The Wilmingtonian., 1884-07-05
Death of Miss Kate Bell.

Death of Miss Kate Bell.
For THE WILMINGToNIAN.
SMYRNA, July 2nd, 1SS4.-The announce
ment on Friday evening last of the death of
Miss Kate Bell, of Smyrna, cast gloom of
unusual intensity over this community and
it found responsive chords in many circles
in Wilmington and vicinity. The sadness
attending her death is extreme. A little
more than month ago she, in company
with her grandmother, Mrs. Rachel Hot
fecker, of Smyrna, started for Brookfeld,
Mo-, to make visit of month or two to
her uncle Joseph v. Hoffecker's family
She was also accompanied by her uncle
John II. Hoffecker, of Smyrna, as far as
Chicago. The trip out was thoroughly
enjoyed by Miss Kate, especially 50, since it
was her first journey West. Brookfield was
safely reached and the warm and hearty
greetings of the relatives received. After
spending four days of genuine social pleasure
Miss Kate on the fifth day suffered the
inconvenience of severe cold which devel-
oped into malaria and then rapidly into
cerebro-spinal meningitis. She was sick for
two weeks before she would allow those at
home to be informed of it. And when a
telegram was received by her mother on
Monday week ago, asking her to come on
at once the alarm thus occasioned was
intense. Mrs. Bell being so UNIV ell, the
family were unwilling for her to attempt the
journey and instead sent the family physi-
clan, DR.. w. J. Collins, who was also an
uncle of Miss Kate. The Doctor arrived on
Thursday morning at $3.50 and shortly after
sent dispatch that contained nothing to
encourage the family They were in mea-
sure, therefore, prepared to receive the next
day telegram announcing he. death which
occurred that morning at 1890. The gloom
that this dispatch occasioned was indeed
heavy, for in her death was removed one of
Smyrna's central figures and brightest social
gems. Miss Bell was held in the highest
esteem by her own community as well as by
the large circle of friends who knew her at
home, She was young lady possessed of
rare attractions, she was always full of life
and animation, sparkling with wit and
humor, possessing a mind broad in its grasp
and keenly quick in its comprehension of
whatever topic might be presented. She
had an excellent command of language and
was gifted with rare conversational powers.
Her exuberanG flow of spirits was most
remarkable; she seemed never to dcspond
or murmur at any fate. While very young
she passed through severe attack of scarlet
fever which left her with spinal trouble, and
though at times for years she has been amin
tense sufferer from this cause yet it was always
without murmur and with her happy dis
position and joyous temperament not one
whit abated. While at school at Troy, N.
| Y. she developed great taste for skill in
| painting and crayoning; her ambition in this
art has repeatedly been rewarded in the first
premiums she has won. Her own home
everywhere abounds with the artistic touch
Of her skilled fingers. She was young lady
whose energy and ambition far exceled her
strength, and often has she indulged in
social pleasure when her feelings demanded
the quiet and rest of her couch. Years ago
she became communicate Of the Episcopal
Church and as she was happy in life so was
she also in death. Her faith and trust in
her Saviour was her comfort in her conscious
hours before death. She had Just passed hel
Goth birth day. Her embalmed remains,
accompanied by her grandmother and uncle
reached Smyrna on Monday noon
and at o'clock of the same day
vast throng of relatives and friends gathered
to pay the last tribute of respect to hei
whom they had SO dearly loved and so highly
esteemed. She was inferred at GlcnwooC
Cemetery.
lB For the convenience of the readers o
TUE WILMINGToNIAN and to enable its stat
to enjoy the glorious Fourth with the
friends We have published this weeks isSu,
day earlier than usual.
18-The hum of industry is good thing
but there is some kind of industry that il
| nothing lint hmm,