Elizabeth Aicher (1829 – 1901)

AICHER, VOGT, HARMCIER

Posted By: Greg Strub (email)
Date: 5/15/2008 at 12:39:30

1901 – 29 July - Daily Iowa State Press

Suddenly Summoned

Mrs. Elizabeth Aicher Found Dead at Bedside of Her Niece

Frightened and horror-stricken beyond description, Miss Matilda Harmcier awakened yesterday morning at 3:30 o’clock, and found at her bedside the lifeless form of her beloved aunt, Mrs. Elizabeth Aicher, widow of Cyprian Aicher, a pioneer Iowa Citizen.

Mrs. Aicher had undoubtedly passed away several hours before, after a violent hemorrhage of the lungs, for every evidence of that fatal affliction was there.

Miss Harmcier slept down stairs and Mrs. Aicher up stairs at the residence of her aunt, 528 East Brown street. At 11 o’clock Saturday night Mrs. Aicher retired, seemingly in as good health as usual. About 1 o’clock Sunday morning her niece was awakened by a slight noise and she listened intently for a few minutes, thinking that some one was at the window. She heard no more, however, and sank to sleep again. When she reawakened it was 3:30 o’clock, and as she turned her gaze to the floor she was shocked to behold the out-stretched form of her kinswoman. Mrs. Aicher had doubtless been seized with a severe attack at the time the young woman heard the noise. It is probable that she made an effort to descend the stairs, and warn her niece, but that the fatal affliction overpowered her when she reached the bedside of Miss Harmcier and she fell helpless and probably lifeless, without awakening the sleeper unless the noise that aroused Miss Harmcier really was caused Mrs. Aicher when she sank to the floor. If the sound of the fall were of very brief duration it might easily have awakened the niece, and yet, have made no definite or vivid impression on her, so as to lead her to arise.

Mrs. Aicher was 72 years of age, and had lived here respected and highly esteemed by all for more than forty years. She leaves six children, all grown and married, two sons and four daughters. They live in several faraway points. Here reside both sons, Frank and Henry and one daughter, Mrs. William Vogt.

The funeral will take place from St. Mary’s church, tomorrow morning at 9 o’clock.