Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, July 7, l904

CAREY THOMAS MCLAUGHLIN, son of AMOS and MARY MCLAUGHLIN, was struck by lightning and instantly killed about 3:30 o'clock Friday afternoon, June 24, l904, at the home of J.E. Wilson in Alliance, Nebr. MR. MCLAUGHLIN was standing on the porch about a foot from the door. His little four year old boy REUBEN, stood in front of him, the little boy had one foot quite badly burned, his shoe being torn off, but his injuries were not serious. Mr. Wilson was standing in the door and his boy stood between him and MR. MCLAUGHLIN. Neither of them were injured, but the house was badly damaged where the bolt struck.

MR. MCLAUGHLIN was born in Decatur County, Iowa, March 4, l876, being at the time of his death, 28 years, 3 months and 20 days old. The remains arrived at Decatur City Monday, for burial, the funeral being held from the M.E. Church Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 p.m., conducted by Rev. Scott Jones, assisted by Rev. H.C. Heckathorn, the text being taken from Matthew 24-44. "Therefore be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the son of man cometh." Interment occurred in the Decatur City Cemetery and the remains were escorted to their last resting place by the I.O.O.F. Lodge No. 102 of which order he has been a member since Dec. 9, l899.

The deceased has made Decatur City home with the exception of a few years, the last three of which were spent at his late home in Alliance. He was united in marriage to MISS LAURA SELLERS of Decatur City, March 23, l898. To this union were born three children, two of whom are living. He was an honest, upright citizen, a good neighbor and was most highly respected by all who knew him, the intelligence of his death when received last Friday cast a gloom over the entire community. He has left to mourn his untimely departure a wife, two small children, REUBEN and JULIAN, his mother, MRS. MARY AKERS, of Wyman, Arkansas, one brother, CHARLEY MCLAUGHLIN, of Maryman, Okla., one sister, MRS. MARY CASH, of Kimball, South Dakota and one half-brother and half-sister ELMER and HATTIE AKERS, of Wyman, Arkansas, besides a host of friends.

'Tis hard to break the tender cord
When love has bound the heart,
'Tis hard, so hard to speak the words;
"We must forever part."

Dearest loved one we must lay thee
In the peaceful grave's embrace,
'But thy memory will be cherished
Till we see thy Heavenly face.

Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
May 27, 2003