JORDAN, Carl - Putnam

At three o’clock Monday afternoon were spoken the words which consigned to their final resting place the remains of Carl Jordan.  Every word that was spoken, every action, but emphasized the feeling that his life had been brought to a close to (sic) soon.  The exercises were conducted by Dr. JPD John, formerly president of DePauw University and Dr. JH Hollingsworth, pastor of College Avenue MC Church.  The service was begun by prayer by Dr. Hollingsworth. Dr. John read a sketch of the young man’s life and also read selections from the Scriptures, followed by prayer.  Members of the Home Columbia club acted as pall bearers and were as follows: Will Graham; Albert Graham; Benton Curtis; Charles Lueteke and Grey Potter.  The music was by Messrs. Maxwell, Hillis, Starr and Burlingame.  The beautiful flowers were contributed by the Evansville Courier staff, the Home Columbian club and the high school alumni. The following tribute to the memory of Carl Jordan is from the Home Columbian club of which he was a member: “By one unacquainted with Carl Jordan, the grief occasioned by his death can not be fully understood.  By those who were his friends and associates, their sorrow can never be put into words.  The purpose of his paper is to review his life, bear testimony to his beautiful character and express to the family as well as may be, something of the loss sustained by his companies in the Home Columbian Club.”

At 4 o’clock on Thursday evening, August 26, 1897, “the sleep that knows no waking,” fell upon Carl Jordan.  On Saturday, August 14 he came from his work in Evansville to his home in this city.  For several days previous to this last home coming, he had been ill and it soon became evident to himself as well as to the family and friends that typhoid fever had taken hold upon him and that he must battle for his life.  From the time that he left the train at the station until his death hour, all within human power was done for his comfort and recovery.  Hope and fear alternate with the days and hours until at last hope gave way and the end came as stated above.  On the 8th day of the present month, Carl reached his 21st birthday and at that time received letters congratulating him and carrying good wishes and hopes for many returns.  How the future is hidden.  Ere three short weeks had elapsed, he had laid down his work and his life so full of promise was ended.  From childhood Carl had had his home in Greencastle.  After he had finished the work of the grades, he entered the HS in the fall of ’90 and completed the course in the spring of ’93.  As a pupil, he was always bright and interesting to his teachers and a favorite with schoolmates.  After graduation, he at once went into the service of the Banner Times.  It was soon apparent that he had a talent for reportorial work and that success in this line awaited him.  He continued with the daily Banner Times until the spring of ’96.  At that date he tendered a place on the Evansville Courier.  Though his employers here were loath to lose the service of one who had proved himself so valuable, they recognized that the new position would bring to him promotion and cheerfully bad him God-speed.  This place he successfully filled until his fatal illness brought him home.  Two months after graduation Carl became one of the charter members of the Home Columbian Club. In addition to his professional duty with the paper, he kept up the work of the club as long as he was in Greencastle. For one year he served most efficiently as secretary, and on two occasions rend excellent papers at the open meetings of the club. On his departure for Evansville his name was transferred to the roll of non- resident members, and for the past seventeen months an occasional letter has made known his undying interest and has held us close together.  These are a few of the facts in the life of Carl Jordan.  Though he has gone and through his life was brief, he has left us rich in precious memories.  It remains for us to gather and treasure these and grow better and better until that day!  First, there is left for us as an example the memory of his bright and cheerful nature.  So strong was this inherent buoyancy of spirit and he had cultivated to such an extent that it did not sake him even in the hour of death, and he greeted his friends with a smile that was heavenly.  Again, there is for us the remembrance of a dutiful life worthy of all imitation.  His high sense of duty first displayed itself toward his parents, sisters and brothers and then towards hi teachers, employers and friends.  He did always what he felt that he ought to do, and his intelligence enabled him to form correct judgments.  It is the testimony of his employers that he waited not to be told but worked always with as much care and interest as if the business were his own.  If he failed to reach a Club meeting when expected, a note was sure to come explain his absence.  He was reliable in all things small as well as great.  Carl Jordan’s very name was a synonym for all that was honorable and upright.  He scorned all that was low or debasing.  As a boy he was manly; as a man, gentlemanly.  Perhaps Carl’s most marked characteristics were his energy and ambition.  In fact, these traits were so strong that they, no doubt, helped in shortening his life.  Nor many boys at the age of 17 take upon themselves such tasks as he engaged in.  It is probably that his energy carried him along faster than his strength permitted.  No wonder that today the hearts of father and mother are breaking with grief, but let the undying love of a devoted boy be their consolation.  No wonder that brothers and sisters are filled with an unspeakable sorrow but let them be comforted in remember and emulating a brother’s noble example.  No wonder that we, his friends, who have enjoyed so many times his pleasant companionship, can not for the moment be reconciled.  Heretofore we have felt it a deprivation that he has been away from us the distance of a few miles even though his letters have come to tell us that we were not forgotten.  Now no written message of love and remembrance can reach us, but tough he has gone:

“Out of the hitherwhere into the you – the land that the Lord’s love rests upon – where one may rely on the friends he meets – And the smiles that greet him along the streets.” We know that he awaits us in that distance and better land.  Our club motto says, “That man lives twice that lives the first life well!”    ~~~transcribed by kbz