River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-07-23
FoREToLD HIS DEATH.
The Remarkable Prophecy of "a Hale and
Hearty Old Man


Valley Cottage, writes a Nyack. N.
L.. correspondent to the Cincinnati
1tfnes-Stdr, is a way station on the
West Shore railroad, midway between
this place and Rockland Lake. 1t takes
its name from hamlet, and the ham
let from the farm of John Ryder, who
was long the most prominent man in
the place. On June IL, Mr. Ry-
der died. and under circumstances that
have caused widespread comment
among the villagers. Mr.. Ryder died
after prophesying for three days that
June II would be his last day on earth
Mr.. Ryder was a wealthy farmer and
high official in the Methodist church
at Rockland Lake. He was rs years
old, and his ruddy cheek and clear
blue eyes gave no indication of APP
preaching dissolution. He used 10
boast that he had never been i'll day
in his life. Up to few weeks ago he
worked his farm, going out to pillow ut
daylight
One day he returned to the farm
house and seated himself in an arm
chair. When asked if he was i'll he
replied that he was not, but said: Il
have plowed my last; | have sowed my
last. Now. / feel that as have passed
beyond the threescore and ten the
good Lord allowed me, | shall not live
to see this harvest. Gods will be
done
His farm work fell into the hands of
hired men, and he mechanically re-
ceived their reports. All day lac walked
up and down the veranda, his head
sunk on his breast, deep in meditation.
Il am tired, he would say when
any of the neighbors or his relatives
rallied him on his actions. 81 shall
not live long. Soon | will tell you be-
forehand the day which shall be my
last.
On Tuesday. June 8, he called his
family around him and sent a servant
after the farm-hands, meanwhile pre-
serving calm demeanor. When all
had assembled he said in deep and i'm
pressye tones:
My friends, my time is drawing
nigh. My sands of life have nearly
run out. But two days more and | shall
not be with you. 1 have received
warning, and it portends death. My
friends, leave you with a life, | hope,
clear of crime and with a hope and a
belief in the infinite tenderness and
mercy of the true and living God"
Turning to Farmland. he said with
surprising energy: Harness up my
horse and buggy. Do it quickly"
When the vehicle was ready he sprang
in unassisted and drove to the little
burying-ground near by, owned by a i
few Of the old families in the neighbor-
hood. Arriving at the graveyard he
looked around, and, running to a |
mound whero there was pile of
stakes, he marked off the space in
which he wanted to be buried.
Driving home he did not spare the
horse, and when his house was reached |
he Immediately dispatched a servant
to Nyack for a lawyer who had done |
legal business for him before. In the |
note he said he wanted to draw up his |
will. He also ordered the man to bring |
an undertaken back with him. The un- |
dertaker came and jokingly measured |
the old gentleman. Now give me
your bill; | want to pay it now" he
said to the undertaken.
The surprised undertaken obeyed |
with reluctance and the old gentleman
paid he money down. The lawyer |
came after a second messenger had /
been sent for him. The will was duly |
drawn up, and after the instrument |
had been signed, giving the property |
in proportion to his children, he invi- |
ted the lawyer to come TO his funeral, t
as he was an old friend of the family, |
and also act as pall-bearer The law |
I,,t lxy faI 4
ton, thinking it was but within of his |
old client Mr.. Ryder tGen named |
three other men ho wanted to act as |
pall-bearers. in the lawyers presence
he named all the other details about
the funeral and l.a 10 disposition of his
ELECTS E;4d mentioned his
friends.
On the follow, lGg day ltr. Ryder sat
in his old armchair on the veranda
most of the time. During the night
he got up several times and
his family heard him walking through
the house. He was in his usual place
ia the morning and appeared to be in
his usual health.
Toward noon he called his family
around him, saying: my friends, |
am going. Good-by all, and God bless
you.
He then lay back in his armchair,
md gazing tenderly at his family,
gently closed his eyes. His lips moved
II prayer, and once again he opened
lis eyes and smiled, and again the eye
ids closed and all was still. Those
around him thought he was sleeping,
out when they called him he did not
answer. He was dead Many prorhi-
rent citizens of Nyack and vicinity
7ouch for the truth of the details of the
I'D gentleman demise. One of Mr.
Syder's sons, who is about 40 years of
lge, is prominent business man in
his city. Mr., Ryder was buried Satur-
lay, all his desires and requests being
followed.