The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1880-05-14
Death of a Pioneer.

MIS-. DOflnua w ltnlnSlon, vile OF
Charles II. Wilmington, of Allen, Lyon
county, died Sunday, May 9th, 1880, of
quick consumption, aged upwards of Ga
years.
DOrinda White was born in Hamilton
county, Ohio, near Cincinnati, on the
eth of January, 1916 She moved from
there with her parents to Sangamon
county, Illinois, in 1921. Her father
afterwards bought the land on which
Nashville, ILL.,, now stands, and moved
to it. In 1885, Miss White went to Bur
lington, Iowa, when it was mere viii
lage, to live with her brother. Here she
became acquainted with Mr.. Withing-
ton, and married him on the 31sf of De
cember, 1887, her husband being then
engaged in business in Burlington. In
December, 1888, Mr.. Wilmington was
employed in government service among
the Sac and Fox Indians, and was sent
Agency City. In the spring of 1S43 the In
dian agency was moved to what was then
known as Raccoon fork of
the Des Moincs river, where the city of
Des Moines now stands. Mrs. Withing-
ton was one Of the first, if not the first,
white woman to settle ut Des Moines.
In 1874 George T. Wilmington was born
there, and this was the first white male
birth at what is now the thriving city of
Des Moines. In the spring of 1916 the
Indians gave up their reservation in the
Dies MOines country, came to Kansas,
and located mt their well known agency
in Franklin county. Mr. Wilmington
was still in the employ of the govern
ment, and came with them, bringing his
family. After remaining at the agency
about five years, and in 1851, Mr.. With
ington was appointed L. s. mail agent
on the great overland route from indie
pendence, Mo, 10 Santa Fe, and moved
with his family to Council Grove, Kan
sas, where his headquarters were located.
In 1854 the family settled on 142 creek,
at Allen, in this county. This whole
country was then IN unsurveyed apd un-
settled wilderness.
ington's whole life, except the last ten or
fifteen years, was that of a pioneer.
AS such she was known to the army
officers and traders of the western plains,
and was beloved and respected by all for
her acts of kindness and deeds of char
ity. Her opportunities TOR doing good
were always improved. She was an ac-
complished housekeeper and the weary
pioneer traveller found at her home
welcome and words of cheer and encour-
agement. Not even the humblest tramp
was ever turned away from her door
cold or hungry, or suffering for anything
In her power to <bcstow. The record of
her life was made up of good deeds I'M
OstentatiOusly done, and no doubt but
that she was welcomed to her happy
home with, well done, good and faith
| full servant"
| She had been in poor health ever since
last fall About two months ago she
grew much worse, and it was evident
the relentless disease, consumption, had
set in and was sapping her life away.
She was a kind and indulgent mother, "A
faithful and loving wife; and during her
long illness she was comforted by the
affectionate attentions of her husband
and son, George, who watched by her
bedside constantly. Though she suffered
almost untold agOnies, she breathed
her last with her face wreathed
with the smile OF triumph which denotes
that all is well with the dying. She
was buried on the homestead, where for
90 years she had labored for the comfort
of her family and friends. Kind neigh
bors did all in their power to alleviate
her sufferings and minister to the strick-
en- family, who wish us 10 return their
heartfelt thanks to all for their many
acls of kindness during the long illness
of the deceased, and especially do they
name Mrs. Eugene Marcy, who stood by
the bedside of the dying wife and mother
almost constantly, and whose aid did SO
much TO relieve their SORROWS.
A husband and four children, the lat
ter as obedient and affechonate as a
mother was ever blessed with, survive
her. The second son, Albert, lives in
Council Grove The daughters, Mrs
Kate Ufbug, and Mrs. Ellen Hayden
live in Colorado. To these we, in com
} mon with their wide circle of friend:
and acquaintance, tender our sympa
thies in their hour of irreparable loss.