The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-08-07
Former City Recorder Passed
Away After Operation;
Had Typhoid.
Frank Flanagan Is Numbered
With the Departed; Lies
Finality.
From Mondays Daily.

w
the number of new cases has greatly
fallen off, the time has arrived in tn,
course of the disease where the NOR
tally is greatest. The community wa:
shocked yesterday morning to learn o.
the death of the former city recorder
DeVernette Williams, who resides al
523 South Fifth street. As reports
of other deaths came in, it made the
day one sf mourning throughout the
whole city. ~ So. q.
Taken Sick Two Weeks Ago
Mr.. Williams was taken sick two
weeks ago today and taken to I'm.
that he had not been feeling well, hi=
trouble dating from the first outbreak
of bowel complaint. He refused to
give up work, even when advised to
do so by his physician, and it was not
until he was forced to by the prog
ress of the disease that he finally
gave up. His case proved to be only
a fairly severe one, as far as the
fever is concerned, and he was i'm
proving rapidly the latter part of the
week, apparently. 1t was nearly noon
Saturday, when the turn for the worse
occurred. Severe pain set in, in the
bowels, and physicians Who were hast
lily summoned pronounced it perfora-
ton of the bowels. which isl almost
invariably fatal Mr.. Williams was
told that his only chance for life
was in an immediate operation, and
that the chances even then were ten
to one against him. He bravely de-
cided to chance the operation, and this
was also Mrs. Williams wish. LIS 81
The operation was performed at
six o'clock in the evening, four physi-
clans being present, and Mr. Williams
came out Of it much weakened. In
the evening he fell asleep, and during
this period death came peacefully at
eight minutes before twelve. Every
assistance was, given Mr.. Williams
that medical science could suggest. q g
Was Born in New York.
Mr.. Williams was born in Hermon,
Y. Y, on July IA, forty -one years
ago, and came to Mankato with his
family when twelve years old. His
father, John Williams, was prominent
in G. A. r. circles, and was a singer
of local note. He died some years
ago VERNE was reared in the fam
ily of DR.. f. J. Davis, who regarded
him the same as son, and he made
his home there for sixteen years. He
attended the Pleasant Grove and high
schools. At the former school he met
Miss Belle Goodwin, and the two We're
close friends ever afterwards, and their
marriage occurred June 6, 1900. Mrs.
Williams and two year old daugh-
ter. Lyla, survive the deceased.
Mr.. Williams was bookkeeper for his
uncle. w. B. Craig, for ten years, while
the latter was in the. stone business
in this city. After that he became
a member of the Mankato Lime and
Stone company, and attended to the
office work for several years. He was
twice elected city recorder, the first
time having no opposition. He re-
signed his office toward the close of
his second term, to accept the posi-
ton of bookkeeper for the Mankato
Citizens Fire association. This was
about six years ago. and he was with
the company up to the time of his
death He was candidate for clerk
of the district court, and expected
soon to start an active campaign.
Prominent in Local Affairs.
The deceased was one of the most
interested and active members of the
local council of the Royal Arcanum.
He carried some life insurance in that
order, as we'll as in the New York
Life. He was collector of the Royal
Arcanum for several years, and occu-
pied other offices in the council.
Mr.. Williams, besides his family, is
survived by a brother, f. s.. Williams,
who resides at Los Angeles, Cal. His
mother is buried in New York, but
his step mother resides near Ogdens-
burg. ". Y, as does also an uncle.
His Death Great Loss.
There are few residents who have
a wider acquaintance in the city than
Mr.. Williams had. He was an expert
bookkeeper, and was well and favor
ably known. He was competent, trust
worthy, and possessed the confidence
and esteem of all. He possessed
sterling character, and was kind
and indulgent husband and father, a
good neighbor, and a splendid citizen
He was conscientious to a degree, inter,
ested in having matters of a public ma
ture done right, and careful of his own
acts and sayings. His death is not
only an irreparable loss to his family
but great loss to the city at large
Such men as he can i'll be spared.
Funeral services will be held at the
residence Wednesday at 2:30 p. m.