Plan Military Rites For Judge O. S. Casad - Funeral of Civil War Veteran
Pioneer Will Be 3 P.M. Sunday - End Comes After Tenacious Battle For Life
Career Included Editor, Teacher, Postmaster and Patriot.

A military funeral for O. S. Casad, 82 years old, Civil War veteran who died at his home at 208 West Ninth Street at 4:42 o’clock yesterday afternoon, is being planned by the veterans organizations of Pittsburg. The services will be held at 3 o’clock Sunday afternoon at the Methodist church, with Rev. W. R. McCormack in charge. Members of General Russell post of the G. A. R. accompanied by the Spanish-American War veterans will act as honorary pallbearers. Active pallbearers will be J. B. Towner, M. L. Clements, F. D. Barker, Judge L. M. Resler, George Kidder and E. P. Wilson. The body will be taken to the cemetery from the church on a gun carriage drawn by two teams of horses, according to plans being made. The carriage probably will be brought to Pittsburg from Fort Scott. The firing squad of the American Legion of eight members will act as escort, and two other members will be on the horses. The few remaining G. A. R. veterans able to attend the services will follow immediately behind the carriage in cars. Hold Masonic Service The first part of the rites at the cemetery will be the ritualist service of the Masonic lodge. The legion firing squad will give the salute at the close. Judge Casad was able to recognize his immediate relatives at the bedside to the last yesterday as life slowly ebbed away. The Civil War veteran had made a long fight against losing odds, rallying several times during the past few weeks when his physician and family had given up hope for recovery. His condition as so weakened by his struggle, however, that he was able to make only a temporary recovery. Mr. Casad first became seriously ill April 3, and since that time had been unable to leave his room. He rallied several times after critical periods, and until the past few days had been able to sit in a chair and converse with friends. He became seriously ill Saturday, and Sunday hope was abandoned. The slight recovery Monday was only temporary, and his condition became gradually weaker. Despite his greatly weakened condition, Mr. Casad sent word to the American Legion post several days ago the he intended to be at the head of the Memorial Day parade.

Born in Illinois

Mr. Casad was born Jan. 31, 1846, in Clinton County, Illinois, where he spent his early life on a farm. He was only sixteen years old at the outbreak of the Civil War, but he enlisted in the 62nd Illinois Infantry under General U. S. Grant. Most of his service was in Arkansas and in the lower Mississippi sector. He participated in the engagements at Clarendon, Beauyo Metea, Ark, and the capture of Little Rock. His later engagements were fought under Major General Steele. Mr. Casad received his discharge in 1865 after three years service. He entered McKandree College at Lebanon, Ill., and worked his way through school. He taught for six years, and in 1876 was admitted to the bar. He later moved to Mesilla, N. M., where he practiced in the federal court and conducted a newspaper. He was a pioneer editor in the territory.
Mr. Casad was married Sept. 20, 1876, to Miss Allie Babcock, at Summerfield, Ill.

To Kansas in 1880

The couple came to Kansas in 1880 and settled at Beulah. Mr. Casad taught school however at Cherokee. He later moved to Opolis and in 1885 came to Pittsburg. Mr. and Mrs. Casad made their residence n the site of the present home after their arrival here, and had lived there more than 40 years. Their present home was built slightly less than 30 years ago, after their first home had been moved from the lot. Mr. Casad taught in the East Pittsburg school for several years, and later practiced law and a real estate and insurance business. He became postmaster in 1890, and served until 1894. He was captain of the first regiment of the Kansas national guard from 1891 to 1896. In 1898 he became the first and only mounted letter carrier in Pittsburg, taking mail to the outlying districts of the city. The veteran served at different times as police judge, city clerk and justice of the peace. He retired from the last position three years ago, when the city court was established. He had not been in active public life since that time. Mr. and Mrs. Casad celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1926. Mr. Casad was prominent in G. A. R. and political circles throughout the state. He was a speaker for the Republican national committee during several campaigns, and had traveled in all parts of Kansas.

Into G. A. R. in 1882

His first membership in the G. A. R. was in 1882, when he joined Shiloh post at Cherokee. He later transferred to the Pittsburg post, in which he has served many years as post adjutant and several terms as commander. Last year he was elected state senior vice commander, and was in line as commander this year. He was unable to be places as a candidate at the state meeting last week, however on account of his illness. Mr. Casad was an active member of the Methodist church, the Masonic lodge and the Modern Woodmen of America. He was the first president of the men’s bible class at the Methodist church. Survivors are the widow, Mrs. Allie Babcock Casad; four daughters, Mrs. Ethel Larkin of the home; Mrs. A. G. Hazen, 414 West Eighth Street; Mrs. F. A. Palmer of Joplin and Mrs. Charles Smith, Shreveport, La; and nine grandchildren, A. C. Hazen, Shreveport; Mrs. Ethel Clark; Joplin; James Hazen, Pittsburg and Patricia Palmer, Paul Palmer, Parker Palmer and Anna Palmer, all of Joplin and a great-grandchild, William Alfred Hazen, Richmond, VA. All the children except Mrs. Palmer were at the bedside at the time of death. Pittsburg Headlight, Friday Evening, May 25, 1928, p. 6, col. 3-4