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James Smith (1889)

BEITZELL, SMITH

Posted By: Cay Merryman
Date: 8/4/2004 at 14:11:48

Newspaper Unknown
April 1889
Jas. Smith Drops Dead Upon Floor

Last Monday about 1:00 p.m. the news flashed over town that James Smith, proprietor of the meat market, was dead. At first it seemed incredible, but a trip to his residence by the Reporter man substantiated the report. He had been at his place of business all the forenoon, conversed with various parties upon the street seemingly in good health, and just before noon had watered and fed his team. At dinner he complained a sharp pain in his breast, and after drinking a cup of coffee layed down upon the sofa. About 12:30 he raised himself to a sitting posture, fell forward and died instantly. Aid was procured but he never spoke. The physician informs us that heart trouble caused his death, a disease with which he had been troubled for years. None of the family were present at time of death save his wife.

Messages were dispatched to his two sons at Weeping Water, Neb., to his daughter and son-in-law, E. R. Beitzell, at Swan, and runners sent into the country for his daughter Mainie and other relatives. Mr. E. R. Beitzell, of Swan, O. D. and Bert Smith, sons, of Weeping Water, answered the dispatch by putting in an appearance as early as possible.

The funeral was large, conducted by Revs. Lauck and Baldridge at the M. E. church at 2 o’clock Wednesday. The scene there presented was affecting and touched many hearts with the thought of life’s uncertainty and the suddenness of death. At best it is hard for a family to part with its head, its father, but when death comes so sudden and unexpected, “in the midst of life,” when it touches its victim without warning and prevents him from leaving a parting word, as in this case, the bereavement falls with double force upon the loved ones left behind, and their agony pierces the heart to its very center. Many sympathizing tears from friends and neighbors were mingled with those of relatives in this case.
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Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Friday, April 12, 1889
Page 2, Column 4

Truro Truth

A. L. Creger and family went to St. Charles today to attend the funeral of James Smith.
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Coordinator's note: The unknown newspaper is probably The St. Charles Reporter, copies of which did not survive.

Gravesite
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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