Grace Helphrey

HELPHREY, HIGBEE, STEBBENS

Posted By: Barbara Jamison (email)
Date: 3/7/2007 at 16:24:22

from a Mt. Pleasant newspaper
MISS GRACE HELPHREY SUDDENLY STRICKEN

Death Came With Shocking Swiftness. Apparently In
Best of Health, Her Passing A Dreadful Shock

Mt. Pleasant was shocked beyond expression this forenoon when the word rapidly spread into every home of the community, that Miss Grace Helphrey, one of the most beloved women of the city, had suddenly and entirely unexpectedly passed away at her residence on East Monroe St. The facts surrounding her demise are as few as they are startling. Apparently in the best of health she was stricken down without warning by two attacks of apoplexy, one a slight one, shortly before midnight and the second, but fatal, about five o'clock this morning.

The Misses Grace and Jessie Helphrey reside at the well known Helphrey home on East Monroe. Miss Grace had so far as anyone know, been in excellent health.

Last week the Misses Helphrey drove over to Mediapolis to attend the funerl of the mother of Mrs. Jno. Helphrey of Curlew, Washington and on their return they brought with them, Mrs. Helphrey and also her sister, Mrs. O. F. Higbee of Flowler, Colorado for a few days visit. Saturday Miss Grace was up town as usual, cheerful and busy. Sunday she attended Sunday school and taught her class at the Presbyterian church and later attended the regular service. The afternoon and early evening was most delightfully spent and then Miss Grace and her sister, Jessie, went to No. 4 at eight o'clock to see Mrs. Jno. Helphrey and Mrs. Higbee off, as they returning to Mediapolis on the first step of their return to their Western homes.

Returning home the rest of the evening was spent with Miss Stebbins(sp) of the public school, who makes her home with the Misses Helphrey and it was well after eleven o'clock when the merry group broke up.

The first note of distress was when Miss Stebbins heard something that sounded like groaning from the room of Miss Grace and looking in found her on the floor unconscious. Miss Jessie was called and they placed the pation on the bed and called Dr. Hiernberg (sp), the family physician. He gave the necessary relief and Miss Grace regained consciousness an it looked as if the trouble was temporary. At about three o'clock she passed into a norman sleep and Miss Stebbins retired. But at five o'clock who was awakened by Miss Jessie and when she hurried into the sick room it took no physician to tell the story. Before anything could be done, Miss Grace had passed away. The first attack was unquestionably a slight stroke of apolexy and followed a few hours later by the fatal one. Prof. Cruikshank and Dr. Westfall close neighbors, were called, also the doctor but there was nothing to do but care for those left behind.

Mrs. John Helphrey and her sister, Mrs. Higbee were notified and they at once returned here accompanied by their brother, Mr. S. H. Matson of Mediapolis. Mrs. Maude Helphrey Jackson and Marion, Iowa arrived this afternoon and Mr. John Helphrey will be here Friday. Mr. Guy Helphrey of Sand Point, Idaho had not been located but will no doubt will be here for the funeral of his sister which will probably be held next Friday.

My notes: Mary Grace Helphrey born 9-22-1869 daughter of Frederick Parrott and Mary Frances Cozier Helphrey.