The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-12-08
DEATH OF MRS. e. L. REXFORD.

After the paper of last week went to
the press. tidings came of the death of
Mrs DR.. Rexford, at Columbus, o., on
Saturday evening. Nov. %. Mrs. Rex
ford died at DIR. Shepard's Sanitarium,
where she arrived on the previous Tues
day morning. from Roxbury, Mass. com
ing on, attended by her nurse, in adj
vance of her husband, who was to begin
his pastorate in Columbus on the next
Sunday. The following from DIR. ReXford
in the Leader" of last week gives the
particulars of the sudden, but not unex-
pected translation;
II virtually made the arrangements
to have Mrs Rexford go to DIR. Shepard's
Sanitarium at Columbus, Ohio. some
two months ago when visited that CT y
from the Erie Conference. She spent
year at that institution some ten years
ago and derived much benefit. DR..
Shepard said that he would take her
into his care and do for her all that was
possible.
"The church pulpit of Columbus was
vacant at the time of my late visit, and
my old arish gave me unanimous call
to come back and resume my work.
This would permit me to care for my
wife and at the same time go on with my
parish work. dreaded to go, and when
[ broke up my Roxbury home to send
the goods to Columbus. | had Mrs. r.
and the nurse go on ahead of me, and
was to remain and attend to the details
of epa1ture-p preach my final sermon
and say goodbye to my people.
"She left on Monday of last week. A
dispatch received Tuesday morning said,
Arrived safe in Colun- bus, Mrs. r. feel
ing WE'LL She had been anxious for
weeks to go, hoping for improved health.
A letter from DIR. Shepard Thursday
said. Mrs. R. has settled down content
eddy and easily, and though somewhat
nervous, l take hopeful view of he.
ase and think she will become more
like her former SELF Last night (Sat-
urday) dispatch from DIR, Shepard, re-
ceived at o'clock said, Mrs. Rexford
in danger. Very ill-something like
paralysis Another dispatch in few
minutes followed announcing her death
at o'clock Saturday. P. NJ. 1t was the
third stroke of apoplexy and was fatal"
Mrs. Rexford had been a contir- ned
invalid for nearly year, and while the
tidings of her death were not unexpected.
yet the circumstances under which the
change came render it peculiarly atfiict-
ing. She was stricken with apoplexy
Dec 80, 1893, having sustained slight
shock previously, and for long time re-
NAMED helpless and even unable to
speak. She recovered, however, some
what from this second attack, but never
regained her health, and her family and
friends have been constantly anxious as
to the termination of the malady. There
has never been but slight hope for her
recovery, but in order to give her the
best care and place her under charge Of
her old physician, DR.. Rexford decided
to remove to Columbus, as explained
above Her death coming before the
Roxbury ministry was formally ended
and Columbus ministry begun, made
the intervening week one of significant
sorrow for her husband and many
friends.
DIR. Rexford arrived in Columbus on
the Monday following his wifes death
and the funeral was attended Wednes-
day from the Universalist church in that
city. We have not learned the particu-
lars OF the service. but DR.. Rexford 10
among many friends of the olden time,
and all that loving care and tenderness
could do was doubtless exerted to miti-
gate the sorrow of the occasion.
This very affecting bereavement, I'M
der the peculiar circumstances, bends
all hearts in sympathy toward our
brother, who now enters completely in
to the sanctuary of sorrow. We invoke
in his behalf the prayers and sympathy
of our church, and may the consultations,
which he has so often rendered toward
others be found available and abundant
in his own great time of need. We
shall hope to publish in an early issue
memorial tribute to Mrs. Rexford, whose
work as a pastors wife in Roxbury has
elected favorable comment. Her work
on earth is now ended. but pleasant
memories remain and will be long cher,
ished.
AN EXPLANATORY WORD.