Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-06-14


the household Of its proprietor, snatching
from it with suddenness and ruthless
ness which gives peculiar poignancy to
the affection, a much loved and cherish
ed inmate. The victim was Mrs. Louisa
NJ. Markham, "a widowed sister of the wife
of the editor of this paper, who, since
the death Of her husband, in Marshall,
Mimi, eight months since, has found a
home and warm place in the hearts of
her relatives in this city Mrs Mark
ham was in feeble health, having suffer
ed from asthma for many years, her
nervous system being much impaired.
On Monday evening Of this week, she
was, as was her wont, cheerful and hap
py, with no unusual symptoms Of suf-
fering or discomfort. About 10 o'clock
P. NJ, the family being called from the
house very few minutes, Mrs. Mark
ham was left alone in care of the young
est members of the family, one of them
boy Of three years, who has been sub
ject to, but is gradually recovering from,
spasms of epileptic character. On this
occasion he was seized with slight
spasm, which so shocked and overcame
his aunt, that she also went into con-
vulsions, falling PROSTATE on the floor
across the child. The other children
gave the alarm, and in a moment Mrs.
Toman was by the side of her sister,
whom she found gasping for breath, and
incoherently endeavoring to call atten-
ton to the child. Surprising her to be
momentarily overcome by fright, Mrs.
T. tried to soothe and reassure her, at
the same time caring for the child. But
the frightened woman soon became I'M
conscious, and when the writer, enter
ing the house moment later, took, her
in his arms and sought to apply restor-
atives, the death rattle was already
sounding in her throat. DR.. Wilson
was summoned within Is minutes Of
the occurrence, but, upon application of
the usual tests, could discover no signs
OF life.
A post nortem examination dissipat-
ed the theory that death resulted from
affection of the heart or lungs. 1t is
highly probable that it was caused by
the shock, in other words, from pure
fright, thing not unlikely to occur,
considering Mrs. Markham's shattered
nervous organization.
Mrs Markham was possessed of many
estimable traits of character, among
them happy temperament and an af-
feetionate nature, which no suffering
and she had her share of suffering in
this world-could ruff1e or disturb. By
these traits, she endeared to her all
with whom she came in contact, but it
is only the household that was the re-
cipient of her daily kindnesses and self
sacrifice, that could truly appreciate
her. In their hearts her sudden taking
off inflicted wound it will take long to
heal. Mrs. Markham was a consistent
member of the Episcopal church, and
jealous and faithful in the performance
of all christian duties. Her only child,
is son Of about %, who resides in the
State of New York, to whom she was
tenderly attached, and to whom the sud
den death of an affectionate mother will
be a cruel blow indeed. Other relatives
in Ballston, N. Y, and Hebron, Neb.,
will receive the tidings of her death
with tears of bitter anguish.
The remains of Mrs. Markham rest in
a shady spot in lakewood Cemetery, the
funeral taking place on Wednesday.
The services were conducted by her
pastor Rev. 7. B. Kemp, of St. James
church.