Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1912-11-13
THE PASSING OF
MRS. OCEA BASFORD
Continued from first page)

superb health But really she has
been a sufferer for twelve years.
Twice has she sought surgical aid in
city hospitals. Since the tragical
ending of the beloved son Archie's life
in December 1910, an event that left
lasting gloom in their beautiful
home. and a wound in the mothers
heart that could not heal, there have
been many times when the brave
hands that had never hesitated at
any task had to lay down the burden
of their labors.
But her fortitude and courage did
not fail. Only a few weeks ago her
kind hands robed the body of Mrs.
Turley for the grave-the stranger
lady who died so suddenly at the
Wright House. And all summer her
frequent, CHEEKY visits helped the
writer through long months of
dragging illness. Ny dear girl.friend
farewell, farewell
Mrs. Basford had seemed to greatly
improve under thu treatments at the
Lancaster saritarium. Her husband
took her in August to the Conven-
tion of Pythian Sisters at Denver.
On their return trip a beautiful week,
now to be held henceforth in sacred
memory, was spent in Chicago with
her sons Drs. Harry and L. P. and
her sister Mrs. Leone Wright. Tuesday
evening October 22nd, she was taken
very i'll. From the first the heart
action was alarming, and her condi-
tion was gravely considered, but none
apprehended 50 swift a termination.
At 10 p. m. Saturday October &c,
1919, with the immediate family
about her bedside, she sweetly closed
her eyes and very peacefully entered
into rest, while again the somber
cloud curtains of a sorrow deeper than
all the rest, fell upon the home. It's
heart vas gone.
o Thou, who are the ''shadow of a
great rock in a weary land'' give to
the stricken ones there. the shelter of
Thy wing. Open their hearts to the
sweet mysteries of Thy c~onsoliug love.
Wherefore they are no more twain
but one flesh" And what Thou
didst join together in life's fair
morning Thou has now put asunder.
With the evening shadows drawing
near, our brothers. life is swept by
this desolating sorrow and the ons
have lost the dearest, stanchest friend
that ever man car have. In the chill
of their sore bereavement, how often,
Oh, how often will they cry out for a
touch of the vanished hand. and a
sound of the voice that is STILL o
Father, comfort them, even as lone
whom a mother comforteth.
A widespread sorrow was made
manifest at the funeral services. They
we're held at the family residence
Tuesday 2:30 p. M, October goth,
Rev. J.. T. Morgans, beloved late
pastor of the M. E. church of this
city, now of Augusta. Wis spoke
beautiful and cousoling woods, his
theme, Mother. his text, "As one
whom his mother comforteth so will
I comfort you, and you shall be COM
forted.
The resident pastor. Rev. Charles
Beers, read a Scriptural selection, be-
ginning 'Desplse not thou the chasten-
ing of the Lord, " and tenderly invoked
the divine presence with gracious
blessings. The male quartette Messrs
Earl Ivey. Oscar Wright, Harry and
John Orton sang abide With Me-
and "Nearer, My God to Thee" By
request Rev. Morgans read "a brief
sketch CT Mrs Basford's life with the
touching poem Zone Less at Home. .
and sang sweetly and softly. "Beauti-
full Hands The beautiful casket
was deposited in the southeast corner
Of the front parlor, where it was sur
rounded by great fragrant banks OF
flowers, their beauty barring descrip-
ti%on-loving offerings of friends and
associates. In a conspicuous position
reposed a pillow in the colors Of the
Pythian Sisters, a royal purple key in
the center, emblematic of Mrs. Bas-
ford's high Office. Another remarka-
bly, beautiful tribute was the piece
Coates Ajar'' composed of brides
roses with the pure white Dove of
Peace with spreading wings above.
Oh. so many others there were-so
beautiful but too numerous for special
mention nere.
The capacious home was filled with
friends to OVERLOOKING. Solemnly
and silently the long line. filed past
the open casket, and many wept as
they looked upon the familiar form
now lying so white and stately aud
and still At the door and far up and
down the walk were crowds who had
been unable to gain admittance. The
IL