and from that time until his death he 
 was recognized by all as a leader of his party. Twice after- 
 wards he served as a member of the Territorial council, and 
 each time he added to his well-earned reputation as an able 
 legislator. 
 
 In all new countries a crisis comes. Dakota Territory was 
 no exception to the rule. No one knows, except those who 
 have passed through the ordeal, the humiliations the people of 
 a Territory suffer under a Territorial form of government. 
 
4<S Address o/Mr.Jolky, of Soiitli Dakota^ on the 
 
 Territorial officers are sent out to govern the people who hold 
 their office by appointment from the national Executive and 
 not by the choice of the people of the Territory. The people of 
 Dakota Territory had thatkindof government for nearly thirtj- 
 years. The old pioneers hoped and longed for the time to come 
 when they could have the same rights and privilegnfs as their 
 l)rothers who lived in States. Many died before that happy 
 day came. So long was theday of their political deliverance 
 postponed that many restless men declared their right to estab- 
 lish a State government before Congress granted that power. 
 Constitutional conventions were held in the Territory, and 
 although the constitutions submitted to a vote ofthe])eeple 
 declared that the cnganic law would nof be in force and etfect 
 until sanctioned by legal authority, many declared the jieople 
 of the Territory, the source of all power, had the right and 
 authority to establish a State government before Congress 
 Ijassed an enabling act. The contest was long, exciting, and 
 hot. For years the contest waged. Tiie demand for a divi- 
 sion of the Territory and formation of two States was almost 
 unanimous. The division among the people was: Whether to 
 form a State goverunient before the national authority granted 
 the power, or to wait until Congress passed a law dividing the 
 TerrWory and authorized the people to ado])t a constitution and 
 form a State government. During the long and tierce strug- 
 gle the voice and intluencc of .loiiN 1'. Gamble was to wait 
 until all legal renuircments were fully C()mi)lied with. Fortu- 
 nately for the people of the State of South Dakota, the advice 
 of John E. Gamble and others acting with him i)revailed. 
 The change we all so anxiously hoped for came. The Territo- 
 rial form of govei'ument was a thing of the jiast. South Dakota 
 after a long struggle was admitted as a State into the ITnion. 
 To the wise counsel and valiant etforts of John E. Gamble 
 and others associated with him have the people to thauk for 
 their xirudent conduct during that exciting period. 
 
Life and Cliaractcr of John R. Gamble. 49 
 
 There is no spot to mar the fair fame of the people of the 
 State of South Dakota. It seems almost a mockery to know, 
 that he who did so much, whi» labored so earuestly, and who 
 devoted so much time to have South Dakota admitted as a 
 State, died so soon after the star of that State was i)laced on 
 our national flag. 
 
 In the State convention of his party, held just prior to the 
 admission of our State, his name was presented for the position 
 of member of Congress. It was not successful. He neither 
 sulked nor hesitated. His time and talents were given to the 
 party of his choice. In 1890 the efforts of his friends were 
 successful, and in the election of that year John R. Gamble ■ 
 was elected as one of the Eepresentatives ti'om the State of 
 South Dakota. To say that he was not proud of the confidence 
 reposed in him would be to say he was not human. His selec- 
 tion was not an acciclent. He deserved it and it was a just 
 reward for hard work, earnest efforts, and faithful services 
 rendered by him to the people of his State. He would have 
 fulfilled the duties of his office in such a manner as would have 
 been creditable to himself and would have honored the State 
 he represented. 
 
 His future to the human eye seemed all that his friends 
 could ask and he desire. It was decreet! that they would not 
 be fulfilled. He never took his seat in the national Congress. 
 With a suddenness that was startling his death came. He 
 died as he would wish to die. Seeking the rest he so much 
 needed, his last day on earth was passed in riding with his 
 family on the prairies near his home. In the evening he be- 
 came ill; th* family iihysician was called. Nothing serious 
 was thought of. After midnight a change came tliat was un- 
 locked for, 'a change that baffled the skill ot the physicians. 
 On the morning of August 14, 1891, as the sun touched the 
 prairies of his Western home, surrounded by his wife, his three 
 H. Mis. 83 4 
 
50 Add7'css of Mr. /olley, of South Dakota. 
 
 cliildreii, and a lew devoted friends, John E. Gamble died. 
 His death was a shock to the people of our State. 
 
 This was the life of my friend, the representative of our 
 young State, the kind husband, the fond father, the faithfvil 
 friend, the able lawyer, the brilliant legislator, and our hon- 
 ored citizen. 
 
 John E. Gamble's life was a useful life. The records of 
 his works and services will never die. The history of our 
 State can never be written without his name embellishing its 
 pages. By his wife his memory will always be cherished; to 
 his children his well-spent life will ever be an example and a 
 guide; to his friends his kind words and deeds will make their 
 lives better, and the people of our State will never forget his 
 faithful services. 
 
 The Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Hooker, of Mississippi, in 
 the chau-). The question is on the adoption of the resolutions 
 ofifered by the gentleman from South Dakota (Mr. Pickler). 
 
 The resolutions were unanimously agreed to. 
 
 The Speaker pro tempore. In accordance with the last 
 resolution, I declare the house adjourned until Monday nest 
 at 12 o'clock m. 
 
PROCEEDINGS IN THE SENATE. 
 
 January G, 1892. 
 The Presiding Officer laid before the Senate the follow- 
 ing resolutions from the House of Itepresentatives ; which 
 were read : 
 
 January 5, 1892. 
 
 Hesolrcd, That the House has heard with prolouii<l sorrow of the death 
 of Hon. .John K. (Iamble. late a Representative from the State of South 
 Dakota. 
 
 Besolred, That'the Clerk Ije directed to communicate .-i copy of these 
 resolutions to the Senate. 
 
 Jlcsolvcd, That as a mark of respect to his memory tlie House do now 
 adjourn. 
 
 Mr. Pettiurew. Mr. President, I offer the resolutions 
 which I send to the desk. 
 
 The resolutions were read, as follows : 
 
 Resolved, That the Senate has heard with deep sensibility the announce- 
 ment of the death of Hon. John R. Gamble, late a Representative from 
 the State of South Dakota. 
 
 Rexoh-ed. That as a raarlc of respect to his memory the Senate do now 
 adjourn. 
 
 The Presiding Officer. The ciuostion is on agreeing to 
 the resolutions. 
 
 The re.solutions were agreed to unanimously ; and (at 4 o'clock 
 and 17 minutes p. 111.) the Senate adjourned until to-morrow, 
 Thursday, January 7, 1S92, at 12 o'clock meridian. 
 
 51 
 
EULOGI ES. 
 
 i^'EBRUARY 4, 1893. 
 
 Mr. Pettigrew, of South Dakota. I ask that the resolutions 
 of the House of Representatives in respect to the death of niy 
 late colleasue, Hon. John R. Gamble, be now laid before the 
 Senate. 
 
 The Presiding Officer. The Chair lays before the Senate 
 the resohitions of the House of Representatives; wliicli will 
 be read. 
 
 The Secretary read as follows : 
 
 Ix THE HousK OF Kepresextatives, 
 
 iliirch IJ, lS9i. 
 
 liisolrcd. That the business of the liouse be uow suspended that an op- 
 portunity be given for tributes to the memory of Hon. John R. G.\mble, 
 late a Representative at large from the State of South Dakota. 
 
 Jlcsolvfd, That tlie Clerk be directed to communicate a cojjy of these 
 resolutions to the ."Senate. 
 
 Hesolred. That, as a further mark of respect to the uuiiiovy of the de- 
 ceased and his public services, the House, at the conclusiuu of tliese 
 memovial'i)roceedings, shall stand adjourned. 
 
 Mr. Pettigrew. I otter the resolutions wliieli I send to the 
 desk. 
 The Presiding Officer. The resohitions will be read. 
 The Secretary read as follows: 
 
 lUxoJred, That the Senate has heard witli profound sorrow the announce- 
 ment of the death of the Hon. John R. Gamule. late a Representative 
 from the State of South Dakota. 
 
 Resolved, That the business of the Senate lie uow suspended, in order 
 that fitting tribute m,ay be paid to his memory. 
 
 liemh-ed, That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted by the Secre- 
 tarv of the Senate to the family of the deceased. 
 
Life and Character oj John R. Gamble. 53 
 
 ADDRESS OF MR. PETTIGREW, OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 
 
 Mr. President : For the first time siuce I entered the Sen- 
 ate I am called upon to moiiru the loss of a colleague and to 
 review in the presence of the Senate the ended life of a mem 
 ber of tlie House of Representatives from my State. 
 
 John R. Gambi.e, late a Representative at large from the 
 State of South Dakota in the House of Representatives, de- 
 ported this life on the 14th day of August, 1891, at his home 
 at Yankton, in the State he had done so much to create and 
 loved so well. The news of his death was a great shock to the 
 people of my State, for it was entirely unexpected, as Mr. 
 Gamble was .apparently in the full vigor of manhood and but 
 43 years of age. 
 
 He was no stranger to me. During the eighteen years of 
 his residence in Dakota we were partisan friends, acting to- 
 gether to accomplish the same objects, associated together in 
 the legislatures, conventions, and other public assemblies of 
 the Territory and State. T had learned to love him for his kind 
 and generous heart, and to respect him for his clear and able 
 mind. The story of his life can be told only of an American 
 boy; here alone in this country are the opportunities offered 
 for such a career. 
 
 Mr. Gamble was born in the township of Alabama, Genesee 
 County, State of New York, on the 15th day of January, 184S. 
 He was of Scotch-Irish anbestry, his mother being a second 
 cousin of Andrew Jackson. His early years were spent upon 
 the farm, and engaged in the ordinary occupations of a farmer's 
 son. 
 
 In 1862 he removed with his parents to Fox Lake, Dodge 
 County, Wis., where his people have since resided. 
 
54 Address of Air. Pcttigrezc, of South Dakota^ on tlic 
 
 From bis early life lie was a cuustaiit attendant at tlio dis- 
 trict schools of Ills neighborliood and was always a student of 
 tLe liighest rank in his classes, and a young man of the most 
 careful and scrupulous deportment in his conduct. He was 
 enthusiastic and energetic, not only in his work at school and 
 in his general pursuits of reading, but also as an active and 
 capable help at home upon the farm. 
 
 At an early age he formed an ambition to acquire a thorough 
 college education. To this end he devoted all his energies, 
 and his spare hours while on the farm were given to study 
 and research. He soon mastered all the studies pursued in 
 the ordinary country school and then devoted himself to self- 
 instrnction, so that at an early age he was sutlicieutly capable 
 to devote i)art of his time to tcat-hiiig and thereby secure 
 money with which to enter college and juirsue his course 
 while -there. 
 
 He entered Lawrence University at Appleton, Wis., in 1867; 
 took a full classical course, and graduated with the highest 
 honors of his class in 1872. While at college he displayed the 
 same energy and enthusiasm as a student that he had during 
 his earlier years, and was regarded when he left the institution 
 as one of their most promising and capable graduates. He 
 took high rank in all departments, and while there took great 
 interest in the literary work of the college. Though never 
 eloquent, he was a clear, forcible, and convincing speaker. 
 
 Long before leaving college Mr. Gamble had chosen the 
 law as a profession, and this had indaced him to take especial 
 pains in the work of the literary societies of the institution. 
 After his graduation he studied law at Fox Lake, Wis., and 
 was admitted to the bar in August, 1873. At this time he was 
 indebted to his brother James for part of the moneys used in 
 going through college, and after his admission to practice 
 additional funds were loaned to him by hisbrother with which 
 to purchase a law library. 
 
Life and Cliarai Icr of Joint R. Ga>uble. 55 
 
 III Septeiuber of the same year be located at Yaukton, S. 
 Dak., aud commenced the practice of the law at that jilace. He 
 at once, by his energy aud industry, built up a very lucrative 
 business, so that he was enabled to pay off all his existing lia- 
 bilities on account of his education. 
 
 Mr. Gamble had all the eleuieuts of a successful lawyer. 
 He was thorough and painstaking iu a remarkable degree in 
 the preparation of his cases for trial. He had wonderfully 
 clear perceptions of the law, and as to the essential features 
 of each particular case, and to the application of the facts to 
 the law in question, always loyal to his client. He was 
 thoroughly devoted to the work of the profession. He was 
 persistent aud heroic iu his encounters at the bar, aud it was 
 seldom that he failed in sustaining the case of his client. He 
 had a high appreciation of the obligations of an attorney and 
 of his fidelity to the court. 
 
 In all my actiuaintance with him I never knew him to do a 
 mean or dishonorable thing iu his practice, although it may 
 have been of temporary advantage to him. This was true also 
 iu his business and political life. 
 
 He was elected district attorney for Yankton County in 
 1874. 
 
 He acted as United States attorney for some mouths in 
 1877 and 1878, and was elected to represent his city in the 
 Territorial house of representatives iu 1877, 1878, and 1879, and 
 was three times elected to represent his county in the Ter- 
 ritorial council. 
 
 Mr. Gamble was a member of the constitutional conven- 
 tion for South Dakota iu 1883, and acted as chairman of the 
 coranuttee ou legislation. The constitution adopted by this 
 convention was practically the constitution witli which South 
 Dakota was admitted into the Union in 1889. Daring his en- 
 tire public aud private life, in every position, whether a prose- 
 
56 Address of Mr. Pcttigrezv, of South Dakota, on the 
 
 cuting officer, a delegate to a partisan convention, a iiu'iiil>er 
 of the legislature, or as a delegate preparing the constitution 
 of a State, no blot or stain can be found upon his record. 
 Every page of his life, every act of bis hand, will bear the 
 light of a midday sun. His thouglit and character is staini)ed 
 ui><>u the liistory of Dakota, and its expression is in the char- 
 acter of her people and institutions. 
 
 The life of apolitical organization, of man in the aggregate, 
 is after all but the repetition of the life of individual men tliat 
 compose the State or nation; and I am sure it is not too nun-h 
 to say that the character of the people and the institutions of 
 South Dakota are not the same as they would have been if he 
 had lived elsewhere. Fearless, honest, persistent, and capa- 
 ble, this strong man was a leader in the best sense of the 
 word, and he has left an impression on the people of South 
 Dakota that will endure longer than any monument of stone. 
 
 No higher ambition can prompt an American boy than tQ 
 take part in laying tlie foundation of an American • State, in 
 helping to create a mighty commonwealth that is to endure as 
 long as this great nation stands among the nations of the 
 eartli. It was this thought that took this young man, fresh 
 from school and full of honest purposes and high aims, to the 
 prairies of Dakota, there to battle with the wilderness, to 
 build a home, to help shape the institutions of a sovereign 
 people, and to make a place in the world that shall endure. 
 
 Mr. Gamble had influenced his surroundings, but those 
 surroundings had made themselves felt in molding his char- 
 acter. He had lieconic active, restless, keen-witted, earnest, 
 self-contained — a splendid representative of that vast throng 
 that, climbing the Alleghenies, have in so short a time crossed 
 this continent and reached the Pacific Ocean, planting great 
 States in their path with all that implies the highest civiliza- 
 tion embodied in their institutions. 
 
Life and Character of Jolin R. (ramble. 57 
 
 The work of creating new States is nearly completed, but 
 the growth of that vast em])ire west of the INIississippi River 
 has but just commeuced, containing as it does tive-seveuths of 
 the area of the United States, excluding Alaska, with natural 
 resources equaling, yes, surpassing, the same number of 
 square miles of any other portion of the earth. 
 
 The time must soon come when the people of these States, 
 of which this man was a representative, will dominate and 
 control tliis (jrovernment. New issues will arise that must 
 modify our national policy, in fact mold it to its purjjose, and 
 1 feel safe in saying that as this influence increases by tlic in- 
 creased number of the representatives of this .civilization in 
 Congress, we will grow broader, and greater, and grander as a 
 people and a nation. 
 
 It was through the eftbrts of Mr. Gamble and those who 
 acted with him that two States instead of one were added to 
 the Union. The contest for a division of the Territory of Da- 
 kota and the admission of two States was a long and bitter 
 one and delayed the creation of those States for several years; 
 but in this contest he never wavered, because he felt sure it 
 ■was for the best interests of the great Northwest that there 
 should be two States acting together in the future with the 
 increased power in this body thereby secured. Who can meas- 
 ure the consequences of this result; consequences that must 
 extend through all time and grow more important as these 
 States grow in ijopulation and in wealth % 
 
 Mr. CtAMble married Fannie Davis on September 22, 1875, 
 and leaves a widow and three children. He was a true hus- 
 band and a kind and affectionate father, and his home was a 
 happy one, and while he will be mourned and missed and his 
 loss keenly felt by his State, it is upon his family, his devoted 
 wife and children ami surviving brothers and sisters, that the 
 greatest blow has fallen. 
 
58 Address of Mr. Hansbrough^ of North Dakota^ on the 
 
 He believed iu a future life, and to them there is consolatiou 
 in tiie thought that they can go to him if he can not return to 
 them ; and to me, with all my doubts, there appear the words 
 of Gate's soliloquy : 
 
 Plalo, thou roasoDest well: 
 Else wlipiioe this pleasing hope, this fond desire, 
 This longing aftei' iunuortality f 
 Or whence this secret dread and inward horror 
 Of falling into naught? Why shrinks the soul 
 Back on itself, and startles at destruction f 
 'Tls the divinity that stirs within us. 
 
 ADDRESS OF MR. HANSBROUGH, OF NORTH DAKOTA. 
 
 Mr. President: My acquaintance with the Hon. John E. 
 Gamble, late a Representative from the State of South Dakota, 
 dates back to the time of the Territorial days iu Dakota, when 
 we believed, as we still continue ro believe, that statehood 
 was the greatest boon that could be conferred upon a people 
 who were disfranchised by being obliged to live under a Ter- 
 ritorial governmeut; to the time when delegations from Dakota 
 Vere making annnal excursions to this city with a view to en- 
 lightening the lawmakers as to the needs of that portion of 
 the growing, the boundless, the unparalleled West, more 
 recently embraced within the splendid sisterhood of States; 
 when with us the only general contest at the ballot box was 
 over the election of a single, voteless Delegate, who must 
 represent half a million of people, scattered over 150,000 
 square miles of territory; when our political conventions, no 
 matter at what time they were held or however remote they 
 might be from the geographical center of the Territory, were 
 attended by complete delegations from every county, some 
 traveling 4,000 miles, from the Black Hills region by way of 
 
Life and Character o/Jo/iii R. Gamble. 59 
 
 Omaha and St. Paul and returning by the same route, for the 
 poor satisfaction of assisting in nominating one of their own 
 number wlio, if elected, would be nothing more than an errand 
 boy without a vote, having the privileges of the House floor 
 and the right to burn midnight oil sending prosy documents 
 and musty garden seeds, free of postage, to an eager and anx- 
 ious constituency. 
 
 John Gamble was always to be found at these conventions, 
 not as a canidate for the one and only luunn- to be bestowed, 
 but invariably in the interest of a friend, and liliewise in oppo- 
 sition to those whom he supposed to be his friend's enemies. 
 He was a patriot always. His motives were honorable and his 
 purposes high. Nature had endowed him with a physique 
 that was all endurance and an unselfishness that was all de- 
 votion. To those whom he loved he gave the full benefit of 
 these superlative attributes. His friend's cause was his cause; 
 to him liis country's glory was greater than any personal ad- 
 vantage or reward. 
 
 Burning, gnawing ])olitical ambition found no place of abid- 
 ance in him. He was ambitious only in behalf of a great mul 
 titude of people who yearned to be absolved from a condition 
 of political bondage. His aspirations were those of a true and 
 loyal citizen, who entertained no doubt of the ultimate tri- 
 umph of the enlightened ])olicy of home rule. He looked for- 
 ward to the admission of the Territory as two States in earnest 
 desire, not for place, not for power, or personal preferment, 
 but for justice to a people who were politically enthralled. 
 
 He had been an eyewitness to the cQ'ects of the great evils 
 which sometimes grow out of an abuse of the Territorial sys- 
 tem of government. He had seen in full operation an applica- 
 tion of the un-American plan of exercising power from a great 
 distance over defenseless communities inhabited by those well 
 equipped and well fitted to govern themselves, and his whole 
 being was in revolt against it. 
 
60 Address of Mr. Haitshroitgh^ of Xorth Dakota^ on the 
 
 3Ir. Gamble wa.s a profouiul fstiidoiit. His niiiul was stored 
 witli till" rich fruits of industrious research. In the law he oc- 
 (•ui)ie(l a i>hice amonj;' tliose in the first rank, and las opinions 
 were current statutes with the people. To him the history of 
 his country was au inspiration. He was an American in the 
 truest sense. He loved the institutions of his.uative land and 
 hclieved that this must ultimately excel all other countries, 
 coiumercially and otherwise. He was au ardent advocate of 
 territorial extension. 
 
 If he had been spared to his countrymen his voice might 
 now be heard in the halls of this Capitol proclaiminj;- in behalf 
 of new conquests for tlie benefit of the millions who are to 
 come. From the sweat and blood of toil and suffering he be- 
 held an empire rising to the view — that empire heralded by the 
 good Bishop Berkeley as " time's noblest offspring." He be- 
 lieved with De Tocqueville, who in 1835 wrote these ])rophetic 
 lines: 
 
 "In the midst of the uncertainty of the future there is at 
 least one event which is certain. At an epoch which we can 
 call near, since it concerns the life of a people, the Anglo- 
 Americans alone will cover all the immense territory comprised 
 between the ijolar ice and the tropics: they will spread from 
 the shores of the Atlantic Ocean even to the coasts of the 
 Sonth(>rn Sea. * * * There will then arrive a time when 
 there will be seen in. Xorth America ir)(),()(M),()(»(iof men, ecjual 
 togethei', who will all belong to the same family, who will have 
 the same point of departure, the same civilization, the same 
 language, the same religion, the same habits, the same man- 
 ners, and over which thought will circulate in the same form, 
 aiul paint itself iu the same colors. All else is doubtful, but 
 this is certain. Here," continues De Tocqueville, ''is a fact 
 entirely new in the world, of which the imagination can hardly 
 seize the extent." 
 
Life and Character of Jolin R. Gamble. 61 
 
 Charles Sumuer said that no Ameiicau could fail to be 
 streugtbeued in tlie fiituie of tbe Republic by tbis testiiiiouy 
 of De Tocqneville. Aud we may say of our departed fi-ieud 
 that no citizen of this great Union can emulate his example 
 in patriotism or experience, the feelings of admiration and love 
 that he experienced toward his beloved country, without being 
 a better and broader American in all respects. 
 
 We of the new States have reached that ideal period wbich 
 may be said to return the poetry of frontier life, and in com- 
 parison with which the pioneer squatter's time was the period 
 of prose. And we look back in deep sorrow upon tlie unfor- 
 tunate circumstance which brings us here to-day to mourn the 
 loss of one who was so near the entrance upon a life of great 
 usefulness wlien the cold hand of death was laid upon him. 
 Truly hath the poet said that — 
 
 No frail man, however great or high, 
 Can be toncliuleil blest before he die. 
 
 ADDRESS OF Mr. Davis, of Minnesota. 
 
 Mr. President: I desire to add a few words of tribute in 
 reference to John R. Gamble in addition lo those which have 
 been paid to him by the Senators who have preceded me. 
 
 The mortuary records of the last few years have most feel- 
 ingly persuaded us of the truth of the saying : " What shadows 
 we are, and what shadows we pursue." 
 
 Death has smitten with its witherijig hand those who stood 
 most conspicuous in the public affections. That icy hand has 
 smitten the Executive Mansion. It has stricken the Cabinet; 
 it has taken the sword of the warrior and has broken it in twain. 
 With firm and gentle hand he, the Angel of Death, has removed 
 from the places of the living the greatest, I think, of American 
 
G2 Address of Mr. Davis, of Muiiicsola, on the 
 
 .statesmen of our tinn's, and laid him iii the taheriiacle of ever- 
 lastiiifj rest; be has visited the two Chambers of Congress; he 
 has thinned the ranks of this body; he has assailed those of 
 the House of Kejiresentatives. 
 
 Repeated instances and ceremonies like those w hich we are 
 now performing bring a sense of sadness to our hearts and of 
 persuasion of the uncertainty of all earthly things to us. 
 
 Mr. GA3IBLE had not come within the sphere of public atten- 
 tion which entitled bim to rank with many of those who have 
 been taken from us, and of whom I have spoken. He fell upon 
 his way to this Capitol. He had no ])articular contact with 
 Federal afliiirs. 
 
 All that could be said of liim in regard to his aspects was 
 that he was a man of great possibilities and great capacity. I 
 did not know him intimately, yet I had encountered him and 
 sometimes walked with him in the way of our professional life. 
 He was a pleasant man, well adjusted, well poised, a self-con- 
 centered and ripe lawyer, acute and able in debate, fruitful in 
 forensic resources, and true to his clients always. 
 
 There is one thing, Mr. President, pertaining to the times in 
 which we are living which I do not think is sufficiently ob- 
 served, and yet wliicli ouglit to be observed and put into con- 
 temporary history so that future historians may use it, and 
 that is the manner ni which within the last fifty years new 
 States, especially those of the Northwest, have been sum- 
 moned almost out of nothingness and sprang, perhaps in the 
 course of a year or two years and sometimes a few months, 
 fully -equipped and panoplied, into the ranks of States. 
 
 If not properly understood it would be a marvel to future 
 historians how great and perfect Comnionwealths have thus 
 been formed. We whose fathers wei-e pioneers in that country 
 understand it well. There came into those regions in the times 
 of the earliest settlement the choice and selected spirits of the 
 East. They were young men. 
 
Life and Cliaractcr of Jolm R. Gai)ihle. 63 
 
 For many years after the settlement of those Territories you 
 could go into the largest audience and see few gray heads. 
 They were aggressive men; their minds were full of sugges- 
 tions; they were aspiring and ambitious men, seeking to lay 
 hold of a future which might be full of honors for them. Most 
 of them were students. They came from a land of actual prac- 
 tice, and yet they l)ore with them in their minds theories of 
 government and institutions which they sought to put into 
 operation. 
 
 The consequence was, as I have said, that Wisconsin, Iowa, 
 Kansas, Minnesota, and the two Dakotas sprang rapidly into 
 political being, with a completeness of organization, sometimes 
 i 1 advance of the perfection of organization over the old com- 
 munities, which it is surprising to contemplate even now that 
 it has become a familiar fact. 
 
 The men who did this work were a class of men to which 
 John E. Gamble emphatically belonged. He went to Dakota 
 shortly after the organization of that vast region which was 
 formed into the Territory of Dakota; he identified himself with 
 all her interests, he became prominent in all the councils of 
 that region, and as the time drew nigh wlien Dakota could 
 rightfully demand admission into the sisterhood of States, lie 
 was the foremost in advocating and formulating the measures 
 by which that admission should be brought about. 
 
 It was generally understood in Dakota for a long time that 
 the vast Territory of Dakota should be admitted as a single 
 State. Against that, Mr. Gamble wisely and firmly set his 
 fiice, and with a wisdom wldch time has demonstrated to be 
 true. 
 
 This is his record in the history of the State of his adoption; 
 and now, Mr. President, that is an honor for any man. In the 
 older historic times to have been thus concerned in the founda- 
 tion of a great State would have handed a man's name down 
 
64 Address of Mr. Kyh\ of South Dakota, on the 
 
 most illustrionsly. Such instances of recent years have been 
 so frequent, and the men who have been engaged in them so 
 many, that the same distinction can not and will not be con- 
 ferred upon them, uevertbeless they deserve it. 
 
 So, Mr. President, whatever is said here to day concerning 
 the memory of John E. Gamhi.k will have, except for those 
 who knew him, veiy little signiticauce; but tons who did know 
 him they signify much. What has been said here today will 
 be read by his neighbors in his distant home with the highest 
 appreciation and with the feeling that no tribute which has 
 been paid to him here to day lias been in the least degree un- 
 deserved. 
 
 ADDRESS OF Mr. Kyle, of South Dakota. 
 
 Mr. President : John E. Gamble, Eepresentativeelect to 
 the Fifty-second Congress from the State of South Dakota, 
 was born iu Alabama, Genesee County, N. Y., January 15, 
 184S. His early life was spent upon the farm, where his edu- 
 cational privileges were such as the country districts afforded. 
 When about 14 years of age his parents moved to Appleton, 
 Wis. It was in this State where his education was completed 
 and where lie, as a student in Lawrence University, distin- 
 guished himself for thoroughness in scholarship, graduating 
 with honors from the classical course in 1S72. 
 
 Though living iu the same State, it was not ray pri-vilege to 
 become personally accinainted with the deceased; but in a 
 general way he was well and favorably known to all who took 
 an interest in the Territorial history of Soirth Dakota, and in 
 the preparation and contest for statehood. 
 
 John E. Ga:*ible was one of the early .settlers of the Ter- 
 ritory, having opened a law office at Yankton in 1873, when 
 
Life and Character of John R. Caniblc. 65 
 
 the noitliem three fourths of the Territory was a comparative 
 wilderness — the limiting uroiuid of the Sioux Indians. 
 
 Being energetic and active by nature his talents were soon 
 demanded in the affairs of state. He tilled successively the 
 oiitices of district attorney for his county, United States dis- 
 trict attorney for the Territory, represented his county in the 
 legislature during 1S77, IST.S, and 1879, and was a member of 
 the Territorial council from 1S81 to 1885. In the fall of 1890 
 he was chosen ('ongressman-atlarge upon the Republican 
 ticket. 
 
 During the early days of a State, wJien laws are being en- 
 acted and institutions are being founded, when her future is 
 being mapped out, great responsibilities rest upon those called 
 to be leaders. 
 
 The State of South Dakota looks back to-day upon many of 
 her noble sons with pride. Men who have given her a consti- 
 tution second to none, and educational institutions which 
 would tlo honor to the most favored States. But her history of 
 'tliese is not read without feeling and seeing the impress of the 
 wisdom and untiring industry of John K. Gamule. He was 
 associated in this work with men of national reputation, all of 
 whom speak in terms of highest praise of his zeal in behalf of 
 the future of the Dakotas. 
 
 Though a young man at the time of his death, he had, like 
 many before him who have been pressed by the (^mergency ot' 
 the times into public service, accomplished the work and 
 reaped the rewards of a long life. We have .in his career a 
 lesson for the young as to what can lie accomplished by 
 thoroughness of study and untiring energy. 
 
 His public life was merely the complement of another life 
 spent in devotion to his profession. He was known at the bar 
 as a student versed in the law, and therefore an antagonist to 
 be feared. 
 
 H. Mis. 8.} Ty 
 
()6 Address of Mr. Kyle, of South Dakota. 
 
 It was not his privilege to take bis seat upon the tioor of 
 Congress. 
 
 It is difficult to tell what would have been bis record in this 
 national capacity; but it is safe to gay that he would have 
 l)n)uaht to bis new work the well trained enthusiasm of previ- 
 ous years. 
 
 John E. Gamble has gone from ns. The life immortal is 
 now his — where proj^ress is unhindered and where, free from 
 the (outlictsand suffering of mortality, his soul rests with the 
 all-wise and beneficent Creator. He is mourned by citizens 
 of South Dakota iiTespective of party, and they unite with 
 the State's representatives in pa\'iug this last tribute to a bard- 
 working, painstaking lawyer, a wise statesman, and kind bus- 
 band and father. 
 
 Mr. President, I move the adoption of the resolutions. 
 The resolutions were aiireed to unanimouslv. 
 
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