Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-02-05
WITHOUT WARNING
Dr. y. W. Cowden's Summons From
Earth.
AT THE BEDSIDE OF HIS PATIENT.
while Administering to the SUFFERING
He Himself Passes beyond the
Aid OF Human .skilI-sEetcb
OF His Life.

0"Piineu than In the case of the death of
Dr. ). W. Cowden. of this city, at II 30
last night, While in apparently his bes,
spirits, flushed with the knowledge Of
having accomplished one of the most DEL
lcate operations known to the profession,
the grim reaper seized him snd he fell at
tne bedside of his patient, over whom he
had Kept faithful vigil throughout the
entire day, and to whom he had at last
brought relief and comfort. 1t was at the
home Of John Bollman. s13 Second ave.
nue., that DR.. Cowden's death occurred.
Mrs. Bollman had, throush his skill. ms,
oeen delivered of child, and the case
mad been one that had commanded the
constant attention of the doctor. Not
since 2 o'clock Yesterday morning had he
left her bedside for an instant and after
he had accomplished most difficult de-
livery and was leaning over his patient, he
asked for lamp. AS it was brought to
him he suddenly sank by the side of the
bed snd was gone. expiring without a
word or moan. DR.. Eyster was sum-
moned and he employed every possible
means of resu:citstiou, but to no avail
the doctor was desd. He b ad expired
from heart failure
The remains were taken in charge by
Undertaken Knox, who prepared them
for burial and this morning the body was
conveyed TO the doctors late home on the
second floor of Star block. Seco nd ave,
nue. and Eighteenth street.
DR.. Cowden was born at Wellington,
Pa, April 5, 1897. He received a com.
mon school education and in his early
youth came west as far as Ohio, where he
taught school aud earned enough money
to lit himself for the profession that he
sfterward adopted After graduating
from q medical college in Cincinnati he
started west again inten ding to locate in
California. and on his way stopped in ST.
Louis just at the time the cholera epl-
demic was raging in 1s47. There he
practiced i'll the hospitals of that city until
the end of the epidemic, after which he
went on to California and became inter.
ested in mining operations in 40. He
also practiced his profession and became
noted for his skill in surgery, reports of
which have since been published in many
medical works. California not being to
his liking he turned his face east ward and
began the practice of his calling at Bell
vue. Iowa, but had just got settled at the
breaking out of the war, and was ap,
pointed chief examiner Of hospitals under
Gen. Grant While holding this appoint
ment he travelled extensively in the south
and at the close of the war went to Chi.
cago, where he entered Rush Medical COL
lege and graduated on Feb 5, 1868. He
afterward practiced in different hospitals
in Chicago, Cleveland and Cincinnati, re-
turning again to Bellvue. Iowa. and en-
tered actively in pursuit Of mis- profe ssiop.
But overwork broke him down and in
1874 be he was stricken With paralysis
and was obliged to give up, but there was
still so much demand for his services that
he decided to lesve Bellevue, and in 1875
he came to Rock Island to rest, with
the intention o. giving up the practice of
medicine. On regsining strength he
yielded TO calls for his services. and be-
fore he fully realized it q large and
lucrative practice had sprung up about
him. For short period DR.. G. L.
Eyster was associated with him, but
after the dissolution of the partnership
he remained alone. About six years ago he
was again obliged to give up as a conse.
quence OF cancerous growth in the
mouth, and for which he was obliged to
suffer surgical operation. which proved
successful and since which time he has
again been.engsged in active practice.
DR.. Cowden was remarkably
successful as practitioner, and also
gained considerable reputation as a sur,
geon. In fact ne occupied q front
rank among the medical fraternity of the
state and was one of Illinois representa-
tives at the International Medical con.
gress held in Berlin last summer. He
was peculiarly devoted to his patients,
especially where the ailment was of a
serious or threatening nature. and was
often known to remain in house of sick
ness day and q night at time, taking
upon himself the entire care and nursing
of the sick one. and administering with
the same tenderness and devotion that
was shown in his last case on earth.
The doctor was great traveller. hav-
ing crossed the plains twice. the last
time two years ago, when it will be re-
membered ne furnished THE ARGUS a Sc
ries of letters of his journeyings. He al,
so travelled extensively for health and