Abstracted by Cay Merryman from the original transcription by Teresa Durbin. Tombstone information added when known.

15 August 1879

A Triple Tragedy. Three Young Men Meet Their Fate in a Watery Grave

Wednesday morning six young men, living south of Emerson, with camping outfit, went to Red Oak to work on the branch railroad. Their names were Chas. Hammock, Frank Durbin and four brothers, Thomas, Mark, Willard and Albert Campbell.

They pitched their tent near the river and after supper the boys proposed going swimming. They went to the river south of the wagon road bridge and went into the water where it was very shallow, when suddenly, Chas, Mark, Thomas and Frank fell into a deep hole and not being able to swim, Chas. and Frank sank at once and did not come to the surface.

Thomas sank but came to the surface and cried for help, but none could be given and the poor boy sank to rise no more. Willard could swim and swam in and saved his brother, Mark. Albert got ashore; he cannot tell how.

The alarm was given and everything that could be done was done to save the boys. Two young men dove to the bottom of the hole and succeeded in bringing the bodies to the surface, which had been in the water about an hour. Thomas Campbell's heart was beating it is said, when he was raised, but life was too far gone to save him.

Late at night, word was brought to the grief stricken parents, that their boys, who but so recently had left home full of life, were dead. They were brought home Thursday morning and were buried in the Malvern Cemetery in the afternoon. A large procession followed the remains to the burial. The young men were each about 17 years of age, were kind hearted and obedient at home, and among their associates. The men will be sadly missed in the circles where they moved, and the grief striken parents and friends, have the sympathy of all who learn of the loss. "In the midst of life, we are in death."

(headstone in Malvern Cemetery: Charlie Hammack, son of C. & TA, d. 13 Aug 1879, 17y 5m 12d)

(headstone in Malvern Cemetery: Frank Durbin, son of J. & L. 16 Jun 1861 - 13 Aug 1879)

(headstone in Malvern Cemetery: Thomas E. Campbell, son of James & C.A., d 13 Aug 1879, 17y 11m 24d

15 August 1879

Mary Edith, only daughter of C. E. and Maggie Dalton , departed this life on Tuesday August 12, age 13 months and 5 days. The funeral services were held at the Liberty church, conducted by E. B. Parish.

(headstone in East Liberty Cemetery: Mary E. Dalton, dau of C. E. and M. E., d. 12 Aug 1879, 1y 1m 5d)

5 September 1879

Wm. Otis, of Glenwood died August 22, aged nearly 79 years.

(headstone in Glenwood Cemetery: William Otis, born in Vermont, d. 22 Aug 1879, 77y 9m)

5 September 1879

Lorenzo Eilenberger, a citizen of Glenwood, took his life by hanging, September 1st. No family or business affair contributed to the sad ending. His mental trouble, for such it evidently was, seemed to be hereditary. While yet a young man, unmarried he attempted suicide by poisoning. It is a sad case for not only does society lose a good citizen but his wife and children are deprived at once of a kind husband and father.

((headstone in Glenwood Cemetery: Lorenzo H. Eilenberger, departed this life 1 Sep 1879, 30y)

5 September 1879

Elizabeth Rector was born September 26th 1795 in Grayson county Virginia. Was married to Thomas Parker in the year 1812. Soon after, both joined the Baptist church, about 1825 moved to Ohio, where they resided until 1855, then moved to Iowa. She was the mother of ten children, but two are living. Mrs. Davis and Mr. David Parker. Has made her home the last twenty-eight years with Mr. and Mrs. Davis. She died fully believing in the Gospel of Christ. She has been a widow 39 years. A large procession followed her remains to the burial at Malvern cemetery. Rev. O. T. Conger officiated at the funeral services.

19 September 1879

Alex Stockton, of Deer Creek, shot himself yesterday. How it was done we have not yet learned. Rev. O. T. Conger went this morning to officiate at the funeral.

(headstone in Malvern Cemetery: Alexander M. Stockton, d. 16 Sep 1879, 36y 4m 24d)

3 October 1879

From the Opinion Extra we learn that David Hammers, for nearly 24 years, a citizen of Glenwood, on Tuesday morning last, at an early hour took his own life. He was 64 years of age and leaves a large circle of relatives to regret and mourn his tragic end. Mr. Hammers hung himself with a log chain in the smoke house, after shaving and dressing himself in his best suit of clothes. It is said that domestic unhappiness was the cause of the rash act of self destruction.

(headstone in Glenwood Cemetery: D. Hammers, 26 Aug 1818 - 30 Sep 1879)

31 Oct 1879

A memorial discourse for Lewis Rickabaugh is to be delivered next Sabbath morning, in the Baptist Church, by Rev. O.T. Conger.

(headstone in Malvern Cemetery: Lewis Rickabaugh, d. 26 Oct 1879, 42y 1m 29d)

28 November 1879

O. P. Clabough, once a resident of Malvern, died in Atchison County Missouri at the residence of his uncle Michael Kime, October 14th last. He was a clerk in several of our businesses at different times and the last work he did was for Fred Spencer at Randolph.

19 December 1879

Allen Wilson, father of H. Barnes died Friday night December 12 at 12 o'clock. Wilson was born December 18, 1806 near Clarion, Penn. came to Wapello county Iowa 1858 and then to Malvern June of 1879. Buried in Ottumwa.

6 February 1879

The people of Malvern will be pained to learn of the death of Mr. J. Underwood who died at Hamburg on the 9th of last month. Mr. Underwood was once a citizen of our town, but was attacked by that dreaded enemy, consumption and obliged to give up his business and go to the mountains for his health, but all of no avail, for the disease would not relinquish its hold until death. He leaves a wife and one child.

2 April 1879

Mr. John Sivers, Sen., of Glenwood died very suddenly last Wednesday night, after an illness of only four days. Mr. Sivers was one of the old pioneers of the county, having been a resident for over 30 years. He had a wide acquaintance and was universally esteemed for the excellent qualities manifested in his social and business relations.

(headstone in Glenwood Cemetery: John Sivers, 1819 - 1880)

14 May 1880

Mrs. Willard, the lady who was burned so severely in the late fire, died last Tuesday night, and was buried Wednesday. She lingered in great misery wearing out by degrees a strong constitution, until death released her from her suffering. Mrs. Willard was an excellent woman, she expressed herself as ready and willing to die and bore her affliction with great fortitude. She leaves a husband to mourn the loss of a devoted wife. The funeral services will occur at the Methodist church next Sabbath morning conducted by Rev. D. McIntire.

21 May 1880

Mr. W. Burns, died last Saturday, at the home of his brother-in-law, Mr. Linville in Hillsdale. Mr. Burns was sick only one day, of inflammation of the bowels. He had just started on a trip and got to Hillsdale when he was taken sick and died.

21 May 1880

Luther Hicks, died last Sunday night at the residence of Mr. Henry Donner. Mr. Hicks was an excellent young man, was a member of the Baptist church in good and regular standing. He was but twenty two years of age, yet in the early manhood of his life, he has been called to his reward.

2 July 1880

Mr. Luther Sawyer, of Hillsdale, late of Philipsburg Kansas, died last Saturday of quick consumption and was buried Monday. Deceased was a member of the Methodist church and was a young man of excellent reputation and sterling worth of character. He was at the time of his death County Surveyor of Philips county Kansas, but came home to visit and finally to die in the bosom of friends.

(headstone in Waubonsie Cemetery: Luther T. Sawyers, d. 27 Jun 1880, 23y 10m 17d)

9 July 1880

Died - Sunday June 27, 1880, at the residence of his father, at Lowville P.O. Nelson, Ontario, Dr. John Cleaver, age forty-six years five months and twelve days. The subject of this obituary graduated in Theology at Coberg, Ontario, at the age of twenty-five. He was soon after united in marriage to Catherine Eddy. After serving his church, the Wesleyan Methodist church, nine years he was forced to retire from the ministry on account of throat disease. He then turned his attention to the study of medicine and graduated at Cleveland Ohio in 1867. He came west and settled at Tabor, Iowa where he enjoyed a large practice, subsequently he came to Malvern where he has resided five years. His health failing him he sought the invigorating climate of Canada but the journey and the change was too great and he soon passed away. His remains were brought home reaching Malvern Friday and were interred in the cemetery at Tabor. His funeral service was preached by Rev. McIntire in the M.E. church last Sabbath morning. A memorial service will also be held at the Congregational church at Tabor next Sabbath morning, Rev. Todd officiating. Dr. Cleaver was a man of large and warm impulses. He always had a good word for every good work. Public spirited he used his influence for the public good. A kind husband and father a generous friend and an honest man, has passed away.

(headstone in the Tabor Cemetery: Dr. John Cleaver, d. 27 Jun 1880 age 46y)

9 July 1880

Mother Cattron, died at the age of seventy-five years at the residence of her daughter Mrs. A. M. Frizzell on the evening of July 7th. Funeral services were held at Mrs. Frizzell's residence yesterday afternoon. The remains were taken to the cemetery north of Glenwood for interment. Mother Catron had been helpless for the past five years.

(headstone in the West Liberty Cemetery: Susannah Cattron, wf of John M. d. 7 Jul 1880, 74y 10m 17d)

9 July 1880

Last Sunday morning at Glenwood after a lingering illness, Joel Solomon, Esq. passed quietly from earth at the advanced age of eighty years. Mr. S. was the father of Hon. D. H. Solomon and the father-in-law of Hon. Jno. Y. Stone. In 1856, Mr. Solomon removed to Glenwood from Fulton county, Illinois of which county he was a prominent citizen. He was for years clerk of the county, when the great departed Stephen A. Douglas was the presiding judge and Abraham Lincoln a practicing lawyer. The qualities that commended the deceased in his early days he retained in his new home. For a quarter of a century he has been a vigorous and honorable worker here in life's strife. His business reputation as a real estate dealer is known favorable throughout all southwestern Iowa. Public spirited, of generous impulses, a faithful friend, a kind father and upright citizen and honest man Mr. Solomon leaves a name which others more known to some might well envy.

(headstone in the Glenwood Cemetery: Joel Solomon, b. Va., d. 5 Jul 1881 80y 1m 20d)

23 July 1880

Miss Thankful Van Orsdal, aged twenty years died last Sunday night at the home of her father near Hillsdale. Mis Van Orsdal was organist for the M. E. church and played for the Band of Hope at 4 pm returned home and died at 9 o'clock the same evening. She had been in delicate health for some time, and returning home ran to escape a storm; the reaction was too great, spasms set in with the above result. Miss Van Orsdal was an active member of the M. E. church and graced her profession by a life of filial devotion to the cause of Christ.

(headstone in Hillsdale Cemetery: Thankful Van Orsdal, 9 May 1862 - 18 Jul 1880)

23 July 1880

Died at the Malvern House, Thursday July 15, Mr. Carsner, aged eighty four years. Mr. Carsner was a native of Penn., where he resided during his childhood. He subsequestly moved to Ohio, thence to Mills county Iowa where he has lived for twenty four years. He lived to see a great wilderness country bloom and blossom as the rose. Just before he died he expressed his willingness to die and like a sheaf of wheat fully ripe, he was gathered to his fathers. He leaves an aged wife and several children to mourn his loss.

30 July 1880

Died at Randolph, Iowa, July 27 1880, Mr. George Kilpatrick, after an illness of two weeks. He was prostrated by an attack of brain fever, from which he could not rally.

(headstone in Malvern Cemetery: George Kilpatrick, d. 27 Jul 1880, 28y)