Taft, Moses (Died 1901)

TAFT, INGRAM, PHILIPS

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 1/2/2008 at 20:37:19

LeMars Sentinel
August 8, 1901

YEOMANS: (Special Correspondence)

One of the saddest deaths that ever occurred in this vicinity was that of
Moses Taft.

He left the home of his son at Yeomans on the morning of July 22, taking
with him his fishing tackle, gun and ammunition together with a few
necessaries for a few days sport on the Big Sioux and Broken Kettle rivers.
Mr. Taft had spent a number of years in camp life in Florida and other
places and was accustomed to make these trips whenever he felt so inclined.
He could not be contented with other than the exciting life of a sportsman.
When he came to bid his son's family good bye, every effort was made to
induce him to put off his trip until the season of intense heat was past,
but he could not be persuaded to wait; only assuring them that he would rest
often if he became tired or warm. He had gone off on such trips so often
during his life that his family would not have been so anxious except for
the extreme heat and his age. He was sixty-nine. The family have many
acquaintances on both rivers who were notified by letter or otherwise to
look after their father in case of storm and report anything that might go
miss.

Care was taken, however, to keep this solicitous feeling from him as he
would often say, "I have spent too many years in the jungles of Florida not
to be able to take care of myself in a well settled country." While Scott
Merrill was mowing on the Wood farm, he found the body where Mr. Taft had
set down to rest, without a doubt he was over come by the intense heat.
Mrs. Ingram, his daughter, while out through the country looking for him
passed within three or four rods of where he lay, but the tall grass
obscured him from view. The coroner was notified but as the family are well
and favorably known and as seven of the neighbors had gone with relatives to
identify the body, he said it would not be necessary for him to come. On
account of the condition of the body, it was necessary to take the casket to
the cemetery Saturday. The funeral services were held at the Yeoman's school
house Sunday afternoon at three o'clock, conducted by Rev. J. W. Lothian of
the Whitfield church of Sioux City, of witch the deceased was a member. The
school was well filled, a number of friends, and relatives from Sioux City
were present.

Mr. Taft had four children, three of whom survive him. Frank E. Taft and
Mrs. Lydia Ingram of Yeomans and Mrs. R. S. Philips of Sioux City.

After the services at the school house, the relatives and a few friends went
to Logan Park cemetery in Sioux City where a short service was held.

The grave was covered with beautiful flowers by relatives and friends. The
family wish to thank friends and neighbors for their kindness to them in
their sore bereavement.