Death of Mrs. Etta Pryor Shaw, wife of W.T. Holland of St. Helena Parish, LA Submitted to the USGenWeb Archives by Pat Ezell, Jan. 2000 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ The following transcribed column appeared in The St. Helena Echo, v. 34, #48, Greensburg, La., April 9, 1920, 3rd pages, columns, 1, 2, and 3. The column was entitled "Our Little Echoes." Although there is no by-line on the column, from the context of the writing is appears the author is W.T. Holland, Editor of the newspaper. In addition to the surnames of SHAW and HOLLAND, the following additional surnames appear: DAVIS, FREILER, HARVELL, MILLS, WOMACK, POWERS, BANKSTON, LEA, TULL, BOYD, PRICE, ADAMS, BENTLEY, CROOKS, TILLERY, and HUTCHINSON. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mr. E.C. Davis, State Bee Specialist, made a flying visit home Monday. Mrs. John Freiler, of Ora, Miss., visited the home folk here last Sunday. Dr. D.H. Harvell and wife of Harvell Mills, came up Monday and were with us until Tuesday. Hon. John H. Womack of Kentwood was in town Wednesday and called in to see us. His visit was greatly appreciated. Mr. L.L. Powers, wife and daughter, Miss Maud, came up from their home at Grangeville Monday to be with us in our great sorrow. Our Methodist people will be called upon tomorrow afternoon, _____ by two girls to solicit contributions for our Orphanage at Ruston. The call is worthy and urgent. Mr. J.L. Bankston, wife and children, of Darlington, supposing the funeral would be Monday afternoon, came to our home to attend same, and their sympathy was greatly appreciated. Mr. Leslie S. Harvell, wife of and two children, of Grangeville, came up Monday, having heard that Cousin Etta was no more, and were with us until Tuesday and helped to console us as much as possible. Wilson S. Holland of New Orleans was wired about what had happened to Mama Sunday evening and he was soon with us all and sharing with us our great affliction. He was her first born and she loved him with a devotion that was really sublime. Lake Holland was telegraphed to at Alexandria Sunday evening telling him what happened at home, and being fortunate in connecting with trains he arrived here Monday noon. The very happy home from which he went was now found to be one of deep gloom and sorry. He returned to his duties Wednesday. Dr. V.A. Lea and wife, who were for some years of our town and with whom the closest relations of friendship existed, were notified of the death of their friend, and they hastened here Monday and remained over until after the funeral services on Tuesday. This was an evidence of what we already knew that they loved her. Cadet Thomas M. Holland came up from the L.S.U., last Friday to spend Easter with the home folk, and we were all so happy until the great stroke came that turned our joy into mourning. Tuesday afternoon, when he would have lingered longer to be with us, we encouraged him to return to his studies and to be as faithful in the future as in the past, and make preparations to honor the name that is above all other names on earth. Our dear cousin, Dr. S.E. Tull, pastor of the First Baptist church of New Orleans, hearing of our sad affliction came up Monday morning and was with us until Tuesday, and his sympathy and words of condolence helped us and the family so very much. He assisted the pastor at the church services, and his talk and eloquent prayer were so appropriate that they linger with us as some sweet fragrance. He loved cousin Etta. Miss Lillie Holland, who teaches music in the State School for the Blind at Baton Rouge, was notified immediately of what had happened at home Sunday afternoon, and with her cousin, D.K. Boyd, left as soon as preparations could be made and motored home to Greensburg that night, being on the road nearly all night on account of the conditions of the road. She was with us then until Tuesday noon, when she returned to her duties. MOTHER Last Sunday, that beautiful Easter Day, when we were all so very happy and cheerful, and after we had all attended Sunday School and studied the sublime lesson about the Resurrection of our blessed Lord and Savior, there came an affliction upon us that we cannot reconcile and which is hard for us to bear. Mother had remained at home to arrange dinner for us, and our dear Daisy and her husband, Mr. Price, had been invited to partake of it with us. It was a lovely dinner, just such as only Mother could prepare, and around the festive board we were all so very happy and gleeful. When it was over we sat on the front porch and held sweet communion, and some happy girls came in and invited us all, but Mother especially, to go to Mrs. C.A. Adams just across the school grounds and assist the children in an Easter Egg Hunt, and she said, "Yes, come and let's all go," and we did. Upon our arrival there were so many very happy children, and those selected went out in the old field near by to hide away the eggs and soon the word was given to come, the hunt was ready, and there was a great rush. Mother was standing at the entrance leading into the open field as as we passed spoke to us about finding such a beautiful and quaint bird's nest down on the hillside, and we had passed on just a bit further when Mrs. Adams called out to us to come there quick. We hastened there, as did others, and found that Mother had fallen, and before anything possible could be done her sweet spirit had gone out from us forever in this world. We carried her home and friends gathered, but what could be done and what was our plight? That home of joy and happiness was not the house of mourning in all that the terms implies. Mother's maiden name was Etta Pryor Shaw. Her father was John Wilson Shaw, and at the time of his death was Internal Revenue Collector in New Orleans, and died when she was only five years old. He had an only brother in this country, Judge Alfred Shaw of New Orleans, a noted lawyer, scholar and linguist, and died there in about 1886, or probably a year of so later. Her mother was Mrs. Diana Shaw, nee Womack, and came of one of the most noted families of St. Helena, and closest connected on one side with the Kemps, another noted family of the earlier days. On October 14th, 1880, Etta gave her hand in marriage to this editor, W.T. Holland, and he is proud to say that he loved her with all the passions of the human heart, and that love was reciprocated. Ten children were born to bless this union, tow of whom, Willie and DeWitt are not. Wilson Shaw Holland, the eldest one, holds a position in the editorial department of the Times-Picayune I New Orleans; Clyde S. Holland is with us in the Echo office and a representative of the State Department of Conservation; Lake Holland holds a government position as Prohibition Enforcement Agent with headquarters in Alexandria, La., Lillie Holland, music teacher in the State School for the Blind in Baton Rouge; Mrs. O.G. Price of Greensburg; Myrtle Holland, Thomas M. Holland, student at the L.S.U., and Marguerite Bentley Holland, with us at home. Some people at least know how much love and affection she bestowed upon these children, and of her devotion to her home, but the record will have to be investigated with the Recording Angels in Heaven to ever be fully known. Great efforts were put forth to get all the immediate family and near relatives word, and all was successful except that of our brothers J.A. and I.L. Holland of Opelousas. Why it was we cannot find out. They never could be reached and the funeral was delayed until Tuesday that they might get here. The casket containing the precious jewel was borne Tuesday morning to the Methodist church, and before the same alter at which she assumed the vows of the church more than forty years ago, the solemn funeral services were held, conducted by the pastor Rev. L.F. Crooks, assisted by Dr. S.E. Tull of New Orleans. She was then borne to the beautiful little Cemetery in which she had prided so much in keeping in perfect order, where they laid her down to that long, long night of sleep, but will awake again when He comes, and we will see her. The floral offerings were beautiful and were an eloquent tribute to the esteem in which she was held by those who knew her. We are unable to express in words the gratitude of our heart and that of the children for kindnesses shown by friends too numerous to mention. God will bless them all and richly reward them. Mr. C.E. Tillery, a leading merchant of Montpelier and President of Farmers' Bank at that place, was in town Wednesday and made us a call that was duly appreciated. He reports the berry crop around Montpelier as being fine, and that no uneasiness is anticipated regarding prices, the only trouble being the labor situation which is acute there as it is elsewhere. He was accompanied by his bright little boy Carlton. Not very much can be expected of the Echo this week and very many of our friends have told us not to worry about it. We are certain we never labored under such trying conditions, and hop it will never be our lot again. Were it not for the sympathy of our friends, expressed both in words and actions, we could never have carried the load. Were it possible we would mention all their names separately. We knew before hand that they loved the one who has gone from us, but we know it much better now. Just as soon as we can pull ourself together, with the help of the children, we shall answer all the letters and telegrams, received from our friends and loved ones that have given us so much comfort. Our good friend W.P. Hutchinson of Tangipahoa was here on business Thursday and called and offered sympathy. It helps one to carry a heavy load if he only knows there are some who feel for him. Transcribed by Pat Ezell, 1/9/2000 PatEzell@worldnet.att.net *************************************************************************** File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/sthelena/obits/shawetta.txt