Kate (Murphy) Shedd (1848-1881)

MURPHY, SHEDD, DURHAM, IEHL

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 11/12/2012 at 14:27:13

From Nevada Representative May 4, 1881

Died:

In Nevada on Thursday, April 28th, of consumption, Mrs. Kate Shedd, aged 34 years.

Mrs. Shedd had been an invalid during her three years residence in Nevada. She was born in Indiana, had resided in Marion, Linn county the most of her life, where she married about ten years since.* During her residence here, owing to her delicate health, she was able to go into society but little, but was highly beloved and respected by all who were fortunate enough to make her acquaintance and enjoy her confidence. Her two sisters Mrs. Durham and Mrs. Iehl were here during her last illness, to minister to her wants and render comfortable as possible, her last moments. That she was aware that her earthly existing was fast drawing to a close, is evidenced by the following lines written by her own hand and signed "K." which were found in a scrap book after her death:

I sit and think when the sunsets gold,
Is flusing river hill and shore,
I shall one day stand by the water cold,
And list for the sound of the boatman's oar.

I shall watch for a gleam of the flashing sail,
I shall hear the boat as it gains the strand,
I shall pass from sight with boatman pale,
To the better shore of the spirit land.

I shall know the loved who have gone before,
And joyfully sweet, shall the meeting be
When over the river, the peaceful river,
The angel of death shall carry me.

K.

* Kate Murphy married Charles E. Shedd on 1 May 1871 in Linn County, Iowa. Kate Shedd's sisters are referred to above as "Mrs. Durham" who was Clara Murphy who married Lynn Durham and "Mrs. Iehl" who was Mollie Murphy who married F. W. Iehl.