WADLEIGH, Mrs. Rowena (LIMING):

LIMIMG, WADLEIGH, MCCRACKEN

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri (email)
Date: 9/3/2013 at 16:59:06

IOWA PAIR IN TRAGEDY
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WIFE DYING OF CANCER; RADIUM EXPERT MAKING SACRIFICE.
**Handwritten: 1923

Bentonsport, July 12.- A message received here yesterday from Washington, D.C., summoned local relatives of Mrs. Rowena Liming Wadleigh to her bedside. Mrs. Wadleigh is the wife of Hiram Wadleigh, chief radium expert for the United States government, formerly of Miford, Iowa. The parents of Mrs. Wadleigh, Mr. and Mrs. L.C. Liming, and a sister, Mrs. J.I. McCracken reside near Bentonsport.

It is said Mrs. Wadleigh is dying of cancer. Back of this lies a story of tragic interest.

Hiram and Rowena were graduated from Cedar Falls Teachers' college in the same class. They soon afterward were married at Keosauqua, which was then the Liming home. One daughter came to them about five years later. Mr. Wadleigh rose rapidly to the rank of a college faculty man, his department being electrical engineering. He was called from the University of Arkansas to serve the United States government during the late war.

Radium was barely heard of as a cure for cancer. But one of the first tests made in this country was on Mrs. Wadleigh. Her cancer is said to be near the heart. What seemed to be a perfect cure followed. When the war ended Mr. Wadleigh had an opportunity to engage with the bureau of standards in the radium department. So earnest and deep was his faith in radium as the last word to relieve the human race from this malady, that he eagerly took the position offered and was soon advanced to the head of the radium department.

The qualities of radium are beyond imagination. One must deal with them to know. Mr. Wadleigh soon found that contact with it, although always handled in containers, was doubtless slowly killing him. Even then he was so sure of the worthiness of the cause of the radium department and his work represented that he held by it, saying: "No matter about me; it will save thousands."

And now comes the word that his wife is dying, and of cancer.
` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` `
Mrs. Rowena Liming Wadleigh Cancer Victim.
**Handwritten: 1923

Bentonsport, July 12.- A message received here yesterday from Washington, D.C., summoned local relatives of Mrs. Rowena Liming Wadleigh to her bedside. Mrs. Wadleigh is the wife of Hiram Wadleigh, chief radium expert for the United States government, formerly of Miford, Iowa. The parents of Mrs. Wadleigh, Mr. and Mrs. L.C. Liming, and a sister, Mrs. J.I. McCracken reside near Bentonsport.

It is said Mrs. Wadleigh is dying of cancer. Back of this lies a story of tragic interest.

Hiram and Rowena were graduated from Cedar Falls Teachers' college in the same class. They soon afterward were married at Keosauqua, which was then the Liming home. One daughter came to them about five years later. Mr. Wadleigh rose rapidly to the rank of a college faculty man, his department being electrical engineering. He was called from the University of Arkansas to serve the United States government during the late war.

Radium was barely heard of as a cure for cancer. But one of the first tests made in this country was on Mrs. Wadleigh. Her cancer is said to be near the heart. What seemed to be a perfect cure followed. When the war ended Mr. Wadleigh had an opportunity to engage with the bureau of standards in the radium department. So earnest and deep was his faith in radium as the last word to relieve the human race from this malady, that he eagerly took the position offered and was soon advanced to the head of the radium department.

The qualities of radium are beyond imagination. One must deal with them to know. Mr. Wadleigh soon found that contact with it, although always handled in containers, was doubtless slowly killing him. Even then he was so sure of the worthiness of the cause of the radium department and his work represented that he held by it, saying: "No matter about me; it will save thousands."

And now comes the word that his wife is dying, and of cancer.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book C, Page 218, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA