Baker, Adda – d. 1879

BAKER, SIMMS, WESTBROOK

Posted By: Barbara Hug (email)
Date: 10/12/2010 at 17:57:14

It is again our painful work to report the ravages of diphtheria in this community. We last week mentioned the appearance of the destroyer of our little ones, but as we supposed and hoped in a mild term, in the family of Will Baker, on the Des Moines road.

The first child attacked got along nicely under medical treatment and we concluded we had only the mild form to contend with, but when four others were attacked, the disease developed in its most hideous form.

On Thursday forenoon Ada, the oldest of the children, was numbered among its victims, aged 9 years, 2 months, and 26 days. On Saturday morning little Jennie took leave of parents and friends and joined Ada on the other shore, aged 3 years, 9 months, and 9 days.

The links of the chain that bind us here
Are attached to an anchor beyond.

At the present writing the disease has laid its two-fold fatal grasp on the oldest boy, who, ere this reaches you, will be numbered with the departed. Mr. Baker, Bart and Nelly are in a fairway to recover. Besides this family there has been diphtheria at A. J. Westbrook’s and James Simms but all doing well. ~ Newton Journal; April 24, 1879, page 2