The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1905-07-07
!. OBITUARY

Editor Republican: Walter A..
John was born in northern Iowa,
June 22nd. 1880. died June 25th,
1905, aged twenty-five years and
three days. Jennie NJ. Martin was
born in Decatur county, Iowa. Aug
ust l4th, 1882, and died June 25th,
1905, aged twenty.three years and
ten months. Vert p. John was born
in Aurora county, South Dakota,
September 9Th, 1904, died June 18th,
1905, aged nine months and thirteen
days.
Walter a. John, when a samll boy,
went with his parents to Decatur
county, Iowa, where he grew up to
manhood. He was married to Jennie
Martin. To this union two chiledren
were born. a boy and d girl. Little
Esther died Feb. 9Th. 1902. She was
buried at the Palestine cemetery,
Decatur county, Iowa. Walter and
Jennie came tc South Dakota three
years ago with his father and mother.
Here they lived until on the night
of June oath, at about ten O'Clock,
when a cyclone struck their home,
killing father. mother and their baby
boy. At the time of the awful acct
dent they lived four and a half miles
south of Plankinton. After .having
gone to bed, Jennie becoming UNI
easy, got np and went to the window
to look at the storm. Seeing it COM
ing, she said, "Walter, we had bet
ter 20 to the cellar" Walter arose
and taking the baby in his arms,
they went down stairs, and just as
he was opening the door leading to
the cellar the storm struck the
house and tore it to pieces. Walter,
with the baby in his arms, fell
about seventy-tive feet north of the
house. Here he was pinned to the
ground 10y a portion OF the house
floor in a crouched position, which
position he kept Until about eight
O'Clock the next morning when MIR.
Decker, his neigllhor came, and be-
ing startled at the sight Of the
wrecked home, he called, and Walter
answered. He propped up the floor,
and by the help OF other neighbors,
took it away. Walter called for a
drink of water, and then he told.
them this story: "The last thing
I remember while in the house, was
I started to open the cellar door.
How long I remained unconscious, l
don't know, / remember when the
baby died in my arms. 1t was some
time in the after part Of the night"
Then he said, "Where is Jennie?"
They told him she was dead. He
said, 81. want to die with her."
Some standing by were crying. He
isaid, "Don't cry. for [ can't"
When they found Jennie, she was
lying a short distance south Of the
house, with one arm twisted under
her, and her body was cold. Ali
three were taken to Mr.. Burners
house, his hrother-in-law. Walter
died at eleven O'Clock the same day.
Rev. Mason, pastor of the M. f.
church, conducted the services at the
house, on June 2Stb, at $3.50 p. m.
a procession Of about seventy-ive
teams left for Dudley, M. E. church,
where, after being led in prayer by
the M. E. pastor, of Plankinton, the
writer, at the request of the rel
atives, preached the funeral sermon
My text was: John, 10th chapter,
10th verse. We laid them away in
the cemetery one-hall mile from the
church, side by side, with the baby
on mothers arm, to await the resur-
rection morn.
"Weep not for u.s. "We are at
rest We are at rest"
The Ielatives cannot express their
heartfelt thanks for the kindness of
friends, boln in Iowa aud South Da-
kota.
Time is Ninging US away to our
eternal home,
Life is but a winters day, a journey
to the tomb,
Youth and vigor o will flee,
Blooming beauty lose its charms,
All that's mortal o o shall be en-
closed IN deaths cold arms.
Time is winging us away to our
eternal home.
Life is but a winters day, a journey
to the tomb,
But the christians shall enjoy health
and beauty soon,
Above or here, no worldly griefs an
noy,
Secure in Jesus love.
Elijah Tillotson.
Mitchell. South Dakota.
The Denver Convention.