Mrs. John McDougall (-1877)

MCDOUGALL

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 11/9/2010 at 20:13:18

From Story County Watchman May 23, 1877

DEAD IN HER CHAIR

Yesterday evening about 8 o'clock, upon their return home from a trip north of Ontario, the husband and son of Mrs. John McDougall found that lady sitting up in her chair dead. Her position in the chair was such as to warrant the supposition that death came upon her suddenly and painless. At first sight both husband and son supposed her to be sleeping. She had leaned back and to one side, her hands folded across her lap and her feet crossed upon the floor; nothing but an expression of quiet was left upon the lineaments of her face. During the day she had accomplished a large washing; had taken her clothes from the line, sprinkled, folded and carefully packed them away in readiness for ironing--except some bedding which had been taken from the line and laid in a chair outside the house.

At this writing Drs. Fairchild and Meredith are making a post mortem examination. It is conjectured that she was either killed by an electric flash during the storm yesterday afternoon or a disease of the heart had quietly and quickly robbed the body of life.

With her family she had resided in Story county about seven years, on the farm of P. L. Porter, Esq., adjoining the College, and was a lady much respected for her goodness of heart and kind feelings toward all.

Since the above was put in type Drs. F. and M. have determined that death ensued from paralysis of the heart.--Ames Intelligencer.