Alice Bevan 1916-1927

BEVAN

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 7/2/2010 at 21:41:03

Death Due to Diphtheria Is Shock To City
Alice Bevan Dies Suddenly Following Attack; School is Closed
No Other Cases Reported in Community
Estherville was shocked Sunday morning to hear of the death of Alice Grace Bevan, 11 year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sargent Bevan, who was taken suddenly ill at the Jackson school Thursday with diphtheria. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon for the family and relatives at the grave, with the Rev. Frank Yearnd of the Baptist church in charge.

Alice, who was a student in the fourth grade, became suddenly ill in the school room where Miss Gwendolyn Gibson is teacher. The little girl was taken home, and soon became worse, until the end Sunday morning.

All precautions have been taken by the school board to prevent further cases of the disease. The Jackson school was closed immediately and will not open until next Monday morning. Both the Washington and High School buildings where members of the same family were students have been fumigated. No further cases of diphtheria have been reported in the city, and no sickness has appeared in the Bevan family.

Doctors in the city have been busy the last few days giving inoculations, children being by far the greatest majority of those taking the treatment. With the return of colder weather, it is believe that health conditions in the city will be more favorable, and no immediate danger of diphtheria is expected.

Much sympathy is extended to the Bevan family, who have suffered such a severe shock. The little girl is survived by her parents, four sisters and two brothers. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, February 9, 1927)