Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1905-10-07
Obituary-Esther Duncan.

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a vapor, that appeareth for little
time, and then vanished away"
No greater evidence of the
apostles truth was ever manifested
in Beetown than in the lesson taught
by the untimely death of Esther
Duncan, who but a few short
months ago, walked among those
who knew her there, the picture of
womanly strength and health. The
clear brow, the brightness of the
eye, the bloom upon the cheek, and
the erect and well-molded form be-
tokened perfect health and long life.
Alas On Wednesday OF last week,
all that remained of that promising
bloom was brought back to the
home of her childhood, to ''rest one
day and night" as she herself re-
quested under the roof that had
sheltered all her earlier years, and
where her father and mother had
both SO recently laid in their last
sleep. The roses all we're faded.
The cheeks and lips in which they
bloomed had been touched by the
whitening, mysterious hand that
blights our fairest flowers. The
shriveled eye-lids and the shrunken
form bespoke the ravages Of a
dread disease, and silently told of
the sufferings flesh is heir to. But
with the glooming casket and all
the sad trappings Of death, came
the solacing message to loved ones
here that Esther had felt the benign
touch of the eace-giving One who
had Himself passed through the
portals of the tomb, and thus opened
the way for all humanity to come
unto Him and find rest.
Esther Duncan was born in Bee
town, Wisconsin, January 18th,
1878. Died at Denver, Colorado,
Sept. 22nd, 1905, at, the early age of
u yrs. s mos. and days.
On Feb. 3, 1896, she was united in
marriage to John Schamerhorn.
Of this union one child was born.
Unfortunately, the marriage was
not happy one and two years later
the young wife and mother took
upon her shoulders the burden of
self support. How we'll she per-
formed that duty to herself and
child, tells in the record she has left
of faithful service wherever she has
been employed Two years ago
she went west where she could Sc
cure much more lucrative employ
ment. She put her boy in school at
Denver, and after some time of
fruitful industry, saw an opening
at Victor, the thriving mountain
town near Cripple Creek, in a room
ing house where she would have
less hard labor, and better receipts.
She leased the place bought the
furnishings and had all nearly paid
for when she was stricken by that
swift destroyer of strength, typhoid
fever. Her sister, who was at
Denver, went Immediately to ner
as did also her sister, Mrs. Horton
from Patch Grove, and brother Joe
from Beetown. After the fever had
run it's course she was pronounced
better and Joe came home. The
doctors thought however that con-
valescence would be safer and surer
in a lower altitude. Consequently,
under their advice she was remov-
ed to ST. Luke's hospital at Denver
and died there just one week after
the removal. Possibly her vitality
had been irretrievably Slapped by
the burning of the fever, and pos
sibly. the journey was too great for
her, one SO weakened. At it's begin
ming she said her time had come,
and repeatedly in her lucid NOM
ents, assured those in attendance
that she would not get up any more.
Cheerful she was in all her con-
scious moments, but never hopeful
of recovery. She spent much time
in prayer and sang often, snatches
Of the beautiful hymns that can
make dying bed Feel soft as
downy pillows are"
There are many Grant county
people living in that country, and
from them, and acquaintance she
she had made during her residence
there Esther received many kind
nesses Their sympathy, as ours,
was aroused by the sorrowful dis
pensation that took one so young
from the joy of living, and from
the little son, who already feels so
deeply the loss of his mother.
Aud the deep feeling of those
far-away friends in need" was
manifested by the many magnificent
and beautiful floral offerings that