Montgomery, Catherine M. 1889-1910

MONTGOMERY, DIMIT

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 12/26/2010 at 13:27:43

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; July 1910

MRS. RALPH MONTGOMERY

Catherine M. Dimit, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Dimit, was born Aug. 2nd, 1889, in Madison township, Poweshiek County, Iowa, and died July 4th, 1910, in Chester township, aged 20 years, 10 months and 13 days.

She was one of a family of seven children, five of whom survive her. Her parents moved to this community when Catherine was less than a year old. It was here she spent childhood's days and attended public school. Here she grew to womanhood, became a school-teacher, a bride, a mother. It was here when about 12 years of age she gave her heart to God and united with Sonora M.E. church of which she was a faithful, active, member. On Dec. 16, 1908, she was joined in holy wedlock to Charles Ralph Montgomery. To them was born on Feb. 20, 1910, a son, Ralph Everett, who lives to cheer the heartbroken husband and grandparents.

Their wedded life was a short but happy one. Each lived for the other and well might it be said of them, "Two souls with but a single thought, Two hearts that beat as one."

On Friday morning, June 24, about 8 o'clock, while generating an alcohol sad-iron a can of alcohol in the room exploded. How, no one really knows, as she was alone. Her clothes were set on fire. She screamed for help. Rev. and Mrs. C.H. Montgomery both heard the explosion. Mrs. Montgomery was in the house and cried, "Catherine's burning." Mr. Mongomery rushed in from the yard, grabbing a comforter as he ran, dashed to the room. It was aflame but Catherine could not be seen. Keeping off the flames with the comforter, he tried to find her. She was not there. "Where is she?" he called. His wife answered, "Here she is." She had leaped through the window into the yard. A moment later he had the comforter about her trying to keep the flames from her face. The intense pain made her jerk from him. She called, "Water." Again he caught her and covered her. Others poured water over her, but the flames would not be quenched till almost every article of clothing was burned from her body. There she stood, rigid, a charred and blackened being.

Her first exclamation was, "Father, can I live?" Then to the mother she said, "O, I'll never get over this. Take care of my baby."

She afterward said she went thru the window because she was afraid of setting the baby on fire if she went thru the porch where he lay sleeping.

Mr. Montgomery's hands were badly burned as were also those of the workman who carried her into the house. Mrs. Montgomery received some slight burns.

Drs. Harris and Parish were called. Neighbors were there before the physicians doing all in their power to lessen the pain which was intense. Only a small part of the body escaped unburned. The left arm and side were the worst.

But very little hope was entertained from the beginning. But for a time she surprised even the physicians by the way she held on to life. Day after day she lingered. Ten terrible days of pain and awful anxiety. Loved ones began to hope against hope that she might be able to endure the awful suffering and live.

Sunday, at 4 p.m., July 3, the doctor pronounced her better than the day before. Toward evening she was heard singing softly, "Nearer my God to Thee," and praying for grace to be patient in her suffering.

A little after 1 o'clock that night she said to her husband, who has been devotedly, and almost constantly by her side, "If you'll rub my head I think I can go to sleep." He then noticed a change was taking place, spoke to the nurse who was in the room, but--She was not. The beautiful spirit had known. Catherine was gone. Her life-work done; she had entered into rest.

During her illness she manifested great patience, never once murmuring. She left behind a precious little babe of 4 months, whose sweet smile and merry laugh will ease many a heartache and drive away many a cloud, and the blessed legacy of the memory of a rich faith, a true friend, a dutiful daughter, a busy worker, a faithful wife, a devoted mother, a sweet character, a follower of Jesus Christ. What better legacy could she have left?

Funeral services were held at the home on Tuesday, July 5, 1910, at 3 p.m., conducted by her pastor, Rev. A.W. McBlain, who also officiated at her marriage 1 1/2 years before. Clad in her wedding gown, one could scarcely recognize in the lifeless form the sweet face of Catherine. The beautiful white casket was laden with flowers. All around were flowers. We are unable to give a complete list but among them were four from her own church, one from the Sabbath School, one from the Epworth League, one from the Queen Esther Circle, and one from the infant class whose teacher she had been. There were many individual gifts.

The large attendance and the long procession to the city of the dead showed the deep sympathy of this and other communites with the bereaved families.