SAYRE, Salmon B., Dr. 1870-1905

SAYRE, OCONNOR

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 1/1/2011 at 22:22:57

Dr. S. B. Sayre Drops Dead.

Found Dead in His Office at Oelwein.

Was Leading Physician Here at One Time.

The sad news was received here Monday afternoon that Dr. S. B. Sayre, of Oelwein, had died suddenly that afternoon of heart disease.

From the particulars of his sad and sudden death it is learned that Monday forenoon, about eleven o'clock, a gentleman called at his office to be fitted with glasses and he furnished the information that Dr. Sayre seemed to be in his usual health and was quite jovial; this was the last time any one say him alive. About two o'clock a patient he was treating called by appointment, and was shocked to discover him sitting dead in his chair, his feet resting on the fender to the heating stove in the room, his head tilted back in the attitude of sleep, his right hand hanging at his side, and in his left hand a book which he had been reading. Death apparently had occurred painlessly and but a short time before. A post-mortum examination was held which indicated that death had undoubtedly been due to heart failure.

Salmon Burdette Sayre, was born in Melrose township, Grundy county, Iowa, February 1, 1870, and died at Oelwein, Iowa, November 27, 1905, aged 35 years, 9 months and 26 days. He was the youngest child in his father's family.

At the age of twenty-one he began the study of medicine in Rush Medical College in Chicago, where he graduated four years later, and up to the time of his death had been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession. He first located at Whitten and later in the fall of 1895 he came to Conrad, and in the spring of 1896 built his residence on Washington avenue. From 1895 until the fall of 1903 he was one of the leading physicians of our community, building up a large and extensive practice. A little over a year ago he located in Oelwein and devoted his entire time to the work of a specialist in the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear and throat and had built up a fine practice.

On November 14, 1903, he was married to Miss Elizabeth O'Connor of this city, who with an infant son of nine months survive him. Besides the wife, he leaves a father, three brothers and two sisters to mourn his untimely death.

Dr. Sayre was one of whom much good can be said. He made no distinction between the rich and poor, for all who needed the benefit of his skill as a physician got the best services he was capable of giving. He had a frank, blunt manner of expressing himself, and this many times only served to hide the large heart and deep sympathy that always manifested itself in the case of those who were in suffering or in want. He was a true friend and there was nothing he would not do to aid those who had his confidence and good will.

In the years of his practice here he won the everlasting gratitude and friendship of a long list of people who will sincerely mourn his death. He, like all men, made mistakes, but who has not, so while we drop the sympathetic tear over his grave, let us cast the mantle of charity over his faults, foibles and errors, whatever they may have been, and not withhold from his memory the praise that his virtues may have claimed. His faults were human; absolute perfection belongs to the Almighty; the wisest and best man in all ages have erred.

Funeral services were held at Melrose church near his father's home Thursday, November 30, conducted by Rev. Davis, pastor of the M. E. church at Whitten, and attended by a large concourse of sorrowing friends. Interment in Melrose cemetery, with the burial rites of the Masonic order of which he was a prominent member.