Iowa
Old Press
The Catholic Visitor
Creston, Union co. Iowa
Saturday, February 6, 1897
DEATH OF JAMES MC MAHON
Died at his home near Prescott, Friday, January 29, 1897, James,
McMahon, aged 65 years. On Sunday, January 30th, from St.
Malachy's church occurred the funeral of Mr. Jas. McMahon, one of
Adams counties best known farmers. Rev. Father Bede conducted the
funeral services and the mortal remains were laid to rest in
Calvary Cemetery.
The deceased was born in Ireland, and notwithstanding that
integrity of character, a liberal education, and business
capabilities would have secured him success in life in his native
country, yet he forewent these opportunities, severed the
tenderest ties and resolved to fight alone and unaided the great
battle of life in this country. He removed to Creston perhaps a
score of years ago and resided in this city several years where
he made friends of all with whom he came in contact, many of whom
were here to testify to the esteem in which he was held, by
attending the last sad rites over the remains.
From Creston the deceased removed to a farm near Prescott, where
he resided at the time of his death, having entered the house
after having finished the evening chores, he fell to the floor,
and when loving hands rushed to his assistance, they found that
life was extinct. The deceased leaves besides a wife, a family of
five boys and two girls, both of whom are married.
Locals
Mrs. Edward Cushion, of north Birch street, slipped on an icy
sidewalk and broke her arm. A physician was called and the
injured member set. As Mrs. Cushion is quite an aged lady, it
will be many months before her arm is thoroughly healed.
Engineer John Miller has suffered a temporary transfer to St.
Joe, and during his absence his wife and baby will visit at Mrs.
Miller's home at Pacific Junction until his return to the city.
Mr. Al McNeil and Mrs. A. Wendell, who have been attending the
funeral services of Mrs. William McNeil, departed for their home
in Red Oak, in response to a telegram announcing the serious
illness of their mother.
Arthur Cushion visited in the city last Sunday.
Operator John Moran has been transferred to Pacific Junction,
which place will be his future post of duty.
The Young Men's Dramatic society are contemplating the
advisability of appearing in Lenox at some date in the near
future. An earnest invitation has been extended them, and if they
decide to appear they will no doubt be greeted by a crowded
house.
Mr. N. E. Boesen, of St. Louis, Mo., arrived in the city today
for a visit with his mother and other relatives and friends.
Mr. Joseph Beerkle has purchased the meat market of Black &
Cotton's east end grocery store and will continue to furnish the
general public with the choices of meats at the old stand Mr.
Beerkle's reputation as first class meat market proprietor.
Beerkle's reputation as a first-class meat market was established
with the boundary lines of the city. Mr. Beerkle selects with an
experienced eye the best meat while it is on the hoof and
butchers and cuts the meat in the best approved manner, then when
his customers come they all get served with the very choicest. He
never has any bad meat to "work off" on the
unsuspecting, but gives them just what they want for the least
money. People like to trade with Mr. Beerkle because they can
place confidence in anything he has to sell, consequently this
popular meat market has ever been justly successful and under the
new proprietorship will take no backward step.
Miss Lizzie Coleman's cordial presence has been greatly missed
from her accustomed position at the desk of Thos. Cronin's meat
market, she being detained at home with a severe attack of
illness.
Mrs. Wm. McNeil is lying critically ill at her home on Clark
street and at times her life has been despaired of, but her many
friends will anxiously await news of her speedy recovery.
A letter received in the city from Father Stephen M. Lyons states
that he may possibly visit Creston some time during the coming
summer.
Emile Klarner, of the Prescott Advocate force, passed through the
city last Saturday on his way to Lenox, to spend Sunday at the
home of his parents.
Geo. Bauman who has been employed for some time in Spurr's Art
Studio, resigned his position to accept a similar one in another
part of the state.
Miss Julia Carney, one of the most valued and highly respected
instructors of our public schools, and also one of the leaders of
the young ladies in St. Malachy's congregation, has resigned her
position in this city to accept a more lucrative position in the
public schools of Omaha. That city is certainly more fortunate in
securing the services of Miss Carney. The change will be much
pleasanter for her in various ways, that being the home of her
parents, but in her departure Creston suffers the loss of a great
influence of good.
Miss Anna Kodak visited in Ottumwa during the past week.
Miss Sadie Miller made a business trip to Ottumwa last week.
Miss Anna Boyd was an east bound passenger last Friday afternoon.
Williams & Stewart are selling their large stock of furniture
at cost for the next 3 days. Undertaking department to be
continued under direction of H. L. McDonald.
IN MEMORIAM
DIED: At her home on Clark street, Friday, January 29, 1897, Mrs.
Maggie Donovan-McNeil, aged 32 years. As the result of several
months sickness and suffering from stomach trouble, which baffled
the skill of the best physicians, Mrs. Maggie McNeil, succumbed
to the dread messenger of death. For several week it had been
generally known that her illness was quite serious, and on last
Friday afternoon, with sweet patience and resignation she
tenderly gathered her five little ones around her and bade them a
last earthly adieu, then turning to the heart-broken husband she
gave him a few words of counsel regarding the sad burden he was
in the future to carry alone, then she answered the summons of
the Creator to come up higher.
"Lay thy soft hand upon her brow and cheek,
O peaceful sleep! Until from pain released
She breathes again uninterrupted breath."
All Creston is in sympathy with this stricken family in this their terrible loss-a loss many have sadly shared. For the most potent thing in the home is a mother's influence; and the unconscious and indirect influence of so sweet and pure and true a character, so refined as a mother; and as associate, is an influence that can never be over estimated.
"Death has his rigorous laws unparalleled, unfeeling;
All prayers to him are vain;
Cruel he stops his ears and dead to our appealing
He leaves us to complain."
By this sad death the living coal upon the altar of this ideally happy home goes out. Ah, no one but the loved ones left so lonely can realize the power of the scope of this silent influence; a sorrowing husband has lost a faithful and devoted wife and the five little children the oldest nine and the youngest, a babe of four months, are to first behold death in their kind-hearted and gentle mother, and while they cannot now realize that the body which lay so still and cold would never open its eyes again, never again speak to them from the lips that had never spoken, but lovingly, yet this fact makes her loss the more pathetic. Mrs. McNeil was an ideal Christian mother whose constant aim was to instill into the minds of her children the principles of justice and righteousness. She was ever ready and willing to help by word or action those in trouble and distress. She was a constant and faithful daughter of Holy Mother Church. During the days and nights of her suffering and agony the crucifix had been her source of strength. Through those days and nights she lived in the Garden of Sorrow with her Lord and in her agony she was watching at Gethsemane. By this sad blow a happy home has been made desolate-where but a few short weeks ago Christmas joy reigned supreme, as the happy children's voices proclaimed each new treasure that had been prepared for them by her who had been dearest on earth, now sadness and mourning hold full sway, but
Let us be patient! These severe afflictions
Not from the ground arise,
But oftentimes celestial benedictions
Assume this dark disguise,
We see but dimly through the mists and vapors;
Amid these earthly damps
What seems to us but sad and funeral tapers
May be Heaven's distant lamps."
Mrs. McNeil has lived almost her entire life in this city, and
was universally loved by all, and after she had passed away,
friend after friend thronged to her earthly home and knelt at the
bier and prayed for her who had been to them so true a friend.
She leaves to mourn her loss, besides her husband and five
children, her esteemed parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Donovan,
five brothers and two sisters.
The Ancient Order of Hibernians, attended the funeral in a body
and after the requiem mass the choir sang very sweetly "Some
Sweet Day," after which the remains were laid to rest in
Calvary Cemetery. May she rest in peace.
[transcribed by L.Z., April 2006]
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The Catholic Visitor
Creston,Union co. Iowa
February 20, 1897
ST. MALACHY'S DRAMATIC CLUB
It was a gay party that boarded the south branch train last
Wednesday afternoon, bound for Lenox, including the members of
the Young Men's Dramatic Society, of St. Malachy's church, and a
number of their friends who accompanied them to witness the
second rendition of "The Last of The Narragansetts,"
the Lenox opera house. Arriving at that charming little city the
guests were received with open arms, by Rev. Father Stader and
all of the citizens.
A tempting repast was being served by the ladies of the St.
Patrick's congregation, where the invaders appeased enormous
appetites. At 8:30 the opera house was filled to overflowing to
witness the beautiful play, "The Last of the
Narragansetts," which was produced in a most creditable
manner. Miss Kate Noonan delighted the audience with her
marvelous voice by singing a beautiful solo, "The Holy
City," and Miss Lizzie Gavin rendered several instrumental
selections which proved to be a source of pleasure to the
hearers.
The Lenox Orchestra also contributed in a large measure to the
musical part of the program, and wee the subject of much
favorable comment by all who heard them, especially the visitors.
After the curtain dropped a most delightful social hour was
passed until train time, when the troupe and delegation departed
for home, wishing they might have occasion to visit the
hospitable little city again and feeling deeply grateful to Rev.
Father Stader for his untiring and successful efforts in making
the day such a happy and memorable one for them. The event was
highly successful, both from a financial and critical point of
view.
Locals
Mrs. Allen, of Butte City, Montana, who with her little son has
been in the city visiting her sisters, Mrs. Hopkins and Mrs. E.B.
Hick, was called home suddenly Friday, by a telegram announcing
the serious illness of her husband. Mr. Allen had an operation
performed on a troublesome corn and nothing further thought of it
until now, when blood poisoning has set in and caused friends to
be alarmed.
Miss Mc Cune, of Ottumwa, is a guest at the home of Mr. and Mrs.
C. H. Hartman, of South Hill.
Word was received in the city recently that Mr. and Mrs. John
Turley were the happy parents of a bright boy baby. Mr. and Mrs.
Turley were both former residents of Creston, Mrs. Turley being
Miss Effie Wright, before marriage.
Mrs. Celia Emhoff, one of the popular school teachers, who
presides over one of the schools north of the city, was forced to
abandon her school work and entertain that popular malady-the
Grippe.
Attorney J. B. Sullivan has just served the usual ten days and
costs of doctor bills and apothecary's statements and is again at
liberty to roam at will.
Brakeman Thos. O'Day has been transferred to Red Oak, which
place, while not as desirable location as Creston, for him, will
be his future headquarters. Ah, this is the irons of fate.
Mr. Fred Brockhagen's genial presence will greet customers of the
The Bell in the future. Mr. Brockhagen is not only an efficient
and trustworthy salesman, but has by his genial and courteous
treatment of patrons, largely increased the trade of this popular
store.
Sister, Hildegard, one of the efficient teachers of St. Malachy's
parochial school, was called to the home of her mother last
Saturday, by a telegram announcing the serious illness of her
mother. Sister Hildegard was accompanied on her sad mission by
another sister and the absence of two instructors necessitated
the suspension of school for three days during the fore part of
the week, until arrangements could be made to supply their
places.
Engineer and Mrs. John Miller, of this city, have decided to
remove to St. Joseph, Mo., which will be their future home, Mr.
Miller having been transferred to a run from St. Joseph to Kansas
City.
Mrs. Joseph Haggerty who has been sojourning in Colorado during
the past year, departed for the east last week, where Michael
Haggerty, of this city, after which he will take a course of
study in an eastern law university.
The numerous friends of Miss Lizzie Coleman will be pleased to
learn that she is now convalescent and Dr. Claybaugh, the
attending physician, thinks she will now speedily recover, unless
some unforeseen relapse sets in. For the past five weeks Miss
Coleman has been most seriously ill, and at times it seemed as if
she hovered very near the valley of the shadow of death, but
despite her intense sufferings, she kept up her characteristic
cheerfulness and courage, which together with the excellent
nursing by loving hands, and the best of medical skill, she can
now be said to be rapidly recovering her old-time strength and
vigor.
Mrs. Edward Cushion who was recently injured by falling on the
ice and breaking her arm, is reported as recovering very slowly.
The bones in the arm were splintered and the shoulder joint
seriously dislocated, which makes the case an extremely
aggravated one. Dr. Torrey, the attending physician, fears it
will be many weeks before Mrs. Cushion will recover the use of
her arm.
Mrs. B. Coleman has so far recovered from her recent illness as
to be able to leave her room.
A large number of friends of Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Bohr gathered
at their pleasant home last Thursday evening, the object being to
properly observe the first wedding anniversary of this popular
young couple. A large number of the young people of this city
together with those of the surrounding neighborhood, formed a
most congenial party and a delightful time was had by all
present. There is nor more hospitable home in the country than
that of Mr. and Mrs. Bohr. Their latch string is always out and
old and young who pass over their threshold are assured of a
cordial greeting. And thus it was on last Thursday evening their
home was invaded and old and young mingled together and gathered
at the hospitable rural home for a good time, and from all
reports they had it.
OBITUARY
Died: At her home on Levy street, Thursday, February 18, 1897,
Mrs. Anna Abbott, beloved wife of Mr. Jas. Abbott, aged 54 years.
On last Thursday it pleased God to remove from our midst Mrs.
Jas. Abbott. Having been ill with a severe attack of the grippe
several weeks ago, it gradually developed into a fatal sickness.
The tenderest care and solitude of a devoted daughter and the
untiring attention of a faithful husband could not retain the
gentle spirit in this world and at 10 o'clock last Thursday
morning, the departed resigning with a Christian and childlike
resignation, her soul to the keeping of its Maker. Hers was a
beautiful death fortified by the last rites of the Holy Mother
Church, trusting in God, triumphing over death and the grave, as
shown by the smile on her face as she quietly breathed her last.
Mrs. Abbot leaves seven children by a former marriage, all of
whom are married, with the exception of a daughter and two sons,
also a husband to mourn a loss not reckoned by earthly
estimation. The remains, accompanied by the children, husband and
a brother were taken to Newton, Iowa, the former home of the
deceased, and funeral services held at the little church, with
which deceased had been so closely identified and where but a few
short months previously she bade her many friends adieu little
dreaming that it was her eternal farewell. After the services the
remains were followed by a large concourse of sorrowing friends
to the cemetery where the remains were consigned to their last
resting place.
The deceased came to this city about two years ago with her
husband and family, all of whom rapidly identified themselves as
faithful and practicing Catholics and to such devoted spiritual
lives, death is robbed of much of its sadness. But yet, in this
dad hour of affliction, when the husband is separated from a
faithful and devoted wife, the children from a loving and
affectionate mother, and the light on the altar of the home is
extinguished, it is hard to say, "Thy will be done,"
and the sympathy of the entire community goes out to these lonely
ones in their sad hour of bereavement. Truly God moves in a
mysterious way, His wonders to perform. We see as through a glass
now darkly, but then face to face. None but those who have passed
through the same affliction can realize the sorrow of the broken
hearts in the loss of this wife and mother. Human aid and
sympathy are insignificant. But what a comfort to know that god
doeth all things well. He alone can bind up the broken hearts,
and may the affliction which God has brought in love on those
bereaved ones cause them to devote their lives to Him that
bye-and-bye all may meet where parting is no more, and may her
soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.
[transcribed by L.Z., April 2006]