Iowa Old Press
Evening Gazette
Cedar Rapids, Linn co. Iowa
March 18, 1912
Captain O'Brien Dies; Mexican War Survivor
Ames, Iowa, March 18 - Captain Stephen P. O'Brien, probably the
last survivor* of the Mexican war, and particularly of the battle
of Buena Vista, died at his home here today. He served under
General Zachery Taylor at Buena Vista. He enlisted in the Civil
war from Indiana. He became a member of the 23d Iowa. He was
present at the organization of Story county in 1852. Capt.
O'Brien will be buried tomorrow with military honors.
Four of One Iowa Family Die
Ottumwa, Iowa, March 18 - Four deaths in three months is the blow
struck at the Ekwall family living here, when E.J. Ekwall, the
father and husband, succumbed. On December 3 his two sons, Elmer
and Victor, met a tragic fate in the Des Moines [river] when they
endeavored to cross on what they thought was ice of sufficient
thickness to support them. Their bodies were recovered three days
later. February 17, just a month ago, the angel of death claimed
Mr. Ekwall's little grandson, 19 months old. Mr. Ekwell had been
ill for some time and realizing that death was near had selected
six of his old friends as his pallbearers.
Boy Injured Fatally.
Guthrie Center, Iowa, March 18 - Cecil Reeves, the 12-year-old
son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Reeves, probably was fatally injured
Saturday evening when kicked by a horse. His skull was crushed.
The Reeves family lives eight miles from Guthrie Center.
Letter Asks of Husband's Death
Marshalltown, Iowa, March 18 - Word received here from Mrs. Lucy
D. Bosteder of Roanoke, Ind., makes inquiry of the death of the
woman's husband, Oliver D. Bosteder, who, when struck by a
Northwestern train last November resulting in his death two days
later, was supposed to have no wife, nor any living children.
Mrs. Bosteder learned only a few days ago that her husband was
dead, and hastens to secure information relative to his death. It
is also learned that Bosteder has a son living in Omaha, and that
a daughter, Mrs. Mitchell, resides at Independence. Bosteder
formerly lived at Independence and served in Company G, Sixth
Iowa cavalry.
Five Die in Less Than Four Years
Greene, Iowa, March 18 - For the fifth time in less than four
years death has entered the home of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Potter,
living four miles west of this place, and in each instance a
child was the victim, only one now remaining of a family of six.
Three years ago two of the children, Charles, 7 years old, and
Merele, 9 years old, were burned to death in their home, while
the parents were away. Last summer, Walter, aged 7 years, was
killed when he was struck by a heavy pulley which had snapped
loose from a cable on a hay loader, while he was watching the
operations, at the hay barn. A few months ago, Ruth, 6 months old
and the pet of the family, died, a victim of infantile paralysis,
and Saturday morning the baby died from infantile complaints. The
one remaining child lost an eye last spring when a spring of a
door on the farm home broke loose and struck him in the eyes as
he was pushing the door open.
Mortuary.
William D. Rapp was born october 14th, 1840, in Stuttgart,
Wurttemburg, Germany, died March 14, 1913, age 72 years and 5
months. He was united in marriage in 1862 to Miss Jacobin Wyrich,
a native of his own town and they embarked immediately for
America and to Cedar Rapids. To this union six children were
born, four dying in infancy. He bought his home in 1870, living
there continually until his death. His wife of nearly forty-seven
years departed this life in June, 1909. He leaves to mourn his
death two daughters, Mrs. Libbie Black, who has been with him
continually; Mrs. Theresa King, who lives near him, also eight
grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. Rosanna Schrimper. He was a
kind and loving father and grandfather, a generous man, loved and
respected by all who knew him. He was a great sufferer for a long
time with dropsy of the heart, death coming gently to relieve his
sufferings. The relatives wish to thank their many friends for
their sympathy and their many beautiful floral offerings.
Mr. and Mrs. Slezak Bereaved.
Louis Slezak, son of Mr. and Mrs. B. Slezak, who reside west of
Cedar Rapids, died Sunday morning at 2:30 o'clock at the age of
twenty months and seventeen days. The funeral will be held
tomorrow morning at ten o'clock at the family residence, Speaker
Jos. J. Hajek officiating. Interment will be in the Bohemian
National cemetery.
Death of an Infant.
The funeral of Mary Kacre, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel
Kakcere [possibly Kafcere] who died Saturday morning was held
from the family residence, 1220 South Third street, Saturday
afternoon. Interment was in Oak Hill cemetery.
City Briefs and Personals.
-S.B. Beatty, Undertaker. Phone 21.
-John B. Benesh of Ely is a business visitor in the city today.
-Carl A. Vogt spent yesterday visiting his mother at Iowa City.
-Mrs. J.F. Beyer of Dubuque is the guest of friends in Cedar
Rapids.
-Dr. C.A. Trumbauer of Keota was a visitor in Cedar Rapids
Saturday and Sunday.
-Mrs. A. Braverman and daughter Gertrude are home from their
visit in Selma, Alabama.
-Mrs. Fred W. Merman of Marshalltown underwent a successful
operation in St. Luke's hospital this morning.
-John H. Munger left this morning for Los Angeles, Cal., called
by the serious illness of his father, T.C. Munger.
-John Wunderlich, secretary of the Commercial club, went to
Dubuque this afternoon, called by the illness of his parents.
-State Fish and Game Warden Geo. A. Lincoln is spending several
days on a business trip to St. Paul, Albert Lea and Spirit Lake,
in the interest of his department work.
-A.C. Cherry left Saturday on an extensive business trip to South
Dakota and western Iowa. He will transact business in Rapid City
and will stop in Sioux Falls and Sioux City.
-Miss Bess Flynn left this morning for Dubuque to become a sister
of charity, B.V.M. She was accompanied by her parents, Mr. and
mrs. Chas. Flynn, who will be present at her reception.
-Rev. P.J. Flynn of this city has been assigned the pastorate at
Sabula, Iowa.
-Hon. E.R. Moore, who has been confined to his home in Vernon
Heights with a broken ankle, was able to be at the bank today. He
will have to use crutches for about two months.
Eye Injured With Shell
Mrs. J. Glime of Springdale brought her 12-year-old son to this
city last night for treatment at Mercy hospital. He sustained an
injury to his right eye in removing a loaded cartridge from a
22-caliber rifle. In breaking the gun the shell flew out with
great force, cutting and bruising the eyeball. There are doubts
as to whether the sight can be saved.
Cherry Valley News.
-Mrs. E. Bellon is visiting friends and relatives in Cedar Rapids
this week.
-Miss Millie Boresh spent Saturday night and Sunday at home.
-Miss Gertrude Keys and Wm. Boyd of Cedar Rapids are spending a
few days at the George Bellon home this week.
Marion News
-D.E. Veria has gone to Excelsior Springs for a week's
recreation.
-John Patterson was home from Ames for an over Sunday visit with
his parents.
-Mrs. Roy Landon has gone for a month's visit in Oklahoma City
and other southern points.
-Mrs. L. Chendle has gone to St. Paul to visit her daughter, Mrs.
Walter Huntington and family.
-Mrs. Ellsberry is critically ill with pleuro-pneumonia at her
home on North Thirteenth street.
-Marion friends have received an announcement of the marriage of
Miss Birdie Clark and Mr. McLaughlin at Chicago. Miss Clark
formerly was manager of the Daniels hotel and the groom is a well
known mail clerk running between Marion and Chicago.
Obituary of Millard E. Hallett.
Millard Emmeret Hallet, youngest son of Bartlett and Ann Hallett,
was born April 3, 1859, at Mt. Carroll, Ill., and died at Marion,
Iowa, March 15, 1912. He lived with his parents at Mt. Carroll
until the age of 21. He was married to Ida M. Ashway Nov. 22,
1881, soon after moving to Wyoming, Iowa; then from there to
Marion, Iowa, where they have since resided. To this union were
given three children - Grace A. Hutchinson of Bridgeport, Conn.;
John Irwin of Kansas City, Mo., and Roy, who died in infancy. Mr.
Hallett was converted and united with the First Presbyterian
church of Marion under the pastorate of the Rev. Robert L.
Campbell, D.D. and has ever been a faithful and consistent
member. Very soon his value and worth were recognized by the
church and he was elected to the trusted office of church
treasurer, which office he held practically until his death. As
an officer he was efficient the methodical, his books always
being kept in perfect condition. In all his church relations he
was loyal and true and was looked upon as one of the strong men
of the church. He will be missed especially by the men of the
Alexander Marshall Brotherhood, for Dave (as they all knew him)
greatly enjoyed their meetings and none seemed complete without
him. Mr. Hallett was a member of Marion lodge No. 6, A.F. &
A.M. of the chapter and Patmos commandery and El Kahir temple,
Mystic Shrine. Upon coming to Marion he engaged in the livery
business until 1893, when he entered the employ of the S.G. Gay
Carriage Manufacturing company, with whom he remained until a
short time before his death. Mr. Hallett was a man who dearly
loved his home and was never happier then when surrounded by his
family and friends, who were many, for to know him was to love
and admire him. Mr. Hallett is survived by his mother, one
brother, Dr. Frank; his wife and two children, and one
grandchild. The funeral services were conducted by the Rev.
Charles Franklin Ensign, pastor of the Presbyterian church Sunday
afternoon from the residence.
Carlson Returns to Reformatory.
Amel Carlson, arrested last Friday at Cedar Rapids for violating
his parole, was taken back to Anamosa Saturday evening to
complete his term at the reformatory. His bride of a few days has
gone back to her parents at North English and says she willhave
her marriage annulled as she had no knowledge of her husband ever
having committed a crime.
[*transcriber's note: Capt O'Brien was not the last veteran of the Mexican war in Iowa. Among later survivors were: John Hefley, Emmet co. was still living in 1916, Alden Antrim died in Traer, 1917, Daniel R. Gonder, was still living in Rippey, 1925; transcribed by S.F., March 2009]