Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1901-05-02
Mr.. w. R. Bolts Is Dead.

Last Sunday morning, April %,
1901, as the eastern horizon began
to be crimsoned with the approach
of another day He, who guarded
the spirit of Mr.. w. r. Bolts touch
his eyelids and he fell into that
dreamless slumber that knows no
awakening until the guardian
angel shall proclaim that time shall
be more. For several months it has
been apparent to his friends and
associates that his health was fail
ing him, and oft during the winter
months he would complain of not
feeling we'll, but being of a rugged
and stout constitution he continued
to labor in the timber and at the
Cemetery, where he had acted as
sexton for many years, until a few
days ago when he was obliged to
cease his labors and seek his couch.
AT first it was thought that he had
only caught a severe cold and moth
ing serious would result. but later
Pneumonia set in and from that
time until the day he died his de-
cline was very rapid. Four of his
children, Mrs. Mary E. Adams, of
Bassett, Nebraska; Mrs Sarah kiehl,
of Sioux City; J. A. Bolts, of Oskla-
loosa, Iowa; and Joseph c. Bolts,
OF McHenry, Illinois, were here to
make his last hours upon earth as
comfortable as possible and to min
lister unto their mother who is total
ly blind and must be led as a little
child. Monday afternoon the Chris
tian church vas beautifully deco
rated with flowers and palms and
when the funeral train had arrived
was filled with sorrowing friends
who had come to pay the last mark
of respect to their old neighbor and
fellow mortal and listen to an able
sermon delivered by their pastor,
Elder A. G. Whitaker, and after the
last look had been taken and the
final goodbye had been said the
out to the Extra Cemetery where
the body was consigned TO a tomb.
Mr.. w. r. Bolts first saw the light
of day in Guernsey county, Ohio,
on June 2, 1922, and was united in
marriage to Miss Demaris Deur.
April n, 1S45. To this union was
born four girls and six boys,
all of whom survive their father ex
cept n son, W. J. Bolts, who died
at Sioux City about a year ago. He,
with his family, emigrated to Adams
county, Illinois, in 1856; from there
t to Guthrie county, Iowa, in 1866 and
J then to Extra, in 1881 where he
has since resided until the time OF
!, his death, having reached the age
of seventy.eight years, ten months
and six days. In 1858 he united with
the Baptist church and in 1870 be
l came a member of the Christian
church. of which he ever remained
a faithful member until his eyes
4 closed in death. The children still
! living and their places of residence
are as follows: Clementina Railey
I Gamppoint, Illinois; Mary E. Adams
: Bassett, Nebraska; Clemenza Gooch
! ey, of Erickson, Nebraska; Sarah
E kiehl, of Sioux City. Iowa; John c
t Bolts; of Madison, Nebraska; J. A
Bolts, of Oskaloosa, Iowa; JOSEPH
c. Bolts, of McHenry, Illinois; "A
D. Bolts, Silver City, Idaho; II. NJ
+ Bolts, Yankton, South Dakota; his
grandson, Hazaiel Bolts, from
Oskaloosa, was here and attenc
! ed the funeral. There are thirty.
I six grandchildren and twenty
great-grandchildren left to follow
in his footsteps.
"The sun rises, shines in all its
glory FOR a few hours and sets; thu
:, rose unfolds it's beautiful petals
. fills the heavens with the scent OF
paradise and fades away; the birc
!. comes to the window, sings a song
and dies with the icicle of winter il
its heart-it is all the story of life
and death that is on every page o:
history, and will be for all time &c
come. A good man was this one
aud a true friend. How do we know
, he was a good friend! There is
always n sure test. Find the mar
who really loves, honors and re
spects his mother and you have
found a good man. Such a man was
this one. Then if that man be o.
after he has thought of you, pays
, no attention to what the cruel worlc
may happen to say about you, anG
always has a hand ready to clasp
yours in time of JOY or grief, health
or sickness, prosperity or want, in
. success or failure then you can say
F, he was a rue friend; such a mar
> was this one. Big strong arms tina
l might strike out for you with the
power of a steam hammer if neeC
be-, or be as tender as those OF {
mother fondling her new born babe
when there a sickness to be nurs
ed or any despair to be comfort
ed, a big heart with room for all tho
world, if it wanted a place, and a
:, big brain that had evil thought fol
2 no one. Such was our friend that is
no more"
To those kind friends who, in our
| dire distress, came to our aid and
so nobly stood by II side during
the sickness of our loved husband
Z and father, at the time of his death
t and at the laying of his body away
z in the tomb. we wish to return our
heartfelt gratitude.
MRS. w. r. BoTTs AND CHILDREN,