Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-02-27
IN IA Ell yyRI4M.
Ernest off.


Our community experienced sudden
shock Saturday afternoon by the receipt
of message announcing the death of
Ernest Off, a Watertown boy, the son Of
the late Capt. Ernest Off. The shock
was the more severe, as with the excep-
ton of brief note addressed to the edi-
tor of the REPUBLICAN, speaking of his
serious sickness, and the contents IF which
had not been made known, no one was
acquainted with Ernests illness. The
message was received by Amos Baum and
the news quickly spread. By the time
the train arrived all arrangements had
been completed. Sympathizing friends
were ready to smooth as well as possible
the rough path over which the stricken
ones must traverse and by the kindly and
attentive anticipation of every need did
much to assuace the pain of this sad
homecoming, and render lighter the bur
den of grief. The story of Ernest's illness
was brief, but particularly sad. At the
time he was stricken down with what
proved a fatal illness, ne was residing in
Milwaukee. with his sister. Mrs. Geo. P.
Mathes. He had been there but a few
DAYS having come from Lancaster, Wis,
to take position On the Evening Wis
c)nsin. Two weeks ago Monday, he was
taken suddenly i'll with what appeared a
simple chill. A physician was summon
ed and by Wednesday he had so improved
| that he was expected to be out in another
day or two But the insidious disease
was still working in his system and FRI
day morning it was found necessary to
summon the physicians for second time.
Front that moment on, Notwithstanding
he had some of the best medical skill
Milwaukee afforded at his bedside, he
continued to grow worse, and Satur-
day morning al half past two the
worn and wearied soul fed back to its
God The remains were brought out
on the o'clock train Saturday EVENING
and taken to the house where The casket
VS. opened that friends might take last
look at the once bright, brave young face
now silent in death. The funeral cere-
monies took place Sunday afternoon at 4
O'clock, from St. Paul's Episcopal church
They comprised simply the sweet but i'm
pressive burial service of the church of
which the deceased was member, inter
spersel with the hymns paradise" and
Lead Kindly Light rendered by the
surpliced choir with feeling and pathos
which went to the hearts of all who lis
tened The .casket lay Immediately in
front Of the chancel. On the center lay
bouquet of rosebuds, twenty two in
number, typifying the years which de-
ceased had lived. At the foot of the
casket was beautiful pillow with the
word "Rest," the gift Of Mrs. A, Lam
d luer, of Milwaukee. In vases on the
altar were two lovely bouquets, the offer
ings of Mrs A. Solliday and Miss Sue
Cady. At the conclusion Of the second
| hymn the remains were taken up by the
p Ill bearers, Messrs. Henry Bieber, Albert
smith, George Hawkins and Theodore
D0bbratz and placed in the hearse.
The funeral procession then formed and
repaired to Oak Hill Cemetery where the
closing services were held and the re-
mains deposited for the present in the
vault. The sweet evening hymn,
''Softly now the light of day, fades upon
my sight away" was sung by the boy
choir Of st. Pauls church as a parting
tribute and there appeared to be a pecu-
liar appropriateness in these words as at
that moment the last rays of the setting
sun were fading away under the gray
banks of clouds to the westward. Ernest