The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-01-11
Sudden DEATH.

After the death Of Hon. John V. a. Hoes, in
this city, in November last, the family being on
the eve of breaking up and moving elsewhere,
his aged widowed sister, Mrs. Mary Van Schaak,
took boarding with Mr. John Batcheller, IN the
northeastern part of the city. Having passed
the allotted three score years and ten, she was
subject to the intirmtics Of that age, yet enjoyed
comparatively govd health and in her new home
was cheerful and comfortable. Some ten days
ago, however, she took a slight cold, and it APP
peared to affect her breathing-sOmewha like
thma. Last Saturday evening, however, she
cmed unusually well and cheerful and remained
up reading until 1890. Then she retired and
n Xt morning, not appearing ut breakfast, was
ound in her room dead. The position in which
she was found and her appearance indicated that
she had choked from secretion from her lungs
combined with the helplessness of old age. And
40 coroner's jury, which was subsequently sum
moned, found.
Mrs Van Setback was in comparatively COM
Portable circumstances, over $4,000 in cash and
certificates of deposit being found in her trunk.
Her funeral took place from the Presbyterian
Church, of which she was n member, on Tues
day, and was attended by the widow Of her de-
ceased brother, the late J. V. A. Ho S, (who now
resides at Egin,) Mrs. Peak, her niece, Mr.. Van
Schaak, of Galesburgh, step son, and friends
and acquoin'Hnces Of this city. Mrs. Van Schaak
was Originally !;.uu Undertook, y. Y. and Il
niece of ex.Presidcn; Martin Van Buren,.
One of the most interesting cases thus far dc
cided by the Appellate Court in this city during
the present term is that Of Fred Richards v 5. w.
Raymond county treasurer, etc. This was a
case bi ought on writ Of error from the La Sale
Circuit Court the original bill being for an in
| junction 10 restrain the collection OF 4 high
school tax The bill recites that the orator Fred
erick Richards, Is a resident Of congressional
township 81, 3, which includes AL of the town Of
Bruce and a part Of the town of Eagle; that he
owns real estate in said township-aJoutt two see
tions-on which was levied high school tax Of
about s42; that on the llth III April 1874 Il high
school was established in Strcator, under the
high school act, in addition I" the district com
mon schools in which are afforded ample oppor-
tunity for all children to acquire " common
school education," the high school being for the
benefit Of II few only, who therein are able 10 get
Il higher education than is given in the district
schools: that said high school is situated many
miles from the orator and announcement both 70
him and most people living outside the village Of
Strrator, and no advantage 10 his children; that
the course Of study therein pursued has no place
| in the common school, contemplated 10y the state
const tuition: and further that q high schoo! -
not Il part of the common school system author
lid hy the constitution. In the brief counsel
saws the only power given by the constitution for
/ The, maintenance of common schools Is Sec. 81
Art \ of the Constitution, which says that " the
general assembly shall provide thorough aud
eff tent system oi common schools, whereby al!
In children of the state may receive good com
mon school cduchliou;" that common school
education" means X. s 953) knowledge Of ''or-
biography reading in English, pcnmanship, ar
lnhme,ic English grammar, modern geography,
element, Of natural scicncc, history of the l. :,
| yhysiu'nys and the laws Of health The court
ai!irr I'd the jud rmcut of the court below, ho!d
.n- The valid : III the tax, and affirming the con
.. ai.y uf the hgh school act, X. ;. "o'.
! AID all other cities will, pt cOurse, -
! ..'. r,-aiiir.nutiOu of the legality oil 4