Robert Shideler

SHIDELER

Posted By: Cyndi Vertrees (email)
Date: 11/6/2011 at 08:50:07

Robert Shideler

Lake City Graphic
April 25, 1889

Manson Journal:

AT REST !

Uncle Robert Shideler, after Twelve Days of Suffering, Joins His Loved Companion on the Eternal Shore.

Robert Shideler died at his home in Center township, Tuesday morning, March 16, after an illness of twelve days; aged 67 years, 6 months and 22 days.

On the 5th day of April, as he and his wife were coming to town, and while on the grade north of G. Zell’s, Mrs. S.’s clothing took fire; the later caused by a spark from Mr. Shideler’s pipe. In his desperate efforts to save her from the flames his hands were horribly burned. This, together with the loss of his wife in such a cruel manner, causing intense mental suffering, as well as physical, were the direct causes of his death. After his wife was buried he appeared to rally for a time, but could not throw off the terrible feeling that continually haunted his every hour.

He appeared to loose all desire to live, and asked only to join the loved one who had been so cruelly snatched from his grasp. No material change was noticed in his condition till Sunday, when he became very restless. When the doctor visited him Monday, he soon detected signs of a total collapse of the nervous system. After his hands had been dressed at 8 o’clock, he passed into a deep slumber, and waked not again on this earth. He gradually sank away ‘till 8 o’clock Tuesday morning, when the spirit took its flight, and nothing but cold clay remained of the strong, robust man of two weeks before. His children who were with him, prayed that he might awake, if for only long enough to bid them all a last farewell, but in this they were disappointed.

The spirit of Robert Shideler has gone to its Maker. In early life he prepared himself for the great change that comes to one and all, sooner or later, and he died in the firm belief of a future happiness, where (paper smudged) rows of earth enter not. His whole life was an example of unselfish interest and love for mankind. He adored his wife and family and devoted his interests to their welfare and happiness. During his illness his neighbors, who looked upon him and his estimable family as dear friends, have vied with each other in trying to make his suffering and sorrow as light as possible (smudge) one of whom would have been glad to have borne a share (smudge) is irreparable, and the deepest sympathy is extended to one and all in this the hour of their great and overwhelming grief. A feeling of sadness has crept over the entire community, that time alone can only efface. The kind faces and cheerful words of both Mr. Shideler and wife, will live in many families always.

Robert Shideler was born in Miami County, Ohio, September 24, 1821. Was married to Susan Hain, October 1, 1845. Moved to Cass county Michigan, in 1848. In April 1865, they moved to Lake City, Iowa and to Manson in the fall of 1870.

I am unable to read the next part.

It continues with

It is one of those accidents of life that cannot be accounted for. One look at Uncle Robert’s hands is proof of the life struggle made to save her, and, if laying down his own life would have sufficed, how quickly would he have done it. Uncle Robert may blame himself, but there is not another living soul who is cruel enough to make such a charge. Mrs. Shideler, after falling from the grade, no doubt breathed the fire into her lungs, and this what caused her sudden death. The whole time of the accident from the beginning of the fire, to her death, could not have been over ten minutes.