Newspaper Articles from DeWitt County Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 1999 Earliene Kaelin Obits: 2/20/1902 KILLED IN CALIFORNIA Harry SMITH who was a car repairer at the shops, left his wife Sadie SMITH, and daughter last November, and they did not know where he went. A few days ago, she received word from the husband's sister, Mrs. E. BAKER, at Hamilton, O., that he had been killed by a train at San Francisco. He was identified by a letter in his pocket from his sister. A bottle of whisky was found in his pocket and it was thought he was drunk. 12/20/1902 DIED IN THE PRIME OF LIFE A Loving Mother is Called to Her Eternal Home When Life's Pleasants And Promises Seemed Brightest Mrs. Fred ARGO who gave birth to baby girl on the 14th inst. died last Tuesday afternoon in her home, 720 North Jackson avenue. Her improvement seemed perfectly satisfactory until about the 17th, when she was suddenly taken with a severe chill, and she rapidly grew worse until the final summons came. Mrs. Eva L. ARGO was born at Linden, Ill., Aug. 9, 1869, being 33 years 3 months and 14 days old, and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. C. WEST. Her father died some years ago, while her mother was with her daughter when death came. She was married to Fred N. ARGO Dec. 30, 1891. Since their marriage Clinton had been their home, except one year which she spent in Iowa. A son Lisle, 9 years old and a baby were born to them. By her death a husband, two children a mother and a sister, are left to mourn her death. She was an ardent member of the M. E. Church and had always lived a exemplary life. The funeral took place yesterday from the residence at 2 o'clock, conducted by Rev. T. A. CANADY. Interment in Woodlawn. 2/13/1903 KILLED BY CENTRAL TRAIN Former Resident of Clinton Received Injuries That Cause His Death in a Few Hours Peter SELLERS died about 2 o'clock this morning at his home in Decatur from injuries received early yesterday morning. He accompanied his wife and daughter to the 5 o'clock train from Decatur; they were coming to this city to visit J. A. EDMISTON, Mrs. SELLER'S cousin, who is sick, and Mr. SELLERS bid them a good bye a few minutes before the train started along the track north of his home. Being hard of hearing he did not hear the approaching train and was over taken, one foot being cut off just above the ankle, the other foot badly mashed, besides other injuries. The train was stopped and the men passengers carried Mr. SELLERS back to the depot. Mrs. SELLERS and daughter remained on the train until the men were again in their seats and the train almost ready to start when Mrs. SELLERS heard someone say it was Peter SELLERS who was hurt. He was taken to him home and a doctor called; he said that the other foot must be taken off and that he must first be taken to the hospital. As this was over a mile drive, he was to near dead to have the operation performed till after noon. Peter SELLERS was about 70 years old, and moved from Clinton to Sullivan a few years ago, and from there to Decatur about 3 years ago. While here he had enough property to keep his family so that he worked but little. Since then he had made deals that lost him most of his property and worked by the day. Besides his wife he leaves a son and four daughters survive him, all living at home except the son who is attending school in Lincoln. 1/23/1903 DEATH OF MRS. KENT Respected Woman Called After a Short Illness Great surprise and sorrow was expressed on Wednesday evening when the news passed from mouth to mouth that Mrs. Morton KENT was dead. Her illness began on Sunday, being a stomach trouble in acute form, and few had learned of it, which made the news of her death seem sudden and shocking. She passed away on Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock, aged 62 years, two months and four days. Nancy KERR was born in Bellefontaine, Ohio, Nov. 10, 1840. She came with her family to Clinton and there, in 1858 was married to Morton KENT. In 1869 Mr. and Mrs. KENT came to this city to reside and this has since been their home. They were members of the Presbyterian church at Clinton and after coming to this city allied themselves with the congregation of that church here. This was a very small congregation with no house of worship of its own, but meeting in the school and public hall. Mr. and Mrs. KENT took and active part in helping build the present church and were active and useful members of society. Seven children were born to them, of whom four, all girls, have gone before their mother and were as follows: Lora Ardell, died Aug. 26, 1873, aged one year and seven months; Mary Lena, died July 23, 1874, aged four months; Lula May died Dec. 7, 1877, aged seven years and ten months; Mary Bell, died Aug. 13, 1878, aged 21 days. The children who survive to comfort their father are Amella and Alford, at home, and William S. of this city. A brother and two sisters of the deceased live in Bellefontaine. Mrs. KENT was a woman of kindly heart and generous helpful disposition. She was best loved by those her knew her best. Last Friday she was installed as one of the officers of the Women's relief corps. Her death is the third among members of the corps within less than a month. Farmer City Journal. Deceased was an aunt of Fred KENT, of Clinton and was known to many in this city. 1/23/1903 DEATH OF MRS. ALEXANDER Mrs. Jennie ALEXANDER Died at Her Home in Wapella Tuesday Night Aged 62 Years Jennie B. SUMMERS was born March 1, 1840, in Waynesville, she spent her girlhood in Bloomington and graduated from the Bloomington Academy; she taught school in McLean and Dewitt Counties several years and married John BURWELL, Sept. 12, 1859. Three children were born, two are dead, and one living, Mrs. E. G. HARRISON, of Bloomington. John BURWELL died at Los Angeles, Calf. Oct. 9, 1885. She was married to A. A. ALEXANDER, Dec. 13, 1888, who died May 2, 1902. She is survived by four brothers, Milton of Ospur; Harry and George of Weldon; Albert of Los Angeles, Cal.; also one stepdaughter of Eureka, Calf. She was afflicted with rheumatism for about 30 years, for eleven years confined to her chair. She had borne affliction patiently and was ready to be called home. She became a member of the M.E. Church early in life, and was always a consistent Christian. Funeral services were held Wednesday at 10:30 from the home, conducted by Rev. J. L. DICKSON. Burial in Woodlawn cemetery. The Floral tributes were as follows: Large wreath bearing the word "Mamma," Mr. and Mrs. E. G. HARRISON; bouquet, white carnations and calla lilies, Mrs. A. D. METZ; bouquet variegated carnations, Mr. and Mrs. T. J. WILLIS; bouquet pink carnations, Mrs. E. G. F. HARRISON and Mr. and Mrs. S. G. HALL, of Clinton. 1/30/1903 FORMER CLINTONIAN DEAD Co. J.J. KELLY Passed Away at His Home In Los Angeles, Cal., Last Week New of the death of Col. J. J. KELLY was received here at the first of the week. He was sick about two weeks. He was born in Ohio in 1827, and in 1858 he came to Clinton as a young lawyer, and was prominent to this county until 1881, when he moved to Lincoln, Neb., where he lived until 1899, when he moved to Los Angeles, which has since been his home. In this county he held city and county offices besides practicing law. For several years he was the law partner of M. DONAHUE, who still lives in Clinton, and they had an extensive practice. He also held a good appointment as bank examiner in several states under President HAYES. He is survived by one son, W. R. KELLY, formerly a Clinton lawyer, now attorney for the Union Pacific railroad; also by two daughters, Mrs. L. K. LEMING, of Los Angeles, and Mrs. J. E. HOUTZ, of Lincoln, Neb. Newspapers 12/20/1902 A HAPPY SURPRISE Until Tuesday evening A. E. HILL had never been able to give his wife a complete surprise for her birthday. He decided to have the Christian Reapers society, of which she is a member, and their families call on her that evening in a body. He has told her they would go see "Romeo and Juliet" and when the surprisers arrive she was ready to go to the opera house, and when she heard the knock on the door she thought that is was Mrs. COOPER, who was to accompany her. When she saw the room filled with a jolly crowd asking of she thought that she would enjoy the play, she was so embarrassed that she could not laugh naturally and no one enjoyed her surprise any more than Mr. HILL. Surprise No. 2 to Mrs. HILL was when the refreshments came. Mr. HILL had ordered ice cream and cake, but when she suggested that he get refreshments, he told her that he thought that apples would be enough, and they were passed. After a time of social enjoyment the ice cream and cake arrived. The third surprise to the victim was when she received nice presents from her husband and the Reapers. The time was full of enjoyment from the arrival of the surprisers until they departed. 1/23/1903 SHE DIDN'T GET AWAY A correspondent from Deland to the Decatur Review gave the following: "Last Saturday Wm. BAKER'S hired hand, Oliver KING, decided to return to his home in Kentucky and they loaded his trunk in the wagon and drove to Farmer City, where he was to take the train. Mr. BAKER'S wife accompanied them. After they had been in Farmer City sometime KING went to the livery barn and hired a rig and told the liveryman to meet them, KING and Mrs. BAKER, at a certain place. They drove to Mansfield, where they were to take a train for Kentucky together. When Mr. BAKER got ready to start home he could not find his wife any place; he kept inquiring of persons he knew and finally found out that she had eloped with the hired man, and they had started in the direction of Mansfield. He went to the depot and took the first train to Mansfield. As he was stepping off of the train he saw KING and his wife getting ready to board the same train. He grabbed his wife's arm and jerked her back and kept her from getting on, but KING managed to get on. BAKER had the agent telegraph ahead and catch KING and search his trunk and they found some of Mrs. BAKER'S clothes inside. After searching the trunk they let KING resume his journey. BAKER brought his wife back home. Monday morning she started out again on foot, but one of the neighbors persuaded her to return home." 1/30/1903 BURNED BY GASOLINE Herman WELLER was badly burned about his head and hands last Sunday afternoon in Kenney. He was filling a gasoline lamp in the Fruit opera house and it appears that the lamp had sprung a leak, and when he attempted to light it the entire lamp became a blaze, burning his hands and face severely. The fire was put out by lots of hard work, and it was thought for a long time that Kenney was to have another big fire. The interior of the hall was slightly damaged. 1/30/1903 LOST HIS FARM John HOUCHIN, who moved here from Jefferson County and worked some years ago for Wm. ARGO, returned to that place about six years ago, after he had accumulated $1,500 and bought a farm, paying the $1,500, thinking that he would be able to pay out and get the farm. This week he moved back to Clinton, having lost the farm and his money. He has leased the E. G. ARGO farm, one miles east of Clinton and will move there the first of March. He is living in Mr. ARGO'S rent house on East Main Street until March. He says that he is glad to get back to Dewitt County. 1/30/1903 CLINTON BOY LOOSES A LEG John L. BARBER, who had been braking at the Wabash for a number of years, while attempting to board a train at Litchfield last Friday fore noon, fell underneath and had his foot and ankle horribly mashed by the wheels. He was taken to Decatur, where he was at once placed upon a passenger train and taken to Springfield, where he was placed in a hospital. Monday his leg was amputated just above the knee. Monday his father, A.H.C. BARBER, went to Springfield and found his son in a cheerful mood. It is thought that he would be able to return to Clinton in about 3 weeks. Mr. BARBER had carried an accident policy, but unfortunately he had failed to renew when it expired less than two weeks ago. Mr. BARBER has numerous friends who regret to hear such a sad misfortune. 1/30/1903 YOUNG FARMER DISAPPEARS Frank PHARES, a young farmer of Texas township, left Wednesday without leaving his address. When his wife returned from Clinton the afternoon of that day, her husband was gone, and she found a note saying that he had left and would not return. The reason that he gave was that he could not quit drinking and was a burden to her. In Decatur it was learned that he bought a ticket for Texas. 2/13/1903 WILL LIVE IN WASHINGTON Oscar M. POND, of Washington D.C., arrived in Clinton Tuesday evening about 8 o'clock and an hour later he was married to Miss Nellie E. MAGILL at the home of Mrs. Eleanor MAGILL, aunt of the bride, by Rev. T. A. CANADY, only relatives of the bride were present. The groom is well known in Clinton, having lived here while in the employ of the Illinois Central as a clerk. The bride has lived here all of her life and was one of the city's best known society ladies. They left on the Diamonds Special Tuesday night for Washington, D. C. where they will make their home, as Mr. POND has a position as a clerk in the census department. ------------------------------------------------------------------ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organiza- tions or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contri- butor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ----------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Earliene Kaelin