The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-02-02
MRS. SHANK IS
MOURNED BY CITY
Continued From Page u

paign keynote speech. set originally
for Feb. 8, has been postponed indefi-
nitely.
The flag at the Statehouse was low
cred to half-mast by order of Henry
Roberts, custodian. in memory of Mrs.
Shank.
Judge Delbert o. Wilmeth an
nounced that city court will be closed
Monday afternoon.
Prayers Requested
The Rev F. A Hayward, executive
secretary of the Federated Baptist
Churches, called upon all Baptist con
gregations to observe time Of prayer
for Mrs. Shank Sunday. He also
asked that all Baptist families offer
special prayer be prepared at some
family meal time.
City officials were shocked as the
news Of the death flashed over the
city in an extra edition OF The Times
When every hope for the patients
recovery was abandoned, the guards
and barriers at the driveway en-.
trance were ordered removed. and
friends were permitted to call. An
hour after Mrs. Shank passed away
the home was filed with friends.
Towering above the entire group OF
relatives and friends. Mayor Shank
continued to bear up bravely today
He wandered away to a secluded part
Of the house Immediately following the
death news. Close friends attempted
to comfort him. Miss Belle Robbins
Of indianapolis. sister, and Andrew
J Robbins of North Salem, a brother,
were at the bedside when the end
came.
Never Gave Up Fight
Faint rays OF hope flashed the
hearts OF those who waged the long
fight against death Friday as Mrs.
Shank's pulse showed signs of
strength. The mayor frightened con-
She's going to make It," he re-
peated
During all this time. Mrs. Shank
chung to the determination to live.
She never admitted she was losing
the race with death.
said when she saw Joseph L. Hogue,
city controller. standing at the door
Of her room. At that time she made
a request for additional blood. and
Mrs. Emma Johnston of the purchas-
ing department, was ready to submit
to a TRANSMISSION operation.
BY the time physicians arrived.
however, her condition was said to be
too weak for an operation. At noon
she began TO sink steadily. She lapsed
into unconsciousness at I. two hours
after she assured friends she would
make it."
Physicians pronounced death due TO
pneumonia with complications result
ing from blood infections.
She could have beaten pneumonia.
but she was in too weakened condi-
ton with other implications to com
bat IT," said Or. NJ. j. Spencer. "She
was one OF the gamest patients | ever
knew and put up a wonderful fight
against odds"
Mrs Shank was horn in Winston
N C. Aug. /. 1876, the daugh
{ er Of W Tigue and Martha Jane Rob
bins. When she was only ? years old.
her family moved to North Salon.
Hendricks County Indiana. where she
spent her girlhood days.
She attended the North Salem pub
lie schools. early developing the bust.
ness instinct which characterized her
later life. At the age OF IA she came
to indianapolis She became idenu-
Ted with the Pettis Dry Goods Com
pany, and while manager Of the res
taurant there met and married Lew
Shank June Is, 1906.
Two sisters, Mrs George J. Rob
ertson OF Pala, Cal. and Miss Belle
Robbins Of indianapolis; two brothers. /
Andrew J. Robbins OF North Salem. |
George Robbins Of Eugene, Ore. and a |
niece. Mrs. Harry Peckmann OF In !
are among survivors.
She was member Of the Baptist
Church.