Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-02-04
Olive e. Dana.

Olive Z. Dana died at her home on
the East River road, Wednesday morn
ing, after 4 lingering illness of several
months. The news of her death
carries deep grief to a wide circle of
friends who knew her personally, and
to the far greater number who knew
her through her writings. Miss Dana
was the daughter of James w. and
Sarah Savage Dana, and spent her life
in the home where she was born, close
TO the banks of the river which she
loved so we'll, and so often wrote about.
Her parents and her two sisters. Miss
Emma s. Dana and Mrs. w. H. Hanks,
survive her.
Miss Dana graduated from the Cony
High school in the class of 1871, one of
the youngest members of the class.
Her studies by no means ended with
her school days, for through all the
years since her graduation she has
been a most diligent student and con-
slant reader, not only along the lines
Of General literature, but also in special
field, and history in particular. Her
nlclIory WAS truly marvellous, and she
carried in her mind ready for i'm
her large library. Miss Dana began
writing for the press at the age OF IL.
AS 4 writer of both prose and verse,
Miss Dana has become widely known.
She WIS justly proud of her descent
from the famous Dana family, which
has played SO prominent Il part in
American history and literature, ana
she made her own name one well
worthy Il place in this illustriols list.
She published but one book. Under
Friendly Eaves," q collection of y
shore stories, published III 1894. but she
contributed scores and scores of stories
and articles to well-known magazines.
and also many poems of much merit.
Some of the publications in which her
writings have appeared are the New
England Magazine. Journal of Educs,-
ton, ConGre g;itionalist, Good House.
Keeping. The Sunday School Times,
Boston Transcript. Advance. Zion's
Herald Primary Education, Christian
Endeavor World. Lewiston Journal
Kennebec Journal and many others.
In her stories she attempted nothing
ambitious and nothing beyond her own
-''~'o'',- ions and experience. They
nearly "a! dealt with phases of peaceful
country .!'c. Their characters moved
in the humble sphere, and through
every page ran the beautiful threads of
love- sweetness, nobility and practical
Christian life. Her SympathieS were
broad, and the wholesomeness of her
own beautiful simple life was pro-
trayed in every work of her tireless
pen. Her style was easy and pleas
ing, and altogether natural. 1t is a
pity that her verse has never been
collected in book form. for much Of it
is Of the kind that the world can i'll
afford to lose.
Throughout her life. Miss Dana has
suffered much from sickness, for her
body was fral and weak. and she was
always 50 eager to be busy at her work
that size frequently taxed it beyond its
strength. Rut in all her suffering and
sickness. she was always cheerful.
courageous and patient. Her Temporal
ment vas remarkably sweet. and no
ono VINO knew her could conceive Of
such 2 thing as fault-finding or harsh
criticism from her lips. She was q
faithful member of the First Baptist
church of this city, and in ell her
relations her life eXemplifed the
beauty and sweetness, the gcntlonoss
and resignation of the Christian faith.
Her disposition WAS retiring, and she
cared far less for company and for The
outside activities Of life than for her
books. her home and the constant
conlpanionship of those nearest to her.
She WAS modest to the extreme, never
seeking and often avoiding. praise for
the truly excellent work of her pen. and
always feeling that she had not done
her best. but would do better next
time.
The funeral will be held at , p. NJ,
Saturday.