The Pastor Broke Down: Seattle Buries the Pioneer Who Built Its Reform School
A crowded North Seattle church, a room full of old pioneers, and a eulogy so affecting that the minister — a friend since 1849 — had to stop and compose himself.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The funeral services held yesterday afternoon at the North Seattle Baptist church over the remains of Levi F. Compton were a fitting tribute to the memory of a man who died conscious of the fact that his life had been filled with good deeds. The church was filled with people, the majority of whom knew the dead personally.
A short service was held at the residence on Second street, and then the remains were given in charge of the Odd Fellows, who escorted them to the church. Unity Encampment No. 2, I. O. O. F., was well represented, as was also Fraternity Lodge, No. 61. Only a few of the pioneers were present, among them being Charles Prosch, T. D. Hinckley, Judge Orange Jacobs, W. V. Rinehart and W. G. Latimer. Rev. John F. Damon delivered the funeral address, and in his remarks on Mr. Compton's character and the work he had done in having the state reform school founded, spoke so eloquently that many tears were shed. Mr. Damon, who was a personal friend of the dead since 1849, finally became so affected that he broke down and had to wait a brief time before proceeding with his eulogy.
The floral offerings were all magnificent pieces, the most prominent being a broken wheel, gates ajar, anchor, sheaf and sickle, and star.
The interment took place in Odd Fellows' cemetery. The pallbearers were: E. Gooding, George W. Hall, I. Parker, H. G. Thornton, T. R. Farr and J. J. Knoff.
Thomas P. Westendorf, superintendent of the state reform school, was present at the service, as was also Mayor Phelps.
“Mr. Damon, who was a personal friend of the dead since 1849, finally became so affected that he broke down and had to wait a brief time before proceeding with his eulogy.”
Levi Compton spent years pressing Washington to open a state reform school — an institution meant to educate and reclaim wayward children rather than simply lock them away. That argument is still live today, as Washington debates how to treat young people in the justice system and whether institutions or community-based care serve them better.
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