Rosa Nellie Shreves (1898)

HANCOCK, SHREEVES

Posted By: Kent Transier
Date: 6/19/2005 at 14:12:27

The Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, June 29, 1898

Death of Nellie Shreeves

Death loves a shining mark, and the result is that the pure spirit of Miss Nellie Shreeves passed to the realms of bliss on Friday morning, the 17th inst., and the beautiful mortal casket was consigned to an untimely grave in the cemetery at Blair Chapel on the following afternoon.

Miss Nellie, a favorite of all who knew her, was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Shreeves, of this city (St. Charles), was in her 20th year, was a studious, intelligent young lady. The pride of loving parents, a brother and younger sister, whose hearts are crushed by their great bereavement.

During the past year her naturally good health began to show symptoms of gradual failure, and a few months ago it became apparent to her observing friends and to her physician, that the dread disease consumption had fastened upon her with a relentless hold, and since early spring set in her decline has been rapid and her suffering intense, which despite of skill and kind attention could not be stayed or alleviated.

This young lady, so dearly loved and appreciated by parents, friends and a large circle of acquaintances, is missed in this social circle. Her attainments, her modest life, her kind disposition and winning ways endeared her to young and old alike.

Sympathy for the sufferer and for the bereaved was not witheld, and nothing undone that could have in any way alleviated the agony. But fate is inexorable and none can escape.

Rev. Hancock of the M. E. church, preached a funeral discourse in his church. The remains were accompanied to the Blair Chapel where a short service was held consisting of most beautiful and appropriate music, after which a final leave was taken and the casket consigned to a beautifully decorated grave. This death has spread a gloom over this vicinity of more than usual intensity, and her young friends speak of her departure with stifled voices.
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Winterset Reporter
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, June 23, 1898
Page 5

Local Pickups

Miss Nellie Shreves, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Shreves, of St. Charles, died last Friday of consumption, and was buried Saturday at Blair Chapel. Nellie was a beautiful young lady twenty years old, and had many friends. Her death is a sad stroke, and hosts of friends mourn her departure.
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Winterset Reporter
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, June 23, 1898
Page 5

Earth to Earth Again.

Death Claims Another Victim in the Person of Nellie Shreves.

Died, Miss Nellie Shreves, June 17, 1898, of consumption, at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Shreves, in St. Charles, Iowa, aged 19 years, 8 months and 11 days.

1878-1898. Within the sorrow confines of these two dates, bounded by the walls and limitations of twenty brief years, is registered the history of a human life—its birth, its development, its decay. Upon the state of the imagination there can be set no scene more sad than that presented in the death of young manhood or womanhood at a time when a well-rounded symmetrical life and a happy, prosperous future is upon the verge of realization as the result of high born hopes and aspirations. Think of it! The sudden reading of all earth’s binding ties just when life is infatuation—when to live is the supreme desire of the whole being—when the pleasures of the past has being joyfully reviewed, the mysteries of the future being hopefully apprehended and solved. What baffled ambitions, what crushed hopes, what downfall of all the gilded castles the imagination has builded in years of fruitful contemplation none can know.

Such, doubtless, were the emotions which swept the soul of Nellie Shreves as she languished on the bed of suffering and fully realized that life for her was rapidly drawing to a close—that soon the sweet carol of the birds would no more be music to her ears, the morning air would soon no longer come to her laden with the perfume of flowers, the endearing words of consolation and encouragement from friends would no longer elicit a responsive smile. Yet through it all she maintained an unfaltering front and met death with courage only known to those who have firm reliance in another and better life.

The writer of this article knew Nellie. He knew her as a girl, sweet, loviable, blithe, happy and gay; one whose whole being seemed a concentrated mass of sunshine and happiness, shedding refulgent rays of gladness all along the pathway which marked the even tenor of her brief life. Always thoughtful of others she was loved and admired by all with whom she came in contact, always studious and industrious, she was adored in the home in which she lived.

But she is dead. Another star has dropped out of the constellation. Another addition has been made to the already countless dead who slumber within the bosom of mother earth, careless alike of sun or storm.

Sweet be her sleep and glorious her resurrection.

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