Mortuary — Cora Bell Cartwright

Leon, Iowa area, 1901

Mortuary.

Cora Bell Cartwright, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Cartwright was born in Davis City, Iowa, Jan. 23, 1879, and died of that dread disease, consumption, at her home in High Point township July 7, 1901, aged 22 years, 5 months and 14 days. She left a father, mother, four brothers and three sisters who were all at her bed side except one, Harry who is in Joplin, Mo. She had been a sufferer for the past five months, but in all her suffering she was patient and cheerful. "Co" as she was familiarly known had a kind word for every one, always ready to do her part, and such nerve and presence of mind as she manifested in her last hours is seldom seen. She called each member of the family and friends to her bedside and bade each one a last good, begging them not to grieve for she was ready to go and wanted rest. She leaves a host of friends to mourn her loss.

Dearest sister you have left us,
To mourn thee here alone,
Thou art singing with the Angels,
Before God's shining throne.

—————

The house occupied by Mrs. Sears will be for rent after June 1.
T. E. HORNER.

The Dying Wife (poetry)

1878

The Dying Wife.

Lay the gem upon my bosom,
Let me feel her warm breath,
For a strong chill o'er me passes,
And I know it is death.
I would gaze upon the treasure—
Scarcely given ere I go—
Feel her rosy, dimpled fingers
Wander o'er my cheek of snow,

I am passing through the waters,
But a blessed shore appears;
Kneel beside me, husband, dearest,
Let me kiss away thy tears;
Wrestle with thy grief, my husband,
Strive from midnight unto day;
It may leave an angel's blessing
When it vanishes away.

Lay the gem upon my bosom,
'Tis not long she can be there,
See! how to my heart she nestles,
'Tis the pearl I love to wear.
If in after years beside thee,
Sits another in my chair,
Though her voice be sweeter music,
And her face than mine more fair;

If a cherub call thee "Father,"
Far more beautiful than this,
Love thy first-born, oh! my husband!
Turn not from the motherless;
Tell her something of her mother—
You may call her by my name!
Shield her from the winds of sorrow!
If she errs, oh! gently blame.

Lead her sometimes, where I am sleeping
I will answer if she calls,
And my breath will stir her ringlets,
When my voice in blessing falls;
Then her soft black eyes will brighten,
And shall wonder whence it came;
In her heart when years pass o'er her
She will find her mother's name.

It is said that every mortal
Walks between two angels here;
One records the ill, but blots it,
If before the midnight drear
Man repenteth — if uncancelled,
Then the right-hand angel weepeth,
Bowing low with veiled eyes.

I will be her right hand angel,
Sealing up the good for Heaven;
Striving that the midnight watches
Find no misdeeds unforgiven.
You will not forget me, husband,
When I am sleeping 'neath the sod;
Oh, love the jewel to us given
As I love thee — next to God!

Venice Angel Now Mounted on Ball Bears, A Weather Vane

1916

Modernized the Angel

Mounted on Ball Bearings, It Now Acts as a Weather Vane

There are many kinds of angels ranging in style from those we read about in the Bible to those who bring out talent on the stage. It has remained, however, for a writer in the American Machinist to discover a new type of the seraphic assortment. This angel is "ball bearing" and entirely unlike the common or garden variety of angels. It stands on top of the famous tower known as the Campanile di San Marco, in Venice, and swings to the wind like a weather vane.

The statue of the angel San Marco, which surveyed the old city of Lagunea since the sixteenth century, was found but little damaged among the ruins after the collapse of the tower. It was repaired and now stands again on the lofty height, but is supported in a very different manner from the old, for it now rests on modern ball bearings.

This method of mounting allows the statue to be turned around a vertical axis by the wind, so that it swings automatically into such a position that the angel always presents the smallest surface to the wind or storm. If one considers that the large wings of the angel, which are eleven feet high. project straight backward, it may be imagined that the difference of the wind pressure is considerable, whether the wind blows against the small front surface or against the side exposing the large face of the wings.

—Stevens Point Daily Journal, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, July 29, 1916, page 3.

Railroad Workers: Sick Children and Some Die

Huron, South Dakota, 1909--

Among the Railroad Workers

Happenings in Shop and Home

Engineer Vance has been on sick list for some days.

E. G. Ball has been constructing cement walks at his residence, 611 Frank.

Miss Linnie Kesler was quite sick the last of last week.

The Infant child of Conductor Gross, who has been quite ill is said to be entirely out of danger.

Little Howard Rilplogal, the infant son of Walter Riplogal is under the care of Dr. Foxton. He is suffering from bowel trouble, as are so many little ones this weather.

Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Ball, parents Mrs. G. R. Dickson and E. G. Ball are visiting at the Dickson home. They arrived Monday evening from Egan, S. D., where another daughter lives. During the last year Mr. and Mrs. Ball have traveled in the southern and eastern portions of the United States and after a short visit here will probably tour the western states.

No. 16 came running two sections this morning, owing to the many Elks en route to their convention.

T. F. Keater has been laying for several days.

Mr. Joseph Thorsness has taken a 30-day leave of absence and gone to North Dakota, where he will, perhaps run a threshing engine.

Harry, the little nephew of Mr. Koerner (the foreman of the Co. blacksmith shops) was drowned while fishing with a crowd of little boys Monday forenoon. Harry has made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Koerner for two years since the death of his mother and they have come to look upon the boy as almost their own. He was a bright and winning little fellow and will be missed by his little playmates. The sympathy of all is with Mr. and Mrs. Koerner in this affliction.

Margarette Adell Dickson, only daughter of George R. and Margarette B. Dickson, passed away Saturday morning, August 14th, aged seven months and four days. The little one was suffering with ilio-colitis aggravated by the intensely hot weather and the fact that she was teething; she lingered but a few days after the illness manifested itself. All that loving hearts and helpful hands could do, all that medical science could lend was taxed to the uttermost but the mission of the little life had been fulfilled and the angels whispered softly, in her ear — "Child, thy Father calls thee, stay not here," as they gently bore her, robed in shining white to their blissful realms of light. At two o'clock Sunday afternoon funeral services were conducted at the home by Rev. Rifenbark, who spoke most beautifully from the text — "Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." The choir rendered "Sometime we'll understand" and "Safe in the arms of Jesus" while a friend sang "Beautiful Baby hands." Sympathizing friends filled the house with blossoms and beautiful floral emblems were received from both the B. of L. F. & E. and Prairie Rose No. 5.

God never does nor suffers to be done aught but what we ourselves would choose if we could see the end of all events as well as He.

Mr. and Mrs. Geo. R. Dickson wish to tender their heartfelt thanks to the friends and neighbors who assisted so kindly, and aided in so many ways during the last illness of their beloved little daughter and especially to express sincere gratitude to Prairie Rose lodge, to the B. of L. F. & E., and to Mrs. Porter, Mrs. Eldridge, Mrs. Thorsness and Mr. Kester particular for their untiring efforts in her behalf.

--Weekly State Spirit and Dakota Huronite, Huron, South Dakota, August 19, 1909, page 1.


DEATH OF BABY GIRL.

Seven Months Old Child of Mr. and Mrs. G. R. Dickson Died Suddenly This Morning.

Margarette Adell Dickson, aged seven months and four days, the little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. R. Dickson died suddenly this morning at 8:35 o'clock of ilio-colitis. The little one was taken sick on Monday morning, but yesterday was thought to be improved and today appeared to be almost recovered, when at eight o'clock she was taken with convulsions and died in a short time. She was a happy natured child and one that everyone loved, and the sincere sympathy of all will be extended to her parents.

The funeral services were held from the house at 617 Frank street at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon. Four young ladies acted as the pall-bearers.

--Weekly State Spirit and Dakota Huronite, Huron, South Dakota, August 26, 1909, page 4.

Comment: Even though the article of the 26th says she died "this morning," obviously the funeral was a Sunday past, and the first article says she died August 14. So it just took a little while to get this formal obituary in the paper.