Helena weekly herald., 1888-09-13
LOCAL NEWS
From the Daily Herald OF September 6.
Death of Miss Bernice Cannon.


Miss Bernice Cannon, daughter of Mr.
and Mre. C. w. Cannon, died at her fathers
home in this city this morning at 8 o'clock.
She had spent a night of great agony, and
the morning brought her no rest. About
Z o'clock her sight began to fail and in an
hour it was so dim that she could scarcely
distinguish the faces of the devoted friends
around her. She complained of feeling
queer" and at 8 o'clock, while the family
were at breakfast, she called for her
mother. Mrs. Cannon hastened to her,
and the daughter lovingly lid her head
upon her mothers brsast. She looked up
to say that she felt very peculiar and
thought she must be dying-the first init
nation she had given OF consciousness OF
her approaching end-and without another
word expired. Her consciousness remained
until the last moment. A hush fell upon
the household as the presence of death was
felt for the first time in happy home, and
then the sad preparations for the last rites
were begun. The lifeless remains were
laid out by loving hands while kind
friends ministered with sympathetic
hearts to the grief-stricken mother.
Preparations are making for the funeral,
which will be held on Sunday afternoon at
o'clock. A casket has been telegraphed
for to the East.
Bernice Martinique Cannon was born In
Helena, in the house where she died, on No
vember 10th, 1869, and was but Is years
and nine months old. She was the eldest
child and only daughter of her parents and
may be said to have been their idol. She
was fair daughter of Montana and grew
up from baby hood in Helena In her
childish days she was called birdie"
ard from the time she was
able to talk became the pet of an admir-
ing neighborhood. Bright and pretty in
childhood, she developed into clever and
beautiful girl. Her health was always
delicate, and this, combined with her noble
instincts, tlower-like beauty, and intelll-
gent character endeared her still more to
loving family and friends. Four years
ago she was sent East to school at Garden
City, Long Island and here she was first
attacked with the malady that finally
caused her death. She was so i'll then that
physician despaired of her life, but rallied
sufficiently to return home, where she
seemed to grow better in this healthful
climate. But Bright's disease of the kid
neys was sapping her life's blood, and
Death did not relinquish, but only post
poned his victory. After few brief years
of happy life at home, clouded only by
the periodical recurrence of her malady,
she was stricken down about four
months ago with last attack.
With determination unparalleled
in one so young and with an un-
complaining bearing under her sufferings,
she clung TO life in marvellous manner.
Her vitality was wonderful and it was
only inch by inch that she yielded up her
precious life. Many times she was so low
with attacks of heart failure that the doc
tors thought she could not live an hour,
but each time she rallied to begin the
battle over again. Her wasted forces
finally succumbed and this morning she
yielded to the dread disease, breathing out
her spirit without a struggle.
The end had been expected for some
time, though the invalid would not ac-
knowledge that it was approaching.
Though conscious of her condition, she
stOutly maintained that she would not die
and hoped until the last. For all that her
death falls hard blow upon her idOlizing
parents, with whom all Helena will deeply
sympathize. They guarded their beloved
child like treasure and spared nothing to
effect her cure. Now the impending
calamity has come and they are lett moth
ing but the memory of lovely daughter,
who was all that dutiful child could be.
Many warm friends beside the family will
mourn her untimely demise. Miss Mary
Clarke, of Butte, who has been at her bed
side for MONTHS was as sister to her and
is grieved as over the death of one of her
own blood. In Helena society the de-
parted was universal favorite and her
numerous friends will grieve profoundly |
over the sad event. Death could not have
claimed better loved object nor created
more widespread sorrow in the hearts of
sorrowing friends. The fair, young life is |
ended and a universal prayer goes up for
peace and rest to the innocent spirit in |
higher realms.