The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1907-07-25
DEATH COMES TO
MAYOR CRICKET
PASSES AWAY AT HIS HOME
EARLY THIS MORNING.
END CAME RATHER SUDDENLY.
Had Been in Poor Health But Was
Down Town and at His Office
Practically All Day
Yesterday. a

Shortly before / o'clock this, Wei
nesday, morning Mayor William
Cricket passed from this life to his
eternal reward. AS sudden shock
to the whole city and county came the
sudden news of the death of most
popular official and respected eitizei.
which occurred at HIS home at sos
East avenue, Only as partial con-
ISOLATION to the grief-stricken family
and community is the fact that the end
came without a murInur or struggle
and the natural sleep continued into
that peaceful rest which endeth all
sorrows ald pain
In the death of william Cricket The
city of Oskaloosa and Mahaska coun-
ty have suffered the loss of an early
settler, worthy and respected citt-
zen, and a most conscientious, faithful
and capable official, who with his hon
esty ald genial disposition won the
popularity of grateful community
His untimeIy death was preceded by
not the slightest warning and nothing
unusual In his appearance or conduct
attracted attention on Tuesday when
he was about the city performing his
usual duties in his accustomed man
ner He returned to his home late
last evening and sat on the front
porch for some time talking with his
sister Ellen. He declined her offer OF
giving him something to eat before
retiring and went to mis- room in the
southwest corner of the second floor
Of the house between 10 and IL
o'clock and was soon sound asleep.
Later in the evening his brother Rich
ard retired ii the adjoining room, but
had hardly gone to sleep when he WAS
disturbed by. the unnatural snoring Of
his brother. HIS efforts to awaken
him were unsuccessful and their sister
in the room below was aroused by
Richards movements and went up
stairs. Before lignting a lamp she
placed her hand on the face Of the
sleeping man and realized his serious
condition and summoned medical aid
at once. Mr.. Cricket never awoke and
before any doctors could arrive
breathed his last.
For years his health has been de-
clining and ne has been afflicted with
numerous attacks of Brignt's diseases
Only few weeks ago ne was carried
to his home in an unconscious condi.
tion from his Office and was Ill for a
number of days, but apparently recov
cred from the shock and has since
been about his duties regularly.
Was Native Of Ohio.
William Cricket was born IN Nor
ton, Ohio. in 1853 and it was in the
late sixties, about 1868, when his
father, William, Sr., with his wife and
family of four daughters and two sons
came to tais state from their old home
at Marion, Ohio. The three men In
the family were engaged in bridge
building and the father while in the
employ of the King Bridge company of
Cleveland had charge of the colstruc-
tiol of the first iron bridge west of
the Mississippi river. Later William
Jr. was appointed as bridge inspector
for the Santa Fe route, while his bro
ther was engaged in similar work for
the same company. Both of the pa
rents have passed away, and one
daughter, Miss Rose Cricket, sister
of the late mayor, died over twenty
years ago. Mayor William Cricket
died at the age of 81 years. leaving
one brother, Richard, and three sis
ters, Miss Ellen, wno was with him at
the time of his death, Miss Floy and
Mrs A. T. Drinkle. both of whom are
visiting in Chicago but are expected
home this evening.
First successful in political cam
paign in 1897, William Cricket then
carried the county election for sheriff
on the democratic ticket with large
majority and held the office for taree
consecutive terms. AS a politician he
was not renowned and IN his official
duties very rarely came, into the
limelight for glorious deeds. but his
u1changing loyalty and kind and gem
ial disposition won out for him.
He met HIS first defeat in the fall
OF 1904 when the republican candidate.
e. L. Valentine, defeated him In his
fourth contest for the office of county
sheriff, and since that time his polit-
ical career was uneventful until this
spring. when the democratic party
proposed him as their canii late for
mayor of oskaloosa. He was again
victorious against two other candi-
dates on the republican and iadepsnd-
ent tickets, and while in the early
months Of his term has thus been sud.
denly relieved OF mis- earthly duties
by an untimely death.