Iowa Old Press
Carroll Sentinel
Carroll, Carroll co. Iowa
Tuesday, July 13, 1909
THOMAS J. WILHITE - AFTER PROTRACTED ILLNESS
Died at His Home Saturday Night From Cancer.
His Disease Baffled Medical Skill.
After long weary months of patient suffering, Thos. J. Wilhite is
at rest. His days were full of trouble and for many weeks he knew
that all of life that remained for him would be such as to bring
nothing but pain and restlessness. Yet under these conditions, he
remained hopeful and bore his burdens with a patience that showed
he had hope in a future, where he would be free from pain and his
weary spirit might find rest.
For several years he had been failing in health, gradually
growing weaker as the ravages of the disease slowly made headway
and undermined his once strong and rugged physical constitution.
He remained faithful at his post of duty attending to his work
until last November. Then he went home hoping to be out again in
a few days. In this he was disappointed. He never sufficiently
recovered to be around again. He was taken to the hospital where
he underwent a thorough examination with the hope of having an
operation performed if there proved any chance for relief. The
physicians were of the opinion that there was little hope of
affecting anything like a permanent cure and in his condition and
age in life an operation would be extremely dangerous.
After remaining at the hospital for a number of weeks, he was
taken to his home where he remained until the end. He continued
to grow weaker and weaker. Gradually his strength failed and for
several days past it was evident to all that the time was drawing
near when his weary spirit would be at rest. His death was a
shock to the community though it was well known that those having
him in care, had abandoned all hope of his recovery.
T. J. Wilhite was a well known citizen of this city and entered
fully into the activities of its business life. He was a jovial
well met man with a good and kindly disposition and surrounded
himself with many friends who remained true and loyal to him
through his great misfortune and now that he is dead, sincerely
mourn his loss. He was an active member of the Masonic and Odd
Fellow orders and in them held many offices of responsibility and
took great pride in the faithful discharge of his duties.
During the years he was a resident of this city, he was engaged
in the real estate business and was among the successful men and
bore the reputation of being honest and never resorted to
questionable methods in order to advance his own interests.
T. J. Wilhite was born in Linn Co., Iowa. When a boy he moved
with his parents to Bureau county, Ill. From there the family
returned to Iowa and located in Jones county. In 1878 he moved to
Lake City and was united in marriage to Miss Eva Townsend of that
city. The next year they came to Carroll and for a few months had
charge of the National hotel. After remaining here a short time
they moved to Scranton, where they made their home until 1892
when they moved to Mississippi. After two years in the South, Mr.
Wilhite and family returned to this city, where he engaged in the
real estate and insurance business and continued to follow this
until his death.
To this union were born three children, two of whom died in
childhood and were buried at Scranton. The other one was married
to Alton Bryan and makes her home in this city. Besides the
daughter, he is survived by his wife, who has watched over him
during his protracted illness with true womanly devotion and now
that he is gone she is bowed with grief.
The deceased is survived by a brother, E. M. Wilhite and two
nephews, Walter and Elbert Wilhite of Emmetsburg and two nieces
both of this city, Mrs. B. B. Robinson and Mrs. W. M. Moore, all
of whom were present at the funeral.
The arrangements for the funeral were in charge of the Masonic
and Odd Fellows, he being a member of both orders. The services
were conducted by Rev. J. W. Taylor of the Methodist church after
which the remains were taken to Scranton where they were laid to
rest beside his two daughters.
In the death of Mr. Wilhite, a good citizen passes to his reward.
The bereaved wife and relatives have the sincere sympathy of the
community in their sad hour of bereavement.
FOUND DEAD
Wednesday Sheriff Hamilton and Coroner Kessler were
called to Glidden to hold an inquest on the remains of E. M.
Slocum, who was found dead at his home by neighbors. Mr. Slocum
owned about 100 acres of land about seven miles north and one
mile east of Glidden and had built him a shack of a home near
North Coon river. Here he made his home and lived all to himself.
Six or seven years ago he came to this county and lived a sort of
a hermit’s life. But little was known of him for he had but
little intercourse with his fellowmen. He had the appearance of
culture and refinement about his person but his house inside was
anything but such as his personal appearance would indicate. He
lived very poorly, it is said, his diet being mainly composed of
cheese and crackers. There was nothing on the place to indicate
thrift or an attempt to make anything out of the farm or by
raising stock. The only living thing on the place after the old
man died was a hen and four little chickens.
It is thought that the hermit was a dentist by profession and had
earlier in life followed it as a trade. A number of dental tools
were still in his possession. He had two gold watches, a gold
ring and about $16 in money. In a memorandum the name of a
brother George of Potomac, Mont. and the address of a daughter.
There were also letters from his daughter and from a niece in
which he was urged to come and make his home with them.
The verdict of the coroner’s jury was that he came to his
death from heart failure. Telegrams were sent to his relatives
notifying them of the death. The remains were taken in charge by
Undertaker Eaton of Glidden.
The Glidden Graphic in giving an account of the death of
Mr. Slocum says:
Dr. E. M. Slocum died Wednesday morning at his home six miles
north of Glidden. His death was due to heart failure, so
pronounced the corner’s jury after holding an inquest
Wednesday afternoon.
For some days past the doctor had not been feeling well, but he
continued to move around and on Saturday walked over to the mail
route at Walter Fobes’ place to mail a letter. While there
he complained of not feeling well and the neighbors felt somewhat
concerned about him. Wednesday morning, therefore, Walter Fobes
and Mr. Willison thought it prudent to go over and see how the
old gentleman was getting along. They found him dead, lying on
his couch. Something over a week before he had been at the home
of Mr. Willison and when he departed to go home was not able to
reach it. Mr. Willison had been watching him and went to his
assistance. He found him suffering with what seemed a heart
trouble but after a time he improved somewhat and was again able
to get around.
Concerning the relatives of this man we know but little. He was
related to the General Slocum of the Civil War. He was a member
of a distinguished family and prided himself much on the worth
and merit of his relatives. And he tried to be one worthy among
them. What led to his later mode of living, we know not. The most
that can be said in this connection is that he drifted into ways
impractical and to the normal average opinion of men,
unreasonable. But the ways of men passeth understanding. He has
now passed the great divide. As we go to press, the mortal
remains lie in Mr. Eaton’s undertaking establishment
awaiting direction from relatives, who have been communicated
with and who will doubtless claim the body and see that it is
properly interred.
J. W. HART DEAD.
Jas. W. Hart, one of the oldest citizens and a pioneer
of Carroll county, is dead. Had he lived until the 23rd of next
October, he would have reached the ripe old age of 90 years. A
span of time that is not allotted to many. For several years past
he has been failing in health incident to old age. For several
months he has been confined to his home and gradually grew weaker
until the final summons came. For many years he was a faithful
member of the Methodist church and died in the firm belief of its
teachings.
In politics he was a democrat and believed in the principals of
the party and never lost a opportunity to give expression to his
convictions. He held Bryan as his ideal and it was his hope to
see him elected.
The deceased was born in Lancaster county, Ohio, Oct. 23, 1819.
He was married early in life while a resident of Stark county,
Ohio, and afterward moved to Indiana where his wife died. In 1870
he moved to this county and for the past twenty-two years has
made his home with his daughter, Mrs. S. W. Peck, where he was at
the time of his death.
Mr. Hart was a carpenter by trade and was among the best of his
day. He did considerable contract work and stood at the head of
his business. For a number of years, however, the infirmities of
old age caused him to lay aside the working tools and he has
lived in retirement.
He was a well known citizen of this city and was highly respected
for his many excellent characteristics. All who knew him honored
him and no one was ever heard to speak an unkind word of him.
He is survived by eight children: S. P. and B. L. Hart, of this
city; Oliver of Deadwood, S.D.; William of Oregon; Hiram of
Laurens; Mrs. S. W. Peck and Mrs. Geo. Guy of this city; and Mrs.
C. Chase of Marathon. All of the children with the exception of
Oliver and William were present at the funeral which was held
last Sunday afternoon. The services were conducted by Rev. Taylor
of the M. E. church and remains were laid to rest in the city
cemetery.
In the death of Mr. Hart one of the sturdy pioneer fathers passes
from the stage of action. He was of that resolute and
self-reliant disposition that was a peculiar trait of a race that
is fast becoming extinct and which were of the peculiar type of
manhood that was called into life during the pioneer days of this
country. A life extending over the greater portion of a century
saw the marvelous changes that they and their offsprings have
been able to call into existence. Father Hart’s labors are
over and he in common with those of his days did their part
faithfully and their children’s children will reap the
fullness of their labors.
[transcribed by L.Z. Sept. 2015]
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Carroll Times
Carroll, Carroll co. Iowa
July 15, 1909
DEATH CLAIMS T. J. WILHITE
Popular Insurance and Real Estate Man Called Hence
Saturday Night—Suffered of Pelvic Cancer Since Early Last
Winter.
It was well known for some time that T. J. Wilhite, one of this
city’s most popular insurance and real estate men, was very
low with a cancerous affliction, the internal nature whereof,
affecting delicate organs, made it almost surely fatal from the
start. Last winter he had gone to the hospital with the hope of
relief. The writer visited him there and found him cheery, full
of praise for the Sisters to whom he wished to show his especial
appreciation. He expected then to be able shortly to return to
his business at the office. He came home in a little while later,
never to leave it alive. His condition developed into that stage
where the sufferer realized that the end must come ere long. He
faced the inevitable with calm and prepared his affairs with care
and the aim to leave his loved ones as little care as possible.
In spite of sufferings, of the weakening conditions growing out
of the illness, he remained patient and considerate of those
about him. The end came as a balm to the weary spirit and the
body worn out with pain.
T. J. Wilhite was born in Linn Co., Iowa, but while a boy his
parents removed to Bureau Co., Ill. Later they returned, locating
in Jones Co. In 1878, he was united in marriage to Miss Eva
Townsend of Lake City, and the next year they came to Carroll
where for a few months they conducted the National hotel. Shortly
after they went to Scranton where they resided until 1892, when
they left for the state of Mississippi, but remained there only
two years and then returned here. As stated above Mr. Wilhite
followed the real estate business after locating here and proved
quite successful in his line.
The funeral services were conducted at the home Tuesday afternoon
at 2:30 o’clock, Rev. J. W. Taylor officiating. The remains
were then taken in charge by the Mason and Odd Fellows lodges of
this city, of which organizations departed was an honored and
respected member, and in charge of a delegation, taken to
Scranton for burial, where as he had wished, he was laid to rest
aside of two little daughters who passed away many years ago.
There survive the departed his sorrowful widow and their only
daughter, Mrs. A. E. Bryan of this city; also his brother, E. M.
Wilhite of this city; two nephews, Elbert Wilhite of Emmetsburg
and Walter of this city; and two nieces, Mesdames B. B. Robinson
and W. M. Moore, both of this city, all of whom were present at
the funeral.
Thomas Wilhite has been called away when it seemed as though many
happy years were still in store for him, to spend with his
beloved wife and daughter. The wisdom of the divine decree which
removed him from our midst, passeth all our understanding. Hearts
of loved ones are wrung with unspeakable anguish and we vainly
seek to convey the solace to assuage their woe. Their sorrow is
ours, for Tom’s cheerful smile, glad greeting and warm clasp
of the hand are missed by all who knew him, and they are not
barred by lines of nationality nor creed. The many joining us
today in sorrow at the loss of our friend, are of all classes,
conditions, belief and affiliations. Together we mourn that we
shall behold him no more with mortal eyes; united in the feeling
of human brotherhood, we cherish the fond hope that we shall meet
again, for:
“The steps of the good man are ordered by the Lord, and
he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not utterly
cast down.”
And:
“The tree hath hope, if it be cut down, it becometh green
again.”
So our friend, we fervently believe, beyond the dark valley of
Death shall rise, free from his ills, in the glory of an immortal
life.
[transcribed by L.Z. Sept. 2015]
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Carroll Times
Carroll, Carroll co. Iowa
July 22, 1909
Local and Personals
Mrs. T. J. Wilhite and family desire to thank everyone
who so kindly assisted them during the illness and death of their
beloved husband and father.
[transcribed by L.Z. Sept. 2015]