The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1912-04-19

InIS. lSllLd l1OohlHo dIIlo, 1AulS
Liza" as she was known to everyone,
passed peacefully to rest at the Lancas
ter Hospital on last Thursday. Several
weeks ago she suffered a stroke of par
alysis at the home of Mrs. Halle Dun
lap in this city, where she has been
making her home, and while she rallied
from the disease to some extent, it was
felt by her friends that she could not
long survive. She was removed to the
Hospital where she remained until
her death, the last fleeting hours of her
existence being characterized by that
cheerfulness which she had .evinced
throughout her long and eventfuI ca
reer, and which had drawn to her in
close bonds of friendship all with whom
she came in intimate contact. Mrs.
Farris was born few miles north of
Bryantsville in this county and was the
daughter of Mr.. William Hoskins, her
father owning and living upon the farm
adjoining that of Richard Robinson,
which farm was known as Camp Dick
Robinson, and which was famous re-
cruiting station and the scene of Fed
eral activities during the Civil War.
Miss Hoskins at the outbreak of the
war lived with her father on this farm,
and the hardships of the soldiers appeal
ed strongly to her tender sympathies,
and she proved a yeritable angel of
Mercy to them, going through camp,
regardless of contagious disease or
other obstacles which best her pathway
she ministered to their wants, nursed
them in their sickness, bandaged their
wounds, and sought by every means in
her power to ameliorate their suffering
until she finally came to be known as
the Florence Nightengale" of the
camp, this name having been given
to her by young Federal named Hor-
ace Maynard who she nursed through a
siege of sickness and by her kindly adj
ministrations and careful nursing en-
abled to again join his command and re-
new the struggle for his country's
cause. Loyalty to the Union was a
strong incentive which prompted her
action in caring so tenderly for the
sick and distressed, but from the kind
ness of her heart she would as readily
listened to the pleadings of one who
wore the gray, had the force of circum-
stances thrown one of them in her
pathway.
In 1910 Senator William o. Bradley
sought to have Congress recognize and
reward her services by an appropria-
ton of $1,000, but fearing to establish
a dangerous precedent that body declin-
ed to grant his request; the Senator,
who had long been a warm friend of
"Aunt Liza, related in detail the
the many acts of kindness shown by
her to the distressed soldiers, and ex-
pressed keen disappointment, that now
in her old age and enfeebled condition,
and when her circumstances had become
reduced, it was deemed inconsistent to
reward her for the many acts of self
sacrifice she had committed for those
who were incapable of helping them
selves. Senator Bradley's story appeal
ed strongly to his colleagues, and forth
with several of them volunteered to
subscribe to fund for her benefit,
promptly taking advantage of the sit
uation the Senator secured checks from
those who had volunteered as follows:-
Smoot, Depew, Smith of Michigan,
Elkins, Bourne, Oliver, Carter, Briggs,
Dupont and Guggenheim, and which he
supplemented by check for 500. rails
ing in the aggregate $1O5O. This a.
mount he forwarded to the good old
lady with letter of explanation and
her gratitude at receiving it was a
pathetic spectacle.
Mrs. Farris was noted for her hospi-
tally and her fathers table, at which
she presided. had for it's guests many
of the distinguished military men OF
that period, including Gems. Sherman,
Thomas and Nelson, all of whom de.
lighted in the fact that she was their
warm personal friend, and Gen. Andrew
johnson was so pleased with the hospi-
tally extended him at the Hoskin's
home that he returned and spent an
entire Summer as their guest.
After the war Miss Hoskins was mar
ried to James Farris, and for a long
time this charming old couple, "Uncle
Jimmie" and "Aunt Liza, were resi-
dents of Lancaster. No children came
to bless this union, and Uncle Jimmie
many years ago preceded her to the
Great Beyond,
Aunt Liza with her snow white curls
and peculiar head gear was a familiar
figure in Lancaster, quaint reminder
of the days before the war, not a soul
in Lancaster, admit or child, black or
white, but reverenced her, and all who
met her on the street had kindly
word for the dear, kindly old soul, who
Notwithstanding her extreme years,
and the fact that she had felt the
heavy hand of adversely, yet always
saw so much in this life over which she
might rejoice and be glad.
Aunt Eliza was 90 years old the 10th.
day of this month and until her recent
illness some few weeks since was able
to be upon the streets, though for
many years she has walked with the