The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-12-01
Sudden Death of MRS. VIM. T. Bail.


It is seldom that this community has
been more profoundly shocked nor its
sym pathies more keenly aroused. than
this Tuesday. Nov. 30tb) morning when
it became known that Mrs. VIM. Z. Ball
had quietly passed away during the pre-
vlous night, without the knowledge even
of her devoted husband who slept by her
side.
The facts touching the sad calamity are
briefly these: Years ago, Mrs. Bal was
afflicted with occasional attacks or Qulnsy
sore throat, from which she suffered more
or less severely, until about SIX years
since, when she seemed to haye been
perfectly cured.
From that time until Wednesday last
week she had little or no trouble with her
old disease. On Tuesday, the 23d, she
drove over to Davenport and probably
caught cold, as on the following day she
complained of her!throat, Thinking 1t might
be premonitiou of a return OF ner ola
malady she resorted to the use OF certain
home remedies with which she was faml-
liar. Unfortunately. as was afserWards
found, the trouble was OF different char-
acter. She continued to grow worse. hav-
ing much difficulty in breathing. eating
but little food, restless and sleepless at
night, although continuing 10 move about
the house during the day until yesterday
Monday.
Becoming seriously concerned as to his
wifs's condition. Mr.. Ball on Monday
called in DR., Morey. The Doctor exam
med her throat and promptly Informed
Mrs, b :, that the disease was not qulnsy
sore throat: it was of a different type,
being farther back and is described as
dropsical effusion in the tissue beneath the
mucous membrane above the vocal
chords"
DR., Morey left prescription, which wa:
duly administered during the day:
but without the expected good
results. About eight O'Clock IL
the evening, Mr. Ball again called on thc
Doctor who feeling that the chief thing Il
bs secured for Mrs. Ball was rest. pre-
scribed preparation OF choral to be glveI
at intervals of one half hour. Mr.. Bal
gave ,his wife four doses, as directed
Finding that the medicine failed to brln'
sleep, b called DIR. Mercy to the house
This Doctor remained about IA hour
during which he gave Mrs. Ball tvs
more doses of choral and watched III
effect. Seeing that she continued nervous
and sleepless. he returned to bis flee anC
/ prepared four morphine powders, will
4 Instructions that one should be admins
tered each hour until she fell asleep
After taking one of the powders Mrs. Bal
telt easier, told her husband that sh
coald now sleep and asked him 10 come t.
bed as his own Test had been greatly dis
turbed during the past week,
This was near midnight. Mr. Bal
retired IN few minutes. bis wife sleepini
calmly and apparently breathing NOR
freely. Mr.. B. soon slept soundly AM
did not awake until about o'clock in tn
morning and awoke only to find his belove
companion calmly sleeping the sleep tina
knows no waking. The silver thread va
broken.
Mrs. Ball lay 10 an easy, natural posi-
ton, her eyes closed. her right arm throw
over the pillow and the LETT lying by he
iside, There was no Indication of an
struggle or any pain in the dissolution.
seemed as though she simply fell asee
and failed TO wake.
Ii is needless TO attempt TO describe o
to assuage the anguish of the grief stricke
. home, with its widowed father aud it
orphaned children Only those who's
! hearts have suffered like sffiction ca
realize its bitterness.
BIOGRAPHICAL
. Ellen Martin was bern 10 Rochester, VI
Feb. Is. 1899 She was married to VIM
T. Ball at the home eff her parents. Christ
mas Eve, 1864. In the spring of 1877
they removed to Moline where they hav
since resided. Three children have bee
born to them: daughter, 4 years of az
next January: son of years and It'll
Y girl OF some 20 months. Mrs. Ball
parents are still living ia Vermont. whor
= she also has a brother and sister
Another brother and sister live 10 lows
and brother in California,
THE FUNERAL.
will take place FROM the residence o
! Main St. tomorrow. w ednesday afternoo
? at 2 O'Clock Rev +. G. Barnard wi
conduct the services
hrs. Ball was q woman of rare qualitit
as a wife, mothers neighbor and frient
She was OF cheerful tom perament.p plea!
q ing manners kind, social sac generous
g She will be long remembered, not only b
her family and their intimate associate
but by all WHO enjoyed her acquaintanc,
e Moline Dispatch Sct1.
2 Il