Barton County democrat., 1913-10-10
HOWARD pIFFENsAcHER.

born in Beardstown, Illinois, May
Srd, 1868, and died at the hospital IN
this city Sunday, october 5th. 1913,
aged 45 years, months and days.
Mr.. Dhfenbacher was the son OF
the late AIr. and Mrs. c.. F; Diffen-
bacher, long honored and esteemed
residents of this city. With his par
ents be came to Great Bend when
but six years Of age. He attended
and graduated fnOm the city schools
here, and when be grew tO manhood
he took up ratlnoading as an Occur
patton, beginning to work for the
Santa Fe at this place when but
nineteen years Of age.
On October IA, 1888, he was unit
ed in marriage to Miss Retta Work
man, Of This city, and ip 1894 with
his wife he removed to Slater, Mo-,
and took a position with the Ohica-
90 & Alton, shortly a6terward being
promoted to passenger conductor and
for many years had one Of the pre-
ferred runs with that road.
Some six years ago while On duty,
he was passing the engine of his
train in Grain Valley when his head
brakeman threw out coupling pin,
which struck him ON the head, stun
ming him for a time, but he recover-
ed and was taken ON his train and
hurried to Odessa where the wound
was hurriedly dressed and he con-
tinued ON his run to his home in
Slater. THE wound seemingly heal
ed quickly, and after his usual two
days lay-Off, he was able to resume
his work and seemed to have ex-
perienced no serious injury.
Two years after the accident his
mind began to- fail, and on the ad-
vice ofphysicdans he took a long rest,
but the relief thus obtained was
only of a temporary mature and as
a last resort an operation was per
formed i'm the hospital at Jackson
vile, Ills,, which revealed a growth
beneath the scar of the wound re-
ceived some years ago.
His condition again improved for
time, and a year ago this month he
and his wife moved to their farm
near this city, and for a time he
seemed to, improve. rapidly, but %
late he began tailing again and am
other operation was recommended
and performed at the hospital hers
September 29th., but a tumor war
found and nothing could be done t
relieve his suffering, and death mer
cifuily relieved the. tired body ant
mind of their earthly sufterings.
He leaves to mourn his loss hi
wife, one brother, H. NJ. Diffenbach
er, of this city, and two sisters, Mrs
E. c: Kent, Of Clinton, No., and Mrs
j. S. Ewalt, Of Springdale, ARK
besides other relatives and a host O
friends who will deeply grieve owe
his demise.
The body was taken to the hom
/ OF a nephew, Calvin Ewah, where
lay in state until Tuesday afternoon
funeral services being conducted a
the Presbyterian church at 2:3O an
interment made in the Great Ben
cemetery. A nephew, William
Brands and wife, of Kansas Cit
and a niece, Miss Genevieve ReeC
OF Lyons, were here to attend tn
funeral
Howard Diffenbacher was a ma
: whom it was good to meet and I
2 know. Jovial of disposition, loys
to his friends no matter at what cos
upright i'm all his actions, believin
] IN the goodness of his fellow-me
and liberally excusing their frailitie
true to his home and his family, h
lived such a life as might well b
emulated by many Of US. He wa
. most beloved by those who knew hil
best, and in. his going from anon
us, the hosts Of friends, and more e.
peciaily those who. have known an
loved him since his boyhood day
will feel sadness that will not b
> lightly passed over and forgotten a an
the family have the sincere sympath
OF the community in their great los
FTst published In the Barton Coul
fv nornn.o-ok nof IN 1o,o