Michael Sughrue Obituary
Clark County Clipper, January 10, 1901
OBITUARY
Michael Sughrue, born February the 17th., 1844, in County Carey, Ireland:
Died at his home in Ashland, Clark county, Kansas at 12:55 o'clock p.m.
Wednesday, January the 2nd, 1901. Aged 56 years, 10 months and 15 days.
Deceased was one of a family of three children of Humphrey and Mary Sughrue, his
twin brother, Patrick and his sister, Mrs. Mary Riley surviving. His mother
departed this life in Ireland 54 years ago on January the 6th - the date of the
burial of her son. His father died in the Court House in Dodge City on the 10th
day of April 1886, honored and respected for his sterling worth.
Mr. Sughrue came over from Ireland with his children in 1854, locating in
Washington, where they lived for three years, when in 1857 they removed to
Harvard, Illinois. In 1853 (1858?) they moved to Kansas where they have lived
since.
Michael Sughrue and Miss Anna Walters were married at Ashton, Kansas, on the 3rd
day of June 1875, at St. Benedicts Church. Of this union ten children were
born, all of whom survive him, except one. Mr. Sughrue was a Deputy Sheriff
under his brother Pat, of Ford county, in 1884, and when Clark county was
organized in 1885 was its first Sheriff. He was elected Sheriff five times and
was serving his ninth year at the time of his death; he was also the only
republican sheriff ever elected. He was the first marshall of the city of
Ashland and was Marshall at the time of his death.
His army service, as shown by the records of the G. A. R. Post, was as follows:
Michael Sughrue (when mustered into G. A. R. ) age 42, E. Co., Reg. 7th Kans.,
Cav., Private, enlisted Aug., 1861. Dis., July 1865; E. Co., 7th Kans., Rank
Private. Term of service 47 months. Reason of discharge, close of war.
Mustered in G. A. R. April 22, 1887; charter member; first name on enrollment.
Mike Sughrue was one of the most widely known "old timers" in western Kansas,
and was universally respected. He had shared his blanket with "Buffalo Bill"
when borean (sic) blasts swept prairies like the simoon of the desert, and had
followed the courageous Jamison thru trials to daring achievements that won
applause from a nation. He had associated with Col. Inman on "The Old Santa Fe
Trail," now famous, and had swapped yarns with the gallant Custer in his palmy
(sic) days, in view of the light of the redman's campfire. No state ever had a
more courageous officer than Mike Sughrue. The western outlaw, even before
discovered, trembled as with a chill at the sight of sheriff Sughrue with a
white handled pistol in his belt.
As a sheriff, the most serious charge brought against him was, that his
treatment of prisoners, robbed the jail sentence of any punishment, and some
have even refused to leave when discharged. As an officer of the court he was
uniformly courteous and obliging and nothing will be missed more when court
convenes than the "Hear ye! Hear ye! the Honorable District Court of Clark
County is now in session!" called in the familiar jumbled English of Mike
Sughrue, and the fragments of a once numerous bar will realize that there is a
"bitch" somewhere in "the wheels of justice."
As a citizen he was always on the side of progress and as long as he had a
dollar in view he would subscribe to a progressive move more free heartedness
than a millionaire, and his obligation was good at the bank always. His
benefactions have cheered the drooping spirits of more than one widow in need
and relieved the anxiety of many a comrade in distress. He dies poor in worldly
chattels, but a billionaire in the affections of a confiding family and of the
numerous beneficiaries of his self sacrificing liberality.
Mike Sughrue is no more. Surrounded by a family whose devotion challenges the
administration of Angels, the tie that bound his soul and body dissolved and his
spirit passed the portals to we know not where. Shall loved ones meet again?
Stubborn reason stands sphynx like and to the acceptor of only Truth the
question is answered not. He feared not the future, but with a manly courage he
viewed with no alarm the approaching deluge of dissolution and heard without a
tremor the roar of the waves. As the mist of death in chilling blasts dimmed
his vision, he viewed with satisfaction the panorama of his years and in
remembrance of his many struggles and uniform successes he realized that at last
in death alone he had met his Waterloo and as he fell at the gates of light
faintly murmured, "I am whipped! I am whipped!" But falling, he beheld as a
beacon light above the world the Stars and Stripes he had so often staked his
life to save, and in a voice full of loves devotion he asked that he might be
wrapped in the simple fold of the flag of his country, that it now might keep
sentinel watch while his body sleeps in peace.
I am sure the people will deeply sympathize with the bereaved ones of the
family.
----
THE BODY OF MR. SUGHRUE LAID TO REST.
All day long Saturday people journeyed to the court house to take a last
look at the remains of "Mike" Sughrue as the body lay in state. A guard of the
G. A. R. remained on duty all the time.
Sunday, the crowd began to arrive early, and by 1:30 o'clock the courtroom was
packed full and many standing in every door. The choir for the occasion, sang
America by request of deceased, and the formal ceremonies of the G. A. R. Order
were performed, after which Judge F. C. Price delivered a brief though touching
and sincere tribute to the memory of deceased - as warm a friend as he ever
had. Many times during the address when the speaker recounted the tender
solicitude of Mike Sughrue, for his country, his family and district humanity
wherever met, the scenes over the room was touching; the voice of Judge Price
would tremble with emotion and strong men wept with tender women and children.
The procession that followed the remains to the
cemetery was the greatest that ever
attended a funeral in this country. People from all parts of the county were in
attendance.
Submitted by ~Shirley Brier~ in September 29, 2005.