Walleser, Lorraine died 1906

WALLESER, SCHMIDT, MANDELKOW, THOMA

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 3/5/2017 at 11:09:13

Elkader Register, Thur., 1 Feb. 1906. Garnavillo News column.

The saddest and most deplorable calamity this community has ever experienced exists at the present time in the form of diphtheria and membraneous croup. Four deaths have occurred, but it is thought that the remaining cases will not result seriously and that the disease has been checked.

The first death, which was that of Lorraine, the eight year old son of Emil Walleser and wife, occurred Sunday morning at about ten o'clock - caused by diphtheria. As very few knew of his illness the intelligence of his sudden departure greatly shocked the people. All that day they awaited anxiously hopeful news about (looks like Alovs or Aloys) Schmidt, Edna Limbach and Norma Thoma, who were very sick at the time. All medical aid available was tendered the suffering. Drs. W. L. Duffin, of Guttenberg, G. A. Brandt, of Farmersburg, and Clark, of McGregor, assisted Dr. Schmidt at the bedside of his five year old son, whose frail little body was struggling with membraneous croup. The final report was given about four o'clock, and alas ! It only added to the distress.

In the meantime Clarence, the ten year old son and only child of Mrs. Ella Mandelkow was taken sick with the same disease. For several weeks he had an attack of the croup. Because he had been subject to it every winter his mother was not alarmed. This time, however, it developed into membraneous croup, and on Monday at 3:30 his gentle spirit also took its flight. Edna Limbach is recovering, but the death of Norma, the ten year old daughter of Fred Thoma and wife, which occurred Wednesday morning at seven o'clock, caused by diphtheria, has cast another gloom over the town.

O, that the blood of the Paschal lamb might have been visible on the door posts, so the Death Angel would have past over ! How much anguish would have been avoided. Certainly the ways of Providence are too great for human understanding. Although our hearts go out with love and sympathy to the sorrowing ones, we commend them to a higher source of consultation, to seek strength from Him who said: "Suffer little children to come unto me." The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away - blessed be the name of the Lord.

These children had endeared themselves to all and were the sunshine in their respective homes - bright and beautiful fountains of happiness and comfort. Always cheerful and enjoying each others companionship, for they were all pupils in the same department at school. They certainly will be greatly missed and their memories will ever be dear.