Mr. Iowa Muir 1842-1905
MUIR
Posted By: Volunteer - Karen DaPra
Date: 10/12/2002 at 05:03:56
DROPPED DEAD
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WHILE CONVERSING WITH AN ACQUAINTANCE IOWA MUIR SINKS TO THE EARTH IN DEATH
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About fifteen minutes past two o'clock Tuesday afternoon the people of Keosauqua were startled by the rapidly circulating word that Iowa Muir, a well known and highly esteemed citizen was dead--death coming without a moment's warning while conversing with Wesley Wiley in the upper part of town. It was not over fifteen minutes following his death that the body of the deceased, where it lay on a bridge that spans a small branch in the southern part of town, was surrounded by perhaps a hundred people who had hurried to the scene. The only person present with Mr. Muir when death came was Wesley Wiley and his little four year old son, and from him we obtained the following particulars. After dinner Mr. Wiley had occasion to go up the river road some distance to see about a matter of business connected with his spring work, and when nearly ready to return Mr. Muir came down the river road towards town and from the Joseph Chesney grove of sugar trees. He was carrying a cross cut saw on one shoulder and in the other hand he carried an ax and dinner bucket. Mr. Wiley started back towards town (distant about half a mile) with Mr. Muir and remarked to him that he was going home pretty early for supper. Mr. Muir informed him that he had been chopping wood most of the forenoon up in the grove where he had eaten his dinner, and as he was not feeling any too well and was not used to hard work, he thought he would quit for the day and go home. As they passed towards town Mr. Wiley said they talked on various subjects, Mr. Muir seeming in good spirits and good health, except the remark he had made of not feeling extra well. Soon they came to and on the small bridge that spans the little creek or gully at the edge of town near the old Jesse Cubberly residence on the "Ely ford" road, where they stopped for a moment, Mr. Muir remarking that he wanted to get his saw fixed but he didn't want to go down the main street of town "carrying all these tools," referring to the crosscut saw, ax and dinner bucket he had with him. Mr. Wiley told him that he need not go down the street, that he could go through the alley to the shop where he wanted the work done. Mr. Muir said he guessed he would do that and made as to start, when, with the suddenness that would follow a heavy blow, he fell to the floor of the bridge, uttered a feeble groan as he went down, the breast heaved a couple of times as though for breath, and that was all. It might be called instant death. Dr. Russell was summoned and was soon present and examined the body and heart disease was pronounced as the cause of the demise.Mr. Muir was born in May 8, 1842, which would make him nearly 63 years of age. He served through the war as a member of the Fifteenth Iowa Infantry and after the war resided on his farm near Lebanon, now occupied by his son Ralph, until he retired from hard work several years ago and moved to Keosauqua where he built a pleasant residence for himself and wife. The suddenness of his death was a terrible shock to Mrs. Muir but she has borne up bravely under the severe affliction, being comforted by the presence of their son Ralph (the only child) and other relatives and friends. Maj. W. P. L. Muir of Bonaparte, brother of the deceased, came up yesterday and will remain until after the funeral. At this writing it is understood the funeral will be held at the residence at 2 o'clock today, Rev. Perkins having charge of the services, the burial to be in the Purdom cemetery.
(Photocopy of this obit is located on page 55 of Obit Book A found in the Van Buren County, Iowa Genealogical Society's collection at the Keosauqua Public Library in November 1999. Name and date of newspaper not given.)
NOTE: Other obituary (see link) states he died 21 March 1905.
I am NOT related to this person and am posting it for those who may find him/her in their family tree.
[Original Post 21 January 2000]
Another obituary for Thomas Iowa Muir
Van Buren Obituaries maintained by Rich Lowe.
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