Martha Margaret Downie ~ 1857-1908

DOWNIE, VALE, LEFFLER

Posted By: Volunteer - Rhonda Rankin Rowe
Date: 2/19/2002 at 10:05:02

Martha Margaret Vale was born April 10, 1857, six miles north of Bonaparte in Harrisburg Township. Her parents, Jacob G. and Anne Vale had come to Iowa in 1850, buying a home near Primrose, Lee County. In 1856 they removed to the farm where she was born and where they lived and died.

She made an early profession of faith in Christ and united with the United Presbyterian Congregation. She was educated at the Monmouth College, Monmouth, Ill., graduating in 1880 and was united in marriage with R.M. Downie Nov. 28, 1882, since which time her home has been in the Beaver Valley, Penn. As a young woman she lived a life of faith and helpfulness.

Since her marriage her activities have been many in connection with all departments of the church work and in the Junior endeavor she took a deep interest. She was widely known in the valley as an energetic member of the W.C.T.U. As a wife and mother she was kind and true and will be greatly missed by all. She leaves her husband, R.M. Downie, her children, James Vale, Regina M., Robert, Rex, John L., and Mary I., also one brother, B.R. Vale, and one sister, Mrs. Lydia A. Leffler and very many friends to mourn their loss. One child, Anne, had preceded her to the heavenly home.

On the evening of March 31st, 1908 Mr. and Mrs. R.M. Downie, their son Vale and daughter Regina and a party of friends and neighbors attended a Geneva Alumna Banquet, held at Hotel Schenley in Pittsburg. On their return from the city, as the street cars had ceased to run, they left the train at the foot of College Hill and walked up College Ave.

They came to an unfinished cesspool, ten feet deep, dug beneath the sidewalk, with only two planks across the top and two lighted lanterns near. Some of the party had gone on a block or more. Mr. and Mrs. Downie joined hands to cross, the plank gave way and both fell in.

The moving of the boards upset one lantern, and a gas pipe, old and rusty had been exposed by the digging and the fall broke it. The explosion took place as they reached the bottom.

Two others of the party were immediately behind and Mr. Downie tried to raise her so they might pull her out. But she was caught on the pipe and he could not free her so he reached up and was pulled out. Just then their son who had passed a few moments before, arrived and bidding the men hold his feet and let him down, which they did, he got secure hold of his mother and they were raised through those awful flames.

The accident occurred three blocks from their residence. Mr. Downie walked home and she was carried thither. He was badly burned on the hands and face. She having fallen in last and above him was much worse burned, her clothing being consumed and, crouching beneath the flames her left side was much the worse.

She lived until Monday, April 13th being fifty-one years and three days of age. She suffered untold agonies but was conscious all her waking moments.

With doctors, nurses, relatives and numerous friends, everything was done that possibly could have been done to save her life but over half the cuticle was gone and many of her burns deep, so the chances of recovery were very slender.

But the end came and she quietly fell asleep. Her work was finished, her cares were over. We mourn her but we know she was ready to go and it is well she has escaped the months of intense suffering which she must have suffered had she lived.

Her funeral exercises were conducted by her Pastor, Rev. Martin of College Hill, assisted by Rev. Foster, Dr. George, Dr. McCrory and Rev. J.G. Kennedy, the two latter classmates of the deceased.

Many friends and acquaintances from the towns of the valley gathered to show her honor.

The floral tributes were many and beautiful. The interment was in Beaver Cemetery where the loved daughter Anne was laid five years ago.

She is and will be sadly missed. She cannot come to us but we can go to her, when our work is done.

Source; Iowa Rankin and Jenny Matheson newspaper clippings

2nd Source: Entler Scrapbook Collection, vol 5, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA