Lewis Henry Bell (1950-1904)

BELL, STOCKDALE, HOCHSTETLER, ALDER

Posted By: Gail and Dennis Bell
Date: 5/21/2005 at 16:42:12

THE MAXWELL TRIBUNE, Maxwell, Iowa, Thursday August 4, 1904, page 1. "LEWIS BELL DEAD. This community was very much shocked last Saturday afternoon when the report was spread abroad that Lewis Bell was dead, as he had been in town on that morning and had been seen by his neighbors along the road, apparently as well as ever, this adding to the mystery of his sudden demise. After returning home from town he became violently ill and Dr. Mingle was sent for, but did not reach the Bell home until after death had asserted itself. After a careful examination it developed that he had secured strychnine in Maxwell that morning and indications were that he had come to his death from strychnine poisoning. A coroner's inquest was held and after a thorough investigation this conclusion was sustained. Mr. Bell had always been a peaceable, quiet citizen and held the highest respect of his neighbors. He was a member of the Christian church of this city, having united with the same in November, 1902. Lewis Henry Bell was born in Porter County, Ind., January 14, 1850, and died near Maxwell, Iowa, July 30, 1904; age fifty-four years, six months and sixteen days. He was married to Martha Stockdale, September 2, 1874. Later they came to Polk county, Iowa and after living here thirteen years Mr. Bell with his family moved to Holt County, Neb., where they lived until 1896, when they returned to the old home in Polk county and remained there until his death. Mrs. Bell and four children survive him. The children are Lottie Hochstetler of Des Moines; Alma Alder, of Washington Township, Polk county; Isa and Verna, both of whom are at home. One child was born in Nebraska and died before they returned to Iowa. The funeral was held Monday at 3:00 p.m. in the Brethren church in charge of Rev. G. E. Roberts, pastor of the Christian Church in this city, the text being II Corinthians, 1:8-9. Internment was made in the Brethren Cemetery. A large concourse of people assembled at the Church and cemetery to pay their last respects to their departed neighbor and friend. The floral decorations were many and beautiful, thus indicating that he was very popular in the community in which he lived."

BURIAL: POLK COUNTY CEMETERIES WASHINGTON TWP.; Iowa Historical Library Des Moines, Iowa; Geneal * F 627; .P7 C 4 V.6; p.5; Brethron Cemetery; Washington Twp.; Polk Co.; Iowa; Bell, Lewis Henry; born 1 14 1850; died 7 30 1904; sec 4, row 10. Stone actually reads Lewis Henry Bell, B 14 Jan 1850, D 30 July 1904, Aged 54Y 6M 16D