The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-05-11
MIR. BEECHER's SISTER.



Mr.. Bcecher's talk last night was an obit-
uary address touching the supposed death Of
his sister Catherine. who. in n telegram from
Thomas X. Beechcr. In Emira. N. " to the
Row. Edward Bcechcr, was described rs dying.
" | have had IN invitation" Mr.. Beccher said.
:" from the authorities OF the town OF Franklin.
little place about thirty miles from Boston,
to attend centennial celebration there on
the 18th OF June The reason why |
have been invited is that tho town is
the birthplace OF Prof. Fisher Of Yale College.
who at one time was engaged to marry my sis
ter. Miss Catherine Beechcr. On voyage
which Prof. Fisher was making to Europe. the
ship ran upon the old head Of Kinsale. on the
south coast Of ireland. and he was lost. To-day
my brother Edward has received n telegram
from our brother Thomas X. Beccher saying
that my sister Catherine had been seized with
an apoplectic stroke. and was dying. BY this
time | suppose che Is dead and her earthly
troubles are over
ton with Prof, Fisher about 1922 was round
faced boy, and rccollect Icing curious and in
dustiyc In very Numbering way: ] rccollectt
J. can recall his figure. tall and slender with n
thin. pale face, not severe. but intense. after
member well-but this is nebulous-of the
time when the intimation was made to
me, me what he came for, but | remember
came of his death. can remember my sister 4
prostration and hopeless despair. There was
faith. She found that her religious views did
not sustain her. and she went into rebellion.
Shs, talksd Of her utter loss Of religious
children Of our family. There were thirteen
in all. but two died in infancy. MY brother
George was killed 10y the accidental discharge
OF gun. but the others were all living until to-
day-not one having fallen. Catherine was
born in 1900, and was ~ years old. The first to
IA hR nra In fafif hy nntt al
death. But the family have begun to crumble.
As shc could find no consolation in religion
her life having been done for before II was be-
gun-she determined 10 give her whole life for
the benefit Of others"
MIR. Bsccher snid i was useless TO speculate
upon what she would have done had she enter
ed into a marriage state and become n mother.
but no persons ever used their life more wholly
for others. She was educated in Litchncld.
under Sarah and Mary Pierce. and then she es-
tahlshed ladies seminary In Hartford. Most
Of her pupils turned out well he said. notwith-
standing that he was one OF them. He was nom-
nally scholar. but really a mischief ker.
In 1892 she went TO Cincinnati. and with Mrs.
stowe, started college there. devising n plan
70 supply the West with teAchers. She wrote
llfteen or twenty books in all, chiefly covering
female education or domcsticity. Her activity
WIS inccssant. her hope was unbounded. For
fifteen years or 50 she had been connected with
the Protestant Episcopal Church. She, like
eaEh. Though mothcrless. she was the
mother OF more children than any one
else; Having lost ~ her own househ.old
household OF others. He was thankful that
: he had gone suddenly for dying uncons cious
she was wnging that way which leads 10 etcr-
nal peace. whore there was no youth. no nge. no
decline. no death. no sorrow. no tears. He gave
her great Joy for her life work. and God great
thanks for having made her so fruitful.
The Rev Edward Bcccher read the following
telegram from his brother.
Catherine is dying-apoplccuc may not last the hour.
Have the elder brothers and any instructions 10
give me ~ To her iuneralt TnoNAs X. BtFCnkR"
The lady will be buried In Elmira on Monday.
The Rev. Edward Beecher will represent the
family at the funeral.