Fergus County argus., 1902-04-30
PIONEER GERMAN DEAD.
John Abel, Father of Mrs. Phillip
Laux and VIM. J. Abel, Dies
at Helena.

at Helena.
Wednesday evening last news was
received in Lewistown of the death
at Helena of John Abel, the aged sex.
ton of the Catholic cemetery in the
capital city. Deceased was the faith
or of Mrs. Phillip Laux and of VIM.
J. Abel Of Lewistown and the follow
ing morning Mr.. Laux and Mr.. Abel
left for Helena. Mrs. Laux being un-
able to leave on account of her chill.
dren. Some sensational accounts of
the death have heretofore appeared.
but the following from the Helena
Record is endorsed as correct by Mr..
l.auX. who returned Monday evening:
Before he had finished filling the
grave of Thomas Crystal. John Abel.
the sexton at the Catholic cemetery,
was himself suddenly seized by
death. He expired in the arms of
Samuel Bennett, driver of Hermann
& Cos. Undertaking wagon. and his
body was taken home in that vehicle.
Death was due to apoplexy.
Mr. Abel had been complaining Of
feeling sick since last Thursday.
While repairing a fence at his home,
1910 Butte avenue. that day. he went
into the house complaining OF sore
ness in the lower part of his breast.
The next day he told his family that
his arms from the elbows to the tips
OF the fingers were numb and stiff
and required chafing to restore circu-
lation. He was given sweat baths on
Monday and Tuesday. but did not
seem to improve.
Had to Leave His Work.
| Nevertheless, when he received or.
ders Tuesday afternoon to dig a
grave for Crystal, he went to the CEN
etery and began work. But he be
came SO weak that he told the drive,
for Hermann & Co. that he could
not work, and walked to the home
of his son John on Fifth avenue and
asked him to dig the grave. lie re
mained at his sons house about hall
an hour. and. complaining to Mrs
Abel that he felt faint. took chair
outside and sat in the open air. His
son meanwhile had gone to tn,
cemetery and bgun digging the grave
which he finished yesterday morning
Mr.. Abel went to the cemetery abou
7:45 a. m. to attend to his duties a
Crystals funeral, and waited until thu
funeral party arrived, shortly after
o'clock. He had filed the grav'
about half full before the mourner
departed. Samuel Bennett alone re
manned with him to help in filling ul
the grave, as he had complained o
not feeling well.
Died In Benefits Arms.
Mr.. Abel had only thrown in abou
;. two shovelfuls of dirt when he sal
he felt sick and Mr.. Bennett said:
o "You had better sit down mil
Il ute1
s He sat on the curbstone OF an az
joining lot, but had hardly done s
g when he reeled to one side and wa
y caught by Mr.. Bennett, In whose arm
/. he expired a minute later.
e Coroner Ben c. Brooke was sun
,s moned by telephone and decided thu
n death was due to apoplexy. The bod
q. was then removed to Mr.. Abel's hon
y on Butte avenue.
e Leaves Eight Children.
Mr.. Abel was born In German
IN Feb. 20, 1896, and had been sextc
+, OF the Catholic cemetery for abo
"A eight years. He was farmer un'
a. he came to the United States in 1Ss
h, coming directly to Helena. where b
o sons and daughters. who had prece
n ed him, lived. Al the age OF 70 yea
I, he married Miss Mary Young, wi
I died a number OF years ago in G'
~ many. Eight children survive hi
n seven of whom live In Montana al
IA one in Germany. They are: job
,d Jacob, Joseph and Teresa Abel al
NJ Mrs. Mary Fritz, of Helena; VILLA
I Abel and Mrs. Katie Laux OF Lew
10. town, and Mrs. Elizabeth Schaeffer
10 Germany.
IN. The funeral will take place Sat-
day morning at o'clock from I
NJ. Cathedral of the Sacred Hearts up
ry the arrival of Mr.. Abel and Mrs. La
from Lewistown.