Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-07-25
Called to Eternity.

4 large circle of people in Centralia
have been cast in gloom and sadness
this week By the death of one of their
most highly respected and promising
young ladies. A general aspect of
sorrow has expressed itself in the face
of her every acquaintance, for all who
had knowledge of the quiet, benign
and kindly character of Miss Julia
Smith were truly her friends In the
very spring of life, that sweet hour of
golden prime when vigor and perfection
of health and happiness should have
been hers, she is taken away in the
favor of God and dwells on earth no
more. Regret wends its way to every
home in the community. That gracious
influence which her young life daily
communicated and transmitted to all
about her has lost its controlling power,
but by your good works shall We be
remembered even after life, and thus
will this young lady never be forgotten.
God hath his influence into the very
essence of all things.
Miss julia Smith was born in Tomah,
Wis, on the 9th day of June, 1872.
She was the daughter of Mr.. and Mrs.
Leonard Smith and with her parents
moved to Port Edwards, thence to
Centralia where they have resided
during the past twelve years, her father
having charge of the tank and pumping
engine at the st. Paul railway station.
Centralia schools where she was an
industrious and bright student. During
the last few years she has been em-
ployed in the insurance office of Witter
& TAYLOR doing book and copy work,
where she proved herself faithful and
almost indispensable assistant. For two
or three years back she has been in
poor health, frail and not strong. Two
weeks ago she was taken to her bed
with gastric fever and at l 40 a. M.
Tuesday, with deaths silent angel, Julia
passed beyond all mortal assistance-23
years and 26 days Old
| At the death-bed was sad and i'm
pressiye scene which will eyer live in
the memory of the family and friends
who were present. Conscious almost to
| the last moment, in full realization of
the great change to take place, Miss
Smith conyersed with those about her,
telling what she wished to say, and
with the last flicker of life's dim candle
light emphasized the worth and
excellence Of a sympathetic, noble
nature. Miss Smith did not at any time
want to die, and so expressed herself.
Calling young friend to the bed she
said: "Oh, it's hard to part like this,
but its condition we all must pass
through" She foresaw a necessary
end and calmly submitted to it's coming.
Her last effort, within a few minutes of
the end, was to call each one by name
to her bedside and kiss them good bye.
Trying moments were those; parting
blessing from the dying-God's choicest
gift. Then Death. proprietor of all.
Miss Smith chose her own pail bearers
and named the following young men:
Messrs. Will Bateman, Gus. Otto, Chas.
Kruger, Dan McKercher, Carl Bandelin
and Carl Auer. She also requested that
her grave be lined with white and
trimmed with pansies-her favorite
flower. A large number of her young
friends were busy at the cemetery this
morning with sad hearts and def hands
in compliance with her wishes
Funeral services were held this after
noon in Unity church at 2 O'Clock, Rev.
J. E. Reynolds in charge. Floral gifts
were many and beautiful. Among
them dainty pillow of flowers in the
center of which was worked in letters
of pansies the word Julia" sent by
her employers Witter q Taylor.
Another design, the Gates Ajar in white
flowers with white dove above, and
large wreath of white lilies, a last token
of love from her most intimate young
friends. A beautiful large wreath of
flowers from Mrs. F. MacKinnon. A
rich floral piece from Mrs. w. T. Jones;
A pretty anchor and other designs, all
emblems of the esteem and respect in
which she was held.
The family remaining consists of
father, mother, two sisters and a young
brother. The mother appointed the
! following ribbon carriers: Misses Rena
and Laura Houston, Grace and Minnie
Gets, Ada and Addie Skeel, Nellie
| Nash and Minnie Helmold. The
remains Will restin Forest Hill cemetery.