Charles Worth d. 1880

WORTH, HARTMANN, BENTON, MCCOURTNEY, SHOWALTER, FISHER, HOBERT

Posted By: The Obituary Fairy (email)
Date: 8/12/2006 at 21:07:00

The (Davenport, IA) Daily Gazette; Thursday Morning, March 18, 1880:

Worth

Poor “Old Charlie”

Sudden Death - Alone - Where are his Relatives?

Yesterday afternoon at about 2 o’clock “Old Charlie,” the well known attendant and driver at Benton’s livery stable, left his work, proceeded to his boarding place - Charlie Hartmann’s, on the corner of Rock Island and Second streets - and there said he did not feel well and would like to lie down for a little while. He was advised to go to his bed room, and thence in a short time thereafter, Mrs. Hartmann was attracted by a strange noise only to find that “Charlie” was very ill and apparently passing into a state of unconsciousness. Help was summoned from the stable, and Mr. Benton sent for a physician, Dr. McCourtney, who arrived only to find the sick man breathing his last.

He had been heard to say only two words - “Charlie Benton” - referring to the son of Mr. R. Benton, his employer, of whom he was very fond. The cause of his death was paralysis of the heart. Less than an hour elapsed between his departure from the stable and his death.

The deceased was first known in Davenport about 26 years ago, when he drove into Mr. Benton’s stable with a fine span of horses and a cigar peddler’s wagon. Then, his home was at Galena and afterwards at Dixon, Ill. About 23 years ago, “Charlie,” whose actual surname was Worth, took up his abode in Davenport as the porter of the old “Whitehall” on Main street between 2nd and 3rd street, on the west side, since removed. There he broke up in business, and soon after went out West with Showalter. About ten years ago he returned to Davenport and entered in the service of Mr. Benton, continuing for nearly seven years. Afterwards he worked for Matt. Fisher and for Jos. Hobert, but nearly a year ago returned to Mr. Benton’s employ.

All this time the history of Charlie Worth remained a mystery. He had once said that he had two daughters - in Dixon as is supposed. Among his effects, as examined last evening, no scrap of letters or writing could be found giving clue to his relations, if he has any, except two photographs, or daguerreotypes of a young man and a woman; these, “Charlie” once showed as the likeness of himself and wife in his younger days. The poor lonely man left no means - not enough to bury him; but Mr. Benton attends to that and today, at 2 o’clock p. m., decently arranged funeral rites will accompany the interment in Oakdale.

“Charlie” was a faithful, kind-hearted and honest employee; but he was his own worst enemy and strong drink was his ruin and doubtless caused his death.

[note: 1880 fatality census shows Worth, Charles; 60 m w m Pa Hamburg Spain Labourer Mar Heart disease 15 M Cortney]