Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1894-08-22
Mrs. Mary Earnest Drowned.
We republish the following by request

We republish the following by request.
On Saturday, August II, 1894, Mis-.
Mary Earnest left her elegant home at
Fullens, Tennessee, in company with
her sister, Miss Ellen Rhea, of Knox
vile, for Greeneviile.
They enjoyed the day together Mrs.
Earnest being very cheerful and.Lively)
with Mrs. Earnest's son, Rhea, who is
in the bank there, Miss Ellen Rhea
took No. 8, about 3 Pm. for her home
in Knoxville; Mrs. Earnest and her son,
Rhea, started from Greeneville about
D Am. for Earnestville to have a pleas
ant drive and talk in the cool of the
evening.
When they came to the first ford of
Sinking Creek nea Alton, found it
very much swollen from a recent hard
rain, but thought they could cross,
and when they went in, the water
rushed over the horse, then into the
buggy, washing them out; in trying to
keep above the water by clinging to
the buggy 1t was turned over and Mrs.
Earnest went under; Rhea was washed
down a few feet where he got hold Of a
limb and was finally rescued by a nan
on the bank. The horse was drowned
and buggy broken up. Mrs. Earnest's
body was found about one fourth of q
mile down the stream at 10 A. M.-four
hours after going under, lodged in
some drift.
Quite q number came from Greene
vile and all neighbors turned out to
assist in any way possible for which
the relatives are very grateful and
thankful. The remains were taken to
her home al GAINESVILLE, where the
funeral was preached by Rev. Bigler,
of Jonesboro, Sunday, August, 10, '94.
at a PM. Text: James 4:14; "For what
is your life. 1t is even n vapor, that
%appeareth for a little time, and then
it vanisheth." After the services the
interment took place at Ebenezer Gene
terry in the presence of a large con-
course of friends.
Mrs. Earnest was born at Blountville,
August IA, 1885; she was the daughter
of Samuel Rhea, one of Blountville's
best merchants and citizens. She
Joined the Presbyterian Church at
Blountville when fourteen years old,
and not only professed but lived an &C.
tive, progressive, Christian life for
forty four years, being fifty eight at
her death. She was united in marriage
to B. F. Earnest December 90. 1868, and
survived him seven years, living at
GAINESVILLE from her marriage to her
death. She leaves two sons-Rhea and
Nick, and n daughter, Elenor; four
living brothers; John L., Robert. M,
and w. L., in Knoxville, and j. B.
Rhea, in Marion, Va; also, three sis
ters-Mrs. +. A. Fain, Jonesboro, Miss
Ellen, in Knoxville, and Mrs. P. d.
Cowan, Canastota, New York. Mrs.
Earnest was a most noble, esteemed
woman; methodical and practical in
her household affairs, q loving, de.
voted, wife, and ever gentle, kind and
patient mother. She was q friend in
deed to the needy and friendless, ever
ready to administer to the poor, or at
tend willingly and cheerfully at the
bedside of the sick.
Indeed her character was we'll round.
ed up and one worthy of emulation.
None knew her but to love her; as one
has said of her-"her presence was a
benediction to ALL" Her very sudden
and mysterious death seems a strange
providence to us, but her mission on
earth was finished. May the many sor.
rowing friends take comfort from her
life, and not mourn for her as those
without hope.