Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1898-03-26
DEATH OF MRS. THOMAS DUNN.

DEATH OF MRS. THOMAS DUNN.
Discussing the subject 81 the true
Christian mother, orators have grown
eloquent and writers ardent, but when
we near all they say, and feel all they
could never utter centered 10 a being,
gentle. tender and strong, our emo
tions gather intensity from silence,
and conviction settles that higher be-
lief in our mother.
A true mother is the noblest type OF
mortals and one OF Heavens greatest
blessings 10 the world. This testi-
mOuy was borne by the many, whUse
presence ard words attested 10 the &C
knOwledRement Of worth, during those
days when all that was mortal OF Mrs.
4. Dunn lay in her daughters home
10 Salem, and who followed the re-
mains OF this ideal Christian mother
to their last sad resting place.
Mrs. Dunn nee Rebecca Allen was
born at Gibraltar. Spain, November
1870, her father being in the English
Army. Mr.. Allen died when his
daughter was still child, and before
the little Rebecca had attained her
twelfth year. the death OF her mother
compelled her step-father to bring
her to her mothers relatives 10
Cloumel, Freeland, A great
aunt became scond mother
TO the orphan child and with
her and her presentation teach.
ers Rebecca grew to womanbOOd, en-
dOwed with those loveable traits Of
character which give home life all its
sweetness and charm. And strong in
ber beautiful trust in providence and
that humble acquiescence to the de-
Il -
brought Joy, or grief to that naturally
sensitive soul, we may truly say Of
her she feared no evil, for she knew
no guile
At the age Of 20 years, Miss Allen
married Thomas Deadly DUMP, and
shortly after the birth Of their Oldest
sou. Mr.. and Mrs. Dunn came TO st.
Louis, Mo, This was the birth place
OF another son and two daughters,
and here two deaths first entered the
household in the guise Of cholera
and stole hence the two prom
ising boys. During the gold
excitement, in the early SOS Mr.. Dunn
sought his fortune in the mines OF
California. after five years he sent for
his family, and located at Sacramento.
Here another daughter and son were
added to the family. The SIskiyou
mines offered an inducement, and Mr.
Dunn. having claims here, moved to
Wald with his family, in '60, remain
ing until '67, when he made his resi-
dence in Salem. Here he remained
until '78 and here his widow spent the
remainder Of her life with the excep-
tiOn Of a few years passed in Oregon
City with her daughter. Mrs. Nc
Garth. Mrs. Dunn had made her
home what every true home
should be, a sanctuary OF love
and happiness: her gentle re-
fined nature was ever fetrile
in resources to contribute TO the COM
fort Of her husband and children, her
sons died young, but the three surviY-
ing daughters, Mrs. McGrath, Miss
Rebecca Dunn, Of Salem, and Sister
NJ. Flayia, OF st. Mary's academy and
college, Portland, have filled their
mothers life with some OF that hap.
piness, with which she blessed their
young years.
All that tilial affection could devise
was done. A daughters love and care
met her at every step and frightened
her days, daughters foresight veiled
the griefs and enhanced the joys, and
when strong in her faith, fortified by
the last rites of Holy Church, but
weak in body. and that dear heart
family throbblng its last pulsations
of love her daughters gratitude and
love soothed the last hour and
took from death somewhat OF
its sting. On Tuesday morniEg, Mrs.
Dumas daughters realized that life
| had lost its greatest charm as they
| looked on the inanimate form OF her
who had been a DEVOTED mother. On
Thursday Requiem Mass was sung by
Rev. Father Duminic O. S. B. The
Reverend Father paid most beauti-
| full eulogy to the deceased. After
the service the remains of Mrs, Dunn
were deposited by the side OF her hus-
band, whom she survived nineteen
| years. ~