Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-07-28
SAD DEATH OF
MISS CEARHART

Miss Mabel Gearhart, a highly
esteemed and popular young lady of
this city died at the Williamsport hos
pital at 1:l5 Sunday morning, after
an illness of but four days.
The news of Miss Gearhart's death
came as great shock to her many
friends here. She left Danville just
one week ago for vacation, going to
Sunbury for a visit. On Tuesday she
joined an excursion from that place to
Eaglesmere and while there was TAX
en- seriously i'll. AS soon as possible
she was brought back to SunDury
where it was found that the case was
one of appendicitis and it was decided
to remove her to the Williamsport hos
pital where an operation was perform
ed, Thursday morning. Soon after the
operation she rallied and her recovery
was looked for.
On Saturday she grew worse, the
dread disease, peritonitis. developing
and she sank rapidly, death following
after much suffering. Her mother,
Mrs. Samuel Detweiler, and several
friends from this city were with her
when the end came.
Universal regret was heard on all
sides Sunday over the sad news. miss
Gearhart had hosts of friends. She was
but 20 years of age, of prepossessing
appearance and possessed of charm
Ing personality. Her engagement to
Weitzell Down, we'll known young
man of Sunbury, was announced but q
short time ago, the wedding to take
place early in September.
The funeral of Miss Mabel Gearhart
took place from the Gearhart home,
corner of Ferry and Front streets, Tues
day afternoon at 80 O'Clock, the
Rev. John Sherman, pastor of the First
Baptist church, officiating.
The funeral was an usually large one
and but a small number of friends
were enabled to get into the house.
Both Front and Ferry streets in the
vicinity of the Gearhart home were
completely blocked with people. A
great many of these were strangers,
from nearby towns.
The floral offerings were magnificent
and included large emblem of roses,
presented by the T. B. +. club of
which Miss Gearhart was a member.
Bloch and Benzbach's s employees sent a
very fine design "Gates Ajar." Cut
flowers from friends in Danville, Haz-
Teton and Sunbury were banked about
the casket.
Rev. Mr.. Sherman spoke most feel
ingly using as his text "Give place,
for the maid is not dead but Sleep
eth" Matt. 9-24 Mr.. Sherman said
in part:
"All creation seems to have its en-
emies Vegetation has its enemies in
insects, birds, etc. These again have
their enemies in other birds, insects,
animals. Mankind has its enemy and
suffers more keenly than vegetation or
animals. There is constant force
that tends to keep man from enjoying
the fullness of pleasure. This force
has the form of poverty, wealth, sick
ness, accident, shame, death.
death is usually regarded as mans
greatest, most dreaded enemy.
1t seems to cause more sorrow and
tears than anything else. In the home
of Jairus there was sorrow because of
the death of the daughter.
In their sorrow they sent for the
Master He brought a message of COM
fort and joy Weep not the maid is
not dead but sleepeth!'
He had authority to make this state
ment, because of what he had accom-.
plished.
So today we bring the authoritative
words of the Master "She is not dead,
but sleepeth. "
If asleep then there is an awaken
ing. Since having made her peace
with her God her awakening is glor-
ious one; no more pain, nor sorrow.
Her loss to family and friends is severe
but we would not call her back She
is beyond our help. We can do no
more. Let us he prepared to meet her
there.
The pail bearers we're Harry Titley,
Joseph Lowenstein. Frank Fry, Frank
Montague and Frank Aten of this city
and William Brown of Sunbury. In
terment was made in Mt. Vernon
cemetery, Riverside.
Among those present from distance
were; Mrs. Downs, Miss Lizzie Downs,
Weitzel Downs. Miss Maud Gregg and
Nathan Kaufman of Sunbury. Mrs.
John Meyer of Hazleton, Mrs. Will
lam Reed of Philadelphia, Miss Paul
inc Myers, Miss Leah Mincemoyer and
William Mincemoyer of Montgomery
Miss Virgie Johns of Northumber-
land and Miss Izora Heddens and
Clyde Heddens of Washingtonville.
T,.L.o,,n.. IT,, poxrr Ooh1a