Durango semi-weekly herald., 1907-01-10
MARTHA J. BALLARD.
One Of Lima's Most Noble Women
Passed Away Sunday.

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One Of LIma's Most Noble Women
Passed Away Sunday.
Lima (Ohio) Republican Gazette.
With the coming of the day for
peace on earth and good will toward
men. when happiness and JOY should
reign throughout the city, Lima is
cast into gloom by the announcement
prominent women. Mrs. Martha ].
Ballard, whose demise came just be-
fore the midnight hour last Sunday
at her late home in the Karnes flats.
on West Market street. after short
illness due to infirmities incident to
one of her age, she lacking only ten
days OF being 10 years old.
The deceased sank into peaceful
sleep as the end came, thus depriving
| the community of beautiful charac-
ter whose life has been identified
with the welfare and growth of the
city for so many years and one who
has done SO much to promote the
interests of the hundreds of individ
uals who came in for share of her
splendid influence, and of the general
public at large, since the days of her
young womanhood.
No one person in Lima so markedly
linked the sturdy pioneer days with
the aggressive activity of the present
times as she did There was no
movement. no advancement. social,
intellectual and uplifting in which
she was not the foremost leader.
A nature rare for its cheerfulness,
a love for creating happiness in
others, devotion to friends, note
worthy unselfishness and her brilliant
intellectual attainments made her
widely sought both by the young and
those of years reaching up to her
own.
In the various literary clubs to
which she belonged she was the
recognized leader and authority on
ancient and current events. For
thirty years she was prominently
identified with the public schools OF
Lima as teacher. and for several
years served with distinction as a
member of the county board of school
examiners. Many of the successful
men of this city and scores of intel.
lectual women are examples of the
lasting impress left upon them by her
teachings and elevating example.
Only two years ago did she relin
quish her life work of educating the
lyoung, and her hold upon them was
forcibly demonstrated by the daily
tributes they paid her in visitations
she ceased teaching. She loved her
scholars and they loved her "a sure
index that her purpose and hearts
desire for their welfare, educationally
and spiritually. had struck respon.
sive chord
Her place in the community will
long be vacant.
Mrs. Ballard was the daughter OF
Joseph and Eda Richardson, early
pioneers. who came into this county
from Virginia. or the original faml
ly but one Is left, Mrs. Robert Me
haffey, of Lafayette. Three daugh
tiers survive her, Miss Eda Ballard
of this city, Mrs. N. w. Cunningham
of Button. and Mrs. Charles Idle, OF
Durango, Colo.
The above will be sad news to all
of the early residents of Durango
as Mrs. Ballard taught the first school
In Durango, In the building used by
the Episcopal church people for a
church and which burned during the
big fire. She came to Animas City
before Durango started. Mrs. Bal
lard and Mrs. True were the first
teachers in the Longfellow building,
burned a few years ago. Mrs. Bal
lard also helped to organize the
Chaulauqua in Durango and was one
OF the first graduates OF the
class She also took an active
interest in other clubs and literary
work and no woman stood higher
The daughter referred to in the ar
ticle is Mrs. Chas. Idle of the Animas
valley, who Is well known by all oui
people. and her many friends extend
sympathy in the loss of her talented
mother.
MOVING DAY AT THE