Wm. Lancaster

LANCASTER

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 2/15/2021 at 11:37:00

Columbus Gazette, Columbus Junction, Iowa
Wednesday, April 22, 1896
page 1

Monday evening about five o'clock the people of Letts were startled by the news that Wm. Lancaster had dropped dead at the co-operative store. He was standing in the store at the time engaged in conversation with some friends when suddenly without a moment's warning he fell to the floor. In falling his forehead struck some object and was slightly cut. It was thought at first he had only fainted. Medical aid was hastily summoned, but by the time it arrived life was extinct. Mr. Lancaster has been in very feeble health for a long time, but has usually been able to attend to business. It was know however that he was afflicted with heart trouble of a serious character and his death, though but sudden and unexpected was not a great surprise to most of his acquaintances. Mr. Lancaster was almost universally known to our readers. He was one of the founders of the Co-operative store and for many years its secretary. For the last two years he has been its president. He also held the offices of township justice of the peace and cit assessor, and despite his bad health he has attended to these official duties without assistance. His two sons, Tom and Willie, are located at present in Cripple Creek, Colorado. Word was immediately sent ? Wednesday stated that they would start that evening. the funeral was held at the United Brethren church at 2 o'clock p. m.