Francis Marion Emile Slinkey
Born: August 31, 1883
Christened: August 16, 1884 (Christ Church, Sausalito, Marin County, California, USA)
Died: April 18, 1885, (Sausalito, Marin County, California, USA)
Francis was just an infant when he died. In his brief time he was highly lauded, likely being J.E. Slinkey's first and long-awaited male child. His birth comes too close to brother Milton's, who apparently entered the world in May 1883, leading many to believe that "sister" Lillian was actually Milton's mother. There certainly was no shyness about celebrating Francis's birth, but the first we hear of Milton's is when he's 12 years old! See his page for more detail.
After the boy's death, J.E. Slinkey led an effort to have a better cemetery established in Sausalito (the old one was unfenced and frequently "trampled by cattle," according to the Sausalito News).
San Francisco Daily Morning Call
Tuesday, August 26, 1884
"Old-Friends" at Sausalito.
The Society of "Old-Friends" held an impromptu meeting at Sausalito on Sunday, the 16th inst., the occasion being the christening of Master Francis Marion Emile Slinkey by the Rev. F.W. Reed, rector of Christ Church, Sausalito. After the christening the youngster, who is only eleven months old, and is the son of J. E. Slinkey, Secretary of the Society of "Old-Friends," and proprietor of the "El Monte" Hotel, Sausalito, was initiated into the society by Vice-President R.H. Taylor, assisted by Judge Robert Ferral. During the initiation, Judge R.H. Taylor presented the young member of the society, with a handsome silver goblet from the members of the "Old-Friends" beautifully inscribed, which was responded to by Judge Leander Quint, in behalf of the youngster, after which champagne flowed copiously. Master R. Ferrell, Jr. recited "I am a California boy" with great eclat. Remarks suitable for the occasion were made by Colonel D.L. Smoot and others. Judge Ferral stated that an election and initiation like the present one, never had happened in the society before, and probably never would happen again, and took place only on account of the high appreciation of the Secretary by the society, as the Secretary, in conjunction with the President and several others members, had brought the society of "Old-Friends" up to its present prosperous condition.
Regrets of absence were received from the following brothers, viz: Major Ed. F. Bean, A. Barbier, Martin Clark, Judge A.C. Bradford, P.H. Hink, Col. F.F. Jones, Dr. F.W. Crowdace, W.A. Schultz, Supervisor C.H. Burton, Arthur McGurren, Judge J.C. Pennie, Major Edwin Lewis, and others,
The following "Old-Friends" were present on the occasion: President C.H. Gough, Vice-President R.H. Taylor, Secretary J.E. Slinkey, Marshal M.C. Brydges, Captain J. Pierce, Judge Leander Quint, J.M. Rademaker, C.H. Goodwin, A. Meyer, C. H. Eaton, Colonel M.H. Hakes, M.C. Kean, D.H. Allen, Robert E. Lowery, E.G. Melse, H. McCausland, W.A. Skidmore, Colonel D.L. Smoot, Mark Ettling, Captain G.W. Thomas, John Dern, Judge A. Craig, Dan Slinkey, Dr. W. Jenningson, C.W. Childs, Supervisor Geo. J. Hood, E.A. Peplow, Capt. Jas. Brooks, Judge J.S. Belrude, and others.
The above was first discovered printed on a broadsheet in Australia, where Slinkey evidently sent it in pride to family there. Discovered and copied by John Gray and sent to me. Thanks John!
Sausalito News (Sausalito, Marin County, California)
April 23, 1885, page 2, column 2.
The Society of Old Friends "of which the little one was the youngest member," gathered for funeral of Francis Emile Slinkey, son of J. E. Slinkey, at the parlor of the El Monte Hotel. "Emile" had died the previous Saturday; on Monday the Reverend from the Episcopal Church officiated at the burial at Sunny Hills Cemetery, up Rodeo Avenue from town. (The site, surrounded on three sides by cypress trees, with ferns growing inside the carriage entrance, had just recently opened—it would be moved in 1892.)
In Memoriam
Francis M. E. Slinkey
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"Suffer little children to come unto me for of such is the kingdom of heaven."
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Respectfully dedicated to Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Slinkey, by F. J. B.: (Frank Burns was the Sausalito News editor and manager)
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O why this blow so harsh, severe—
This separation from our dear
So young and sweet?
Why now must we his fair form lay
In earth forevermore away—
No more to greet?
And we shall ever miss his smile,
His child-sport and sweet ways the while
Before he left;
And he had made the home so bright,
How dark 'twill be now to our sight
Since we're bereft.
O Death! Why came you on so fast?
Why in your search had you not passed
Our happy hearth?
What could his mission have been here?
A passing sunbeam leaving drear
Where all was mirth.
Ah why give we to Death the blame?
Are Death and God not here the same?
And God knows best:
No fairer angels sing His praise
Than those pure children of few days
He takes to rest.
Howe'er we lavished care and love
'Twas not as great as His above
Who took our boy:
Why should we pine or aught more weep,
Or selfish feel we'd wish to keep
Him from such joy.
His love's not dead 'tis as immortal
As his soul, and from the portal
Of Paradise,
It will descend in blissful prayer,
To comfort us and help us bear
Our sacrifice.
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On last Saturday night the happy spirit of little Emile joined the angels. The sunny eyes were closed in death's calm sleep and the dimpled hands were folded on his breast. No more would the little pet of all be the sunlight of home with his merry sport and prattle. The fond parents and weeping friends must soon lay him to rest under the daisies. The child died of ulcerated sore throat after a sickness of but three days. The funeral services were conducted on Monday afternoon in the "El Monte" parlors, the Rev. Fred W. Reed of Christ (Episcopal) Church officiating. The Church choir sang appropriate hymns. At 2 o'clock the funeral started for Sunny Hill Cemetery where the little one was placed to rest, and the tiny mound covered with floral tributes to his memory.
A large number of friends of the family and of the society of "Old Friends" of which the little one was the youngest member were present. The Society was represented by President Charles Gough, Col. D. L. Smoot, Judge Thomas H. Lawlor and many others, and a number of the A.O.U.W. Lodge were also present.
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Page 3, column 4:
Died.
Slinkey—In Sausalito, April 18th, Francis Marion Emile, beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Slinkey, aged 1 year, 7 months, 18 days.
One less to love on earth, One more to love in heaven.
Sister Lillie
April 30, 1885: One week after the announcement of Frances Slinkey’s death and funeral, an editorial about “why no suitable spot has been formally set apart for a burial ground in Sausalito.” Where Sausalitans are buried at the time: Lone Mountain Cemetery in San Francisco mentioned, San Rafael cemeteries mentioned, and “temporary resting places on the hill slopes front Richardson’s bay back of the village.” [Trampled by cattle.] “This is not as it should be. It shows neither proper public spirit nor proper respect for the dead. Of the many beautiful slopes along Richardson’s bay, some one should be consecrated as a burial place. It is thought that this will be speedily done. A movement is on foot to carry out the idea. The Workmen’s Lodge of Sausalito have tendered a free use of their hall for a public meeting to discuss this matter next Saturday evening. It is hoped that every citizen of Sausalito will feel it his duty to attend the meeting, and to aid in carrying out the work.” (Sausalito News, April 30, 1885, page 2, column 1.)