Sarah Miller Macklin

MILLER, MACKLIN, MILAN, MCKINNEY

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 10/18/2001 at 09:02:07

WHOLLY UNEXPECTED

On Monday evening the startling intelligence reached town that Mrs. Edson Macklin had been found dead and for physicians to come at once. Hurriedly Drs. Cresap and Croy drove to the home, 2 miles north of town, and their diagnosis proved only too truly that the grim reaper had been before them. All external evidences went to show that apoplexy was the cause of death, and such was the verdict of the medical man.

The terrible truth could not be realized and believed by our people, as the sad news traveled from mouth to mouth, and it was only after the skill of the men at the bedside had been exhausted, and every effort to resuscitate and renew the fires of life in the chilling body had failed that the report was given credence, as all hope that some mistake had been made in the thought that death had fastened on the wife and mother.

The end must have come as one unconsciously falls into a dreamless slumber, as the position of the body forbids the thought that any suffering whatever accompanied the dissolution. Probably a fluttering breath, a quick thought for the welfare of the babe in her arms and the wife lay prone upon the floor, to later meet the startled gaze of the husband, on his return.

The shock of the tidings came with double force to the friends who knew her best. She had, only that day, been in town, trading, and seemed to be in her usual good health, and exchanged greetings with friends in the usual hearty manner, so natural with her.

Geo. McKinney, a miner, who has been staying with the Macklin family, together with Floyd Milan, a member of the family, occupied a room in the second story, having retired a little after seven, and as both went to sleep immediately they knew nothing of the happenings below and heard not the falling body, when death sealed the eyes. She was alone, with the exception of the 18 months old babe, which had cuddled down beside the mother.

Edson Macklin, the husband, was in town business and left for home at about 8:30, and on arriving put the horse away and then proceeded to the house.

As he entered he saw the wife lying on the floor near the stove with the little babe peacefully sleeping near her arms, and as she was dressed for retiring he supposed she had lain down on the floor to await his coming. When she did not answer his call he stepped to her side and then discovered the awful truth, which nearly prostrated him. Calling Mr. McKinney, he then telephoned for the doctors and unable to stand the suspense, came to town in person, but the physicians were then well on their way to the stricken home.

Mrs. Macklin, before this been troubled with smothering spells but fond husband as well as many friends little dreamed that the affliction had reached so dangerous a stage.

Mrs. Macklin was about 30 years of age, and before marriage, Sarah Miller daughter of Alex Miller south of Farmington. She was married to Mr. Macklin some 10 years ago and the home has since been made near this city.

Hers was a disposition that inspired friendship, as attested by the mourners in our city today.

The saddest duty we have been called upon to perform in a long time is the chronicling of the end of this life. A little babe, not old enough to realize that the mother is gone, yet missing the ministering of the tender companion, cries for the comfort that is denied it. The tremulous touch of bady [?] fingers fails to awaken response in the ones that ever in life gave the ready love and sympathy so necessary. A husband mourns the wife, his greeting had welcomed him home a thousand times, and who had passed through the shadow that he might have this little one to call his own.

Death this terrible always, but in this instance its grim visitation is past understanding.

[Note: handwritten on obit is "Oct 24-04"]
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Source: Entler Scrapbook Collection, vol 3, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA