Gilpin observer., 1919-03-20
SINKS TO DEATH
IN SLEEP ALONE

to gratify an uncomfortable desire to
leave home. resulted in the death of
MIS- Annie Dennis. the highly respect
ed wife of Henry Dennis, a prominent
ranchman located about midway between
Steamboat Springs and Hayden. Death
was due to exposure. and undoubtedly
took place on Wednesday evening of
last week. although It was not until
Friday that her family realized that
she was not safely with her grand
children in Steamboat Springs. Search
was then made for her, but it was not
until Sunday that her body was found,
where she had passed away in sleep
after laying down to rest.
Mr.. Dennis and his daughter, Mrs.
Wilbur Rule. with whom they made
their home. and on numerous previous
occasions found 1t impossible to change
the mothers determination when she be-
came seized with the des to 20 to
some point, and when she announced
last Tuesday morning that she was com
ing to steamboat to visit the children
OF Mrs. Rule, who are attending school
here, Mr.. Dennis took her by team to
Miner. for her to catch a train Owing
to a arrangement OF the train service,
there was no passenger train toward
Steamboat Springs that day and Mrs.
Dennis announced that she would re-
main at Miner until tie next morning,
and then come to town. Her husband
endeavored to persuade her to return
home. but she refused, and knowing
her condition Of mind. he departed.
leaving her at the Miner hotel.
Wednesday morning Mrs. Dennis arose
early and walked to the ranch OF Frank
Johnson, who was just starting for the
ranch OF his son. Francis johnson. in
the South Side district. She rode four
miles with him, leaving him at the
Wren ranch and stating that from there
she would walk to Steamboat. Mr.
johnson felt certain that "a passing
team would soon pick her up and bring
her to town.
The aged lady evidently became con-
fused In her directions, and instead Of
following the read toward town, she
| turned In at the Wren ranch, where no
| one Is now residing. Tracks in the
snaw. found when her body was discoy-
cred. showing that she had walked
around only a little before laying down
| for the long rest from which she never
not with her grandchildren. the frantic
| husband began a search for her. being
| assisted by E. A Brooks. Henry Rap
son and other neighbors in the neigh
hours before they found her lifeless
body.
ternoon from the Methodist church in
steamboat Springs. with a service by
Rev. v. c. Soash. There was a large
attendance Of old friends and neighbors.
The remains were laid to rest In the
Steamboat cemetery. but 1t is the plan
of the bereaved husband to later take
the body to the old home at Central
City. for burial beside her two children
resting there.
Annie Lawry was born May -. 1857.
In Cornwall, England, and while a child
came to the United States with her par
ents. She married Henry Dennis May
6. 1878. at Calumet. Mich. and with him
came at once to Colorado. to make
their home at Central City. where he
had been located since 1869.
Mr.. and Mrs. Dennis came to Routt
county SO years ago. locating at their
ranch west Of Pool. but later returned
to Central City. where they remained
they have resided continuously at tthe
ranch. with their daughter, Mrs. Wilbur
Rule. and her husband.
Mrs. Dennis united with the Methodist
church when Is years old. and during all
OF her long residence in Central City
, she was active in church work. She
was widely known as a splendid Chris
tian woman, and a good wife. and hum
dreds OF friends in both Routt and Gil
pin counties will mourn her demise.
Mrs. Elizabeth Rule is the only sur
viving child. A son. William John Dem
mis-, died April 80. 1911. while another
child. LYDIA May. died in 1889, when
only 15 years Of age. She also leaves a
sister and a brother. Mrs. Emma j..
opie. OF Great Bend, Kans., and Frank
Lawry. Of Bellingham. Wash. - Routt
County Sentinel.
c. I. Parsons, Richard Floyd, Richard