Beckham County, OK - Obits: Van Higgins, 1920
28 Mar 2008
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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HIGGINS, VAN
(10 Jun 1920, Sayre Standard, Sayre, Beckham Co, OK):
Several day(s) ago a man by the name of Van Higgins with his wife and two
children drove into this city in a covered wagon and camped for a few
nights on south Fourth st opposite the wagon yard.  He was a tubercular
victim in the last stages of the dread disease and trying to get far
enough west to find a healthier location.  The small family had remained
there unnoticed for some time until one night last week a hard rain forced
them to go into the wagon yard for shelter from the storm.
The next day the man walked with difficulty to main street and asked to
see the sheriff.  Sheriff Francis was pointed out to him whereupon he
walked across the street and addressed Mr. Francis, saying that he was
forced to call on some one for help as he was in a dying condition and
that he wanted to be assured that his family should be taken care of.  He
was assured of help by the sheriff and went back to his bed.
Mr. Francis looked up Commissioner Carmichael who purchased a supply of
groceries for the unfortunates and delivered it to them, telling them that
they would bring more provisions and some money.
Only three days passed however until death came to the penniless and
unfortunate man.  He died at six o'clock on last Thursday morning very
suddenly and before any medical aid could reach him.
Under direction of County commissioner Carmichael, the body was prepared
for burial by undertaker Lane and tickets were bought for the family and
the corpse to Sapulpa, Oklahoma, where a brother of the dead man lived.
Scarcely anyone in the city knew of the condition under which the family
was existing and the unfortunate man was too proud to make his needs and
those of his family known until death had begun to take hold of him. 
Sayre's good people would have gladly extended a helping hand had they
known of the misfortunes surrounding the ill fated family.
Our county officers are to be commended for taking care of the case in the
best way possible.  It is, however, regretable that such a calamity should
befall a family in our midst without the care of good friends and a
helping hand by the city as a whole.

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