Cass County

The announcement has been received in this city by friends of the death at his home in Council Bluffs, Iowa, of Henry Ames, for a number of years a resident of this city. Mrs. Ames has not been in the best of health following an accident a year ago an in which he was severely injured and has since that time been in failing health and his condition grew worse until his death several days ago. He leaves to mourn his death the widow and several daughters and one son, Robert Ames. The funeral services were held in Council Bluffs and the body was laid to rest there. The family will have the deepest sympathy of the friends here in the sorrow that has come upon them.

Yesterday afternoon Mrs. Albert Gaster returned home from Tacoma Park, South Dakota, where she had been with her son, Charles Wittstruck, on a visit at the home of a son who had been injured a few days ago, and on entering her home on Chicago avenue was startled and shocked to find the lifeless body of Mr. Gaster stretched on the bed. The family at once summoned medical aid and Dr. P. J. Flynn responded and on his arrival made an examination of the body and pronounced that death had occurred from twenty-four to thirty-six hours before the discovery of the body was made. A search of the body for some indication of the cause of death revealed a small bottle of strychnine, a part of which had evidently been used and which is supposed to have caused the death of the unfortunate man. Mr. Gaster was lying on the bed dressed and there was no sign of a struggle or disturbance that might indicate a violent death and aside from the bottle of poison found in the coat there was no sign that his death had been other that natural. Members of the family can ascribe no reason for the rash act of Mr. Gaster, as he was apparently in good health and no cause for suicide could be given, the relations of the family having been most pleasant and harmonious. Several of the immediate relatives are of the opinion that death was not due to suicide, but to heart failure, although the circumstances of the bottle of poison as well as the outward appearance of the body led to the conclusion that Mr. Gaster had taken his life. The deceased was thirty-six years of age and leaves a wife and seven step children, three of whom are at home, while the rest reside in the west. He also leaves an aged mother residing at West Point, Nebraska, who has been notified of the tragic death of her son. The funeral will be held Tuesday from the home on Chicago avenue, but the hour has not been definitely fixed.

This morning at 9:18 another of the old time residents of this city was called to the last long rest which knows no more the troubled care of earth, when Mrs. Mary Jane Johnson, widow of the late Joseph W. Johnson, sank peacefully into untroubled sleep to waken on the brighter shores where her Christian life will be glorified in the sight of the Master. For several days past the condition of Mrs. Johnson has been very serious and the children had been called up to the home to be with the mother in the last brief hours of earthly life. On last Wednesday the first signs of a serious breakdown occurred and Mrs. Johnson bore the ordeal with fortitude until the last maintaining an attempt to carry on her usual activities until her failing strength made it necessary to have her removed to the home of her sister, Mrs. W. F. Gillespie, where she remained until the arrival of the children who had been hurriedly summoned form their homes in different portions of the west and in response to the desire of the mother she was taken to the old home where she passed peacefully away this morning. Yesterday was the 55th wedding anniversary of Mrs. Johnson and she was permitted to live through the hours that marked the event that had brought to her so much of happiness and joy as well as the sorrows and griefs that come to all in completing the wonderful story of life. Mary Jane Henton was born November 22, 1846, at Logansport, Cass County, Indiana, and ther espent her girlhood days, and in 1859 when thirteen years of age with her family came west, traveling through the then comparatively unsettled western country, until the family came to the territory of Nebraska and settled at the tiny settlement of St. Mary's, seven miles north of Plattsmouth where the two rivers, the Platte and the Missouri joined and there she spent her youthful days and lived to see her childhood home swept away by the river and today over the spot where Mrs. Johnson lived only the silent waters of the river flow. It was while living at St. Mary's that the deceased first met the young man who was later to share with her the joys and sorrows of life and at the close of the great civil war Mr. Johnson came back to Nebraska to claim his bride on June 8, 1865, at Plattsmouth, Mary Jane Henton and Joseph W. Johnson were united in marriage by Rev. George C. Betts. In the years that have passed the family have made their home in Plattsmouth and vicinity, as for a number of years Mr. Johnson was engaged in farming near this city and later on being elected to the public office came to Plattsmouth to reside and here the family was reared to manhood and womanhood. To bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, six children were born, two oh whom have passed away and four remain to share the grief of the mother's death. The deceased children are Miss Emma Johnson who died in 1890 and J. Edgar Johnson who was killed in an accident on the Burlington near Lincoln in 1919. The living children are: J. Jay Johnson, St. Joseph, Mo.; Frank H. Johnson, Weeping Water;Alge Johnson, Lincoln, and Mrs Ruth Chapman of Willard, Montana. The husband died in this city April 14, 1918. In the death of Mrs. Johnson the community has lost one whom they can but poorly spare as in her years of life the departed has been a most loving friend and neighbor and her death brings to the friends a sense of personal loss that only the soothing hand of time can ease. Her life, peaceful and calm is a striking monument to her worth in the world that words cannot add to or detract from, and to her family she leaves the precious heritage of a well spent life. The funeral services will be held on Friday morning at 11 o'clock form the late home at Seventh and Locust street and the body will be laid to rest beside that of the husband who had preceded her in death.

This morning at 11 o'clock at the family home where the departed had spent so many years of happiness surrounded by the family and long time friends, occurred the funeral services of the late Mrs. Mary Jane Johnson. The home was filled with the old friends and neighbors to share with the members of the family the grief that the passing of this estimable lady had brought to them. A large number of the members of the Grand Army and of the Woman's Relief Corps were present to attend the services. Rev. H. G. McClusky, of the First Presbyterian church, spoke briefly of the life of Mrs. Johnson and his sermon was taken from John 17:13 and expressed the beatiful thought of the blessed love of the Savior and the redemption and salvation of mankind. During the service a quartet composed of Messrs. G. L. Farley, H. G. McClusky, Mrs. Edna Marshall-Eaton and Miss Estelle Baird sang very sweetly two of the songs of faith, "Lead Kindly Night," and "Nearer My God To Thee." The rooms of the home were filled with the beautiful floral rememberances whose beauty and charm spoke of the feeling of respect and love in which the departed had been held by those who had the pleasure of knowing her. At the conclusion of the services at the home, the cortege wended its way to Oak Hill cemetery, where the body was laid to rest beside that of the husband who had passed beyond two years previous. The pallbearers were the three sons, Jay, Frank H. and Alge Johnson, a grandson, Edgar Johnson, and D. C. Morgan and Dr. C. A. Marshall, old neighbors of the departed lady.

Henry Klemme, one of Cass county's early residents, died at a hospital at Lincoln and the body was brought back to Murdock for burial on Wednesday. Mr. Klemme had been sick with pneumonia and the case was exceptionally bad, so he was taken to Lincoln and placed in a hospital in the hopes of getting benefit. He had been in the hospital about four days. The funeral will be held on Thursday afternoon and burial in the Kellehan cemetery. In the passing of Mr. Klemme the county loses one of its best citizens. Elmwood Leader-Echo

On Tuesday morning occurred the funeral services of Mrs. Caroline Current, who died at Minatare, Neb., where she had been making her home with a son. Mrs. Current was well known by many of the earlier residents of this place having lived here a number of years. The services were conducted by Rev. Longacre and burial was made in the Elmwood cemetery beside her husband who died a number of years ago. The following is the obituary:

Caroline Colburn was born at Flat Rock, Indiana, on November 14, 1821, and died at Hasting, Neb., on June 4, 1920, aged 88 years, 6 months and 20 days. Her father, John H. Colburn was a Methodist minister and her mother a was woman well fitted to preside over his home. So from earliest childhood Caroline was trained in a Christian home. At the age of ten years she removed with her father's family to Savannah, Mo., in Andrew County. Here she grew to womanhood amid the surroundings of a new country. Her father was a scholarly man above the average of his time and although educational advantages were few he taught his children himself and laid the foundation for the acquirement of much valuable information. When she was about twelve years old Caroline united with the church of which her father was pastor and remained through her long life a faithful Christian worker. On May 8, 1850 she was united in marriage to James Alfred Current. With him she lived an affectionate companion for over forty-seven years. He died in 1897. To them were born nine children all of whom are living except one who died in infancy and one daughter who died in 1912. She was a faithful wife, a good mother and a true friend. Mrs. Current had twenty grandchildren, ten boys and ten girls, and twenty-four great grandchildren, nine boys and fifteen girls. Those from out of town attending the funeral were Mrs. D. J. Roberts, Miss Marian Roberts and Mr. and Mrs. Will Lota of Kenesaw, and Mr. W. P. Current of Omaha.

The old friends and neighbors of the O. C. Douge family, residing in Liberty precinct, were profoundly shocked Saturday to learn that Mrs. Douge had passed away after an illness of some several weeks. Mrs. Douge was well known throughout the community where the family has made their home for a number of years and held in the highest esteem and her death comes as a severe blow to the community. Marslia Miller was born October 25, 1864, in Cass county, Nebraska, where she was lived for her entire lifetime. She was married to Oregon C. Douge on December 26, 1886. To this union was born one son Glen, who preceded his mother in her departure. Mrs. Douge was a member of the Presbyterian church and has always been active in the church work when the opportunity was afforded. Her husband and one sister, Mrs. J. W. Nichols, as well as a host of life long friends mourn her death. She was a faithful wife and mother and was a good neighbor.

Again our people are called upon to lay away an old and highly respected early settler. Last Saturday afternoon the not unexpected news of the death of Noble Taylor was passed around. He had been ill at the home of Anson Burdick for some time and his death, though a shock to the community, was not a surprise. He was one of the early settlers of the community and was universally esteemed by all who knew him. Noble D. Taylor was born at Barry, Pike County, Ill., July 10, 1846, where he grew to manhood. August 16th, 1862, he enlisted in Co. D. 118th Illinois infantry, from which organization he was discharged October 1st, 1865, having served three years, one month and fifteen days. Returning to his old home until 1868, he came to Peru, Neb., and in 1869 to Cass County. In 1870, he homesteaded in Otoe county, which was his home until death. Of his father's family there were fourteen children, all whom have gone before him expect one sister, Mrs. Alma Stites, of Auburn, Neb. In 1871 he was united in marriage to Miss Katie Walker. To this union there were born six children as follows: Amelick F., who died in infancy; Mrs. Nellie Fall, Globe, Ariz.; Mrs. Eda More, Everett, Wash.; Mr. Fay Taylor, Fresno, Calif.; Mrs. Lena Sutherland, and Mrs. Kate Schesser of Seattle, Wash., Mrs. Eda More being the only one able to be in attendance at the funeral. In 1881 he became a member of Mansfield Post G. A. R. at Palmyra and a number of old veterans attened the funeral, which occurred in Eagle Wednesday afternoon. The remains were laid away in the Eagle cemetery. Rev. John Davis conducted the services. - Eagle Beacon

Wm. Henke was born in Germany in 1852 and has been a resident since 1882. he has been a resident of this city for forty years and has been an invalid at his home west of town for the past nine years. He passed away Friday morning at three o'clock at the home of his sons, Edward and August, at the age of 68 years. On December 20, 1875, Mr. Wm. Hemke was united in marriage with Miss Ernistina Bauers, who survives the husband. There were born to this union three girls and two boys, two dying in infancy, they being Augusta, the oldest, and Minnie, the youngest. August Hemke and Mrs. Emil (Ida) Lau being twins, and Edward Hemke, they with three daughters of Mrs. and Mrs. Emil Lau and three sons of Edward Hemke with the aged grandmother, are left to mourn the death of Grandpa Hemke. The funeral was held at the church north of Murdock of which he was a member, and the funeral oration will be delivered by the Rev. J. W. Peters on Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, while the interment was made in the quiet church yard near the church.

The friends in this city of the J. H. Donnelly family were profoundly shocked this morning when the message was received in this city announcing the death of the Donnelly home in Omaha of the little daughter of Lieutenant and Mrs. George Fingerson. Mrs. Fingerson and little child arrived just a few days ago from their home at Fort Logan, Colorado. The little one was taken only a short time before its death with a slight affliction of the throat and lungs, which later ailment developed into bronchial pneumonia, form which the little one passed away this morning. Little Sally was one year old yesterday and her death comes as a keen blow to the parents and grandparents. Lieutenant Fingerson had started to the Pacific coast with his regiment and arrangements for the funeral will await word from him. Mrs. Fingerson was formerly Miss Marie Donnelly. To the bereaved family the deepest sympathy of the large circle of friends in this city will be extended.

This morning at 10:30 at Trinity cathedral in Omaha occurred the funeral services of little Sally Fingarsen, the infant daughter of Lieutenant and Mrs. George Fingarsen. A large number of the friends of the family from Plattsmouth were present to attend the services and to express their grief at the sorrow that has come to the parents and to the grandparents of the little one, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Donnelly. Dean J. A. Tancock, of Trinity cathedral, assisted by Father W. S. Leete of St. Luke's church of this city, had charge of the services and the beautiful burial services of the Episcopal church was used. The death of this bright little child has brought to the family a deep and lasting grief and dimmed the sunshine of the home were the little one has been so loved and cherished during the brief space of her lifetime. LIttle Sally was born in Omaha on June 11, 1919, and soon after her birth was taken to Fort Logan, Colorado, where the father, Lieutenant George Fingarsen was stationed with his regiment. During the winter Mrs. Fingarsen with little Sally spent a short time here at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Donnelly, parents of Mrs. Fingarsen and later returned to the west. Last Sunday Mrs. Fingarsen and little daughter came from Colorado to Omaha to visit for a time and a few days later the little one was stricken with bronchial pneumonia and died on Thursday morning.

Last evening the death of the little year old child of Mr. and Mrs. James Holy occurred at the home in the west portion of the city after an illness of a few days. The funeral was held this morning from the home.

From the Minitare Free Press of March 31 we learn of the death of Joseph H. Fairfield, long a resident of Plattsmouth and Cass County, and a gentleman who while he was living here was very prominent in the life of the community. Mr. Fairfield was a gentleman who made many friends and those who had the pleasure of knowing him while a resident of this city will regret very much to learn of his death. The following from the Free Press gives a short accounty of his death: "The death of Joseph H. Fairfield of pnuemonia Sunday marks the passing of another of the pioneers who did much to develop the valley. Mr. Fairfield was a man of great native ability and a leader of men and had a wide reputation as a political leader, for politics was a game he loved to play. Joseph Henry Fairfield was 59 years, 3 months and 14 days old. He was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and was the eldest child of George W. Fairfield and Sarah Jane McMachen Fairfield. From Fort Wayne he came with his parents to Plattsmouth, Nebraska, in 1857, where he spent his boyhood and early life. He was educated in the schools of Plattsmouth and was later a close student of Prof. J. Dealmond. His father was a great surveyor, long employed in the government service, and in his company Josesph H. Fairfield, in 1884, surveyed. He traveled over South Dakota, Wyoming and Nebraska and was in nearly every county in the state in this work. In 1880 he was elected city councilman and served two terms, being considered on of the best councilmen that Plattsmouth ever had. For two years he was editor of the daily paper The Morning Mail. In 1884 he was elected county surveyor in Cass county, resigning in 1886 to come to what is now Scotts Bluff county but what was then a part of Cheyenne county. Much of his time he spent in surveying and locating claims in the valley. He was instrumental in helping to locate the first irrigation ditch in western Nebraska, the Minatare canal. He was a very public spirited man, and took a deep interest in county, town and state affairs. He was married February 18, 1878, to Alena M. Mullis. He died Sunday evening, March 26, leaving his wife and one son, Earl Blain Fairfield, one sister, Mrs. Tabor, and a brother, Andrew M. Fairfield, both of Omaha. The funeral was held rom the Presbyterian church Tuesday afternoon and the remains were laid to rest in the East Lawn cemetery."

The death of Mrs. Lena Mentis Fairfield at the family home just west of this city last Sunday morning marked the passing of one of the oldest residents of the community, she having settled here with her family in the year 1885. Mrs. Fairfield had been ill but a few days suffering from pnuemonia, when she was summoned by death. Funeral services were conducted from the family home Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock in charge of Rev. Blanchard of the Minitare Christian church. Internment was made at the Fairview cemetery. The following old time residents of the community acted as pallbearers: W. H. Johnston, Math Ore, M. Wiles and E. O. Harshman. The Free Press joins many friends of the family in expressing sympathy to the bereaved son in his sorrow. Mrs. Alena Mentis Fairfield was born at Logansport, Indiana, April 2, 1857, and departed this life at her home west of Minitare March 8, 1931, aged 73 years, 11 months and 6 days. When she was about 8 years old, with her parents she moved to Nebraska, first settling at Plattsmouth where they lived for some time. While living there she met Joseph H. Fairfield to whom she was married February 18, 1878. To this union were born three children, one son, Earl, who survives her and two daughters who died in infancy. In the summer of 1885 they moved to Scotts Bluff county and settled on the farm where she has since resided. Her father, Greenbury Mullis, as well as her grandfather were ministers of the Christian church, preaching the gospel that Sister Fairfield learned to love, accepting Christ as her Saviour when she was nine years old, thus giving almost 65 years to the loyal service of her Lord, and in coming a charter member of the Minitare church, attending services three weeks before the day of her death. Her father organized the first Christian church in Bayard and preached for it for some time. When he became ill Sister Fairfield brought him to her place and cared for him till he died as also she did her mother. She was bereaved of her husband March 26, 1916. She leaves to mourn her loss besides her son Earl, a host of nephews and nieces and a host of friends that she has made in her almost 46 residence in this community. These all join in mourning the departure of a truly good woman who looked well to the ways of her household and who ate not the bread of idleness. She was a good wife, a faithful wife, a doting mother, a true neighbor, a loyal citizen, faithful church member and a genuine Christian. Hence we sorrow not as the infidel or atheist who contemplate death as the end of all things. But we look forward with joyous expectation and longing anticipation of meeting her in her glorious body which God will give to her and to all who look for and await His glorious appearing coming in the clouds of heaven, when the dead in Christ shall arise and with the living saints are caught up to meet the Lord in the air.

On Wednesday forenoon at the home of Mrs. J. H. Fairfield was held the funeral of her mother, who at the time of her death, was probably the oldest woman in Scotts Bluff county. Services were held by Doctor Wilson, Christian minister of Gering, music being furnished by the ladies quartette of Minatare consisting of the singing of several of the favorite old hymns of the deceased. Emily Ovanda Henton was born near Logansport, Ind., Dec. 16, 1830, and died May 23, 1927, being 96 years, 5 months and 7 days old. At the age of 19 she was united in marriage to a young Chrisitan minister, Rev. Greenbury Mullis, she being a member of this church all her mature years. To this union, four children were born, of whom two daughters are deceased and one daughter, Mrs. J. H. Fairfield of Minatare, and a son, V. M. Mullis, of Diller, Nebr., are alive. In 1867 the family moved to Lincoln, Nebr., living on a homestead where the Yankee Hill section of Lincoln now rests, whcih city at that time consisted of a hamlet of three houses. Some three years later they removed to Plattsmouth, where they resided till 1888 when they came to this valley, settling near Bayard. Here husband died there in 1903. The remainder of her life was passed between Plattsmouth and the valley, living the last 11 years at her daughter's home near this city. During the long span of years which constituted her life time, Grandma Mullis saw some vast changes. She saw the railroad developed from a 15 miles strip of wooden rails in New York to a vast network of steel covering a continent, saw mail carrying develop from and Indian runner in the woods to an airplane flying 200 miles an hour. She lived through the administrations of 23 presidents, linking Jackson to Coolidge and lived through four major wars of the United States. She saw the settlement of every state west of the Mississippi river. She also saw the rise of two world empires, Japan and Germany. Through it all she remained a capable, efficient mother to her children and later on to her grandchildren. Generosity and the ability to give always marks the true mother and these qualities she had to overflowing. We hear much of the sacrifices of the weak but the world's true givers are the capable and strong and Grandma Mullis' quiet capability, which was ever at anyone's command, always marked her as one of that host of American motherhood, who, from the rock upon which rests this nation, which she lived to see grow from 24 rude, half civilized states to more than double that number of sovereign commonwealths, each a magnificent empire within itself. The earthly remains of this fine old lady were tenderly laid to rest on Wednesday afternoon in the Bayard cemetery, beside the body of her husband, who passed away in 1903. The Free Press joins the many friends of this pioneer family in expressing sympathy at this time.