McLennan Co. TX - Mr. & Mrs. Ed Costley From: Carol Couch ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** Waco Daily Times Herald May 3, 1917 BRIEF ILLNESS FATAL FOR JAILER ED COSTLEY Pioneer McLennan County Officer Passed Away at 12:20 Noon Today Had Lived in County Nearly Half a Century and Was Elected Constable Before Was 21 An illness that had confined him to his bed only since Tuesday resulted in the death at 12:20 noon today of Jailer Ed Costley, aged 60. He passed away at his home, 219 North Sixth street. The body will be taken from the family residence here tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock and will be carried to Crawford in the motor hearse of Undertaker F.M. Compton, the funeral to take place at Crawford tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock. Mr. Costley returned home last Friday from Crawford, and though ill at that time, he was able to be out Monday, but Tuesday he became seriously ill, and his condition seemed desperate, almost from the time he was forced to take his bed. Death resulted from a complication of ailments. A native Texan, Ed Costley was born in Bastrop county. He came to McLennan County in 1868, hence had spent 49 years of his life in this county. He was constable for many years of the Crawford precinct, and elected to that office before he was 21. For ten years was Mr. Costley jailer when County Clerk John Baker was sheriff, and he had been jailer little more than four years, under Sheriff S.S. Fleming. He was also a member of the police force for several years. FEARLESS OFFICER Ed Costley was one of the best known peace officers in McLennan County. Brave and fearless in the discharge of his duties. the fact that he was vested with authority, practically even before he attained manhood's estate, did not, in any instance, result in his abusing that authority. When told that Jailer Costley was dead, the majority of the inmates of the county jail turned away and wept silently. They had been the recipients of many kindnesses at the hands of Mr. Costley, who was one of the most humane and conscientious keepers the McLennan County jail has ever had, and the regret felt by the inmates of the jail, at his passing away, was sincere and genuine. There were few men in McLennan County better known more highly esteemed, or held in greater affection than Ed Costley. Courteous and companionable at all times, he was loyal to his friends in every emergency. He measured up to the full standard of a man in all things. TRIBUTE FROM SHERIFF FLEMING Sheriff Fleming was visibly affected by the death of Mr. Costley. In referring to the dead jailer, Mr. Fleming said: "Ed Costley was one of the truest, most faithful and most efficient officers I ever came in contact with. He was always trustworthy, could always be depended on, regardless of the element of danger involved, and one who could be relied upon at all times. I feel that I have lost one of my best and truest friends." Beside his wife, who had been seriously ill for the last six weeks, Mr. Costley is survived by four sons and one daughter: Grover, Corsicana; Dean, John, Luther and Miss Ada Costley, Waco. He also has two brothers and one sister, Lurn Costley, Jack Costley, Indian Gap; Mrs. Jennie Frownfelter, Stephenville. These have the sympathy of many in their great bereavement. Temporarily, Deputy Sheriff Joe Roberts will be in charge of the jail. MAY 5, 1917 GRIM REAPER SUMMONS FAITHFUL WIFE TWO DAYS AFTER HUSBAND'S DEATH Mrs. Ida Costley, aged 58, wife of Jailer Ed Costley, who died last Thursday, passed away this afternoon at 2:15 at her home, 219 North Sixth street. Funeral services will be conducted at the family residence about 1:30 tomorrow afternoon, Rev. F.N. Calvin officiating, after which the body will be taken overland in the F.M. Compton motor hearse to Crawford, to be laid to rest beside that of Mr. Costley, who was buried in the Crawford cemetery yesterday afternoon. Mrs. Costley had been ill for some time, but the sudden shock of her husband's death last Thursday hastened dissolution. She had been unable to leave her bed for the last three weeks. Born in Arkansas, Mrs. Costley came to Texas with her parents when but a small child locating at Crawford, and it was there that she married Mr. Costley. She was a sincere and devout member of the Central Christian Church. Mrs. Costley was greatly esteemed by a host of friends throughout the county. Four sons and one daughter survive. John, Dean and Luther and Miss Ada Costley, Waco; Grover Costley, Corsicana. These have the sincere sympathy of many in the great affliction they are called on to bear in the loss of both father and mother within the last two days.