Smith, Dimple d. 1896

SMITH, BRYANT

Posted By: volunteer
Date: 12/14/2006 at 08:25:57

Newton (IA) Journal
Wednesday, August 19, 1896

Grandpa and Dimple die Together

Mr. Tom G. Bryant, of Newton, has received a great sorrow, during the last week. His father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. S. B. J. Bryant, had lived in Atlantic, Iowa, since 1879, until a year ago, when they moved to Rogers, Arkansas. Mrs. W. W. Smith, their daughter from Audubon, Iowa, was making a visit with her parents, accompanied by her two little daughters, Theresa and Dimple, aged 8 and 5, respectively.

On Tuesday afternoon of last week, August 11th, Mr. Bryant was working out in the garden. As a storm threatened, he came up nearer to the house and stood in a stable door with Mrs. Smith, Theresa and Dimple. As the storm still approached, Mrs. Smith said they had better get to the house, and starting with Teresa, told her father to come on with Dimple. Instead of going at once, he took Dimple to the spring for a drink. The spring was out of sight of the house, a shed of some kind intervening. After Mrs. Smith reached the house, the rain had begun to fall in large drops and all at once lightning struck near the house, Some of the folks rushed out at once, and under a tree not far from the spring, lay Mr. Bryant with Dimple in his arms, her arms tight about his neck, just as they had fallen. Everything possible was done to resuscitate them,but to no avail. Their death must have been instantaneous. The lightning had first struck the tree and then scattered on them. Mr. B’s head and Dimple’s arms showed marks of the stroke. After the lightning had struck, the rain came down in torrents.

The bodies were brought to Atlantic for burial. Mr. Smith came down to Newton, and he and Mr. Bryant met the others at Des Moines, and went with them. The Masons and G. A. R. had charge of the services, one being held at Rogers and another at Atlantic, Mr. Bryant being a prominent member in both societies. He was only 55 years old. The funeral in Atlantic was held on Friday.

Sudden deaths seem so much harder to bear, and Mr. Bryant and the other bereaved ones have the sincere sympathy of Newton friends.