St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-01-12
RECENT DEATHS.

st. JOhnsbury will learn with deep
sadness of the death of Mrs. Homer E.
Sa wyer, which occurred near Genoa,
Italy, last week. Mrs. Sawyer's maiden
name was Sarah Letitia Parker and
she was born in scarborough, Mass,
Dec. IL, 1889. In girlhood she attain
ed distinction as a singer. At the age
of l0 she married Homer E. Sawyer of
st. Johnsbury where her early married
life was spent and where her rich, mu-
sical voice was heard every Sabbath in
church and frequently from the CON
cert platform. The following tribute
to her memory was written by G. c..
Coffin, the author and lecturer-a near
neighbor and warm personal friend of
Mrs. Sawyer for many years: In 1864
Mr.. and Mrs. Sawyer removed to New
Orleans, where Mr.. Sawyer had enter
ed upon the management of sugar
plantation, having been appointed by
the military authorities provost mar
shall OF large territory in the sugar
producing district. Mrs. Sawyer gave
herself to work in the hospitals Union
and Confederate alike-mnistering to
the wants of the sick, singing the songs
they loved to hear; winning their love
by her unselfish devotion. On one oc-
casion, when II charity concert was to
be given in the Opera house, her SER
vices were solicited and freely promis-
ed, but the local manager desired to
announce her as having received her
musical education in Europe. "But |
am from Boston, and received my ed
ucation there" "Our people do not
like Boston, and [ wish to announce
you as from Europe" every well
then | will not sing" The manager
acQuiesced; but it was whispered that
the lady from Boston would be Missed
but it came about, however, that the
misses were drowned by storm of ap-
plause-the audience resenting the at
tempted insult to one who had been to
friend and foe alike an angel of mercy.
The yellow fever prevailing, Mrs. Saw
yer came North with her infant son,
while her husband fell before the dis
ease. With great force of character,
persistence of purpose and desire to be
of benefit to the world, she bade fare
we'll to ease and comfort, visited Eng
land and became IL pupil of Bandiger,
and Nine. Santon Dolby, spending
nearly two years to prepare herself us
Il teacher of vocal music, at once at
tanning an exalted position upon her
return. She had no desire for the op-
era. OF deeply religious spirit, she de-
sired to give herself solely to the in
depreciation of that class of music
which would meet the social and re-
ligious wants of the community. For
nine years she was c0ntralto in the
quartet of the Shawmut Congregation
al church, during the pastorate of E.
b. Webb, d. D., ever rendering acesp-
table service by the deep, rich tones
of her we'll trained voice and by her
lofty conception of the meaning of re-
ligious service of song. On several oc-
casions she Was soloist for the Handel
and Hayden and other societies, but
ever with reluctance. She was not
unmindtul of the appreciation of her
friends, but ever shrank from receiv-
ing applause from the public. Mrs.
Sawyer was endowed with high quail
ties of character, and entered upon her
work us teacher with IL conscientious
regard for her pupils, who came from
all sections of the country to perfect
themselves in vocal culture under her
instruction. That she might not fall
behind in her methods, she visited
Europe in 1875, and became again a
pupil of the best teachers. The vital
force lavishly given out i'm teaching be-
gan to wane, and in June last, accom-
panied 10y a few of her pupils, she sail
ed for Europe, making her home, un-
der medical advice, in Berlin. The
hoped-fo return of strength had not
been realized, and she departed for
Italy, to enter, suddenly and unexpect
edly to her friends, upon the rest eter-
nal, leaving ii son, entering vigorous
manhood, father, far advanced in
years, sister, two brothers, and Il
wide circle of friends, to mourn their
irreparable loss.
NELSON. Major Thomas Nelson died
at his home in Ryegate Monday after
noon at the age of ~. Though he had
been in the enjoyment of rather more
than his usual health during the fall,
he had not been we'll the past few
weeks and was obliged to take to his
bed the first of last week. His trouble
was called diphtheria, and he was a
great sufferer at the last. Major
Nelson was born near the spot where
he died and has always made Ryegate
his home, excepting the period when
he served in the war. Before that
time he was well known throughout
the county and state as colonel of the
militia. In 1861 he enlisted in the
Third vt. regt. as captain and was
with his regiment when it rendezvOused
here. Later on he was advanced to
the rank of major, a title by which he
has been known since the war. He
was man of pronounced views and
sterling character, who made his in
huence felt through life. A democrat