Michael Cody- died July 24, 1905 -aged 55 years, 26 days.
Michael Cody- burial is known because of his three obituaries !!
The Bridgeport Chronicle Union, Reno Evening Gazette, Oakland Tribune and Walker Lake Tribune - all published obituaries for MICHAEL JOSEPH CODY- aged 55 years and 26 days- died July 24, 1905.
They note s Mr. Cody was a “Pioneer founding member of the BODIE MINERS’ UNION- and buried in the Bodie “hillside” Cemetery yet- today the Bodie Cemetery lacks a Headstone marking Michael Cody’s grave.
Over The Great Divide. M. J. Cody Obeys The Call.
Today, we write upon the page of Mono’s departed pioneers the name of one with a heart fully worthy, of the name of Michael Joseph Cody.
On the afternoon of the 13th, Mr. Cody was struck on the head by a rock, thrown from a blast, which resulted in a fractured skull.
Two operations were performed, but Meningitis proved the Victor.
Michael Cody , at the age of 55 years and 26 days, surrounded “by those he loved and blessed with all the Rites of that Church of which he was a devout member,” passed away at 7:30 P.M., July 24, 1905.
Born on the shore of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin on the 28th day of June 1850, he early took the advice of Horace Greeley and “journeyed Westward to the Bonanza Camp, Virginia City” Hearing of the wonders of the famous Bodie, he soon arrived to make it his lifetime home.
A giant in stature, a man of strong personality, fearless for right in the years since 1876, when first he arrived in this county, his name has been linked with each and every forward movement.
In September 1881, he was married to Miss Kate Shaughnessy of Bodie. Six children were the fruits of this union and gathered at the bedside for the Last Farewell.
In 1877 he was one of the organizers of the Bodie Miners’ Union and retained his membership until about a year ago, when he became a member of the Bodie Labor Union of which organization. He was President at the time of his death.
Mr. Cody was always one of the leaders of the Democratic party in this section and as a reward was appointed, during the Cleveland administration, as Receiver for the Land Office then located in Bodie.
In 1888 he was elected Sheriff of Mono, which office he held for two terms. He was a Past Master of Bodie Lodge, No. 143 and A.O.U.W. and was buried under the auspices of that Order.
Mr. Cody leaves a wife, three daughters – Mrs. David V. Cain, Miss May Cody and little Katie – three sons – Edmund, Mervyn and Ralph and two brothers, one in Cripple Creek and the other in San Jose, and a nephew – Charles H. Miller of Bodie, who was constantly with him during his last hours.
The body was taken to Bodie early Tuesday morning and buried on Bodie’s hill-side the following day.
Personally we had known the deceased for over twenty years and knew him always as a Man. No greater praise can be said of any one than that. True to the principles of manhood and his God, true as a husband and father, steadfast as a friend. No weeping willow will droop above his grave, the green grass and the purling stream tempers not the dusty breeze but the redolent sage will shade the mound and the flitting lizard and chattering chipmunk will call in vain for their old companion. (also a poem not transcribed here/ss)
(Bridgeport Chronicle-Union, 7/28/1905)
*****
Reno Evening Gazette, 7/28/1905 (Friday): Death of M. J. Cody. Mike Cody, whose skull was fractured by a blast near Bridgeport several days ago, died Tuesday. He was well known in Bodie and vicinity, having served two years as sheriff of Mono county. He was a popular citizen of that section.
Oakland Tribune, 8/1/1905: Died. CODY – In Bridgeport, Mono county, Cal., July 24, Michael Joseph, dearly beloved husband of Catherine M. Cody, loving father of Edmund J., Mervyn J., May L., Katie and Ralph Cody, and Mrs. D. V. Cain, and brother James S. Cody of Cripple Creek, Colo., and Edward R. Cody, of Fresno, Cal., a native of Lake Geneva, Wis., aged 55 years and 26 days
Walker Lake Bulletin, 8/4/1905 (Friday): Mike Cody, former Sheriff of Mono county, died in Bodie last Tuesday from injuries received by the premature explosion of a blast.