Finch, Carrie died 1861

FINCH

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 7/18/2024 at 16:13:38

DIED - In this city of Diptheria on the morning of Sept. 10th, Carrie, daughter of Walter B. and Carrie Finch, aged about twelve years.

Sweet little Carrie, lamented by al and by none more than those who knew her best, is no more.
~Weekly North Iowa Times, Wednesday, September 11, 1861; pg 3

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Died of Diptheria, at the residence of her parents in this city on Tuesday the 10th inst., Carrie Finch, aged twelve years, second daughter of W.B. and C.S. Finch, after a short but severe and painful illness.

Little Carrie was a lovely and amiable child in all the relations of life. As a daughter she was obedient and affectionate, seeming ever to be moved by love towards those who gave her being, and provided for her life's comforts. As a sister she was kind, gentle and generous, ever sharing her pleasures with her sisters and deriving double pleasures in seeing them happy. As a scholar she was studious, obedient to her teachers, and thirsting for knowledge.

Carried was a member of the 1st Baptist Sunday School and had won the hearts of her Superintendent and teachers, by punctuality in attendance, promptness in the discharge of all the duties assigned her, and her gentle and orderly deportment; while she had endeared herself to her schoolmates by her gentle manners, winning ways and loving heart, her great desire in the school seemed to be to learn of [illegible] whose word she came to study.

But sweet Carrie is gone. Death loves a shining mark and he aimed his shaft at her young life and she fell a victim to his [illegible] archery. Carrie was lovely and quiet in life and calm and peaceful in her death, and young as she was she died expressing a hope that Jesus was her Saviour and that she should be with Him and rest in His bosom.

The writer was with Carrie some two hours prior to her death. When I entered her room she gladly welcomed me and asked if I though she would die, I replied that her physician said she would not live the day through This answer did not disturb her I asked if she was willing to die to leave Father, Mother and Sister -- she said "Yes". I asked if she had any fear of death, she said "No", but that she would be happier to go and be with Jesus for [illegible]

"I shall be an angel
And with the Angels stand,
A crown upon my forehead,
A harp within my hand."

About an hour before her death she endeavored to speak to her Father, and beckoned me to come near her, with great effort she tried to speak to me but her voice was gone. Carrie placed her little hands upon my hand and then looking upward pointed towards Heaven - as much as to say I am going home, meet me in Heaven.

Often has Carrie's voice been heard in Sunday School singing "I want to be an Angel." Her wish is gratified and her young spirit is tuned to loftier songs and sweeter praise than earth has known. We shall see Carrie here no more. Her voice is hushed on earth, at the fireside, and in the songs of the little ones at Sunday School

"But a new harp is strung
And a new song is given,
To the breezes that float
O'er the gardens of Heaven."
--Carrie's Friends

~Weekly North Iowa Times, Wednesday, September 18, 1861; pg 2

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Contributor: Three years later, this touching news article about the death of her dog, gives Carrie's burial place as in Prairie du Chien, WI:

Little Trippie - A little dog, with a bell on his neck, was killed at McGregor last week by a larger dog which took offence at Trip's presumption. Trip deserves a notice. Several years ago Miss Carrie Finch, a beautiful girl of 10 years, daughter of Mr. W.B. & Mrs. Finch, died here, and was buried at Pr du Chien. Trip was her favorite, and was seldom out of her sight.

He went with the funeral cortege across the river; the family, in their deep affliction, did not notice that the faithful friend remained at Carrie's grave, and it was not until three days had passed that the little fellow was discovered by one of the Dykens bothers by the side of the grave of his former mistress and idolized friend.

He was taken to the house nearly starved, and in a week recovered strength to get out of doors, when he again traveled to the church-yard and resumed his vigils. A second time he was forcibly carried home and restored to strength, since which he has remained at the American House, the pet of everybody who was aware of his devotion to the dear young girl whose kindness had so fascinated him. All felt sad when Trippie was reported dead, and we mention the matter to show that even animals are sometimes truer in their friendships than many human beings.
~Weekly North Iowa Times, Wednesday, September 21, 1864; pg 2