Mathews, William R. d. 1905

MATTHEWS, FINCH

Posted By: Barbara Hug (email)
Date: 11/19/2004 at 15:19:07

The people of this city were much surprised this morning when it was reported that W. R. Mathews, an old time settler of Jasper County, and for the last few years a resident of Newton, was dead. The news was all the more shocking, as it was but day before yesterday that the funeral of his wife occurred, who had died after a long illness.

Mr. Mathews had been as well as usual and it was thought that he had stood his wife’s long illness and death remarkably well. This morning he had gotten up at the usual hour, cared for the furnace in the basement, and eaten a hearty breakfast. Just before nine o’clock Mr. C. W. Starr, an old time friend called. Mrs. H. C. Finch, a daughter who had been staying with him since his wife’s death, received the caller then went into the dining room to call her father, who immediately went into the living room, his daughter following him. After greeting his caller, they all sat down around the register, the father making the remark, I’m so glad you called.” The last words he ever spoke. His daughter noticed a moment after that his head was falling back against the rest on the chair, and at the same time heard a gurgling sound from her father’s throat. All was over. Without any pain his life was ended.

Immediately Dr. C. E. Body was called but there was nothing to be done.

The funeral will be held Saturday, at this time it is not known at what hour, and the interment will be at the Swan Cemetery near Sully.

A son, W. R. Mathews, of Chicago, was wired and it is expected he will arrive sometime tomorrow. ~ The Newton (IA) Daily News, Thursday, February 16, 1905, Page 1, Column 4