MICHAEL J. CODEY July 24, 1905
BODIE MINERS’ UNION FLAG- Michael J. Cody- Pioneer member died July 24, 1905.
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 July, 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, Mr. Cody 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. Today they 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. 279, 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.
Bridgeport Chronicle-Union, 7/28/1905