Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-05-14
Resting Place in Riverside of
Third Son of Renowned
Author.
HIS SUDDEN DEATH IN MOLINE
Attacked by Paralysis While on
Visit There in
1880.

third son of Charles Dickens, the ia
the visit of Mr.. Dickens to Moline and
his sudden and tragic death there,
is well known to the older residents.
Following the winding cemetery
road which twines around the beau
| tiful burying ground ON the banks of
the Father of Waters. one comes to
spot on the eastern face of the
bluffs where magnificent view of the
verdant hills may be obtained. There
is a sheer descent from the top of the
hill to the yellow road beneath. \
dozen hills meet and blend in the dis
lance back of the verdure-covered
knobs nearer at hand. and between
two gray outlines of Iowa hills may
be seen a dim silvery glow. the Mis-
sisippi river. This hillside is the
spot where rest the remains of Capt.
Francis Dickens. and this is the spot
where. in 1855. Charles Dickens, the
son. was pleased that his brother
should lie. y more beautiful spot
for a grave would be hard to find.
and a tribute was paid to the Illinois
hills and valleys by Mr.. Dickens
when he preferred it to any spot in
England. land famed for its quaint
End beautiful scenery.
Inscription on Tomb.
Here, then, is to be found n plain
block of marble, about eighteen
inches in height and a foot square,
resting upon a larger block of lime
stone. Beneath medallion head,
craven upon the marble, is the in
scription:
In memory of
FRANCIS JEFFREY DICKENS
Third son of the renowned author
Born January Is, 18Th,
Died June IL, 1856.
Take We heed, watch and pray.
for We know not when the time
is
Beneath this stone rests strang
er, yet stranger who was made
dear to the hearts of the people by
the gems of his father, Charles Dick
ems. the greatest reformer and nov
elist that ever lived. The homage
paid to great mans son is worthy
expression of the love which existed
for the father.
After twenty years service in the
Canadian Mounted Rifles, Capt.
Dickens resigned his commission in
March. 1886, and planned for an 'eX-
tended vacation in Canada, the Unit
ed States and elsewhere.
Thursday. June 3. he arrived in
Moline from Canada in company with
DIR. w. 4. Jameson, of South Moline
township. An intimate friendship
had sprung up between the two gen
tlemen while they were together in
Canada and this resulted in the re-
turn of Capt. Dickens with DIR.
Jameson for part of his vacation.
When it was learned that Capt.
Dickens was i'm the vicinity the Fri
day club. of which j. w. Atkinson
was then the president. requested
Capt. Dickens to make short adj
dress to the club members at the
meeting which was to be held Friday
evening. June II. Capt. Dickens as
scented to this request and most en-
joyable evening was looked forward
to by the members of the club.
The afternoon preceding the even
ing of the meeting of the club, Capt. |
Dickens and DIR. Jameson drove into
the city from the latter's home, and
after meeting considerable num-
Der of citizens of Moline, among
whom was sam Kennedy, who was at
that time publishing the Republican,
they proceeded TO Mr.. Kennedy's resi- |
dence on Seventh avenue and Tween |
ty-second street, for dinner. The |
ride into town from DIR. Jamieson's
place had been a warm one. the day |
being as hot as any during the sum- |
mer, and in consequence Capt. Dick
ems was heated thoroughly by the
time the ride had been concluded.
Dickens Overheated.