DIMMED BY TEARS
MANY EYES WERE AT THE FUNERAL OF
CLAUDE C. LAWSON THIS AFTERNOON
BEAUTIFUL FLORAL OFFERINGS
Selections Sung by a Quartette Were Favorites of the
Man So Universally Mourned - Interment in Kentucky
Funeral services for Attorney Claude C. Lawson were held this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the residence, 421 East Fifth street, and were attended by an immense throng.
Rev. R. C. Williamson, pastor of the Broadway Presbyterian church, and Rev. J. D. Prigmore, pastor of Central Presbyterian church, each made eulogistic remarks covering the life and good deeds of this well known citizen, whose passing is so universally mourned.
As a token of esteem, beautiful floral pieces from numerous fraternal organizations, business associations and private citizens were laid upon the casket containing the remains, which silent messengers expressed sentiments which words could not possibly convey.
The musical numbers were favorite church hymns of the deceased and were rendered with much sweetness and melody by a quartette composed of Mrs. E. F. Yancey, soprano; Mrs. W. D. Steele, alto; Mr. Gus Warner, tenor, and Rev. A. O. Kuhn, bass. "Lead, Kindly Light," "Jesus, Savor, Pilot Me," and "God Be With You Till We Meet Again," as sung during the services, brought tears to the eyes of nearly all the attendants.
At the conclusion of the services the funeral cortege was formed and proceeded to the Missouri Pacific passenger station, where the remains, accompanied by the grief stricken wife [Esther Styles Lawson] and brother-in-law, George W. Styles, were taken on board Missouri Pacific train No. 8 for St. Louis and thence to Newport, Ky., where the interment will be made.
To honor the memory of Mr. Lawson, in a fitting manner, the members of the Sedalia Bar association held a meeting this morning at the court house, which was attended by nearly every attorney in the city, and during which addresses eulogistic of the past life and accomplishments of the deceased were reviewed briefly.
Twenty-five of the members of the bar made addresses, and in each of the talks the keynote was the kindness of heart and love for his fellowman which was always manifested in a marked degree by Mr. Lawson during his useful career.
The session was presided over by Attorney H. T. Williams, and short talks were made by the following members of the association: Messrs. O. M. Barnett, R. S. Robertson, J. D. Bohling, John H. Bothwell, Eugene W. Couey, C. I. Wilson, J. D. Donnohue, George W. Anamosa, H. D. Dow, W. D. Steel, James T. Montgomery, Lee Montgomery, W. W. Blain, R. A. Higdon, M. A. McGruder, George F. Boothe, Claude Wilkerson, W. D. O'Bannon, Louis Hoffman, Judges H. B. Shain and D. E. Kennedy, and also Attorney Bruce Barnett of Kansas City. The members of the bar during the meeting adopted unanimously the following resolution:
Be it resolved, that the bar of Pettis county recognizes the sterling qualities which have endeared the late C. C. Lawson to his fellow practitioners and his fellow citizens of this community.
Perhaps more than any other member of this bar he was the friend and helper of the unfortunate and needy. He was ready at all times with his sympathy and means to succor those in distress or want. No member of this bar responded more graciously or more generously than he to any appeal which would touch a sympathetic and kindly heart.
He was an example to us all in his public spirit and his readiness to give his time and labor to any public enterprise. It made no difference that it promised no personal reward to him, so that it was for the general good. He did not allow himself to be so selfishly engrossed in his own private affairs that he could not find time to lend his aid to any laudable public undertaking.
He was an example to us all of courtesy, gentleness, cheerfulness and optimism. Even in the heat of the trial of a hotly contested cause he never failed to be courteous to opposing counsel, considerate of witnesses and respectful to the court and its officers. This was not because we was lacking in zeal for his client, but because his heart was kindly and he did not forget the respect that was due to others.
The high esteem in which his community held him as a member of the bar is evidenced by the fact that in 1905 he received at the hands of the people the nomination for prosecuting attorney of this county. He had many loyal clients who entrusted important affairs to him. He labored for them with untiring industry and zeal.
Be it further resolved, that the heartfelt sympathy of the members of this bar be tendered to his family and that a copy of these resolutions be sent to his wife and mother.
H. D. Dow, O. M. Barnett, Lee Montgomery, Committee.
The Kentuckians adopted the following resolution:
Whereas, is has seemed good to an All-Wise Providence to take from our midst our highly esteemed friend and worth citizen, C. C. Lawson: be it Resolved, That in the loss of such a friend and brother words are made quate to express our sorrow and sadness over his untimely demise, and we know that his spirit has been wafted to that "bourne from whence no traveler returns."
Miss him! Yes, we will sadly miss him. In the social circle, in the every day walk of life, his smiling face and intelligent expression will greet us no more. His renditions of song, his entertaining and instructive speeches and his social conversation we will no longer have the privilege of enjoying and we can sadly say:
May you ever rest in peace.
From care, toil and trouble released.
Where the true and just ever reign,
There may you peacefully remain.
'Tis hard to say goodbye, brother.
Since there rests in our hearts no other
Whose life more love can claim
Than this noble, true Kentuckian.
And when we sit and review the past,
'Tis by no means a difficult task
To recall many fond recollections
Of our departed friend, C. C. Lawson.
And as we plant the wreath on his bier,
With many a repressing tear,
We say, may we gladly meet thee
In the land of sweet eternity.
And to his devoted wife we extend our profound sympathy, and may the consolation of the Great I Am ever with her abide.
Resolved, Further, That a copy of these expressions be sent to his wife and also published in our daily papers.
(Signed) - George W. Barnett, Lon V. Ware, T. O. Stanley, Committee of Brother Kentuckians. C. W. McAninch, President.
Source: Sedalia Democrat, 27 February 1912
Submitter: David O. Styles, grand nephew of Esther (Etta) Carolyn Lawson (nee Styles) and husband, Claude C. Lawson