JOHNNY BAITSELL 1889-1905

BAITSELL, CLAMMER

Posted By: Dana Roquet (email)
Date: 2/1/2011 at 07:20:55

Oskaloosa
Saturday Evening Globe

Wright

Death has again visited our little town. The third time since December. This time not to the one that filled out the allotted three score and ten years, but to the youth, Johnny Baitsell, as he was called by everyone, the son of J. A. and Amanda Baitsell, born July 4, 1889, at this place and died April 21, 1905, at El Paso, Texas, aged 15 years, 9 months and 17 days. For the past three or four years he had been clerking in his father’s store at Wright and was well liked by all the patrons. He was of a quiet turn and always at his post and ready with his services at all times. In the summer of ’94 he began to fail and about two months since his physicians advised a change of climate and he and his mother went to El Paso, Texas, and for a time he seemed to be benefitted, but that dread disease, quick consumption, had almost completed its work. The week before he died they had concluded to return home but the doctor advised them to remain a week longer. They did so and in four days the end came. He died in his mother’s arms. His last words were, “Praise God.” He leaves a father, mother and three brothers. It was a consoling thought to feel that everything that could be done was done for the departed.

And now his work on earth is done,
The battles fought, the victory won;
He on his loving Savior’s breast
May lay his weary head to rest.

In paradise that home above,
Where all is joy and peace and love,
He’s safe with those who’ve gone before,
To suffer pain on earth no more.

On Monday, April 24th, his remains reached here and at one o’clock p.m. a large concourse of friends assembled at the Union church to pay their last tribute of respect in honor of the departed and the living and sorrowing relatives. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Morrison of Fremont, after which the solemn services were concluded at the Fremont cemetery.

NOTE from contributor, his mother was Amanda Clammer McCoy Baitsell