Kepford, Zula Vivian (Mrs. Eldon L.), 1896-1922

KEPFORD, LOCKWOOD

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/15/2017 at 20:58:41

From the Hawarden Independent, September 14, 1922:

POISONED BY CASTOR BEANS
HAWARDEN LADY DIES FROM UNUSUAL CAUSE
Mrs. Eldon L. Kepford Ate a Number of Castor Beans Saturday Which Caused Her Death

Mrs. Eldon L. Kepford passed away Tuesday afternoon at her home in this city, a victim of poisoning supposed to have been caused from eating castor beans. A number of castor bean plants had been grown in the neighborhood this summer and it is understood that Mrs. Kepford had been advised that they could be eaten with safety. She ate a number of them Saturday and a few hours later was taken quite violently sick. She continued to suffer from nausea all Saturday night, Sunday and Sunday night and on Monday consented to the calling of a physician. Her condition had gradually become more aggravated, the poison apparently spreading through her system, and all the efforts of medical skill to allay her suffering availed nothing and the end came Tuesday afternoon. The peculiar circumstance surrounding her sad death is the fact that other members of the family as well as some of the neighbors also ate some of the castor beans, and while some who partook of them became sick for a time they were able to throw off the poison and suffered no prolonged ill effects, and others suffered no ill effects whatsoever. Castor beans are quite generally known to be of a poisonous nature although it is rare that they prove fatal.

Funeral services were held this afternoon at the Baptist Temple, conducted by the pastor, Rev. J. T. Parker, and interment was made in Grace Hill cemetery.

Zulas Lockwood was born Jan. 29, 1896, on a farm near Allen, Neb., and died in Hawarden Sept. 12, 1922, at the age of 26 years, 7 months and 13 days. At the age of 8 years she united with the Baptist church and continued a loyal member until her death. She was united in marriage with Eldon L. Kepford on [blurred out] 1914[?] and to this union a daughter and son were born, ???th, aged 7, and Earl, aged 4. In addition to the husband and children she is survived by four brothers and two sisters, Rev. L. G. Lockwood of Hot Springs, S.D., D. A. Lockwood of Ragan, Neb., A. L. Lockwood of Colorado, A. E. Lockwood of Lynch, Neb., Miss Elizabeth Lockwood of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, and Mrs. Ida Foot of Colorado.

Mrs. Kepford came with her husband to Hawarden about five years ago and during her residence here won the friendship of a wide circle of friends who are appalled at her sudden death. To the sorrowing husband and little children is extended the sympathy of a community deeply saddened by her untimely passing.

* * * * * * * * * *

The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Kepford, Zula Vivian, b. 1 Nov 1896, d. 12 Sep 1922, h: Eldon, Grace Hill Cem Hawarden IA.

The 1920 U.S. census has Eldon Kepford (30), born Iowa, a barber, living in Hawarden with wife Lula or Zula V. (23), born Nebraska, and children Edith L. (4-4/12) and Earl B. (1-6?/12), both born Nebraska. Robert Short (22), a railroad round house laborer, is boarding with them, and they are living next door to his parents Edward B. Kepford (62), also a railroad round house employee, and his wife Laura A. (57).