Clift, Frances B. 1889-1901

CLIFT, PAUL, WHITE, MILLER, ELVIDGE

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb Volunteer
Date: 9/21/2014 at 17:29:06

A Sad Affair
The people of Elkader were shocked Tuesday morning by one of those terrible events which bring out all the sorrow and sympathy of a community. Frances, the eleven year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Clift, was instantly killed by a rifle shot which penetrated her heart. The facts as near as can be learned are as follows:

About 8 o'clock Frances was preparing to go to school and had her overshoes on. She went into the girl's room off the kitchen where she had laid her jacket and mittens which she was evidently about to put on. In a corner behind a chair on which was a box of crackers stood a boy's rifle, the property of her brother Chester. It is thought she wanted to get some crackers and seeing the gun must have tried to take it from the corner when it was discharged in some unknown manner. The charge, a 22 long cartridge, passed through the heart and into the wall, she dying before medical aid could arrive.

Mrs. Clift and the girl were at breakfast in the dining room when they heard the discharge but did not realize what it was. On going to investigate Mrs. Clift found Frances lying unconscious and moaning. Mr. and Mrs. Paul heard Mrs. Clift's cries and Mr. Paul at once went for Drs White and Miller, but before they arrived the little girl was dead.

Frances B. Clift was born at Elkader, Dec. 26, 1889. She was a healthy, robust girl, always of a cheerful disposition and a great favorite among the children of her age. The home circle has been dealt a dreadful blow and there is but little consolation for the bereaved family, save the heartfelt sympathy of their friends and the community.

The funeral services were held at the Congregational church, Thursday afternoon, Rev. G.W. Baxter officiating. The remains were then interred in the East Side cemetery.

~Elkader Argus, Thursday morning, January 24, 1901

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Suicide of a School Girl
Dubuque, Jan. 28 - Some days since it was announced that Frances Quinn, residing at Elkader had been accidentally shot and killed, a special from Elkader received here states that the girl's name was Francis Clift, and that she committed suicide. This fact is established by a letter to a playmate, Dora Elvidge, wherein the deceased bade her friend goodbye, stating she would never see her more. She had also written on the fly-leaf of several of her books, the date of her birth, "Dec. 28, 1890," and "Died, Jan. 22, 1901," the latter date being the exact date of her death. She had also told many of her little playmates of her intentions, but they paid no attention to it until after her death. Frances was, according to Prof. Webb, one of his brightest and most ambitious pupils, and in her examinations stood very near or at the head of her class. She had complained to her parents that it was hard for her to keep on with her studies at school. She was only 11 years old and her home had always been pleasant.

~Nashua Reporter, Thursday, January 31, 1901

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Her gravestone in East Side cemetery, Elkader is inscribed:
Frances B. Clift
Born
Dec. 26, 1889
Died
Jan. 22, 1901