MUSCATINE COUNTY IOWA REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS BOOK ONE

Source: REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS , BOOK One, page 53
submitted by Jo Ann Carlson, Aug. 24, 2007

PARTICULARS OF SAMUEL GILBERT’S DEATH

In company with five other persons, he had gone to the extreme Southern border of Kansas (140 miles from a settlement) to hunt buffalo. The party had two Indians to assist them. On the morning of the 8th inst., the Indians had driven several buffalo towards the camp one of which was shot and killed by Mr. Gilbert. He seemed to be feeling unusually well that morning. Shortly after the buffalo was skinned, he complained of internal pain and died in about two hours and a half after the attack. It was supposed to be heart disease. A post mortem examination will be held to determine this question.

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Old Settlers’ Meeting.

At a meeting of 11 Settlers of Muscatine county Dec. 16, 1873, Col. G. W. Kincaid, presiding, spoke of the sad event that called us together-the sudden death of Samuel Gilbert, one of our pioneer citizens.

On motion a committee of three was appointed on resolutions, consist of John Mahin, J. Bridgman and F. H. Stone.

On motion, the Old Settlers agreed that their place in the funeral procession should be immediately in the rear of members of Masonic order.

Adjourned to meet at the late residence of Samuel Gilbert, at 10 o’clock to-morrow. ---P. Jackson, Sec’y

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Adjourned Meeting of Old Settlers.

At an adjourned meeting of the Old Settlers of Muscatine, at the late residence of Samuel Gilbert, at 10 o’clock a.m., Dec. 17th, 1873, the following resolutions were adopted:

Resolved. That in the death of Samuel Gilbert the old settlers of Muscatine have lost not only one of their oldest but one of their truest and best members-one who illustrated in himself the genuine characteristics of the pioneer conspicuous among which were warm hearted generosity and fidelity to those who shared with him the privations and hardships incident to the early settlement of the country. And not only do we realize that we as a society have sustained an irreparable loss in his death, but that the community has lost a kind and faithful neighbor, the country a worthy and honorable citizen, and the family a fond and affectionate husband and father.


Resolved. That while we mourn on account of the untimely decease of our friend, we extend our most heartfelt sympathies to his bereaved family, more deeply afflicted because the hand of death was laid suddenly upon him when he was far away from home and near and dear friends, and that as a slight testimonial of our appreciation of his memory we will attend his funeral in a body.


Resolved. That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted to the family of the deceased by our Secretary.

On motion, the papers of the county were requested to publish the above resolutions.

J. Bridgman was appointed to form the Old Settlers in line to follow the Masonic fraternity in the funeral procession. --- P. Jackson, Sec.

[The funeral was largely attended, there being several hundred persons in the procession. The remains were interred in the family burying ground, a beautiful wooded knoll about half a mile from the dwelling, in the direction of the river. The impressive ceremony of the Masonic order was observed at the burial.]

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