Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-10-29

last illness and death:
Los ANGELES, CAL, |
October 7, 1891. J
ORvILl.E AND DIR, DEAR BROTHERS.
Ned wishes me to write the particulars
of our dear fathers last illness and death.
You have known for long time of
fathers failing strength, his loss of flesh
and his great suffering. For the last
three or four months the cramps were
usually from a week to ten days apart.
Last week he had three attacks in sue
on-Wednesday, Thursday and
Friday. Although they were compara-
lively light ones, his nervous system
was SO completely shattered and his
strength SO exhausted, that it was i'm
possible for him to rally. His charac-
teristic force and spirit was shown to
the last; he would not give up and re-
main in bed. We had to induce him to
stay there Thursday, and as it grew
toward evening he wanted to get up and
sit in the parlor, SO | assisted him to
dress and he sat up for couple of hours.
He ate supper with us at the table and
seemed cheerful and natural although
he bore the trace of great suffering in
his face. Thursday night was very
uncomfortable one for him, and Friday
morning he suffered SO much that the
doctor had to put him under the inf1u-
ence of opiates. He became uneon-
II IL, nd 1ai a
until about midnight, when he opened
his eyes and tried to move his hands,
but nature was too exhausted to rally.
In a few moments he became uncon-
scious again and this condition lasted
until the end-Saturday at $40 p. IN.
It would have been great comfort if
he had known us at the last and could
have spoken to US. The doctor used
every means in his power to restore him
to consciousness-wo worked over him for
hours-but with no effect whatever.
Still after seeing his agony for so long,
we cannot be otherwise than thankful
that the end was so peaceful; he just
slept his life away, without single
struggle, and his dear old face took on
such a serene and beautiful expression
an hour or so before his death. l know
that though he was passing through the
dark waters, ONE was with him who
guided his weary feet to the shores of
eternal rest.
The funeral service was held Monday,
Oct. 5th, at D. M, in the little home III
which he took so much interest and IN
which he was so dearly loved. Although
he was SO far from old time friends and
kindred, many sincere friends and ad-
mirers came to pay the last tribute OF
respect and affection. The house was
full as it could hold, and nearly every
one brought some lovely floral offering.
He looked as if he mad fallen asleep
among the flowers.
Mr.. Knighten, the minister who offici-
ated. is a Methodist, a Mason and a q.
A. r. man. The service was short,
simple, impressive and very comforting.
He read the Goth Psalm and part of the
10Th chapter of Ii Corinthians, made a
beautiful address and prayer. We had
two lovely duets by two of the finest
singers in town-SJesus Lover of My
Soul" and ''Oh Paradise were the
selections. The members of the R. A
lodge acted as pail bearers and escort
He is laid to rest in lovely spot-the
dear mother was laid 1t is in Rosedale
cemetery and on the brow of gentle
slope The service at the cemetery was
brief. "Nearer My God to Thee" was
sung as the coffin was lowered. The
Methodist burial service WAS read, an
other hymn sung and then as we left
t'Praise God From Whom All Blessings
Flow" 1t was sweet and touching.
He had expressed himself as pleased
with the singing we had at mothers bur
ial service, and SO it seemed fitting tha
as we gathered around his last restin!
olace the same comforting hymns shoul(
be sung. The dear babies that he lovet
SO much were present at the service ant
were as good and quiet as though the.
realized something of the soleRanity o
the occasion.
About two months ago we were talkin'
together alone, and he said to me il
nearly these words: "Do you know
Mable for good many years back
have been almost skeptical concerning
many things in the Bible, and while
have always had the highest respect TO
my mothers religion, and realized tn
value of Christianity to society and th
world, | could not accept it. But now
see it in such different light. Th
Bible is spiritual book and must b
spiritually interpreted. and that is wha
have never done before. I can accer
it now from beginning to end" An
then he added with such smile Of sal
isfaction: ''And you don't know what
comfort it is to me that l can" It mad
me think of what he told me long ag
in talking of his mother. He said the
had been talking together OF religion, {
points IN which they did not think alik
and she said to him at the last some
thing like this: ou are going to see