Mary Francis Anderson (1949)

ANDERSON, SMITH, DONALD

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 2/24/2007 at 18:08:42

Winterset Madisonian - December 28, 1949
Winterset, Iowa

ST. CHARLES WOMAN DIES IN FALL FROM HOSPITAL WINDOW

Was Widow of Physician Killed in Train Crash in 1922

(St. Charles--Special)

Mrs. Mary F. Anderson, aged 81, of this community, fell to her death last Wednesday morning from a third story window of the Methodist hospital in Des Moines.

Mrs. Anderson had entered the hospital the preceding Monday for an eye operation, which was performed Tuesday morning. The operation was successful, as far as is known, but the patient became deleirious that night. About 2 a.m. Wednesday she was found in the hall by a nurse, who returned her to bed. The nurse left the room to attend another patient, and returned just in time to see Mrs. Anderson going through the window. She caught at the patient's clothing, but could not hold on. This occurred about 4 a.m.

Mrs. Anderson lived about two hours after her fall. She was the widow of the late Dr. E. K. Anderson of St. Charles, who met a tragic death in 1922 in an automobile-train accident.

Mrs. Anderson was the former Mary Francis Smith, daughter of James and Percis Donald Smith. She was born April 1, 1869, at Gilman, Ill. In 1882 she came with her parents to St. Charles, where her father engaged in the butcher business for many years. As a young woman she taught school at St. Charles, Peru, Milo, and other places.

She was married to Dr. Eugene K. Anderson on Dec. 7, 1893. They were the parents of six children. One of them, Paul E. Anderson, survives.

She was a member of the Methodist church, and was the first organist in that church built here in 1868. She was a member of the choir, and active in many phases of church work. She was also affiliated with the John Miller Relief corps, the Rebekah lodge, was a charter member of the Service club and the women's auxiliary of the St. Charles V. F. W. post.

Funeral services were held Saturday from the United Presbyterian church at St. Charles, conducted by a former pastor, the Rev. Mr. Field. Burial was made in the St. Charles cemetery.