26 MAJOR JOHN F. LACEY 



professional and personal activities he was suddenly 

 stricken with death, on September 29, 1913. He left his 

 office a little after the noon hour, walked down the street 

 in his accustomed sprightly manner, stopping on the way 

 to converse with friends. Arriving at his residence he 

 was met by a member of the family to whom he said, ' ' I 

 am not feeling well. I believe I will lie down for a few 

 moments. Please bring me a glass of water." The wa- 

 ter was at hand almost instantly. He held the glass for 

 a moment, then his hold relaxed, the glass fell to the 

 floor, and Major Lacey dropped back on the couch, dead. 

 It was a painless end, which one with such a background 

 might well have wished. He needed no time for prepara- 

 tion ; his noble life was a sufficient one. 



The death of no public man has caused more general 

 grief in Iowa than did his. Political enemies and friends 

 shared in it alike. At his funeral there was an immense 

 gathering from all parts of the state. 



The universal sorrow that prevailed, and the esteem in 

 which he was held, was voiced by the entire press of the 

 state — Democratic as well as Republican. To confirm 

 what I have said of him and to aid in giving a graphic 

 picture of the man, I can do no better than give a few 

 brief extracts from this source. 



Thus the Oskaloosa. Herald : 



Oskaloosa never had another citizen who had won such great 

 distinction in so many fields of labor. In every walk of life and 

 wherever he might be, he was always alive to the best of the situ- 

 ation. He was observing, keen, and witty, ever the life of the 

 group about him. His triumph in politics and his victories in 

 court, never changed the character of the man. He was per- 

 sistent and bitter in a fight, but never harbored a spirit of retri- 

 bution. He never hesitated to express his opinions nor wavered 

 from his fixed ideas of right, but he respected the beliefs and 

 principles of others. As a citizen he was plain "John" to his 



