The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-03-03

across a short stretch of prairie from the
rear of the family residence. The hedge
at the back of the lot had been torn
away, and the grave which was 10 enclose
the last of this universally loved girl
was selected just on the edge of the ceme-
terry The last request Of the deceased
was that no hearse or funeral car bear
her away, but that she be borne by the
hands of her former pupils. and she plan
ned how it all should be done with the
least burden and care to any. A relay Of
twelve paH-bearers formed about the
white casket, marching in double ranks.
Cne set of six carried the precious weight
for a given distance and were then re-
lieved by the other group Of six. and in
this manner, by three changes Of bearers
on the way, the remains were slowly car
ried through the gardens she loved so
well, her earthly home, across the stretch
OF barren and now desolate gray prairie.
to the side Of the grave. The pastor and
funeral director led the procession, fol-
lowed at once by the two column line of
attendants bearing the casket. These
were followed by four young ladies, for
mer pupils, bearing flowers, and these by
the nourners and a long line OF carriages
thanked on either side by the hundreds of
people on foot. The cortege moved to the
grave, which was lined with white and
decorated with ferns and green foliage
and flowers. Here double quartette of
High school students sang, and with
prayer by the rector the mortal was laid
away.
She is gone, but a memory for her will
live on and on like the perennial blossom
ing Of the lily. From the voiceless lips
of the unreplying dead there comes no
word, but in the night of death listening
love may hear the rustling of a wing and
hope may see a star" Her influence can
not die. Mortality has given up to I'M
mortality, and her angel spirit has taken
its place in the bleak chambers of the
halls Of death and its chances in the time
to come. There viii be a hush Of exqui-
site pain and silence in the rooms where
so lately she was the life and inspiration,
but the suffering of her loss may be al
leviated by the remembrance that fors her
il is all over, for death is but after all
transition and a promotion, and she has
just stepped over and across the narrow
into the valleys of that Morn
ing Land where all is sunshine and calm,
and no pain or sickness, and where only
the good are, the great, the noble, the
sincere and the beautiful.
Miss Della N. Smoke was born June s,
1861 From early childhood she was con-
sidered model by her associates. When
Y years old she would be considered z. |
young lady, and at Is she passed a credit |
able examination and taught success
full school. She entered an academy and |
finished in two years and then took a |
four years college course at Iowa Col |
ege, Grinnell, Ia, pursuing the scientific |
course through the sophomore year, but !
had 70 abandon it on account of the lab |
oratory work being injurious TO her
health She then took up the classical |
course, made up deficiencies and gradu- |
ated with her class, thus doing about a
years extra work.
She always received the highest grades |
IN all classes and was awarded the |
Grimes scholarship founded by Cover |
nor Crimes to be given TO the most |
promising student in any department of !
The college. Her name is familiar even |
now TO every student attending Iowa Col |
ege, as one of the brightest graduates. |
Miss Smoke delivered an Grafton in 1888 |
and received the degree Of A NJ. Her |
first position after graduating was princi- |
pal Of Polk City Qa-) school; the next, |
assistant in Grinnen High school, and |
hen four years in the Wichita High |
school. Her next position was at the |
head of an academy at Kingfisher, o. T, |
and for two years superintendent of the /
schools. She then became as
ISOLATED with Paramount College, for three |
years. She became principal of the Els
worth High school last year and held that |
position until February IA, last, when she
anne home. During her sickness she was
always cheerful and did all in her power
o get well. She passed away peacefully
while sitting in her chair