Miles, Morris Jesse 1894-1912

MILES, FIRMAN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 1/1/2010 at 12:55:33

Death Loves a Shining Mark

Morris J. Miles High School Student is Stricken Down

The death of Morris J. Miles, which occurred at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Miles, just before six o'clock last Wednesday, May 8th, was a crushing blow to the happy family whose circle had never before been broken except when a wee infant was plucked from it years ago. And the sorry which has come to them through the death of the brilliant and lovable son and brother, is shared in a peculiar degree by the entire community, where his life of a little over 18 years has been spent.

The cause of the young man’s death was local meningitis. He was first taken sick and compelled to leave school about three weeks before his death – suffering from what this physician pronounced an abcess over the right eye. For a few days his sufferings were intense, and from the first his condition was known to be very critical; yet all had the hope that his strong physique and splendid physical condition, together with his indomitable will, would carry him safely through the breakers and he would win in the battle with disease. But it was not to be so; the enemy was too strong and his precious life went out, leaving the whole community in sorrow.

Morris was born in this city, March 30, 1894, and his brief life of 18 years was all spent here. He was loveable and attractive even when a small boy. In their sorrow today, many of our people call to mind the little 5-year old “M.J.” on his wee bicycle spinning along the walk unconscious of the admiration he was receiving from everybody, the general inclination being to take the little fellow into loving arms and imprinting kisses on the sweet innocent face of the beautiful winsome boy. As he grew older and entered school, he immediately became the favorite of all his teacher and classmates – favoriteism which he retained throughout the grades, into the high school and up to the time when his young life was snuffed out within a couple of weeks of his graduation day. He was a great lover of athletics, and was always first and foremost in all sports which in these days form so great a part in the life a real live school boy. He was also a devout Christian, and for several years a member of the United Presbyterian Church – a faithful worker in the Sabbath School and young people’s society. Besides his parents he is survived by three brothers, Sayer, Don and Sam, and three sisters, Mrs. Albert Firman of Waterloo, and Misses Carrie and Ester of this city – all older than he, and one sister, Isabel, younger than himself.

Funeral services were held in the Congregational church, Friday afternoon, conducted by the U.P. pastor, Rev. R. A. Jamieson, music being furnished by Messrs. Fred Hough, Will Blaylock, Fred Meredith and Ralph Sloanaker, with Mrs. Cornelia Fisk as organist. Fully 200 of the high school students and the faculty attended in a body. The ballbearers were the members of the 1912 football team-Joe Woodrow, Blair Hawn, Everett Farnham, Ivan Sheeler, Arch Kelley, Lee Kenyon, Ernest Bell, Albert Weeks, Albert Chapman, Harold Fleck, Rex Sheeler and Orville Raymond – the young men dressed in their graduation suits of black coats and white trousers. The floral offerings were abundant and beautiful, many elegant pieces coming from the high School pupils and teachers, and special friends of M. J. and his bereaved loved ones. The services throughout were most beautiful, solemn and impressive – everything evidencing the high esteem in which “M.J.” Miles had been held in the community, and the profound sorrow felt for his untimely death. Newspaper unknown.
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After a struggle lasting nearly three weeks M. J. Miles died yesterday afternoon, Wednesday, May 8, at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Miles.

M. J. was a high school senior and his sickness has brought much anxiety and unrest to his teacher and classmates and now there is a deep shadow over the whole school. This morning Prof. Beard gave a brief talk and there were few dry eyes in the audience room.

M. J. was so well liked. He was such a whole souled genial boy and he had taken such an active part in athletics, in the society life of the school and in the work in getting out the annual.

He was a bright, energetic fellow, and during his sickness he would often ask if he had been in school yesterday and when his attendants would tell him he had not been for several days he would say “I will try and go tomorrow”. And that is the way it was all thru the three weeks, he was planning to go to school tomorrow.

Morris was a member of the third half year class and he carried seven studies the first semester this year and six the last term and received high marks. But for his fatal illness he would have completed the high school course in three and a half years and would have received several extra credits.

At the meeting of the Newton school board Monday night a resolution was passed to the effect that should he recover, he would receive his diploma.

His oration “Diaz” was practically completed and was in the hands of Miss Clara Broderick for correction. He told his home folks he would have to cut it down some.

All during his school life he sang in the glee club and quartets and had a fine voice and loved music.

He played full-back on the foot ball team the last three seasons.

He was one of the joke editors on the Newtonia staff and had in charge the joke department of the annual now in the hands of the printer. He was enthusiastic and very energetic and had spent much time on the annual as well as on his other school work.

Morris Jesse Miles was born the 3rd of March 1894 in the home where his death occurred. He was been since a tiny lad popular with both young and old. In the home and by his friends he was loved and admired. His strength and speed made him a fine foot ball player and that strength stood him well when he worked in his father’s garage during the vacation.

Not alone in his home was he admired. His schoolmates and all his associates and teacher liked him well for his generous nature and loveable ways.

Just two weeks form the day he would have been on e of a large class to have been graduated from the Newton High School he died, and just two weeks from the day he would have been one of the merry alumni party his body was laid away and may hearts were filled with deepest sorrow and pain and where it was expected all would be brightness and happiness and joy there was mourning.

When a young lad M. J. joined the United Presbyterian church.

The funeral will be held at 3 p.m. Friday at the Congregational church and Rev. Jamieson of the U.P. church will officiate. Newspaper unknown.