Alice Edna Neally, 1895-1896

NEALLY, MATHIAS

Posted By: Volunteer-Betty Hootman
Date: 4/11/2012 at 17:01:06

Flat Rock

Alice Edna Neally, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin J. Neally and granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. James W. Mathias, died at the home of her parents, of measles and lung fever. She was born Aug. 25, 1895, died Jan. 29, 1896, aged 5 months and 4 days. Little Alice was sunshine in her temperament and affectionate in her nature, so that she won the hearts at once and was the pride and light of her home. She suffered intensely during the two weeks of her sickness and even until the last moment when the hand of God took her and she passed away sweetly to rest. The funeral was held Friday at 10 a.m. at the family residence, but for some unknown reason, the minister did not come. Mrs. Albert Newman was called to fill his place and she did exceedingly well. The remains were laid to rest in the Bonaparte cemetery.

Dear little hands, I loved them so;
Soon they will be lying under the snow.
Under the snow so cold and white,
I cannot see them or touch them tonight.

They are quiet and still at last, ah me!
How busy and restless they use to be.
But now they can never reach up through the snow;
Dear little hands, I lived them so.

Dear little hands, I miss them so;
All through the day wherever I go.
All through the night how lonely it seems;
For no little hands wake me out of my dreams.

I miss them all through the weary hours,
I miss them as others miss sunshine and flowers;
Day time or night time, wherever I go,
Dear little hands I miss them so.

Dear little hands, they have gone from me now ---
Never again will they rest on my brow,
Never again smooth my sorrowful face,
Never more clasp me in childish embrace.

And now my forehead grows wrinkled with care,
Thinking of the little hands resting there;
But I know in a happier heavenly clime,
Dear little hands I will clasp you sometime.

Dear little hands when the Master shall call
I’ll welcome the summons that comes to us all.
When my feet touch the water so dark and so cold,
And I catch my first glimpse of the City of Gold.

If I keep my eye fixed on the heavenly gate,
Over the tide where the robed one waits,
Shall I know you, I wonder, among the bright hands?
Will you beckon me over, oh dear little hands.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Scrapbook A, page 353, Keosauqua Public Library; Keosauqua, IA