Estancia news-herald. [volume] (Estancia, Torrance County, N.M.) 1912-19??, 1917-09-20
DEATH OF N. A. WELLS


noon, September 18th, after 9
short illness, and was buried
Sunday afternoon in the Estan'
cia cemetery.
There was no funeral service.
A few hours before his death
he told his niece, Mrs. Cornell,
that it was his desire to be
buried here. Further, he asked
that no funeral service of the
usual kind be held, but that his
friends and neighbors, and the
Masons and Odd Fellows be
asked to come and bury him de-
Gently and in order, but without
ceremony.
He was always sincere and
outspoken, and everyone knew
this request was made in sim
cerity, so it was complied with.
A. F. Grimmell of the Masonic
Order, read a short statement
setting forth his request, togeth-
er with a statement which he had
written and which is printed be-
low in quotation marks. and a
short biographical sketch, and
there was no other ceremony.
The following in his handwrit-
ing was found, and it is known
by the reference to his age that
it was written at some time since
his last birthday-May 9th. 1t
seems probable that he wrote it
with the idea that it would be
found and used as a statement
concerning his views and aims in
life, and it was 80 used as noted
above:
Mr.. Wells, tho 81, is active
and progressive. He is an advo-
cate of a universal language
Esperanto-which has organiza-
tions in the different nations. He
is also a member of the simplified
spelling board. New York. In
religion he is a member of the
nationalist Association of Chica-
go, where he pays yearly dues.
He is also a firm advocate of So
cialism government ownership
in which he gives financial
support.
He condemns old bachelors,
but too late now to redeem him
self.
He is quite a reader-in fact a
student searching for the truth
and good of life"
Mr.. Wells was around as usual
on Monday and seemed in his
usual health. He began to feel
i'll Monday night, but was on the
street several times Tuesday,
though it could be seen that he
was not feeling we'll. On We'd
nesday he remained in bed, and
grew worse until his death about
four O'Clock Saturday afternoon.
The trouble was obstruction of
the bowels. which would not
yield to treatment, and a surgical
operation was considered in
advisable on account of his age.
He suffered a great deal until
near the end, but died peacefully
as if going to sleep.
Nathaniel A. Wells was born near
Galena, in Delaware county,
Ohio, May 9th, 1886, and at the
time of his death was 81 years,
A months and 6 days of age.
He was never married.
He had three brothers and one
sister, of whom only the young
est brother was alive when last
heard from, but if now alive, his
dwelling place is unknown.
After leaving his native place
he engaged in business for
number of years in Columbus,
Ohio, and then located in Geuda
Springs, Kansas, where he lived
a number of years.
He came to this country in the
fall of 1906, and took home
stead. After proving up on his
homestead he lived in Willard
some time and then came to Es-
tancia, where he has since resid-
ed.
He became a Royal Arch Ma
son at Delaware, Ohio, in 1870.
but at some subsequent period
unknown, suffered his member
ship to lapse.
He was a man of positive be-
liefs, of sterling character, and
a good citizen.
A decided place cheap for sale,
a little short song 1900 yards
long. If well composed this ad
will run until sold. Apply to
owner. ]. Hollis, Estancia,