Carey, Francis W. d. 1895

CAREY

Posted By: Tomi McIntosh (email)
Date: 4/25/2005 at 14:43:17

The Weekly Clipper, Colfax Iowa, January 25, 1895
Death Before Dependence

Francis W. Carey

On last Tuesday afternoon at his home in this city F. W. Carey was found sitting in a rocking chair in such a heavy slumber that his wife could not awaken him. J. M. McQuisten, a neighbor, was called in and he at once realizing the situation hurried to call Dr. J. R. Ryan. It was not quite 7 pm when the doctor got there and from the patient's symptoms he at once surmised that he had taken an overdose of morphine - of which drug he was a habitual user. He asked that another doctor be called at once and upon his arrival the two doctors commenced a course of treatment which was faithfully but hopelessly continued up to 2 o'clock the following morning when the wavering, flickering flame of life went out in a breath - Uncle Frank Carey was dead.

The fatal dose was undoubtedly self-administered with suicidal intent, and his cause for taking it was a feeling that in the decrepitude and weakness of old age which he felt crowding upon him Uncle Frank would be a charge upon his faithful wife and devoted daughter.

The first of January he was deposed from the office of Justice of the Peace which he had held for six years past and which was his entire dependence for a living. He was a chronic sufferer from alcoholism and his malady had been inflamed of late years by the use of opiates until all hope of cure or relief had died in his heart, and day by day his worn our baroque drifted steadily upon the breakers.

For Forty-one years Uncle Frank had been a citizen of this county and for fourteen years past a resident of Colfax. During that period he served three years as Mayor of the town and six years as justice of the peace. He was a man of brains and under different circumstances might have adorned a higher walk in life. He was born in Ohio 69 years ago; but most of life prior to his coming to Iowa was put in the coal mining districts of Pennsylvania, where he was married to the wife who survives him. In Poweshiek township, north of here he owned a little house on Front street which he deeded to his daughter Betta who with is daughter Ada Van Billiard>, and wife are the only surviving relatives.

Mr. Carey had been a high degree Mason, and was at the time of his death a member of local lodges of the Knights of Pythias - members of both "Silver Spray" and "Bud of Hope" lodges participating in the procession, which - on foot - escorted his remains to their last resting place at McKeever cemetery. Rev Knight conducted a short prayer service at the home and the grave.

Uncle Frank was a kind husband and father, a true friend and a just honorable man in all his dealings. Even his last saddest act was inspired by tender solicitude which would not permit him to become a burden upon those he loved.

Originally submitted on Tue Jan 25 21:50:24 2000 by Tomi McIntosh, tomimc@hotmail.com