The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1881-03-04
ORTIZ FAIRY.

idbHtAa 4atA. ~" "tA*f V'+1 ~ VIZ
early settlers of that then far Western
State. The family removed To Indiana
about the year 1884. In the spring of
1852, her mother then being in feeble
health, the family decided to remove to
Oregon. But, after all the arrange
ments were made for the journey, and
before they left the old home, tho moth
er died, leaving Martha, the eldest, in
charge Of large family Of brothers and
sisters, four of whom survive her. The
broken family came on to Oregon and
settled in Linn county.
On the l3th of April, 1858, the de
ceased was married to Mr.. Jas. II Fos-
ter, of Albany, one of Oregon's we'll
known and leading citizens Mrs Fos-
ter's life was distinguished by pure and
transformations piety. Herself and hus-
band were among tire first members of
the United Presbyterian Church in AL
bany, which was founded in 1853, un-
der the pastoral charge of Rev. James
p. Miller.
Deceased was an aticctionate wife, a
loving mother, and an unilinching
friend The poor and needy were
lia..s1 ,,.;tb L.r &. .buulapF ,naaua ap1
many are they who can never forget her
we'll timed charity. She leaves sor-
rowing husba nd, three sons and two
daughters TO mourn her loss, the Young
est of the children, George, being eight
cen years of age. Her health, always
delicate, was better during her later
years, and at the time Of her sudden
taking OF she seemed unusually well.
She had just attended the Woman Suf-
frage Convention and the State TEN
peranee Alliance in Portland, and had
hern happy guest at The writer's home,
where party was given in honor Of
h.r daughters on the evening e the
l7lh, which she enjoyed thoroughly.
Ga the follo&ing evening Friday she
returned 10 her he.n' ia ALBANY, le,H-
ine l.er daughters ta fuiah ;heir isit.
On Sabbath evening, February 20th,
while ler Ill, st daughter, Maggie, VA
assistin. Ia the temperance ms citing nt
the Congregational church IN Portland,
she was watching ~i'li sick relative
in Albany, and erioyine. ~ all thought,
better than usual health 1t midnight
she gave the patient some medicine, and
resumed her scat in an easy chair,
cheerfuIly remarking hat she bad slept
little ani would slee,, again An hour
passed, and the patient called, but could
not waken her The invalid threw a
spoon and hit the chair, and, failing to
arouse her, called her mother, Mrs. Bo-
dine, who was sleeping upstairs. Mrs.
g., deceased's sister-in-law, came down
and spoke to her, calling martha, but
got no answer Concluding she was
weary and overcome andi ought to re-
tire, Mrs i. went to her, and placing
her hand on her forehead, found it cold.
She tried to waken her, but the spark
of life had gone out Mrs Foster was
dead The features wore a pleased and
happy smile. She had passed away
from the scenes Of earth to the hal
lowed shades of the better land She
had evidently gone without suffering.
Heart disease, the doctors call it, had
snapped the brittle thread, and all was
over. Her husband was ut home await
ing her return, when the midnight mes
senger came with the sad news. Three
Of the family were in Portland, one OF
whom intended to be absent some days
longer. The young ladies, Maggie and
Matte, left the house of the writer on
the 7:30 a. m. train, homeward bound,
and with no premonition of the brood
ing shadow that ovcrhung their happy
| hearts. The absent son, James, was
telegraphed In time TO take the train
for home, instead of the Vancouver
boat, az he had intended. Tine daugh-
tiers knew nothing Of their loss until
informed by the conductor of the train,
and could not learn the particulars till
they reached home. At 9:25 on Mon
day morning, two hours after the young
ladies were gone from Portland, a dis
patch from the eldest son, Robert, was
received by the writer, who took the
evening train for Albany, and four
hours later was kneeling beside the
marble form of one whom she had
learned to love and honor beyond the
power of words to tell. Where shall
we look upon her like again What
friend so firm, so true, SO noble, SO un-
ninching, SO un1inching, so nnselfsh as
she ? Her death has cast a gloom over
the entire State. Her family are
bowed beneath a load of trials, but
they sorrow not as those that have nc
hope. They know that it is well with
her, and that the pure in heart shall
see God. She died, as she had lived
doing good. True friend, faithful wife,
loving mother, trusting Christian, hail
and farewell Mrs. d. S. Daniaoay, ~
! NJ