, 1896-12-29
JOE OBELE IS DEAD.
WITHOUT WARNING HE LAYS
DOWN HIS LIFE AND
PASSES BEYOND.
One of the Most Highly Respected
Young Men of the City-Made
Laramie His Home Since Boyhood
-Honored and Loved by All Who
Knew Him-Funeral Thursday.

Joseph Obele is dead, and the news
has been received with sadness by the
people Of the Gem City who knew and
loved him so well. His death was very
sudden, yet as peaceful as the evening
zephyr that blew over the city as his
spirit took its flight.
Joe worked in the mill as usual yes
terday. but during the afternoon he
complained some of being oppressed
by the atmosphere. About 4 O'Clock
he went into the room where Louis
Settele works and remarked thai there
seemed to be an unusual AMOUNT of gas
in the air; that he could not stand it.
Shortly afterward he quit work and
went to his room. at Mrs. Fleming's.
corner First and Fremont streets. At
I in the evening he concluded to have
a physician and Mrs. Fleming sent for
DR.. Harris, who prescribed for him.
About $50 he spoke to Mrs. Fleming,
who was at his bedside, saying that he
felt faint, and asked her if she would
fan him. His request was complied
with, but he sank gradually and peace
fully away into that long sleep which
knows no awakening.
On Sunday he appeared in his usual
health and ate dinner with the family
Of Mrs. Jackson Brown. whose resi-,
dence had been his home during many
happy days since he came to this city,
and which he was only induced to
leave a Of the fact it was so far
removed o the rolling mill. where
he worked He regarded Mrs. Brown
almost with the affection of a son ana
her son and daughters were a brother
and sisters to him. The body was re-
moved to the Brown residence, in Park
View, today. and the funeral will take
place from there Thursday at . O'Clock
p. m.
Joseph Obele was born in 1860 at
Pottsville in the State OF PENNSYLVANIA,
He came to Laramie in 1877. at the age
of II, and has resided here ever since,
with the exception of a brief period
about five years ago when he went
east to consult a specialist in relation
to bronchial and lung troubles, having
lost. his voice through a severe cold
contracted by exposure at the funeral
of his friend, John DeLario. During
his absence in the east he exemplifed
to his friends in Laramie his true char
&cter. A kind companion who knew
that his finances were not i'm an overly
flushed condition took up a subscrip>
lion to aid in the payment of his ex,
penses while being treated. but the
money was returned with the kind
thanks of the noble heart. His treat,
ment in the east did not serve to re,
turn his voice, but some time after he
anne back to Laramie, while at work
one day in the mill. he recovered it
with the same ~suddenness thai it had
eft him.
During his residence in this city he
vas a trusted and faithful employe of
he Laramie rolling mill. At the time
cf his death he was foreman of the
bolt machines, a responsible position,
and received good compensation for
his services. He was of a thrifty nat
ure and had accumulated some proper
ty, owning a house and lot on south
Second street near the creek. Although
&c years of age. he scarcely looked
nor than IS, but during the past two
CT three years a pinched expression
was noticeable about his eyes and
mouth, as if from suffering. But his
sufferings and sorrows were his own
and others were not burdened with
them. He was not a member of any
church or secret organizations; his
heart was open to all humanity, and
his mind was as broad as the human
race.
Joe was a great lover Of athletic
sports and soon after his advent liz
Laramie he became a member OF old
Gramm Hose No. 3. Of the Laramie
Nolultecl hlc department. oeiu6 q
good runner, he vas always on the
team. and took part in many holly
contested ace for the supremacy OF
the company. The boys Of No. 3 loved
Joe as a brother, and all the old men,
bers will meet this evening to arrange
to attend his funeral.
IIa lnor,ac a fofhnr q ofon-mNfhn
three brothers, all married. and a SIS
ter, all in Pennsylvania. The distance
is so great that none of his relatives
will be present at the funeral.
EX-FIREMEN ATTENTION.
All the former members OF old Lara.
mic Hose Company No. 3 are requested
to meet at the city hall this evening at
7.2O tn take actiOn in regard to attend-