Mattie Brooks (1900)

BROOKS

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 8/30/2009 at 08:36:12

Winterset Madisonian – September 20, 1900
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Additional Local

Mrs. Mattie Brooks, who has been sick with consumption for the past three months at the home of Mrs. Speer, died on Friday evening. The funeral services were held on Saturday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Follansbee.
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Winterset Reporter – September 20, 1900
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A Sad Death.

The death of Mrs. Lou Brooks at the home of Mrs. A. J. Speer in this city last Friday night, while it had been long expected was brought with painful circumstances to the dying woman and her friends. Mrs. Brooks and her husband were theatrical performers and she came to this city in May the victim of consumption, while her husband remained on the road with Terry’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin Co. Mrs. Brooks spent the summer with Mrs. A. J. Speer, whose careful nursing and sisterly devotion both prolonged her life and cheered her last days. Mrs. Speer is a poor woman and could ill afford the care of a helpless patient and her Christian kindness has been the admiration of the few who knew the circumstances. Mr. Brooks was twice telephoned that his wife was dying but he claimed that he could not come, but sent money to partially defray the funeral expenses. The friends of the dead woman feel rightly that this neglect was an outrage, that money to afford the funeral of a queen would not make up for his absence at her death bed. Those who know “old man” Satchell of the Terry Show, believe there could be no good reason why Mr. Brooks could not be here and his reception, should he ever come to Winterset, will be an icy one.

The deceased was born in Texas in 1872. She was a school teacher in her early womanhood and a good common school education. She had been trouping since her marriage almost four years ago. The funeral occurred at 4 o’clock Saturday, conducted by Rev. L. E. Follansbee.