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]


Iowa Old Press
Carroll County