Burket, Orpha Della, Mrs. Clinton S., 1858-1927

BURKET, STAFFORD

Posted By: Lydia Lucas-Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/21/2011 at 23:28:08

INJURY FATAL TO MRS. BURKET
HAWARDEN LADY DIES AFTER BEING STRUCK BY CAR
Passed Away Early Sunday Morning After Accident on Cemetery Road Saturday Evening

Mrs. C. S. Burket, a pioneer of Sioux County and for nearly thirty years a resident of Hawarden, was fatally injured when she was struck by an automobile shortly before 6 o'clock Saturday evening [Aug. 27]. Mrs. Burket and her sister, Miss Laroqua Stafford, were walking from her home to the cemetery and were going east on the left hand side of the road near the S. R. McAninch home. Two cars were approaching from the east, one occupied by S. A. Carlson and the other by Harry Hilton and Harry Swift. Just as they were about to meet these cars, a car occupied by the Misses Clara and Laura Klumb and Elizabeth Peters, driven by the former, approached from the west. In order that the pedestrians would be sure to step out of the way Miss Klumb sounded the horn on her car. This evidently startled Mrs. Burket and caused her to become confused, for instead of stepping off onto the north side of the road as her sister did, she started toward the south directly in the path of the Klumb car. She was struck by the fender of the car and knocked down but must have been pushed clear of the wheels of the car as the wheels did not pass over her. Whether in falling her head struck some part of the car or merely struck the ground is not definitely known. After striking her the car was swerved into the ditch at the south side of the road and one wheel was broken before it was brought to a stop. Mrs. Burket was rendered unconscious and was rushed to the Hawarden hospital where it was discovered that she had suffered a fracture at the base of the skull and no hope was held out for her recovery. She also had suffered a cut in the scalp and bodily bruises. She passed away shortly before 3 o'clock Sunday morning without regaining consciousness. No blame is attached to Miss Klumb for the accident but she has been almost prostrated since it occurred.

Funeral services were held at 2:30 Tuesday afternoon at the Ross Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. J. W. LaGrone, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church, and interment was made in Grace Hill cemetery. Members of the Royal Neighbor lodge, with which Mrs. Burket had long been identified, attended the funeral service in a body. The large attendance at the funeral and the beautiful floral tributes attested in a measure to the esteem in which Mrs. Burket was held in the community.

Orpha Della Stafford was born near Palo, Montcalm County, Michigan, Feb. 26, 1858, and died in Hawarden, Aug. 28, 1927, at the age of 69 years, 6 months and 2 days. In March, 1873, she moved with her parents onto a farm south of the present town of Ireton where she lived until her marriage to Clinton S. Burket on Dec. 15, 1878. They continued farming south of Ireton until March, 1886, when they moved into Ireton. In April, 1898, they moved to Hawarden and she resided here continuously until her death. Mr. Burket passed away Feb. 5th, of this year, less than seven months ago.

She is survived by three sons, LeRoy K. Burket of Alton; Dr. John A. Burket of Los Angeles, Calif.; and Guy F. Burket of Hawarden. She is also survived by one sister, Laroqua E. Stafford, who has made her home with Mrs. Burket since Mr. Burket's death last winter; three brothers, John H. and Ralph W. Stafford of Mount Vernon, Texas; and Floyd V. Stafford of Omaha; one half-brother, Frank E. Hewitt of Ord, Neb.; and six grandchildren.

The tragic death of Mrs. Burket came as a distinct shock to her many friends in this community. Although she was of a distinctly retiring nature, and kept herself largely within the confines of her own home, her long residence in the community had greatly endeared her to many people who had known her as a neighbor and friend. Her home and family were foremost in her every thought and act and no mother ever was more devoted to her children and ready to make a greater sacrifice for their welfare than Mrs. Burket. Not only was she a truly wonderful mother, she was a companion, a chum, a regular pal to her boys and those who knew the family life intimately can realize in some measure the heartache which her sudden death has brought to her sons, who with the other relatives have the deepest sympathy of the entire community in their sorrow.

Source: Hawarden Independent, September 1, 1927