The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-09
MRS. H. w. REECHER DEAD
DIED ON THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY
OF HER HUSBANDS DENISE.
Lived in Indiana for Many Years Aft
err Marrying the Young Preacher,
Who Later Became Famous.

STANFORD, Conn.,, March s.-Mrs.
Henry Ward Beecher died to-day, the
tenth anniversary of the death of her
famous husband. She was eighty-five years
of age. Mrs. Beecher had been sinking
steadily since Saturday noon and during
the twentyfour hours preceding her de-
mise had been unconscious. William Beech
er, one of her sons. reached Stamford Sat
urday evening and remained until last
night when he left for New York. Her
death was feared, but her marvellous con-
sttution had so frequently enabled her TO
rally from sinking spells that her son
deemed it safe to leave his mothers bed
side. AT the deathbed this morning were
gathered the family of Rev. Samuel SEQ
vile, including the clergyman. his wife,
who is the daughter of Mrs. Beecher. and
Mrs. Scoviles two children. daughter
and son, and Mrs Billiard. of Massachu
sets. a niece of Mrs. Beecher.
The funeral arrangements which were
practically completed tonight, will include
private services at the residence of Rev.
Mr.. Scoville Wednesday afternoon. Thurs
day morning the remains Will be taken TO
Brooklyn and from 10 a. m. until noon they
will lie in state in Plymouth Church. At
p. m. public funeral services will be held
in Plymouth Church, under the direction
of the pastor. Rev. Lyman Abbott.
Mrs. Beecher'S maiden name was Eunlce
Billiard. She was the daughter OF a physi-
clan and was born in Sutton. Mass, in 1872.
Miss Billiards. marriage to Henry Ward
Beecher was not lacking in the elements
of romance. Mr.. BeecEer, though not or
dained. had received call to the pastor
ate of church at Lawrenceburg, Ind.
and he wrote to Miss Billiard. to whom
he was affianced, suggesting that their
marriage take place Immediately after his
ordination. After mailing this letter, Mr.
Beecher argued why wait for the ordi-
nation, why not have her present as my
wife to witness it?' With this idea upper
most in his mind, Mr.. Beecher started post
haste for Sutton, where he arrived on the
evening of the day on which his letter was
received. The young preacher succeeded
in winning Miss Billiards. consent to an
early marriage. All the preparations had
to be completed in four days. Few of their
friends lived near enough to be present and
the ceremony was one which In those days days
Billiards. sisters had been married in
stormy weather and she declared the cere-
mony in which she was contracting
The hour was set for o'clock on Aug.
g. 1881. Just before that time violent
storm arose with thunder and lightning.
The parson was in waiting, the guests had
assembled and Mr.. Beecher was impatient.
The bride was firm, however, and the cere-
mony was postponed one hour. At o'clock
the sun appeared and, as the bride. lean
ing on the arm of her husband-to-be. en-
tered the parlor, a rainbow, one of the
most brilliant the members of the party
had ever seen. appeared on the horizon.
Immediately after the marriage Mr. and
Mrs. Beecher started for Lawrenceburg.
Their experiences and trials on the West
ern frontier have been referred to in sew
eral interesting skIches by Mrs. Beecher.
which have appeared in magazines. Mrs.
Beecher was always devotedly attached to
her husband and children. OF the latter
four are living and four dead. One of the
N &c Orb nlar- af.ait,
steamboat at Port Townsend, Wash. Short
ly after removing to Brooklyn from the
West. Mrs. Beecher wrote q little book
of which the early trials and final success
of her husband formed the leading SUBJ
Ject. For some years Mrs. Beecher had
been in feeble health. In November, 1896,
during the Thanksgiving season. she SUI
fered a bad fall and about month later
she again fell and received injuries which,
with her advanced years, brought about
complications from which she was unable
to rally.